What’s so special about Thursday?

The Ascension of JesusWhat does it mean for us?

Acts 1:1-13

The ascension means - He is able to be with us always

• Matt. 28:20 – – I will be with you always, even until the end of the

world. • Matt. 18:20 – – Whenever two or three of you come together in

my name, I am there with you.

Guarantees our inheritance -

Eph 1:13, 14

The ascension means – His Spirit is available to us

• John 16:7 – – But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for

you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

Helps us in our

prayers –

Rom 8:26, 27

Strengthens us - Eph 3:16

The ascension means – we have a representative in Heaven

• Rom. 8:34 – – Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God's

right side, speaking to him for us. • Heb. 7:25 – – He is forever able to save the people he leads to God,

because he always lives to speak to God for them.• I Jn. 2:1-2 – – My children, I am writing this so that you won't sin. But

if you do sin, Jesus Christ always does the right thing, and he will speak to the Father for us. 2Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people.

The ascension means – we will see Him again

• Jn. 14:1-3 – – Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have

faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.

The ascension means – we are assured a place in Heaven.

• John 14:1-3 – – Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God

and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.

• I Thess. 4:16, 17 – – With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and

a blast of God's trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. 17Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever.

• The fact that he is always with you• Or that he left his spirit to be with you• Maybe it’s that he is representing you in

heaven right now• Perhaps it’s the fact that we will see him again• Or the security of knowing we have a place set

aside for us in heaven

What’s the most important aspect of the ascension for you?