The Significance of the Ascension

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome to the lifestream morning worship service from beacon Baptist Church in Burlington, North Carolina. Hope you were able to tune in a little bit early and to join in the congregational singing recorded the course from previous locations, but how good it is to join our thoughts together. If not, our voices in praise before the throne of God. They will written him teachers much that's exactly the purpose for them speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord and one of the reasons why we sing songs that are filled with biblical doctrine is because we are teaching our congregation.

The word of God through singing and also the tenant same time, of course, praising God lifting our thanksgiving and worship to God in song.

So this morning we signed a human rendition of Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Then we signed one of Mark Martin Luther's great him depths of low. I love the words of that him well.

We are still in exile unable to meet together because of the pandemic that is upon us, and because of the restrictions that are necessary because of the highly contagious nature of this coronavirus.

We are waiting for the day when we can gather back together we are ready for you here at beacon Baptist Church. We are keeping the building ready were keeping the grounds kept nicely mode and looking nice and ready for your return and the surprise that I mentioned to you a couple of weeks ago is about 99% ready to go and it'll be here on your return. If you can look forward to that day. We continue to pray for our nation and for those who have been affected by the coronavirus and we continue to thank the Lord that here in Alamance County. Though we are not under touched by it. We are certainly more blessed in many parts of our country.

We did however this week have our first death in Alamance County.

We don't know the identity of the individual but we do know that it was a senior citizen and had other health complications and most of the deaths fall into that category, but the United States of America has now had will pass 50,000 deaths and becomes the number one nation all the world for the magnitude of deaths from this virus. At least from those that are reported and so we have not been spared. We are the richest nation in the world in many ways the most advanced our wealth has not spared us our scientific prowess and our resources have not spared us. We are at the mercy of God Almighty and we need to recognize that he is on his throne and we need to bow before him and acknowledge his sovereign rule to recognize that he is the one who can heal us and protect us and he is also the one who can bring us to our knees and I pray that we shall indeed bow before him, the sooner the better for his glory and for our well-being here in Alamance County.

However, we have had.

I think 262 reported cases of coronavirus know that's not elements County not nearly that many elements County 262 deaths in the state of North Carolina that I read on the on the Internet yesterday know when you consider that there are more than 50,000 all throughout the United States. If you divided that number by the 50 states that would average a thousand deaths per state. Of course we know that the more populous states have more in the less popular state populous states have fewer deaths but nevertheless an average of a little over 1000 deaths per state. North Carolina would fall in the upper half. By far, maybe even the upper quarter of state populations in the United States and yet to have only 262 Deaths Is Way Way Way way way below the national average. All I can say is thank you Lord for being so kind. We are not deserving of such mercies, but thank you Lord for being so kind.

While much has transpired in the life of Stuart Wass since we last gathered on the Lord's day a week ago.

He has been completely certified by the insurance and by by the doctor who wants to perform his transplant surgery. There were some complications that came up last week that I won't go into the details of right now, but there are couple of doctors that are still of a slightly different opinion as to how to proceed and I think all that's going to be hopefully straightened out of the next day or two and we are praying fervently that the Lord will supply a healthy donor because as far as I can tell that's really the only thing now stands between our missionary brother in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the transplant of a liver that he is needed now for a good long while I'm reading from Psalm 24 verses one through five. The earth is the Lords and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded upon the season established upon the water who may ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who may stand in his holy place.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully, he shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Will you join your hearts together with me in prayer, Lord God Almighty.

We bow before your majestic throne. We acknowledge that you are the uncontested un-rivaled ruler of this universe. We acknowledge the Lord that you are the create tour and you are the sustain or and you are the judge of all the earth and we bow before your throne to acknowledge your rightful rule over this world, and over all of the events in this world and overall the people in this world, and indeed over each one of us who are who are waiting before you this morning. We acknowledge that you are sovereign and we are your subjects and we are subject to your rule and we are responsible to obey your commandments and we are guilty of violating your commandments and we stand condemned before you bottle Lord how gracious you are to have given us your son. What a provision. What a sacrifice at what a cost and he died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of those who trust in him and so we bow before you recognizing that we are deserving of eternal condemnation, but gratefully receiving the pardon which you have provided we receive it by faith we receive it with gratitude we receive it with joy we receive it with wonder, for we are still amazed to realize what blessings we have in Christ Jesus.

