Humanity has a fascination with flying to the stars. In reality, we haven’t gotten very far at all. But what if someone had reached the stars? How would we relate to that person?
A sermon on the Ascension of Jesus
Sermon Outline:
I. Jesus has ascended and therefore we have ascended.
II. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, therefore we have access to the Father.
III. In his Ascension, Jesus is victorious, therefore we are victorious.
Quotes:
But to go to Him and withdraw from us was this: to change and make immortal the mortal that he took from us and to lift into heaven that by which he was on earth for our sake. Who would not rejoice at this?
-St. Augustine, 5th c.
“The Ascension means that heaven is not merely a hope, but a present possession for the Church in [Jesus Christ].”
-John Calvin, 16th c.
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!”
-Abraham Kuyper, 19th c.
Scripture Texts: Ephesians 4:1-13
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Luke 24:44-53
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.* 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Liturgy bulletin link
Sermon transcript link
“Ad Astra” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org.
Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com.