Sermon Notes Follow Along
The Ascension: Timeless Witnesses
Luke 24:40–53 – Pastor Paulo Andrade – Grace Bible Chapel
1.) Pastor Paulo notes that the Ascension is often overlooked as a simple time of ___________________.
2.) In Luke 24, Jesus’ final visible posture toward His disciples is one of ___________________.
3.) To experience full life, we must be ready to let go of all that _______________ us, such as fears, doubts and hangups.
4.) Instead of viewing the Ascension as a departure, we should see it as a Triumphal ___________________.
5.) Jesus sitting at the ___________________ hand of God represents His supreme authority over the world.
6.) The Ascension marks a major shift from God’s physical proximity to His ___________________ presence.
7.) According to the message, the core identity of the Church is to be ___________________.
8.) We are called to be storytellers of God’s grace, not power-brokers, or ___________________ of His kingdom.
9.) The Church is not meant to be a “safe religious enclave but is _____________ back into the world.”
10.) Jesus has completed His mission and now passes the _______________ of witness to His followers.
Answer Key: 1. transition, 2. blessing, 3. chains, 4. Homecoming, 5. right, 6. indwelling, 7. witnesses, 8. controllers, 9. sent, 10. baton.
___________________________
Grace Collectives Small Group / Personal Study Guide
Message Title: The Ascension: Timeless Witnesses
Scripture Focus: Luke 24:40–53
Overview
In this message, Pastor Paulo explores the significance of the Ascension, moving beyond seeing it as a mere “departure” to recognizing it as Christ’s triumphal return to glory and the beginning of a new erafor the Church.
Key Points from the Message
- A Posture of Blessing: Jesus did not leave with a warning or a correction; His final act was to lift His hands and bless His followers, signifying His enduring grace toward us even in our doubts.
- The Triumphal Homecoming: From heaven’s perspective, the Ascension was the “Mission Accomplished” declaration, where the Lamb of God returned to His rightful place of authority after defeating sin and death.
- From “Beside” to “Within:” The Ascension was necessary for the transition from Jesus’ physical presence in one location to His Spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit dwelling within every believer.
- The Identity of Witness: Our primary calling is not to be judges or powerbrokers, but to be witnesses who share the story of how God’s grace has intersected with our lives.
Scripture Highlights
- Luke 24:50–51: “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”
- Hebrews 10:12: “But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
- Acts 1:8 / Luke 24:48: “You are witnesses of these things.”
- 1 Peter 2:9: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…”
Quotes to Ponder:
“The Ascension is not unforeseen abandonment; It’s the outflow of God’s plan of a deeper kind of presence.” — Paulo Andrade
“The Ascension completes the resurrection. The risen Jesus is now installed as the world’s true Lord.” — N.T. Wright
“The Church is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave but to send them back into the world to bear witness to Christ.” — Lesslie Newbigin
“We’re called as witnesses—people who tell the story, who’ve experienced, have been shaped, changed by the story of Jesus and by our story with Jesus”
— Paulo Andrade
Discussion Questions
1.) Pastor Paulo mentioned that the disciples might not have felt blessed while watching Jesus disappear. Can you share a time when a difficult “goodbye” or transition in your life eventually led to a greater blessing?
2.) How does viewing the Ascension as a “Triumphal Homecoming”change your perspective compared to seeing it as Jesus leaving us behind?
3.) The message describes a shift from “God beside them” to “God within them.” How does the reality of the indwelling Holy Spirit change how you face your daily anxieties or confusion?
4.) What does it look like practically to live as a witness rather than a judge in your current workplace or social circle?
Practical Ways to Live This Out
- Identify Your “Old Life” Chains: Reflect on any fears, comforts, or “hangups” you are holding onto that might be preventing you from stepping into the “new creation” life God has for you.
- Practice “Royal Priesthood” in the Ordinary: This week, look for one “ordinary” conversation—perhaps around a dinner table or at work—and intentionally impart God’s grace by sharing a piece of your story.
- Wait and Pray: Just as the disciples were told to wait for power from on high, spend time this week in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to empower you for the specific mission He has placed before you.