What a great rescue has taken place because of your mercy upon us.

We thank you father for the progress that has been made in the last few days with our missionary brother Stuart.

We lift them up before you he still has to go through this operation and we pray Lord that you will bring that to pass quickly that you will provide a healthy donor that you will bring them safely through and extend his life and labors upon this earth for a season. We pray all Lord for those who have lost loved ones for Doris and Chad Loftus most recently for and Rosen for Joan Zentz and we thank you to Shirley Watkins dear member of our congregation who had to go to the hospital this week is now home and doing well and we commit her to you.

We pray for Drew Guthrie that you might continue to sustain her father.

We have others, many others in our congregation who are in need of your help and I reminded of their weakness in our weakness and of your strength and so we commit them to you.

Now we pray Lord that you will enable us to worship you in spirit and in truth from our respective places in our homes all across this County and beyond. Elements County and even to the ends of the earth.

Those who are gathered together by Internet. In this meeting today. Pray Lord that you will open our hearts to receive your word and to honor and worship and adore you, as we ask in Jesus name Bible is open to Luke chapter 24 and I'd like to read verses 36 to 53. This is after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it takes us through the ascension of Christ. Now, as they said these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said to them, peace to you, but they were terrified and frightened and supposed that they had seen a spirit, and he said to them, why are you troubled, why do doubts arise in your hearts. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself handle me and see for spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. But while they still did not belief or joy, and marveled. He said to them.

Have you any food here so they gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, these are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms, concerning me and he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then he said to them, thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And you are witnesses of these things, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high and he led them out as far as Bethany and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. Now came to pass while he blessed them that he was parted from them and carried up into heaven, and they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God this morning we are going to return again to the subject of the ascension of Christ that was our subject last Sunday morning and on that occasion, we examined the historical narrative of the ascension of Christ as it is found in acts chapter 1, but today I would like for us to explore more of the significance of this event. For there is greater emphasis upon the ascension of Christ in Scripture than most of us probably realize. I think we tend to conclude the history of the incarnation of Jesus Christ at his resurrection, but Scripture takes us beyond the resurrection all the way to the ascension and our failure to understand the full significance of the ascension I think tends to weaken in our minds. Some very important doctrines doctrines that we failed to fully appreciate because we fail to emphasize the ascension of Christ to the extent that the Bible does so my approach today is of necessity going to be topical because I want us to see something of the whole scope of what Scripture has to say about the ascension of Christ, and that can only be done in a topical manner, but really this is more serial exposition have a number of texts I'm going to only be able to deal with each one very lightly but each one is going to be a small exposition of that particular text exposition after all means explanation. Expository preaching is explanatory preaching. Normally we focus on one text and explain it in detail. Today were going to focus on a number of text and explain them in a less full detailed way. But there are several text we want to look like look at as we examine the doctrine of the ascension of Christ relationally. That is we want to see how each part of Scripture relates to the other parts and bringing us a fuller understanding of the doctrine of the ascension.

So were going to examine this doctrine this morning and for parts number one in anticipation number two in actualization number three in affirmation number four and application. First of all, in anticipation. You cannot study the life of Christ in the Gospels without picking up the fact that he looked forward greatly to his restored glory with the father.

Looking beyond the incarnation beyond the cross beyond the resurrection he was looking forward to that time when he would return to his heavenly glory that he had with the father before the world began, and the ascension of Jesus Christ is the event that accomplishes Christ desire that's plan that prayer that desire that longing was realized when the historical event brought that to pass in the life of Christ.

I picked up five statements of anticipation three by Jesus in two by others. That is, references in Scripture prior to the ascension to the fact that it was coming, prophesied events, if you will find number one from the Psalms of the Old Testament.

