Introduction:
What do we mean by Jesus’ ascension? (His incarnation, His resurrection, His transfiguration, His glorification)
To “ascend” means to do what? (To glorify, to magnify, to climb, to reside)
Which of these scriptures DO NOT refer to Christ’s ascension? (Matt. 17:1-3; Matt. 28:6; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:9-11)
By what means did Christ ascend? (The Holy Spirit, God the Father, by His own power, angels)
What do we mean by Jesus’ exaltation? (His incarnation, His resurrection, His transfiguration, His glorification)
What is the place of Christ’s ultimate exaltation? (Jerusalem, Galilee, Glory, Heaven)
Who was primarily responsible for Christ’s exaltation? (The Holy Spirit, God the Father, Himself, angels)
Which of these verses describe Christ’s exaltation? (Phil. 2:9; Eph. 1:20-21; Heb. 1:9; I Pet. 3:22)
Did Jesus anticipate His exaltation? Yes
Who are the two subjects of Psalm 110:1? (David and Christ, God and David, Satan and Christ; God the Father and God the Son)
How do we know that? (Matt 22:42-46; Mark 12:35-37; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:34)
Does Psalm 2:6-9 refer to the exaltation of Christ? Yes
Could Psalm 68:18 possibly refer to the exaltation of Christ? Yes
Did the Lord Jesus anticipate His final exaltation? Yes
Did Christ ever speak of this in prayer? Where? (Matt 11:25; Luke 3:21; John 11:41; John 17:1; 50)
Did Christ ever speak of His ascension or exaltation to His disciples?
Does John 6:62 suggest that the disciples were excitedly anticipating Jesus’ ascension? No
What was on Jesus’ mind when “he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem?” (His crucifixion, the last supper; His ascension; His mother)
Where was Stephen when he had a vision of his Saviour? (Samaria, Jerusalem, near death, Jericho)
Where was Christ when Stephen saw Him? (Asia, Jerusalem, Heaven, standing at the right hand of God)
Where in the Book of Mark do we have evidence or a suggestion of Jesus’ ascension or final exaltation? (Mark 3:13; 13:9; 16:19; 24:51)
Where in the Book of Luke do we have evidence or a suggestion of Jesus’ ascension or final exaltation? (Luke 3:13; 13:9; 16:19; 24:51)
Where in the Book of John do we have evidence or a suggestion of Jesus’ ascension or final exaltation? (John 3:13; 13:9; 16:19; 24:51)
Where in the Book of Ephesians do we have evidence or a suggestion of Jesus’ ascension or final exaltation? (Eph. 1:4; 2:8-9; 3:21; 4:8-10)
Where in the Book of Hebrews do we have evidence or a suggestion of Jesus’ ascension or final exaltation? (Heb.3:13; 10:12; 16:19; 24:51)
The necessity of Christ’s ascension and exaltation.
In what ways was the body of Christ the same before and after His death? (His wounds, His appearance (at times); His sinlessness; His purpose)
What were NOT some of the differences between Jesus’ body before and after His death? (His hair, complexion, translucence, transportance)
Should the body of Jesus have been permitted to decay in an earthly grave?
Could the body of Jesus have been able to decay in an earthly grave?
Is Christ a body-less Heavenly being today?
True or false, the nature of the resurrection body of our Lord necessitated His ascension. True.
Was Christ’s work fully completed when He died? No
What were some parts of Christ’s unfinished work? (Atonement, exaltation, medication, mediation)
How would the ministry of the apostles have been hindered if Christ’s body was still among them? (Less divine power; less credibility; less assurance; less trouble)
Could you confidently encourage people to worship Christ, if His body was still in the grave?
The nature of Christ’s ascension and exaltation
In what kind of body did Christ ascend into Heaven? (Spiritual, invisible, tangible, physical)
How long had Christ spent with the disciples after His resurrection and before His ascension? (Three days and three nights; a week, the thirty days of April, forty days)
Did the disciples recognize the body that they saw ascend into Heaven?
Was that body one of flesh and bones? Yes
Was that body one of flesh and blood? Probably not
Who is the Prince of the air? (Jesus, Christ, Satan, Santa)
Did Christ have any problem ascending into Heaven?
Does the Bible say that the Devil tried to stop the ascension of Christ?
Did Christ have to pass by the planets, out of our galaxy, and through light years of space?
How long did it take Him to reach the Heaven of Heavens (Heb. 4:14)?
Which verses declare that Christ is at the right hand of the Father? (Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Col. 2:15; Acts 5:31)
What is the meaning of “at the Father’s right hand”? (A literal place; a figurative position; a seat at the dinner table; how they walk together)
Which verse(s) teach that Christ has driven out our accuser? (Zec. 3:1 and Rev. 12:10; Rom. 8:34; Ps. 110:5)
Which verse(s) teach that Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand? (Zec. 3:1 and Rev. 12:10; Rom. 8:34; Ps. 110:5)
Which verse(s) teach that Christ has great power at the Father’s right hand? (Zec. 3:1 and Rev. 12:10; Rom. 8:34; Ps. 110:5)
The purpose of Christ’s ascension and exaltation.
Which verse teaches that Christ Jesus is a forerunner on our behalf? (Heb. 6:20; John 14:2; Heb. 9:24; Eph. 4:10)
What does a forerunner do? (He prepares, he opens the door; he intercedes; he reconciles)
Which verse teaches that Christ Jesus has gone to prepare a place for His saints? (Heb. 6:20; John 14:2; Heb. 9:24; Eph. 4:10)
Which verse teaches that Christ Jesus is appearing on our behalf? (Heb. 6:20; John 14:2; Heb. 9:24; Eph. 4:10)
Which verse teaches that Christ Jesus is filling all things with His presence? (Heb. 6:20; John 14:2; Heb. 9:24; Eph. 4:10)
What was the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the ascension of Christ? (The Holy Spirit empowered it; He honoured it; He was sent after it; He rejoiced in it) – John 16:7
The results of Christ’s ascension and exaltation.
Seeing then that we have a ________ ________ ________, that is passed into the __________ , Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our __________________.
Let us therefore ___________ _______________unto the throne of ___________, that we may obtain _______________ , and find ______________to help in time of need.
In his assurance that all things work together for good?
What is Christ’s current relationship to “all things?” ( It is His foot stool, He is its judge, He is a witness, it is under his feet)