Summary
In Sunday’s message from Acts 1, TA reminded us that the Christian life and mission are never meant to be lived in our own strength. Before sending the disciples out as witnesses, Jesus told them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Acts 1 shows us that waiting is not passive; it is purposeful preparation for God’s power.
As the early church waited, they were shaped into the kind of people God could use. They repented, reordered their priorities around God’s kingdom, learned to enjoy the Spirit’s presence, and devoted themselves to prayer. As we begin a new season in the book of Acts, we are invited to raise our sails, to wait on the Spirit, and depend fully on God’s power.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus calls his followers to wait for the Spirit, not rush ahead. The disciples were not lacking information or motivation; they were lacking power. God’s work requires God’s Spirit.
- Waiting for the Spirit begins with repentance. As witnesses of the Rresurrection, the disciples needed lives that reflected the life of Jesus. Waiting includes turning from sin and old patterns that no longer fit who we are in Christ.
- Waiting for the Spirit reshapes our priorities. Jesus redirected the disciples toward Spirit-empowered witness. God’s kingdom advances through surrendered people.
- The Holy Spirit is meant to be enjoyed, not ignored. The Spirit is the gift from the Father and the Son who brings power, joy, boldness, freedom from sin, and deep satisfaction in God—not just theological knowledge.
- Waiting for the Spirit is sustained through prayer. Before Pentecost, the early church was united in prayer. Throughout Scripture and church history, prayer precedes every genuine movement of God.
Discussing and Applying the Sermon
- What does waiting on God usually look like in your own life? What should it look like?
- Why do you think repentance is a necessary part of preparing for the Spirit’s work?
- What priorities in your life most compete with God’s kingdom?
- What does it look like for you to grow in dependence on the Spirit?
- The early church devoted themselves to prayer together. What is one practical step you could take toward more consistent personal or corporate prayer?