Believe it or not David in Psalm 68 verse 18 anticipated the ascension of Jesus when he said this, you have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive you have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell there is talking about the promised Messiah. And that becomes crystal clear in one of the New Testament text will examine the moment but David used the very language of ascension. You have ascended on high. Think about that for a moment talking about God Almighty talking about the Messiah, who is God, he was on high. So how did he come to ascended on high, because from the beginning, from eternity past, he has always been on a time. He has always been in the place of highest honor and glory. The highest station. He has always been upon the throne of the universe.

So how can it be said by David you have ascended high will of course that demands that produce pre-presupposes a descent from that place of highest glory, so that the time came when he ascended back to that place again. David anticipated the ascension. Our second examination will be the words of Jesus himself to certain skeptics as recorded in John chapter 6 and verse 62. Now let me give you the background of this bread of life discourse and among other things, Jesus has declared several times before we come to our text in verse 62 that he is the bread that comes down from heaven, the bread of life. The true bread figured by the manner prefigured by the man know that was a symbol of this that God gave to his children in the wilderness bread that came down from heaven that only spoke of the true bread that comes down from heaven again this matter of descent from above and he said I am that bread which comes down from heaven and some of the his listeners objected to that, therefore, verse 60, many of his disciples when they heard this said, this is a hard saying.

Who can understand when Jesus knew in himself that his disciples complained about this he said to them, does this offend you and never succeed to what then if you should see the Son of Man as send, where he was before he anticipates the ascension and on this occasion, he tells it to those who are skeptical and unbelieving. He who has declared himself to be the bread of life, which comes down from heaven and these listeners call disciples, but obviously not committed disciples only professing disciples. But these disciples objected to his claim, and what they were objecting to was his claim that he had come down from heaven. You say that of yourself. They obviously did not believe that he was God come in the flesh. They obviously did not believe that he was the promised Messiah. How can you make such a claim that you have come down to us from heaven and Jesus said if you think that something, wait till you see me as send back to heaven now and saying it the way he does. He does not declare that these actual individuals are going to visibly with their eyes see the ascension but he says what then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where he was before.

If you think my claimant to descending from heaven is beyond belief. What will you say quiet here to find out that I have reversed that descent and have ascended back to heaven where I was before and he declares his future ascension and by these words, he makes it clear that it will be a visible event. It's something that those who are present will be able to see if you that I'm speaking there should by God's appointment be present on the K on that occasion you see me ascending back to heaven. Jesus is anticipating the ascension or third reference is in Luke chapter 9 and it is a statement by Luke, who was talking about an occasion when Jesus was among the Samaritans and here's what he says in Luke 951 now it came to pass, when the time it come for him, that is Jesus to be received up, I read this verse. A lot of times, but I think I've sort of glossed over that phrase and miss the significance of it when the time would come for him to be received up, that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face.

And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for him, but they did not receive him, because his face was set for the journey to Jerusalem, I must confess this is one of those references to the ascension of Christ that I have overlooked all of these years, I have assumed all of these years that this time when Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem, that this was a determination to a grim determination to go to return to Jerusalem to the cross and to undergo the suffering which he certainly did not look forward to. In one sense, because of the the suffering and pain involved, but on the other hand was looking forward to because of what it would accomplish.

He sat his face like a flint grim determination. Go to the cross.

But that's not what this text is talking about. He said he is facing determination to go to Jerusalem. Anticipation of what the cross. No, the ascension, when the time had come for him to be received up, he set his face like a flint door Jerusalem so eager was he for the ascension back to heaven and nothing would deter him from going to Jerusalem, which of course would first require the cross and the resurrection. But what he was looking forward to was passed across past the resurrection, and all the way to the ascension when he would return to his heavenly glory.

He anticipated the ascension. Our fourth reference is also spoken by Jesus to his apostles in John chapter 16 the upper room discourse and here's what Jesus said I came forth from the father and have come into the world again. I leave the world and go to the father reference to his ascension. I came forth from the father and have come into the world again.

I leave the world and go to the father. Jesus came from the father, a departure from his previous position. Jesus came into the world by conception in the virgin's womb.

The incarnation, but now he is at the time he speaking these words in John 16 very close to the cross. What he's looking forward to is beyond the cross beyond the resurrection to the ascension back to the father.

