Taken

1. Taken Pastor Dave Jansen February 17, 2019 Series: Conclusions

3. Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. --Luke 24:50-53 (NLT)

5. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it…

6. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it…

7. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… 1. We know that Jesus reigns as King over all!

9. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to • God, and all the angels and authorities • and powers accept his authority. • --1 Peter 3:22 (NLT)

11. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above • any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but • also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and • has made him head over all things for the • benefit of the church. • --Ephesians 1:19-22 (NLT)

13. For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. • --Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)

15. We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. • --Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

17. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… 1. We know that Jesus reigns as King over all!

18. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it…

19. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… • 2. We have an Advocate in heaven!

21. If anyone does sin, we have an • advocate who pleads our case before • the Father. He is Jesus Christ, • the one who is truly righteous. • --1 John 2:1 (NLT)

23. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. • --Romans 8:34 (NLT)

25. Since we have a great High Priest who • has entered heaven…let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. • --Hebrews 4:14,16 (NLT)

27. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… 2. We have an Advocate in heaven!

28. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it…

29. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… 3. We have an Advocate on earth whose presence is limitless!

31. It is best for you that I go away, because • if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. • If I do go away, then I will send him to you. • --John 16:7 (NLT)

33. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just • as my Father promised. But stay here • in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and • fills you with power from heaven. • --Luke 24:49 (NLT)

35. Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for • I haven’t yet ascended to the Father.” • --John 20:17 (NLT)

37. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… 3. We have an Advocate on earth whose presence is limitless!

38. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it…

39. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… • 4. We are empowered for our mission!

41. He has given each one of us a special • gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives • and gave gifts to his people.” [Psalm 68:18] • Notice that it says “he ascended.” This • clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that… (cont’d) • --Ephesians 4:7-12 (NLT)

42. …he might fill the entire universe with • himself. Now these are the gifts Christ gave • to the church: the apostles, the prophets, • the evangelists, and the pastors and • teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. • --Ephesians 4:7-12 (NLT)

44. You will receive power when the Holy • Spirit comes upon you. And you will be • my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends • of the earth. • --Acts 1:8 (NLT)

46. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… • 4. We are empowered for our mission!

47. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it…

48. How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise him with great joy? By it… • 5. We live in hope for his return!

50. He was taken up into a cloud while they • were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly • stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you • into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” • --Acts 1:9-11 (NLT)