INTRODUCTION: The ASCENSION of Jesus is not the end of the story—it is the DIVINE TRANSITION from His earthly MINISTRY to the birth of the Church's MISSION. His return to Heaven is not ABANDONMENT; it is EMPOWERMENT.

3-PILLARS OF THE ASCENSION:

1. THE KINGDOM EXCEEDS OUR EAGERNESS

a.  Church, we NEED to recalibrate our FOCUS.

    i. Acts 1:6 - 7

b.  Our human tendency is to become overly EAGER by FOCUSING on the WRONG things, like:

c.   Don’t let an EAGERNESS for ANSWERS keep you from ENGAGING in OBEDIENCE.

2. WE ARE EQUIPPED WITH EMPOWERMENT

a.  Church, we have forgotten about the POWER of God.

      i. Acts 1:8

b.  The POWER of the Holy Ghost is not given for COMFORT, PRESTIGE, or PERFORMANCE, it is given for COMPLYING with the MISSION.

c.   There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between receiving POWER and being EMPOWERED.

d.  Are you living with POWER or like someone who’s been EMPOWERED? You are not sent out EMPTY—you are FILLED and to be a WITNESS.

3. WE ARE EXPECTED TO EVANGELIZE

a.  The NUMBER ONE thing the Church has neglected to FOCUS on is this: THAT THERE IS WORK TO DO!!!

     i.    Acts 1:9–11

b.  The disciples STOOD GAZING, caught in the wonder and mystery of the ASCENSION.

c.   But the angels’ QUESTION: “Why stand ye gazing?”—is also a CHARGE.

d.  Church, it is time to for US:

      i.    STOP STARING and START SERVING.

      ii.    STOP GAZING and GET GOING.

4. CONCLUSION

a.  The ASCENSION of Jesus was not a PAUSE but a LAUNCH. He was LIFTED to LAUNCH us out.