He who has come from the father will go to the father. That's the ascension that's the culmination of his exaltation back to a place of glory and it is a definite event just like the virgin conception was a definite historical event that we remember as we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ, a definite historical event so the ascension of Christ back to heaven is another definite historical event.

In fact, we can pinpoint that more accurately on the calendar than we can virgin conception or the virgin and one final reference of anticipation.

Again, the words of Jesus to the women, and particularly to Mary Magdalene in John chapter 20 in verse 17. This is on the day of the resurrection. The women were the first of the tomb.

As you know and as they were going on their way to tell the disciples because the Angels had instructed them to do that. Jesus met them and revealed himself to the and we read that they took hold of him. They bowed before him and worship on the ground and took hold of his feet and Jesus. We read in verse 16 of John 20 Jesus said to her, Mary.

She turned and said to him, or ability. What the bone I which is to say, teacher, Jesus said to her, these words do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my father would go to my brethren and say to them. I am ascending to my father and your father and to my God and your God.

This is a text that has puzzled some people, but I think of the light of the doctrine of the ascension becomes very very clear what is Jesus saying don't cling to me don't cling to me in my bodily presence upon the earth. Some of actually constructed some kind of a doctrine about Christ bodily presence changing from the time that he spoke these words to Mary until he later came into the upper room and allowed the people disciples to feel he is hands in his wound and to to actually feel his physical body, but that's a misunderstanding of what Jesus is saying here what he saying is don't cling to me because I'm not going to stay around if you cling to me you are going to be terribly disappointed because I can't stay. I cannot stay. I am going to my father, I have not yet ascended to my father, but I am going to. I have not yet ascended to my father, but go to my brethren and say to them.

I am ascending to my father and your father and to my God and your God.

The ascension hasn't taken place, but it will shortly and when that takes place my physical presence is gone forever. You can't cling to that. You have to cling to my words.

You have to cling to my truth. You have to cling to my spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit, whom I will send to you. That's what you must cling to in the days to come.

So tell my brother and I am ascending to my father and your father and my God and your God.

The fifth reference to Christ. Anticipation or two anticipation of the ascension. I've chosen those five for the anticipation. But secondly and briefly, we will consider the actualization. That is the the historical event when the ascension took place on a particular day in history when all that was prophesied. All that was anticipated. All that was told 4 Told It Would Take Pl. at some future date was fulfilled was realized and is described in Scripture. We have brief references to it in Mark 16 Luke 24 I read that one. A moment ago, but the fullest description is found and ask chapter 1 the text that we examined last towards day and we find. First of all, the event described and analyzed in verse nine and then the explanation of the event by the Angels versus 10, 11, I redress those verses.

Now when he that is, Jesus had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up in the cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by him in white apparel who said men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven. The same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven. That's the event it's described in verse nine and there are two aspects that are of particular note number one. He was lifted up in their view as they watch they saw him, just like Jesus had said this will be a visible event that some will see, they will see me going back to heaven I who came down from heaven will be seen in going back to heaven.

What are you going to do with that.

If you don't believe I came from heaven when you go to do with the reality. When I returned to heaven and so he was lifted up in their view, but a cloud received him out of their sight. He went up four ways and then he was clothed in a cloud, probably Shekinah glory, the glory cloud of God. God's presence. God's glory, but had not only received him up in glory as the Bible tells us, but it also shielded him from view. So they really couldn't see where heaven is. That's maybe why they were gazing and gazing and gazing. We want to see into heaven we know is being taken up to the father in heaven. That's a description we can analyze it very briefly. Number one what they saw a number two what they did not see. What did they see they saw him bodily lifted up, ascended toward heaven. What they did not see. They did not see the conclusion of his journey. They did not see anything after he was envelope in that obscuring cloud they did not see where heaven was.

They did not see those elements of this event. The explanation of the event is given to us in verses 10 and 11 by the Angels and we can analyze those by first of all what the angel said in secondly what their words indicate what they say will they said he's taken up into heaven there's any doubt about where he was going when he was taken up where is up where is he going the Angels made it clear he's taken up into heaven and they secondly said that he will come again from Kevin in the same way that he was taken up into heaven, he will come again from Kevin so he who descended from heaven and accomplished the purpose for which he came to earth, ascended back to heaven to receive the glory that was his before the incarnation, but the promise is that he will one once again descend from heaven, we can expect him to come back again. The second coming.

