Message Notes for June 1, 2025

Series: Miracles

Title: The Miracle of the Ascension

Miracles are a move of God beyond any human thought, ability or action. Miracles still exist and God still moves.

Psalm 77:14 NIV You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

The Miracle of the Ascension

Acts 1:6-11 ESV So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ 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.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The Miracle of the Ascension concludes the work of salvation and opens the work of restoration.

Ascending to the right hand of God is Jesus’ heavenly enthronement as King with all power, all authority, and all rule and reign. 

Matthew 26:64 ESV Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

What difference does Jesus’ ascension make in our daily life?

1. The work of salvation is complete.
2. We have a mediator and intercessor. 
3. The work of transformation and restoration has begun.
4. It allows us to see the full divinity and glory of Jesus Christ.
5. A place in heaven is prepared for us. 
6. It set a pattern for Jesus’ return.

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of June 1, 2025

Series: Miracles

Title: The Miracle of the Ascension

• Have you ever struggled with the idea of Jesus being “absent” physically? How do you reconcile that with His promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20)? 
• What is the significance of the Ascension in the narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry?
• Read Luke 24:50–53 and Acts 1:6–11. How do the accounts of Ascension compare and contrast? Why do you think Jesus ascended visibly, in front of His disciples, rather than disappearing privately? What feelings or thoughts does the Ascension evoke for you personally — joy, awe, confusion, motivation?
• Read Matthew 26:64. What does the Ascension tell us about Jesus’ divine nature and authority?  Read also: Ephesians 1:19-23, Acts 2:32-33, Revelation 5:7-9. How does this shape your understanding of Heaven and the kingdom of God?
• How does the Ascension relate to Jesus’ role as our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25, John 17)?
• In what ways does the ascension point to the coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)?
• How does Jesus’ Ascension affect the way Christians should live today? (See message notes and discuss.)
• What does it mean to be Jesus’ “witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)?
• How can the hope of Christ’s return (as promised in Acts 1:11) influence our daily lives?
• Receive each other’s prayer requests and personally pray for each and for each to live more fully for Christ.