Jesus' Instructions
Friday Email - October 7, 2022
WAIT & renew -- Acts 1
Our WAIT & Renew series has taken us from the messianic prophecies about the coming of Jesus, through the birth and death of the Christ, and now to Jesus’ instructions for his followers to — you guessed it — wait.
The books of Luke and Acts are sequels (Part 1 and Part 2, if you will). As Luke closes with the death of Christ, Acts opens with important information not recorded by the other writers. We often focus on the Great Commission, where Jesus says, “Go….” However, it’s important to also pay attention to what happens right after this and beyond.
Jesus said, “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5
We’ve observed that renewal is a result of waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). The Pentecostal moment recorded in Acts 2 follows Jesus’ instructions to wait in Acts 1. Again, a connection between taking time to wait for God to move and God’s season of renewal, revival, or restoration.
The big question is this, “What are you waiting for?” Or, more specifically, “In an instant gratification culture, are you intentionally waiting in order to connect with God’s will, or are you — like so many in scripture — attempting to steer God in your own direction?”
The story of Abraham and Sarah is a great help in understanding this. God promised them a son. God promised them the entire world would be blessed through them, that their descendants would be like the sands on the shore. But after decades of waiting, they decided it was time to help God out a bit and move the process along. This led to the birth of Ishmael. But Isaac was the son of the promise and so their need to wait on God continued.
Too often, we don’t like God’s timing. But let me ask again, “WHAT are you waiting for?” Are you waiting for God’s next step, or are you wanting your next step? What’s your “what?”
This Sunday, we will turn our attention to the birth of the Church. The coming of the Kingdom on earth begins, unsurprisingly, with the instruction to WAIT.
See you Sunday!
The books of Luke and Acts are sequels (Part 1 and Part 2, if you will). As Luke closes with the death of Christ, Acts opens with important information not recorded by the other writers. We often focus on the Great Commission, where Jesus says, “Go….” However, it’s important to also pay attention to what happens right after this and beyond.
Jesus said, “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5
We’ve observed that renewal is a result of waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). The Pentecostal moment recorded in Acts 2 follows Jesus’ instructions to wait in Acts 1. Again, a connection between taking time to wait for God to move and God’s season of renewal, revival, or restoration.
The big question is this, “What are you waiting for?” Or, more specifically, “In an instant gratification culture, are you intentionally waiting in order to connect with God’s will, or are you — like so many in scripture — attempting to steer God in your own direction?”
The story of Abraham and Sarah is a great help in understanding this. God promised them a son. God promised them the entire world would be blessed through them, that their descendants would be like the sands on the shore. But after decades of waiting, they decided it was time to help God out a bit and move the process along. This led to the birth of Ishmael. But Isaac was the son of the promise and so their need to wait on God continued.
Too often, we don’t like God’s timing. But let me ask again, “WHAT are you waiting for?” Are you waiting for God’s next step, or are you wanting your next step? What’s your “what?”
This Sunday, we will turn our attention to the birth of the Church. The coming of the Kingdom on earth begins, unsurprisingly, with the instruction to WAIT.
See you Sunday!
Posted in Lead Pastor