50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:50-53 (ESV)
1. What is Jesus doing?
- He is preparing a place for you
John 14:1-3 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3 (ESV)
- He is continuing to complete His work in you
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6 (ESV)
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. Gal. 5:25 (MSG)
- He is interceding for you
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Rom. 8:34 (ESV)
2. What did the disciples realize?
- Jesus is truly Divine
- Fear left them
- They centered their lives on worship
- They were filled with great joy
52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:52-53 (ESV)
3. Who did He leave for us?
- The promised Holy Spirit
- The opportunity to be filled with Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:4)
The promise of the Spirit’s guidance/teaching/leading
“I will not leave you as orphans”… John 14:18 (ESV)
¬ Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 (ESV)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (ESV)
4. What does the presence of Christ result in us?
- The Kingdom of God is open for us
- We have an Advocate/Intercessor
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Rom. 8:34 (ESV)
- We have His power flowing in us
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Rom. 15:13 (ESV)
- We will be restored as He is restored
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. Matt. 12:13 (ESV)
Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8:25 (ESV)
…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
…since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 1Peter 1:23 (ESV)
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 1 Cor. 15:50-54 (ESV)
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. Rev. 21:5 (ESV)