Rejoice in the Ascended Jesus! He provides power for Christian living and is preparing to return

Luke 24:50-53 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God.

Introduction:

We have been now on the glorious truth of Christ's ascension for the past several days.  My prayer has been that these last several posts have brought glory to Him and has caused you to have a more exalted view of Jesus Christ. Today's post, like yesterday's aims to explain why the ascension of Jesus Christ is cause for rejoicing. In the opening passage above, we see the disciples' response to seeing the blessed Lord ascend into heaven: "And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy." 

As we saw in yesterday's post, two reasons to rejoice over the ascended Jesus is because:

1. He Presides Upon His Throne
2. Promised Holy Spirit has come

We noted yesterday a key anchoring point that will also serve today's post as well: Focusing upon the Ascended Jesus increases your joy in Jesus.  Today we will look at two other reasons why we can rejoice in the Ascended Jesus: Power for Christian living and Preparation for His return. 

Jesus ascended to provide power for Christian living
The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven was not only a historical event, and a cosmic event but also an event that would provide the basis for Christian living for every generation of the converted church. Theologian William Conner notes: The whole New Testament after the Gospels is written from the standpoint of the exalted Christ. The writers do not so much look back to the historic Jesus as they look up to the glorified Christ."1 To clarify further what Conner is talking about, I heard a preacher makes the following statement that aids in summarizing the entire New Testament: "Who Jesus Was is found in the Old Testament and the Gospels; Who Jesus is now is found in Acts and the Epistles; who Jesus will be is found in His return in the Book of Revelation."  

As I come to know "Whose I am", I discover "who I am". Those two fundamental truths, if retained, function as the bedrock of practical everyday Christian life. The following scriptures serve to show how Jesus' ascension is the power source for the Christian life:

1. Ephesians 1:18-20 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."

2. Colossians 3:1-3 "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

3. Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

4. 1 Peter 3:22-4:2 "who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. (4:1) Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."

So another reason to rejoice in the ascended Jesus is due to the fact He provides power for Christian living, and really Christian identity.  By focusing upon the ascended Jesus, our joy in Him increases.  But notice one more reason to rejoice (can we ever rejoice in Him too much? Never!)

Jesus ascended into Heaven to prepare for His return
He who descended down to earth the first time went back up or ascended, according to Ephesians 4:8-12. So then, since Jesus ascended, the question is: what's next? The Bible is uniformly clear that Jesus is coming back once again.  The second coming of Jesus Christ is an unending source of hope and joy for the Christian.  Seeing such hope connected to Jesus' ascension aids us in seeing why He ascended:

1. Acts 1:9-11 "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

2. Acts 3:20-21 "and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time."

3. Philippians 3:20-21 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself."

Due to Jesus' ascension and soon return, whatever He did, we also will have the opportunity to do.  Thus being that He ascended, we as well will get to experience an ascension called the rapture, as seen in 
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Jesus' ascension, in providing the opportunity to get ready to return back to earth for His people, provides much encouragement to saints of God.  Revelation 1:5-7 notes: "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom,priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." And then one more passage, Revelation 2:26-27 "He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father."

Conclusion:
Truly when you and I focus our attention upon the ascended Jesus, will find our joy in Him increased. Over these past couple of posts we have laid out four main reasons why we can rejoice over the ascension of Jesus Christ:

1. Presides upon His throne
2. Promise of the Holy Spirit
3. Power for Christian Living
4. Prepare for His Return

May you and I focus more and more upon the ascended Jesus, so that we may increase our joy in Him!

Endnotes:
1. Walter Thomas Conner. Christian Doctrine. Broadman & Holman Publishers. Page 65 

Rejoice in the Ascended Jesus! - He Presides upon His Throne and has sent the Holy Spirit

Luke 24:50-53 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God.

Introduction:

We have been now on the glorious truth of Christ's ascension for the past three days.  My prayer has been that these last several posts have brought glory to Him and has caused you to have a more exalted view of Jesus Christ. Today's post aims to explain why the ascension of Jesus Christ is cause for rejoicing. In the opening passage above, we see the disciples' response to seeing the blessed Lord ascend into heaven: "And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy." 

