The Risen King Reigns!: Jesus takes His Rightful Place as King! (Episode 2)

Jesus didn’t only rise from the grave—He ascended and took His rightful place as King. In this episode of From the Well to the World (series: The Risen King Reigns), Pastor Dee and Bernie explore the power and purpose of the Ascension. Drawing from Acts 1, Psalm 110, and key New Testament promises, they unpack why the Ascension matters: Jesus has all authority right now, the powers of darkness have been disarmed, and our King is not distant—He intercedes for us from the throne. You’ll also hear practical encouragement for everyday life: how Christ’s enthronement frees us from living defeated, from carrying the burden of control, and from striving in our own strength—and how the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk with the reigning King. Close with a heartfelt invitation to surrender afresh to Jesus, our risen and enthroned Lord.  

Scripture Used

Acts 1:9–11 — Jesus is lifted up and taken by a cloud (the Ascension).

Psalm 110:1 — “Sit at my right hand…until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Matthew 28:18 — Jesus has “all authority…in heaven and on earth.”

Colossians 2:15 — The powers of darkness are disarmed through Christ’s victory.

Ephesians 2:6 — We are raised up and “seated…with him” in the heavenly places.

John 16:7 — It is better that Jesus go away so the Helper (the Holy Spirit) comes.

Resources

Evans, Anthony T. Who Is This King of Glory?: Experiencing the Fullness of Christ’s Work in Our Lives. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.

Levering, Matthew. Engaging the Doctrine of Jesus (and Mary): A Traditional, Historical-Critical, and Mariological Christology. New York, NY: Cascade Books, 2025.

Ovey, M. “Ascension [and Heavenly Session of Christ].” In New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic, edited by Martin Davie et al., 67. London; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press; InterVarsity Press, 2016.

Schreiner, Patrick. The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine. Edited by Michael F. Bird. Snapshots. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020.

Evans, Anthony T. Who Is This King of Glory?: Experiencing the Fullness of Christ’s Work in Our Lives. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999. 106.

Levering, Matthew. Engaging the Doctrine of Jesus (and Mary): A Traditional, Historical-Critical, and Mariological Christology. New York, NY: Cascade Books, 2025.

Ovey, M. “Ascension [and Heavenly Session of Christ].” In New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic, edited by Martin Davie et al., 67. London; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press; InterVarsity Press, 2016.

Schreiner, Patrick. The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine. Edited by Michael F. Bird. Snapshots. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020. 89.

Thomas, Gary. Holy Available: What If Holiness Is about More Than What We Don’t Do? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Welcome to From the Well to the World. This week in our series, The Risen King Reigns, Bernie and I want to talk about one of the most powerful moments in the life of Jesus, the ascension. Jesus rose from the grave and he ascended into heaven and took his rightful place as King. He rose and he reigns.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

After the resurrection, Scripture tells us Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God. Then in Acts chapter 1, Jesus is lifted up, taken by a cloud, and seated at the right hand of the Father. This fulfills Psalms 110, where God says, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. The ascension was Jesus being enthroned.

SPEAKER_01 0:54

The ascension tells us three life-changing truths. First, Jesus is King right now. Matthew 28 says, All authority is his, not someday, but now. Second, the battle has already been won. Colossians tells us the powers of darkness were disarmed. Resistance to Jesus may feel strong at times, but it's ultimately mutile. And third, Jesus is not distant. From the throne, he intercedes for us.

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Here's where this becomes personal. We don't have to live defeated. We don't have to carry control. We don't have to strive in our own strength. Ephesians tells us we are seated with him. That means our lives are shaped by his authority, not our circumstances. And Jesus said it was better that he ascended, because the Holy Spirit now lives within us. The King reigns from above and walks with us.

SPEAKER_01 1:57

Friends, Jesus is not absent. He is praying, and he is forming us. Let's surrender afresh to our risen and enthroned King. Heavenly Father, I thank you that your Son Jesus is our risen and reigning King. We praise you that you are not only the one who conquered the grave, but the one who now sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father, ruling with all authority in heaven and on earth. We confess that too often we live as though the throne is empty, carrying burdens we were never meant to bear, and striving in our own strength instead of resting in your reign. Today we surrender our hearts again to your kingship. Teach us to live under your authority with trust and humility, to release our need for control, and to walk in confidence and in obedience to your word. Thank you that from your throne you intercede for us, that our weakness is met with your mercy and our need is met with your grace. Help us draw near to you with boldness, knowing that because you reign, we are never alone and never without hope. Fill us, Jesus, afresh with your Holy Spirit, so that your reign is not only confessed with our mouths, but revealed through our lives and our words, our choices, our loves, and our witness. Shape us into the people you already have called us to be. May we live as citizens of your kingdom even now, until the day every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. We submit ourselves to you, our risen and enthroned King, and we pray this in your mighty and victorious name. Amen. Shalom.