We as Christians pay close attention to Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas… and perhaps Pentecost Sunday… BUT what about ASCENSION DAY?
This sermon explores the assurance of the security in Christ we possess which is to be celebrated in the fact of His ascension into heaven and sitting at His Father’s right hand with all power and authority over all things given to Him.
- THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BATTLE
- THE GRANDEUR OF THE VICTORY
- ADULATION AND CELEBRATION!
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Psalm 24 (NIV84)
Of David. A psalm.
1The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
3Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
5He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.
6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah
7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory. Selah
Text
Ephesians 1:18–23 (NIV84)
18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 4:7–10 (NIV84)
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”
9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