That's what the angel said the hunt to their words indicate and I think they are indicating the following. They indicate number one that his work on earth is done. The purpose for which he came down from heaven is not been fully accomplished so that he is returning to heaven. He's returning because it is finished. He's returning because his work on earth is done. He's returning because the purpose for which he came down from heaven is not been fulfilled so that he is returning back to him. What do these words indicate number two that his heavenly glory has been restored.

He laid aside for the work of redemption upon the earth.

Now it is being restored to him again as he ascends back to heaven. What thirdly do these words indicate they indicate that his heavenly work has begun. He has work to do in heaven that he did not have before the incarnation.

I don't know if you've ever thought about that before. I think that will become more clear. But the work of redemption accomplished upon the earth still has work to to continue for it to be fulfilled for redemption to be applied to all of his lost sheep until the last one is redeemed and the bride is complete and he is accomplishing that work among other things in heaven.

At this time his heavenly work has begun. Now that his earthly work has been completed and the words of the angels indicate when that work is completed he will return what is earthly work was completed.

Hey ascended back to heaven now for 2000 years he's been doing work in heaven work that pertains to his work of redemption upon the earth its new work that he is doing that he did not do before the incarnation and the work of redemption upon earth and wind that heavenly work is completed he will return.

That's the actualization that would turn thirdly to what I've called affirmation that his five declarations that this Ascension which was anticipated and was actualized on a day in history and ask chapter 1 as recorded in acts chapter 1 has actually occurred and was recognized as having occurred. I many of the followers of Jesus Christ to make declarations regarding the ascension declarations and sometimes I think we may overlook that they are important in the first one is found in acts chapter 1 and it is the gathering of the D's disciples in the upper room. The hundred and 20 were waiting there until the Holy Spirit should be bestowed upon them. Peter is now speaking to them and he says therefore being exalted to the right hand of God is talking about Jesus therefore being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out that which you see and hear. I picked up the wrong reference that's accepted to make back to ask chapter 1 verse 22. All right, here's were in the upper room, Peter is preparing for the need of replacing Judas and talking about the qualifications for the 12th apostle and he said in verse 21 therefore of of these men who have accompanied us all the time with the Lord Jesus went in and out and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to what what's that's that's the beginning of his earthly ministry his public ministry. He didn't say from the beginning of the incarnation because none of them had been there that more saw Jesus during his earthly is early days but starting with his public ministry. Not only had the apostles, but many others been witnesses and saw beginning with his baptism by John. But to what end, we might say well they observed everything up to and and including the resurrection had to be witnesses of the resurrection.

But that's not what Peter says beginning from the baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us. One of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection he has public ministry was inaugurated in his baptism he has earthly ministry was concluded with his ascension when he was taken up from us. Now I come to the second affirmation in acts chapter 2 of the day of Pentecost when Peter is preaching to the multitude and he said about Jesus Christ in verse 33 and following therefore being exalted to the right hand of God. Ascension and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out this which you now see and hear the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The flames the tongues of fire, the rushing wind, speaking in other languages. For David did not ascend into the heaven, but he himself said, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.

Therefore, all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ. On the day of Pentecost, Peter included the ascension of Jesus as part of his message is gospel message. If you work will that included the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ but also the ascension in regard to the ascension of Christ. There are important elements that Peter highlights he was exalted to the right hand of God. That's the place of sovereign rule. He is on the throne of the universe. Secondly received the promise of the Spirit. Jesus said that the father had promised the spirit. Now we learn that a descending back to heaven. Jesus received the promise of the spirit that is this promise that the spirit will be outpoured at the proper time was placed in the hands of God Almighty. The sun, the ascended Lord back on the throne. And so the one who poured out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was none other than Jesus from his throne in heaven. Following his ascension he received the promise of the Spirit, and he bestowed the promise of the Spirit was Jesus who did that and that relates to his ascension there other references that affirm his ascension. For example, this one in Ephesians chapter 4. Here Paul quotes this Psalm that I read earlier Psalm 68 from David and he says therefore he says when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.