As we saw in yesterday's post, the Ascension of Jesus Christ has as its background understanding a very Jewish and Biblical understanding concerning its meaning. In other words, Jesus' ascension into heaven was not just some neat trick He did for His disciples before leaving them.  Rather, when compared to passages such as Psalm 47 and 68, Jesus was demonstrating His full and undiminished Deity as the glorified and resurrected God/man. In both of those Old Testament passages, when Yahweh is depicted as "rising up" or "ascending", the Biblical author expresses joy.  Why is there such cause for joy? The anchoring point for today's post, and perhaps the next, will be: Focusing upon the ascended Jesus increases your joy in Jesus.

So why should you and I rejoice in the ascended Jesus? First note...He presides upon His throne!

Jesus' Ascension means He Presides upon His throne

Knowing that Jesus Christ reigns upon His throne ought to cause any Christian to rejoice more in Him.  Knowing that He presides spiritually over the affairs of history and more specifically over the church ought to bring peace to everyone who names Him as Savior, Lord and Treasure. The following scriptures will serve to bear this out:

1. Acts 2:34-36 "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”

2. Colossians 1:16-18 "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything."

3. Hebrews 8:1 "Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."

4. Hebrews 9:24 "For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."

5. 1 John 2:1 "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

As I was writing this I decided to read those verses out loud just to see what effect they would have on me.  Frankly, those scriptures caused peace to flood my soul. Why? They speak of the fact of the ascended Christ on His throne.  To know He is in charge, in control and holding all things together causes me to have a much bigger view of Him. He is my King, who reigns over me.  He is my High Priest who represents me. He is my Prophet who speaks to me through the scriptures. He is not only transcendent or more powerful than anything, He is immanent or nearer to me than I can imagine. He retains His humanity to represent me in Heaven and by the Holy Spirit He in His Deity can be everywhere you and I are.  

So again, Focusing upon the ascended Jesus increases your joy in Jesus. He presides on His throne and now notice the second joyful implication of Jesus' ascension....

Jesus ascension means the Promised Holy Spirit has come. 

Once Jesus ascended into heaven in Acts 1, the next big event that would occur ten days later would be Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit's full manifestation on that day birthed forth the church and fulfilled the promises Jesus had made to His disciples.  Jesus never breaks His promises! Notice how often Jesus promised the Holy Spirit once He ascended into Heaven:

1. John 14:16-17 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."

2. John 15:26-27 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

3. John 16:8-10 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me"

4. Acts 2:33 "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear."

5. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 12-13 (4) "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit." (12) "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."

Now when you read those verses out loud, you will discover just how trustworthy our ascended Lord truly is. We have cause to rejoice in the ascended Jesus! He presides upon His throne and He has sent the Holy Spirit Whom He promised. Remember: Focusing upon the ascended Jesus increases your joy in Jesus. 

More tomorrow.......

Shadows of the Ascension

Genesis 5:24 "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him."

Introduction & Review:

We have been exploring these past couple of days the event and explanation of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. In today's post I thought we would widen our focus to include Old Testament foreshadowings and predictions that give background to what would be the glorious event of Jesus' ascension into heaven. As Jesus Himself taught His disciples in one of His resurrection appearances to them in Luke 24:44, all the Old Testament speaks about Him.  With such a thing being the case, we can include not only the glorious truths of Jesus' life, cross and resurrection, but also His ascension.  

Certain figures that foreshadowed the ascension

Two men in the Old Testament stand out as foreshadowing the ascension of Jesus: Enoch and Elijah.  To define what exactly is entailed in an ascension like event, three words must be kept in mind: up, glory and empowerment. Enoch's catching up by God into Heaven in Genesis 5:25 gives us the first idea.  Quite simply, Enoch was walking with God and then in an unannounced event, was suddenly "wisked away" by God.  This action was so sudden and so dramatic that the Hebrew Text literally could read: "It was as if he had not been there". 

The second man, Elijah, is taken into heaven by God in 2 Kings 2:9-12 "When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces."  Now notice the three main ideas we mentioned earlier about what entails an ascension-like event: "I am taken from you" speaks of the idea of going up in verse 9; then the chariots and horsemen of God taking up Elijah, thus the second idea of "glory" along with the third idea of Elisha receiving the anointing of Elijah's or "empowerment". These three ideas then of "up", "glory" and "empowerment" function as seeds of revelatory thought in the Old Testament that can aid us in understanding the fullness of Christ's ascension in the New Testament. 

