Pastor Bryan Walmer

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” Acts 1:1-11 CSB

Jesus’ work in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension has accomplished a lot for us.

Jesus’ work:
Has made it possible for us to be with God

As fully God and fully man, Jesus ascending to heaven shows us that humans can dwell in God’s presence.

We will be welcomed into God’s presence by a human hand.

Is finished

There is nothing left to do for our salvation.

This means our ability to enter God’s presence is not affected by us.

Will be completed

Jesus’ work is already finished, but not yet completed.

The way Jesus will complete his work is by bringing justice on those who oppose his good plans for the world.