Now this he ascended, what does it mean and that he also first descended the lower parts of the earth.

I found it fascinating when I read Psalm 60 8II concluded that the reference to ascending up on high, implied, and demanded that a dissension had to take place. But that's not spelled out in Psalm 68 but Paul takes up this text in Psalm 68, and he makes that implication definite. It now becomes in Scripture rated that in fact is what is not only implied but now is clearly stated. Now this, he asked, ascended, what does it mean but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the year. He who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fulfill might fill all things.

This descending into the lower parts of the earth again.

Which is puzzled some people in has occasioned some some of this misunderstanding and erroneous teaching just simply say he descended to earth and then he ascended back to heaven he descended to the lower parts of the universe.

This was certainly lower parts from the standpoint of heaven to come to earth God's lower but as low as you can go descended to earth that he went back to heaven. And so Paul according Psalm 6818 tells us of the one who descended is the one who absented and from heaven.

He gave gifts to his church. Now we come to 1/4 affirmation in first Timothy chapter 3 and if I were choosing a text for the message and it's hard to pick a text for a message like this re-examining so many different texts, but if I were choosing a text with the message. This would be it. Saw first Timothy 316 and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness or the mystery of God. The mysteriousness of God. God is manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up to glory, the nature and activity of God, says Paul, directed by the Holy Spirit of God is a great mystery but mysterious, though it is.

There are some things that we can know number one God was manifested, God was revealed in the flesh who was Jesus he was God. He is God when he was upon the earth as a man.

First the babe in the manger and then a man upon the earth. He was God who was robbed in flesh. He was furthermore vindicated by the spirit observed by angels, proclaimed among the nations. We don't have time to deal with all of these phrases they're all important. He was believed on in the world that's the gospel of Christ going into all the world and he was finally taken up in glory. That's the ascension is that interesting wind.

Paul mentions in summary, the mysterious person and work of Jesus Christ from getting incarnation the end ascension is the two bookends on either side of his earthly appearances earthly visit to earth he in this particular summary doesn't mention the cross, though that's implied and preach to the nations, doesn't mention the resurrection that's necessary if there is a death but he does mention the ascension. How important is that pretty important is one of the important doctrines of his earthly appearance and so he was taken up in glory. Paul summarizes this work of Jesus Christ in coming to earth from descent to asset from incarnation to exaltation from humiliation to glorification. It began in a virgin's womb concluded with the ascension back to heaven. One final one that for that we go to the book of Hebrews and actually there several relevant text in Hebrews.

I'm going to confine myself to one primarily in sneaky and another one just momentarily sold a look at Hebrews 414 and also quickly at Hebrews 81. But here's what Hebrews 414 says seeing then that we have a great high priest who has passed the heavens.

I don't think I ever really understood the import of that phrase until this study is a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. He's talking about the ascension of Christ Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession and Hebrews 81 he says of the same one now.

This is the main point of the things we are saying we have such a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. We have a great high priest who is on the throne of the universe. What is he telling us, and now he is emphasizing this matter that Jesus is now our great high priest. He became our sacrifice. But he is not great high priest, and that required dissension affecting links. His qualification to be our great high priest to the ascension speaking to Hebrews Jewish Christians who understood the Old Testament system of the high priest in the Old Testament and how the high priest one day a year on the day of atonement would go into the holy of holies he would pass through the veil into the holy of holies into the presence of God to represent his people before God by sprinkling the blood on the mercy seat, the blood of the atonement. One time a year. That's with the high priest did to represent his people under Moses.

