Listen to last week’s sermon The Ascension of Jesus

The Ascension of Jesus is one of the most profound and hope-filled events in Christian history. It marks the moment when Jesus, after His resurrection, returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. But the Ascension is not just a historical event—it carries deep spiritual truths and practical lessons for us today. Last week, at New Beginning Church in Rockland, Pastor Eric shared three messages we can take from the Ascension and how they apply to our lives.

1. The Ascension Is a Time to Get Excited

The Ascension of Jesus was not a moment of sorrow for His disciples—it was a moment of joy and worship. In Luke 24:50–53 (ESV), we read:

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

At first, the disciples struggled with the idea of Jesus leaving. They were filled with sorrow and confusion, as seen in John 16:5 and Luke 22:45. They couldn’t understand why Jesus had to leave. But after His resurrection, something changed. Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). They began to see the bigger picture—how His death, resurrection, and ascension were all part of God’s divine plan.

Why Should We Be Excited About the Ascension?

The Ascension reminds us that Jesus’ departure was not the end—it was the beginning of something greater.

His return to heaven meant:

He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us as our High Priest.
He has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3).
He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us for our mission on earth.

The disciples’ sorrow turned into joy because they understood that the Ascension was a good thing. It was a divine launchpad for their mission. Similarly, we can rejoice because Jesus’ ascension means He is actively working on our behalf in heaven.

2. Jesus’ Mission Is Complete, but the Holy Spirit Equips Us to Begin Ours

In Acts 1:4-8, Jesus gave His disciples a clear command:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Why Did Jesus Have to Leave?

Jesus explained that it was better for Him to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come (John 16:7). While Jesus, in His physical body, could only be in one place at a time, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. He can be with every believer, everywhere, at all times.

The Holy Spirit equips us in ways that Jesus’ physical presence could not:
He lives within us, guiding, teaching, and comforting us.
He empowers us with boldness, courage, and supernatural abilities to fulfill God’s mission.
He reminds us of Jesus’ teachings and helps us apply them to our lives.

The Ascension of Jesus was like a baton pass in a relay race. Jesus completed His mission on earth and passed the baton to His disciples—and to us. Our mission is to continue His work by spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations.

As Charles Spurgeon once said,

Trying to serve God without the Holy Spirit is like trying to sail a boat without wind.

We cannot fulfill our divine assignment without the power of the Holy Spirit. But with Him, we can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.

3. The Same Way He Left Is the Same Way He Is Coming Back

The Ascension of Jesus was not a farewell—it was a promise. In Acts 1:9-11, we read:

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'”

What does “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” mean for Us?

The angels’ message gives us several insights into Jesus’ return:

He Will Return Physically and Visibly
Just as the disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven, we will see Him return. His return will be a real, physical event, not a metaphor or symbolic idea (Revelation 1:7).

He Will Return in the Clouds
Jesus ascended into the clouds, and He will return in the same way. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven… and we will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

He Will Return to the Mount of Olives
Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, and Zechariah 14:4 prophesies that He will return to the same location.

He Will Fulfill Every Promise
When Jesus ascended, He blessed His disciples (Luke 24:50-51). His return will bring the ultimate fulfillment of every promise He made, including the defeat of sin, death, and evil, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Angels Will Announce His Return
Just as angels announced His ascension, they will announce His return with a trumpet blast (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

How Should We Live in Light of the Ascension?

The Ascension of Jesus calls us to live with expectation, excitement, and purpose. Here are three practical ways to respond:

Live with Expectation
Jesus is coming back. Let this truth shape how you live each day. Don’t get distracted by the temporary things of this world—focus on eternal things.

Live with Excitement
The Ascension reminds us that Jesus is actively working on our behalf in heaven. He is interceding for us, preparing a place for us, and equipping us through the Holy Spirit. This is a reason to rejoice!

Live with Purpose
Jesus has passed the baton to us. We are called to continue His mission by sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and living as witnesses of His love and power. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you for this divine assignment.

The Ascension Is Not the End—It’s the Beginning

The Ascension of Jesus is a powerful reminder that His work on earth is complete, but ours is just beginning. It’s a call to action, a reason to rejoice, and a promise of hope. As Martin Luther once said:

“Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back tomorrow.”

Let’s live with expectation, excitement, and purpose, knowing that Jesus is coming back. And until that day, let’s stay busy fulfilling our divine assignment, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Watch the sermon here: