Exposition of Acts: Ascension and Beyond
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. EXALTATION OF SON OF GOD
A. FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN
Acts 1:9 And when He had said these things, as they were watching, He was lifted, a cloud taking Him out of their sight.
1. SIMPLE DESCRIPTION (Lk 24:50-51; Dan 7:13-14; Mt 17:2,5; Ex 13:21-22)
2. IMPORTANCE OF THE ASCENSION (Jn 16:7)
B. FROZEN IN PLACE
Acts 1:10-11a While they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men in white robes stood by them, asking, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing looking into heaven?”
1. WITNESSES (Gen 18:2; Josh 5:13; Mk 16:5)
2. FOCUS (Lk 24:52-53)
C. FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH
Acts 1:11b This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will return in the same style as you saw Him go into heaven.”
1. THIS SAME JESUS (Zech 14:3-4)
2. SECOND ADVENT (Rev 16:15; 22:12; Jn 9:4)
II. OBEDIENCE OF DISCIPLES
A. FAITHFUL
Acts 1:12-13a Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, ¾ of a mile walk. And when they’d entered the city, they went to an upper room where they were meeting –
1. BABY STEPS (Acts 1:4)
2. IMMEDIATE FELLOWSHIP (Acts 12:12)
B. FOLLOWERS
Acts 1:13b Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
1. PETER, JOHN, JAMES, ANDREW
2. PHILIP, THOMAS, NATHANIEL, MATTHEW
3. JAMES, SIMON, JUDAH
C. FELLOWSHIP
Acts 1:14 All these were persistently agreeing in prayer, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.
1. DEVOTED TO PRAYER
2. EXPANDED GROUP (Acts 1:15; Jn 7:5; Mk 3:21)