But all that was picturing Jesus Christ would represent his people before God and is described in Hebrews as the great high. Priest who has passed through the heaven and it was taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God in order to become our great high priest, and I didn't have time to read these other verses but we are told that several things took place. Number one he took our nature to represent us as men. He had to become a man, and he did. He took our nature, number two, he provided the sacrifice all the priestly Old Testament in particular that the high priest on the day of atonement had to bring the required sacrifice that was provided for him by the appropriate animal. Of course the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. But Jesus provided the sacrifice the only one that could actually atonement, which was himself. Hey, was the sacrifice and then rose from the dead and ascended on high to present the sacrifice, which was himself, but he first of all, took the position of the sacrifice and dying on the cross, he became the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and then passing through the heavens, a which is figured by the Old Testament high priest passing through the veil. Jesus Christ passing through the heavens entered into the presence of Almighty God, the holy of holies there as our high priest representing us, presented the second, which he himself had provided he entered into the holy of holies and his ascension was that passage into the holy of holies you beginning to see how significant the ascension of Christ is to our full understanding of what Jesus is done now.

I will quickly make three applications and I will just touch upon them very lightly. What do we learn many things with these three number one our Redeemer brains in heaven. He is the ruler of the universe Jesus our Savior. You're the man Christ Jesus's ruler over all and he is writing benefits all of his redeemed people. Everything he does on his throne always honors him as it ought, but everything he does from his throne always benefits his people because we are so closely identified with him. We have the ruler of the universe. The omnipotent sovereign ruler of the universe orchestrating everything from heaven. In such a way that we are always benefited both in time and for eternity. Nothing that he does can do anything besides were beyond benefiting his people. He rose and heavens number two. He bestows the spirit spirit that was bestowed on the day of Pentecost was bestowed by Jesus Christ from his heavenly throne. The Holy Spirit that continues to be bestowed today is bestowed by Jesus Christ from his heavenly throne. Every believer, everyone who comes to believe in Jesus Christ does so because Jesus Christ from his throat bestows the Holy Spirit to affect regeneration in the heart of that person and beyond.

The root regeneration of his sheep is lost sheep who will be found when he sends his Holy Spirit to find them and regenerate them. That same Holy Spirit is bestowed to enable his servants. We are his children to accomplish the work that is given us to do so number one. He rules upon the throne of the universe. Number two. He bestows his spirit upon his sheep number three. He represents his people.

He is our representative.

He is our great high priest in heaven representing us.

He is our advocate before the father. This is a glorious truth, Jesus. My great high priest offered his blood and died by guilty conscience seeks no sacrifice beside his mighty blood did. Once the tone and now it pleads before the throne wrote Isaac's got it exactly right. What should we do in the face of these truths. Number one, we should meditate upon them so that we can absorb them understand and apply them.

Number two, and should lead us to greater appreciation for who Jesus is and what he did and is even now doing. Having ascended back to Kevin should cause us to worship and adore him, should cause us to trust him.

Why can't we trust it with our lives, why can't we trusted with our circumstances.

Why can't we trust him with our difficulties and trials when we have such a one representing us in heaven sitting upon the throne of heaven ruling every detail of everything that happens in this universe in such a way that it can only bring good to his people. Why can't we trust you and those who are outside of Christ, like won't you trust him for the salvation of your soul.

This great high priest who is in heaven to represent his people. All those who trust in him. All we were together. This is what we would sing at this point, Lord enthroned in heavenly splendor first begotten from the dead, thou alone are strong defender lift to stop thy people's hand.

Prince of life for us, thou livest bye-bye body souls are healed. Prince of peace, thy peace style givest by thy blood is parted and sealed Paschal Lamb line offering finished. Once for all when thou was slain in its fullness undiminished shall forevermore remain great high priest of our profession through the veil, thou interest in by thy mighty intercession, grace and mercy thou dost wind life imparting heavenly manna stricken rock with streaming side heaven and earth with loud Hosanna worship the Lamb who died hallelujah hallelujah risen, ascended old heavenly father. Oh glorious sun.

Oh, ministering Holy Spirit triune Godhead we bow before you. We marvel at the truths that we have considered this day help us oh Lord to trust you more to trust you with our circumstances and not dishonor you by failing to trust you, even in the midst of this time of fear may have not caused fear and we who are your children the Lord. For why should we trust you is the one who has power to raise the dead to life to raise the souls of our loved ones who are yet lost in their sins. You have the power to direct you have shown yourself willing to do it and it has nothing to do with whether we deserve it or not, but all rests upon your mercy, and upon your power. We trust you Lord to do what only you can do and now thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore the Lord, let us be steadfast in movable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord