When we think of evangelism, rarely do we link our commission from God to the ascension of Jesus. However, it is precisely Jesus’ ascension that both leads to our equipping for evangelism and substantiates the necessary precondition for why Christians are left on earth as witnesses.
Observations & Conclusions: Why did God leave this task to us?
– Because the task is relational
- Evangelism must be grounded with integrity
- Evangelism must be grounded in a relationship with Jesus
– Because the task is impossible
- Evangelism must be seen in the weakness of man
- Evangelism must be seen in the all surpassing power from God
– Because the task is transformational
- Evangelism must be enjoining us with our exalted Head
- Evangelism must be enjoyed by us too
– Because the task is temporal
- Evangelism must happen because Jesus is returning again
Application: What does Jesus’ ascension teach us about evangelism?
- Pray
- Spend time with Jesus as Lord through His Spirit
- Make the most of every opportunity – Jesus is coming again
2 Corinthians 1:9
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
“And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
Ephesians 1:19c-23
“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 5:23c
“Christ is the head of the church”
Colossians 1:18
“And he is the head of the body, the church”
Revelation 22:7
“Behold, I am coming soon!”
Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon!”
Revelation 22:20
“Yes, I am coming soon!”
Acts 1:9-14
“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.” Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”