Wait? Why?
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 42:49
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Anyone up for a good wait time?
Anyone up for a good wait time?
Be honest, who likes to wait? Who thinks microwaves are too slow and gas pumps too? We are not a waiting people in general so when Christ told the disciples to wait, well, that is what we are looking at tonight.
When it comes to waiting, are there things you don’t mind waiting for? How about things you don’t like waiting for?
(DMV Line picture here)
In CA if you want to get someone going about waiting, mention the DMV and you will find one of the least favorite things people like to do. Or how about waiting on hold for customer service department? (expand on these) how about Birthday, Anniversary, Vacation, Christmas with grandkids?
The Apostles were told they had to wait (Act1:4-5)
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;
They were told exactly what they were to wait for too
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Today, we are waiting too (Act1:11)
Today we wait not for the promise of the Holy Spirit - this has happened (expand on this) we wait for the promise of the Son (v.11)
11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
We wait for our final salvation, our final redemption, we wait longing, looking for the return of Christ (expand briefly)
How the disciples waited for the promise of the Spirit provides for us a great example, or, well, at least some great insight of how we should wait for the Lord’s return and our final salvation, redemption.
Waiting then (Promise of Spirit)
Waiting then (Promise of Spirit)
Maybe it is best if we look at this tonight as waiting them and waiting now, what they did then and what we can, should do now. What they were waiting for and what we are waiting for today.
What they did (Act1:12-13)
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
So what did they do? -they returned to Jerusalem, They came from Mt. Olivet aka Mt. of Olives the place in which Jesus ascended from. This is about a Sabbaths journey away (1/2 mile or so) - - - expand on that briefly
We also know where they did it - in the upper room where they were staying. Is this the same place they had the passover? We do not know for sure, but could be.
Why they did it (Act1:4)
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;
They heard the command, they believed the command, they obeyed the command not to leave but to receive the promise.
How they did it (Act1:14-15; Act4:24; Rom15:6)
14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15 At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,
We can ow more about how they waited, and even who waited from these verses. Who was added to the 11 returning from Olivet?
We know from the passage (v.15) how many were gathering - 120; but only 11 were returning from Mt. Olivet (v.13); these were the ones who were witnesses to the ascension.
We do not know all the women who were there, but I would imagine, Mary of Magdelene, Mary and Martha, we Now his brothers from others places in scripture and lets together there.
Who did it (Act1:12-13; Mt13:55-56)
55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 “And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
So we have the 11, we have the women, we have the brothers, speaking of brothers, this is His previously unbelieving brothers if you look at Jn7:5.
I want to stay with the how the who did it just a little longer before pressing on.
Be of one accord (Act1:14; Act4:24; Rom15:6)
14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
How did they do it? What were they doing?
24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
So, in 1:14 they were of one mind, devoted to prayer, and in 4:24 what did they do?
May I add in more?
6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This one is just to add to the 4:24 passage when we lift our voice, we glorify God. So, our song service is vital, it is a part of our worship, worship does not start when I take the podium, it starts when we gather in His name and lift our voices.
So what we have is they came in one accord in prayer, in exaltation, with one mind. So, do you think that when we do that it unlocks the power of God that was coming?
Hey the content of all of the prayer we do not know, we do know part of it, and will get there in just a minute, but we know the results, and we will get to that.
Waiting in preparation (Act1:15-20; Act1:21-22)
15 At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, 16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17 “For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.
19 And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you in this passage?
Prophesy was fulfilled with the betrayal and death of Judas, but it lead to other prophesy that needed to be fulfilled.
21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— 22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
According to (v.20) let another man take his office, so you can bet after the announcement there was discussion and prayer that happened. Now, having said that what are the requirements given in (vv.21-22)?
Had to be there from the beginning
Had to be there at the ascension
Had to be witness of resurrection
Does anyone qualify as apostle today?
