NEITHER RETIRED NOR INACTIVE

Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11; Selected Scriptures

Since Jesus ascended into Heaven to sit at God’s Right Hand, He’s been neither retired nor inactive.  He, in fact, wears many “hats” and carries out many ongoing responsibilities that bring ongoing benefits into our lives.  Let’s consider six benefits the ascended Christ brings to us.

1.                  THE ASCENDED CHRIST INTERCEEDS FOR US.

Hebrews 7:24-25 reminds us that Jesus constantly, consistently prays for you every minute of every day you live.  Moreover, the intercession of Christ is the bow God provides so the arrows of your prayers can hit their intended target. 

 2.                  THE ASCENDED CHRIST DEFENDS US IN GOD’S COURT.

1 John 2:1 reminds us that when Satan, the attorney for the prosecution, accuses us with the charge of unfaithfulness and being unfit to bear the name “Christian” and being undeserving of Heaven, the Ascended Christ defends us by explaining to the Judge that since He (Jesus) has borne the punishment due to the accused (that’s us) in his place and since He (Jesus) has given the accused (us) His perfect record, the accusations do not stick.  Not now, not ever. 

 3.            THE ASCENDED CHRIST OFFERS US SYMPATHY AND HELP.

Hebrews 4:14-16 reminds us that Jesus knows up close and personal what we are going through in our lives, because He’s been there, experienced that.  He’s totally sympathetic and tender hearted, and He dispenses daily megadoses of sin-killing grace and misery-killing mercy to His people.

4.                  THE ASCENDED CHRIST SENDS HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

John 16:17 and Acts 1:8 reminds us that Christ’s ascension enables us to enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to help us, comfort us, encourage us, and empower us, and translate our groanings attempts to pray into articulate prayers (Romans 8:26).

5.                  THE ASCENDED CHRIST PREPARES A PLACE FOR US.

John 14:2-4 reminds us that Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare an eternal home for us.  One day the limousine of death will pick us up and take us there.  Advantage – Christian!  (cf Philippians 1:21)

6.                  THE ASCENDED CHRIST WILL RETURN FOR US.

Acts 1:11 and Revelation 1:7 remind us that Christ will one day return to personally escort us into the New Heaven and Earth where everything that is wrong will be made right and we will be part of that new reality.  The world hopes for the best, but Christians have the best hope – the hope of all things new!  Hope has a Name:  Jesus Christ!  

 Sermon Summary from April 20, 2008 // Copyright 2008 Dr. J. Stephen Jussely

A CD of the entire sermon may be ordered from office@lakelandpres.com