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THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXIOIN (38)

 

Jesus’ Final Words and The Ascension

Acts 1:1-12

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Luke, the physician, wrote two books of the Bible, the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

 

B.      Both books were written to the same individual, a Greek nobleman named Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1).

 

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

 

C.     Both books serve a unique purpose.

1.       Luke’s gospel tells us the story of the Life of Christ “until the day in which he was taken up” (Acts 1:2).

a.       We read about the ascension in Luke’s gospel in Luke 24:50-51.

 

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

 

b.      In the book of Acts, Luke reveals the travels of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, as they carried out the Great Commission Jesus had given unto them.

2.       He ties the two books together in Acts 1.  In verses 1-12, we read about Jesus‘ final words to the apostles and about His ascension to the right hand of God.

 

D.     This is our last lesson in the series entitled:  “The Sayings of the Crucifixion.”  The subtitle is simply:  “Jesus’ Final Words and the Ascension” (Acts 1:1-12).

 

I.                    THE COMING KINGDOM (Acts 1:3-5)

 

A.     The Confirmation (Acts 1:3a)

 

To whom he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days…

1.       The presence of the Lord:  “To whom he shewed himself alive after his passion…”

a.       This is the only time that Jesus’ crucifixion is referred to using the word “passion.”

1)      It is this term that was used to title the movie, “The Passion of Christ.”

2)      Passion

a)      Strong (3958):  to experience a sensation (usually painful) 

b)      Thayer:  to feel, to have a sensible experience, in a bad sense to suffer

c)       Vine:  to suffer

b.      His suffering and death did not last.  “He shewed Himself alive.” 

1)      The words “shewed himself,” indicate that He actually stood in their presence. 

2)      This was done numerous times at several different places.

2.       The proof provided:  “…by many infallible proofs…”

a.       These proofs were “defining acts” or “criterion of certainty.”

b.      These proofs involved them and many others.

c.       In essence, there was no way to claim that the proof was false.

3.       The period of time:  “…being seen of them forty days.”

a.       He wasn’t seen just one day during a state of heightened emotion.

b.      In fact, He is in their presence right now of the fortieth day after the resurrection.

 

B.      The Concern (Acts 1:3b)

 

…and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

 

1.       Following His resurrection, Jesus was still concerned about the kingdom.

a.       There were prophecies in the Old Testament about this kingdom (Isa. 2:2-3).  Jesus had come to fulfill those prophecies (Matt. 5:17-18).

b.      It was not a physical kingdom (John 18:36).

c.       Jesus had taught about this kingdom often during His earthly ministry, especially in His kingdom parables (Matt. 13).

2.       This kingdom had not been postponed as some would have us to believe.  It was going to be established in just ten days in the city of Jerusalem. 

3.       This kingdom was, and is, the church (Matt. 16:18-19).

 

C.     The Commands (Acts 1:4)

1.       Abide in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4a)

 

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem…

 

a.       Jerusalem was the capital city of the Jews.

b.      It was to this city all Jewish males were called three times a year for feasts days.

c.       God wanted the Jews to hear the gospel first (Rom. 1:16-17).

d.      Pentecost Day would be a perfect time to establish the church.

e.       Too, it would involve the fulfillment of prophecy for Isaiah has predicted that “out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3).

2.       Anticipate the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4b)

 

…but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

 

a.       The promise of the Father was the promise of the Comforter who was to be given them after Jesus’ departure.

b.      Jesus had made this promise to them while in the upper room (John 14:16).

 

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.

 

D.     The Contrast (Acts 1:5)

 

For John truly baptized you with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

 

1.       All of these men had submitted to John’s baptism.

2.       But John had said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11b).

 

…but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:  he shall baptized you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

 

3.       Jesus plainly teaches that the fulfillment of the promise of the Father is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  When the promise came, the baptism of the Spirit came (See Acts 2:1-4).

 

II.                 THE CONFUSION OF THE DISCIPLES (Acts 1:6-8)

 

A.     The Confusion Expressed (Acts 1:6)

 

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

 

1.       The Jews believed that the kingdom of Israel would be an earthly kingdom.

2.       Even after all the teaching Jesus had done during His ministry and following His resurrection, the apostles were still confused about the nature of the kingdom.

3.       They asked:  “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

 

B.      The Confusion Addressed (Acts 1:7-8)

1.       Rely on the Father’s timing (Acts 1:7)

 

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

 

a.       Jesus could have been dismayed and upset by the question His disciples posed to Him.

b.      However, He seems to have known that the things He was teaching were not always well understood.

c.       They would be in time.  When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, and they began to speak and write divine revelation, they would come to an understanding of the nature of the kingdom

2.       Remembrance of the coming mission (Acts 1:8)

a.       The power of the Spirit (Acts 1:8a).

 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you…

 

1)      This was divine power.

2)      It involved power to reveal God’s truth.

3)      It involved power to confirm the words the apostles would proclaim with signs, wonders, and miracles.

b.      The preaching of the truth (Acts 1:8b)

 

…and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

1)      The witnesses:  “…and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”

a)      These men had been eyewitness of the Christ from John’s baptism unto the ascension. 

b)      Their testimony was supposed to be of the Christ as the Son of God. 

2)      The way directed by God: 

a)      Jerusalem (Acts 2)

b)      Judea and Samaria (Acts 8)

c)       The uttermost part of the earth (Acts 10)

 

III.              THE CLOSE OF JESUS’ PERSONAL MINISTRY (Acts 1:9-12)

 

A.     The Crossing Over (Acts 1:9)

 

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

 

1.       Jesus now leaves the earth.

2.       His personal ministry comes to a close.

3.       He was going home.  He was returning to Heaven.  He was going back to His Father’s right hand.

4.       Question:  How did the apostle feel as Jesus was lifted out of their sight?

a.       There had to be some sorrow.  It is not easy to see one you love so much leave.

b.      There was also a lot of hope for the future.  The Holy Spirit was coming, and they had a major mission to accomplish.

 

B.      The Confrontation by the Angels (Acts 1:10-11)

1.       The presence of two angels (Acts 1:10)

 

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.

 

a.       These two men were two angels manifested as men.

b.      They were in white apparel indicating their holiness.

c.       These two angels had been sent from God with a message to these men.

2.       The promise given by the angels (Acts 1:11)

 

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

a.       Have you ever watched a rocket take off into space?  You stare into space for as long as you possibly can.  Even after the rocket has disappeared, you continue to look up for just one last glimpse. 

b.      This was the way the disciples were.  However, all of their looking would not bring Him back.  “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?”  They had to accept the fact Jesus was gone.

c.       But, they were left with a wonderful promise.  One day, He would come again.  Just as He departed in the clouds, in like manner, He would return in the clouds of heaven (See 1 Thess. 4:16-18).

d.      NOTE:  That promise has yet to be fulfilled, but one day it will be and every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7a).

 

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him…

 

C.     The Compliance of the Apostle (Acts 1:12)

 

Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

 

1.       Jesus had told these men to go to Jerusalem and wait.

2.       They did exactly as He commanded them.

3.       Now as they gathered in that upper room…

a.       Doubt had been replaced with faith.

b.      Fear was replaced with courage.

c.       Grief had been replaced with joy.

d.      Confusion had been replaced with a purpose.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have covered a lot of material from the time Jesus and the apostles left the upper room to the time they were assembled on Mount Olivet for Jesus’ ascension.

 

B.      Jesus’ mission was concluded.  The mission for the apostles was just about to begin.

 

C.     Their mission is an entirely different study.  It involves a study of “The Acts of the Apostles.”

 

D.     Let’s conclude with Acts 2:1-4

 

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.