How The LORD Yahweh in the Old Testament was depicted as "ascending" up before His people as a revelation of His Divine Power and Glory

According to Nave's Topical Bible, two Psalms provide amazing foreshadowings and ways of understanding the meaning and significance of Jesus' ascension into heaven.  Psalm 47:5-8 reads: "God has ascended with a shout,The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm. 8 God reigns over the nations,
God sits on His holy throne." The great preacher Charles Spurgeon remarks on Psalm 47:5 - "Faith hears the people already shouting. The command of the first verse is here regarded as fact. The fight is over, the conqueror ascends to his triumphal chariot, and rides up to the gates of the city which is made resplendent with the joy of his return. The words are fully applicable to the ascension of the Redeemer. We doubt not that angels and glorified spirits welcomed him with acclamations. He came not without song, shall we imagine that He returned in silence? 'The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.' Jesus is Jehovah."1

Another Psalm, Psalm 68, speaks equally well towards predicting and foreshadowing what would undoubtedly be the ascension of Jesus. Psalm 68:18-19 in particular says - "You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men,
Even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation." Ephesians 4:7-10 explicitly states that Psalm 68 is speaking of Jesus' ascension: "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)"

So in considering the Old Testament backdrop, we can see one of the reasons why Jesus concluded His earthly ministry in an ascension: to express His exalted Deity before His disciples. 

Closing thoughts: We should rejoice when God is exalted

Now I find it interesting upon viewing these two Psalms that we find reference to joy over the fact that God is being exalted in the lifting up of His glory before the people. Psalm 47:1 begins by saying: "O clap your hands, all peoples;Shout to God with the voice of joy." Psalm 68:32-35 ends Psalm 68 with these words - "Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,Sing praises to the Lord, Selah. 33 To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe strength to God; His majesty is over Israel And His strength is in the skies. 35 O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!" 

As we consider these Old Testament shadows and predictions of the Ascension, we have cause to rejoice over the fact that now we can read about the substance and fulfillment of those marvelous truths. This idea of joy and God's exaltation is clearly shown in how the disciples respond to Jesus' ascension in Luke 24:51-53 "While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God."

May we pray and ask the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts to rejoice and marvel over the ascended glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Endnotes:

1. Charles Spurgeon. Treasure of David, Volume One. Associated Publishers and Authors. 1970. Page 395.

How the ascension gives a window into Jesus' glory

Luke 24:50-51 " And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven."

Review from yesterday
In yesterday's post we began considering the event of Jesus' ascension into heaven.  The main point of yesterday's post was to list the key New Testament scriptures that demonstrate the reality of the event.  We saw that Jesus predicted or indicated His anticipation of ascension on several occasions throughout His earthly ministry.  We concluded with a quote from the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, affirming the reality and significance of the ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven.  Today's post will aim to begin unpacking and explaining the significance of Jesus' ascension. 

How ascension of Jesus into Heaven gives us a grand window into His glory
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 explains not only belief in the physical ascension of Jesus into Heaven, but also how it relates to three other significant truths: His resurrection, His return and His activity in the lives of Christians today.  This is what the BFM 2000 states: "He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord."

That statement summarizes for us the connection we as Christians have to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that He is and accomplished.  Each of the major events of our Lord's lives, a window is given through which we can see increasing manifestations of His glory.

For example, in His incarnation and virgin birth, the angels are depicted as singing "glory to God in the highest". Later at His Baptism, the voice of the Father is heard speaking from Heaven: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." In the midst of His earthly ministry Jesus reveals His pre-incarnate Divine glory to his disciples atop the Mount of Transfiguration. Even in His cross, scripture repeatedly states that the glory of His love is demonstrated.

The cross for many Christians represents the epicenter of Christian devotion - and rightly so - being that it is at the cross where humanity and Deity meet, being that the One Person who is humanity and Deity accomplished the necessary redemption. 

The windows of glory continue in what is considered the most important event, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  It is this event which, according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-20, is the article upon which the validity and reality of Christian faith rises or falls.  Without confessing one's trust in Jesus' death and resurrection, salvation cannot be applied.

As scripture marches forwards, especially in the Gospels, Acts 1 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, we see the glory of Jesus Christ seen yet through another set of windows - His post-resurrection appearances.  As one writer has noted: "grace is but glory begun and glory is but grace completed." It is in those ten or so resurrection appearances of our Lord, over a period of 40 days, that we see the early  disciples established and solidified in their faith, and getting ready for what will be their message to a lost and dying world: "He is Alive!"

All of these key events: Jesus' incarnation/virgin birth; earthly life, crucifixion, resurrection and appearances give us windows into His glory.