Preparation selection process (Act1:23-26)
23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen
25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
So here we see the suggestion and the prayer and the results of the prayer too. Interesting fact, Matthias was chosen but not mentioned in scripture any further. Also you do not see Mary Mother of Jesus mentioned anymore after (v.14)
So, what example do we have in the Apostles, women and 120 gathered there?
They were not idle in their waiting
They were assembled in one place
They prayed
They studied the word; they knew the prophesies
They prepared for the promise to be delivered
They had faith!
Now, when it comes to waiting today, 2000 years later, we too should not be idle in our waiting, waiting for the promise return of Christ!
Waiting on the promise return
Waiting on the promise return
Waiting was important then on what they did when they were waiting and we see an example in Hebrews of risky waiting and warning of what to do.
What to do while we wait (Heb10:24-25)
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
May we continue to assemble, a great habit, a habit that helps us not to compromise our faith, our beliefs and fall back into the ways of the world.
When we assemble we can stimulate one another to love and good deeds we can encourage one another.
Practice by their example (Act2:42)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
they early church was devoted with purpose and we hopefully, prayerfully follow that purpose, that pattern that they set.
Originally I was not going to give the passage, read the next passage, but this is a bible study, so let’s look together, turn to 1The5.
Practice with understanding of what is to come (1The5:1-11)
1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;
5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
This passage is all about the “Day of the Lord” the day that the Apostles were told by the angels was coming, the return in like manner, what was going to happen then, and let me pull some things out for you to consider:
It will come suddenly like a thief in the night (vv.2-3)
It will come with destruction (v.3)
Warning, be ready, don’t be asleep (v.6)
Be sober, and, have your equipment on (v.8)
That breastplate of faith and love
That helmet of salvation
Remember we are children of light (v.5) we are not destined for wrath (v.9)
Best part, well the best part is we will be together with Him (v.10)
More things to practice as we wait (Act20:7; 1Cor11:26; Lk21:34-36)
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.
First day of the week, with purpose as we looked at Act2:42, now add in this.
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
So gathering on the 1st day of the week, having the supper in proclamation of the Lord’s death, but what what does it say after that? UNTIL HE COMES
They gathered, in unity, in prayer, do you think it would be safe to assume they were persistent in prayer like Jesus example given (Lk18:1-8). Or how about were they alert in prayer, on guard in prayer like (Lk21:34-36)
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Pray so not to loose heart
Pray for the day will come unexpected so that you are ready
Pray always, pray earnestly with thanksgiving (Col4:2)
We are to be prepared, so not accursed, so we are ready (1Cor16:22; Rev22:20)
Don’t forget to keep looking, longing for the day (2Pt3:11-13)
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
We should be earnestly vigilantly, and even anxiously looking for His coming, hastening for the day, so be fervent in prayers, sharing, in our testifying of what the Word says about His return.
That leads to being prepared, helping others be prepared so we need to also be prepared.
Be prepared as you wait (Mk24:45-51)
In Mk24:45-51 is Jesus taught the apostles through a parable and explanation the importance of being prepared and the results if you are not prepared for the Masters return.
be like the wise servant doing the Lords work, looking for the Masters return.
Another example you may just make a note of is of the parable of the 10 virgins (Mt25:1-30) as they waited for the bridegroom.
Be at work while you are waiting 1Cor15:58)
As we work, as we serve while we wait, be steadfast, immovable, but here, have the verse.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Don’t just be watching, be working for the kingdom, don’t just be looking for the return, be working toward the return (this one is not on your outline, so note it down)
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
(encouragement slide - waiting for His return)
He is waiting on us as we are waiting on Him. His desire is that all come to repentance. How people come to repentance is they need to hear the truth of God’s Word. We need to share it while we are waiting for His return. While we pray for those we love to hear the gospel message as we wait for His return. it worked for others who prayed for you, didn’t it?
The equipping of the apostles was about to come (Act2:1-4) so they could carry out the mission (Act1:8) when they received the promise so they could proclaim the promise of His return.
So may we be a people sharing the promise of His return with others so they too can be looking, longing, waiting for Him!
(Encouragement slide-2 Jesus is coming back) prayer (exit slides)