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⁴⁴Then 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." ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And 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."

The Ascension
⁵⁰Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³and were continually in the temple blessing God.

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The story doesn't stop at the resurrection.  Jesus takes 40 days after the resurrection and then ascends into heaven.

1. The Early Ministry of Jesus is complete.
He has fulfilled the scriptures.

2. The Heavenly Ministry of Jesus is Consummated.
This is true only for those in Christ.

Hebrews 9:24
24For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Romans 8:34
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25
25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.


**  The ascension begins the heavenly ministry of Christ.

3. The Earthly Ministry of the Church is Commenced.
A. Jesus teaches the CLARITY

B. Jesus prepares for COMMISSION. - a commission of Proclamation   :46
- prepares them so they can preach with authority
- it was explained so they could go tell others

* Redemption is to be realized NOW
- God hasn't shown us these things for us to be silent.

a commission of Power

C. Jesus ascends with CELEBRATION
- normally goodbyes of people you love are sad.  Jesus blesses the disciples and they rejoice.  Jesus went to take His place as...   In this moment the disciples see everything they believed is true.  Jesus ascends to heaven and takes His place at the right hand of God.