However there is one event that not only gives us a window, but a grand, sweeping bay window into the glory of the God man - the ascension. There is no denying how much is suddenly opened up to us in the ascension of Jesus Christ.  It seems that once He had ascended, the New Testament explodes with scripture after scripture describing and applying the significance of the ascended Jesus to Christian identity and living. A few of these scriptures will serve to prove what we are talking about in this post:

Romans 8:34 "who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."

Ephesians 1:20  "which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."

Colossians 3:1  "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

Hebrews 1:3 "And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Hebrews 8:1 "Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."

1 Peter 3:22 "who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."

Closing Thoughts for today:


The main point of today's post was to begin moving from the event to explanation of Jesus' ascension into heaven.  The goal was to begin peering through the big bay window of glory that is His ascension. I close today with this quote from theologian Wayne Grudem on the significance of Christ's ascension for Christian living:

"The fact that Jesus has already ascended into heaven and achieved the goal set before him gives great assurance to us that we will eventually go there also. [B]ecause of our union with Christ in his ascension, we are able to share now (in part) in Christ’s authority over the universe, and we will later share in it more fully. This is what Paul points to when he says that God “raised us up with him, and
made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). We are not physically present in heaven, of course, for we remain here on earth at the present time. But if Christ’s session at God’s right hand refers to his reception of authority, then the fact that God has made us sit with Christ means that we share in some
measure in the authority that Christ has, authority to contend against “the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12; cf. vv. 10–18) and to do battle with weapons that “have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4).1

Endnotes:
1. Wayne Grudem. Systematic Theology. Page 541.

The Event of Jesus Christ's Ascension

Luke 24:50-53 "And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God."

Today's post is featuring an event recorded in scripture that, in the words of Bible teacher R.C Sproul, puts an exclamation point on entirety of Christ's first coming: The ascension. Today many Christians all over the world are celebrating the 40th day following Easter Sunday that is called "Ascension Thursday."

Two scriptures give us the beginning and ending points of the forty day period of time between Jesus' resurrection from the dead and His ascension into Heaven. Matthew 28:1 states: "Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave." According to Acts 1:1-3 "The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God." 

Much of course occurred in that nearly six week period of time. For our interests today, we want to consider the event of the ascension itself.  By beginning to focus upon the scriptures that speak of the event of Christ's ascension, we can begin to see why this event is so crucial to our understanding and worship of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Event of The Ascension of Jesus Christ
Jesus Himself had predicted during His trials and journey to the cross that He would be ascended and seated at the right hand of God the Father in Luke 22:69 "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” Such a statement is important and reminds us that Jesus' ascension into heaven was only possible because of His willing "descension" from heaven to earth, in the virgin birth of His incarnation and ultimately into His passion or sufferings on the cross.

The ascension as an event is recorded in the Gospels and in Acts. For now I just want to list the scriptures that record this event. Why? To remind the reader that this was no myth or fictional hallucination in the minds of the New Testament authors. This event really happened, in time and space, in history and among eyewitnesses.


Mark 16:19 "So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. "

Luke 9:51 "When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem."

Luke 24:50-51 "And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven."

John 6:62 "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?"

John 20:17 "Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”

Acts 1:9 "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

Acts 1:22 "beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”




Thus we see that according to Jesus Himself, the New Testament scriptures and the testimonies of the early Christians, the ascension functioned as a watershed event that would fix the identity of Christ's exaltation forever in the full testimony about Him.  

Closing thoughts:
I thought I would close out this special ascension day post with a statement from the SBC "2000 Baptist Faith and Message". With other Bible-believing Christian bodies throughout the world, Southern Baptists strongly affirms the reality and significance of Christ's ascension.  Consider the following statement: "He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man." To all my readers, I bid you a happy Ascension day.  May we all think on the event of the ascension and why this event is so crucial to our understanding and worship of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2 - Christian Joy's Thought-life

Philippians 2:1-5 "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is anyfellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus."

Introduction and Review

In yesterday's post we considered the Book of Philippians as the "Book of Joy", citing Philippians 3:1 as the key verse.  We looked specifically at chapter 1 and considered how it is Christian joy supplies confidence in three areas:

1. Living 1:1-6

2. Suffering 1:18-19

3. The Gospel 1:12,127-30

In today's post we get to the heart of the Epistle, being that Paul portrays one of the most significant texts in the entire New Testament on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. As we study Philippians 2 today, we will discover that Christian joy's thought-life is cultivated in the following ways:

1. Formed by Christ's humility 2:1-5

2. Flourishes under Christ centered doctrine 2:6-11

3. Functions to live for Christ 2:12-18

Formed by Christ's humility 2:1-5

The theological significance of Christ's incarnation is brought to bear on the thought-life and attitudes of the Christian as being governed by humility. John MacArthur has said that we are never more Christ-like than when we are humble. In wedding humility to our thought lives, we are exhibiting what the Bible calls the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). 

