The Ascension of our Flesh (Ps 24:1-6, Jn 20:17)

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Sermon Outline

1. Intro
   1. “Everything that goes up must come down.”
   2. But the Ascension is different (Eph 4:8-10)
2. Ps 24:1-6 in Context
   1. The Sphere of God’s Creation (Ps 24:1-2)
   2. The Question: Who can be in God’s presence (Ps 24:3, Heb 9:23-24)
   3. The Answer – only the pure (Ps 24:4)
   4. The Result – Blessedness and Righteousness (Ps 24:5-6)
   5. The dilemma –
3. The Wonder of Jesus
   1. Thankfully Jesus meets all these things
      1. He has clean hands
      2. Pure heart (Mt 5;17, Mk 12:30-31)
      3. Doesn’t lift soul up to an idol (Mt 4:1ff, 3:17, 17:5)
      4. Doesn’t swear by what is false (Jn 12:49, 14:10)
   2. Jesus is the only one who can enter the heavenly sanctuary (Jn 1; 20:17)
4. Implications of Christ’s Ascension for us
   1. First – Jesus has taken human flesh into the throneroom of God and that means those united to him are welcomed into the presence of God. (Eph 2:6, Jn 17:24, 14:2-3, Heb 4:14-16)
   2. Second – Because Jesus has returned to his heavenly throne – he is busy ‘attending to whatever regards our salvation.” (Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22) ”
   3. Third – The ascension marks the point when the celestial world celebrates the victory and glorification of Christ: (Eph 4:8, 1Pt 3:21-22)
   4. Fourth –We now have a calling to mission that is empowered by his Spirit, (Jn 16:7)
   5. This is the wonder of the Ascension!