Certainly surrendering our thought-lives to the scriptures is how we begin and maintain Christian joy in the thought-life. Whatever we think will inevitably lead to the decisions we make and the actions we perform. Far beyond a profound theological lesson on how God the Son came to be a man, Philippians 2 seeks to show us how we can cultivate the Christian though-life through the joy found in Christ-like humility. 

Whenever our thought-life is being formed by Christ-like humility, we experience a "sameness" and "soundness" not only individually, but when we are with other Christians.  Notice where we see the idea of "sameness" in Philippians 2:1-5: "same mind" (2:2); "same love" (2:2); "united in spirit" (2:2); "one purpose" (2:2) and then in eseence, having "this attitude (or mindset" in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Quite literally, we can exhibit the soundness and sameness that Christ had in full measure in His life. Joy will be the natural by-product of all this, since it is after-all a fruit borne by the Spirit of God. (Galatians 5:22) Notice how else Christian joy's thought-life is cultivated, namely it.....

Flourishes under Christ centered doctrine. 2:6-11

This section of scripture, perhaps like no other, gives us the summary of Christ's entire life from eternity, to earth, back up to eternity. Meditating on the key points is like exposing the mind to the warm sun of Christ's presence and the soft gentle rains of His grace:

1. Pre-existence. 2:6a

Jesus as the Son, sharing in full Deity with the Father and Spirit, reminds us of how lofty of heights He came. Compare John 1:13, 8:58, 17:5; Colossians 1:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-15. 

2. Incarnation. 2:6b

Jesus as the Son, the Word, has planned already to come to earth to take upon Himself a human nature - literally becoming God in human flesh. Compare John 1:1-18

3. Humiliation. 2:7-8a

The descent of Christ from heaven to earth is what theologians call His "humiliation". Remarkably humility is not a trait the Son began having once taking upon Himself human flesh, but a trait He possessed along with the Father and Spirit from all eternity. 

4. Passion. 2:8b

Christ's passion speaks of His sufferings.  How low would Holy Christ go to accomplish the Father's plan.  The cross represents all at once the low point and high point of eternity and history. The penduluum of redemption swung to the cross and from thence on would swing up from the resurrection to His ascension.

5. Resurrection, Ascension, Exaltation. 2:9

These three events function as the mirror opposites of His incarnation, humiliation and passion. The cross is at the center of the passage, and it is there where the joy of the Christian mind finds its source and end.

6. His session (current activity as Prophet, Priest and King)

What happened after Jesus dissappeared into the sky in Acts 1:9-11. Numerous scriptures tell us that He went into Heaven to sit down at the Father's right hand.  It is from there He began to reign over His church as King. From His thrown as King He speaks to His church through the scriptures - thus in the role as Prophet. (Hebrews 1:1-4) It is there He intercedes as our Eternal High Priest. (Hebrews 7:24-25). All three offices are occupied by Jesus Christ as he presides, sits in session, over His church, awating the time to return to earth in His second coming. 

Just meditating on the awesomeness of Jesus Christ ought to set your mind at ease and the joy of knowing Him.  Humbling ourselves under such doctrinal truths gains us access to a limitless fountain of joy.  Doctrine's function is not just to fill our heads with knowledge, but also our hearts with joy in being known by this Jesus of Whom it points. So Christian joy's thought-life is formed by Christ's humility and flourishes on Christ-centered doctrine but notice lastly....

Functions to live for Christ. 2:12-30

Truly if humility and joy are ever to be brought home to roost in our hearts, we need examples.  Paul first of all states in summary what a thought-life, cultivated in Christian joy, ought to look-like by commanding us to it in 2:12-18. Philippians 2:12-14 states for instance - "12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing."

Next Paul offers up two examples of men living out the reality of Christ-like humility in a joyful mindset: Timothy (2:19-24) and Epaphroditus (2:25-30). Both men represent the full spectrum of the Christian life - with Timothy being the young upstart and Epaphroditus being the seasoned saint.  Both exhibit joy, both have Christ-like humility and both are being put forward by Paul as proof that what He is challenging this church and us to be - i.e Christ-like - is not some abstract ideal, but a true reality. 

Closing thoughts

Christian joy's thought-life finds its joy in Jesus Christ. We discovered that Christian joy's thought-life is cultivated in the following ways:

1. Formed by Christ's humility 2:1-5

2. Flourishes under Christ centered doctrine 2:6-11

3. Functions to live for Christ 2:12-18

Philippians 1: Christian Joy's Confidence

Philippians 3:1 "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you."

Introduction:

Today's post features what will be a periodic series on the Book of Philippians.  In the above opening verse we find the key verse and key theme of this wonderful short letter, written by Paul to the church at Philippi. In a past post I had written on the background, key themes and overall message of this wonderful book of the Bible, and simply refer the reader to that post at: http://pastormahlon.blogspot.com/2014/05/philippians-book-of-christian-joy.html.

Philippians 1 will be the main chapter in today's study. The question to ask is: "what is joy"? In studying the more than 200 passages in the entire Bible that discuss this idea of "Godly Joy" or "Christian Joy", it appears that to be joyful = having confidence in God no matter what.  

Point of Application: 

We will list today's main anchoring point or point of application, followed by a brief outline that will aid us in walking through Phlippians 1: Wherever there is joy, there is confidence.  As we shall see, Christian joy supplies confidence in:

a. Living 1:1-6; 21-26

b. Suffering 1:18-19

c. The Gospel 1:12, 27-30

Christian joy supplies confidence for living Philippians 1:4-6 and 1:20-26
Philippians 1:4-6 is where we discover the linkage between joy and confidence in the daily Christian life: "always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." The joy of which Paul speaks is a delight that is produced by God's grace.  Paul sees how much the Philippians are persisting in their pursuit of Jesus Christ in the Gospel.  The term translated "persuaded" in verse 6 speaks of "having been persuaded".  Having a "firm persuasion" about a matter is very close to the Biblical definition of faith, thus we could say that the reason why Christian joy is so necessary for daily living is because it results in an overflow of faith.  

After writing to the Philippians about all that he has to endure for the sake of Christ, and how He sees great benefit in either dying for Jesus or living to encourage the saints, Paul writes these words in Philippians 1:25-26 "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again."  Christian joy is not only meant for every day of the Christian life, but is also necessary for growth and progress in the Christian life until the very end.  So Christian joy's confidence is needed for daily living, but notice secondly...

Christian joy's confidence supplies joy in suffering. Philippians 1:18-19
As we back up through Philippians 1 we come to these words in verses 18-19: "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." In an unexpected way, Christian joy thrives when pressure and suffering are present and advancing.  Why is that? Because God's provision of grace is the endless fountain of supply for the believer who is in the "pressure cooker" of circumstances. 

Consider 1 Peter 4:12-14 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." Or consider James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  Other great passages spell out this same unexpected truth of Christian joy supplying confidence in times of suffering (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

So in having seen how Christian joy supplies confidence for living and in times of suffering, let us look at the third reason we need the confidence of Christian joy.

Christian joy supplies confidence in the Gospel. Philippians 1:12, 27-30
You and I as Christians need to hear or read about the Gospel everyday.  The event of Christ's death, burial and resurrection according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-6) and the experience of that event by faith and repentance (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:24-26) includes with it an immediate appreciation for the Gospel.  At salvation God's grace brings the preciousness of the Gospel to roost in the human heart.  However following saving faith, the Christian's appreciation for the Gospel ought to heighten, being that its depths and richness are made increasingly clear.  Note what Paul writes in Philippians 1:12 "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel". 

Christian joy and the appreciation for the Gospel go hand-in-hand. We read in Philippians 1:27 "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." Joy in the Gospel is supposed to spread like wild-fire among Christians.  There is hardly no more beautiful thing than to see an entire church-full of God's people express the same joy and confidence in the Gospel.  When that occurs, the people of God will look beyond themselves and see what is needed to accomplish God's Kingdom work. 

Conclusion
In today's post we aimed to see the necessity of Christian joy for confidence in three crucial areas:

a. Living 1:1-6; 21-26

b. Suffering 1:18-19

c. The Gospel 1:12, 27-30

In future posts we aim to look at Philippians, chapter by chapter, to discover more practical, life-changing truths about the necessity of Christian joy.