Active Waiting: Unlocking God's Promises Through Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience as a Pathway to Divine Promises

Obedience is not about achieving perfection but about consistently moving in the right direction. It is the key that unlocks the promises of God, restoring relationships and sparking personal revival. When we choose obedience, we align ourselves with God's will, allowing His promises to manifest in our lives. This obedience is a journey, a continual process of choosing God's path over our own. It is through this journey that we experience the fullness of His promises and the restoration of what was once broken. [07:30]

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to obedience? What steps can you take today to align your actions with His will?

Day 2: Active Waiting as Spiritual Growth

Waiting on God is not a passive state but an active pursuit of His presence. It is a time to clarify our motives, align with His timing, and renew our fellowship with Him. This active waiting builds our spiritual muscles, strengthening our faith and renewing our strength. As we wait, we are invited to engage deeply with God, seeking His face and His will above all else. This process transforms waiting from a period of inactivity to a time of profound spiritual growth. [16:09]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: How can you actively pursue God during a season of waiting? What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to seek His presence more intentionally?

Day 3: Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold witnesses, filling our lives with joy and courage. This empowerment is not for personal gain but to advance God's kingdom. We are called to be filled with the Spirit, not with fear or worldly distractions. The Holy Spirit's power enables us to live out our faith with boldness, sharing the love of Christ with those around us. It is through this empowerment that we can truly make an impact for God's kingdom. [46:15]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? How can you invite His presence to fill you with boldness and joy today?

Day 4: Attitude and Spiritual Receptivity

Our attitude can either quench or invite the presence of the Holy Spirit. A heart filled with gratitude and rejoicing creates an environment where the Spirit can dwell. As we pursue God with all our hearts, seeking His face and His will, we open ourselves to His transformative power. Our attitude plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey, influencing our receptivity to God's presence and guidance. [43:20]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit."

Reflection: How does your current attitude affect your spiritual life? What changes can you make to cultivate a heart of gratitude and openness to the Holy Spirit?

Day 5: Being Light in a Dark World

The darkness in the world is not retreating, but we are called to be light, pushing back against it with the power of the Holy Spirit. As bold and loving witnesses for Christ, we are tasked with shining His light in the midst of darkness. This calling requires courage and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit's power. By living out our faith boldly, we can make a significant impact in a world that desperately needs the hope and love of Christ. [51:33]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: In what ways can you be a light in your community today? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in being a bold and loving witness for Christ?

Sermon Summary

Waiting time is not wasted time. This truth is foundational as we delve into the book of Acts, exploring the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit. The early disciples were commanded to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This waiting was not passive but an active pursuit of God, a yearning for His presence and power. The certainty of God's promises is as sure as the sun rising each day. We can trust His word more than anything else in this world. The Holy Spirit's indwelling is not something we wait for post-conversion; it is immediate. However, the question remains: does the Holy Spirit have all of us?

Obedience is the key to unlocking God's promises. It is not about perfection but a continual movement in the right direction or a change from a wrong path to the right one. Obedience can restore marriages, heal relationships, and bring about personal revival. It is the lever that opens the door to God's promises. Waiting on God clarifies our motives, aligns us with His timing, and renews our fellowship with Him. It forces us to deal with sin and renews our strength. Passivity hinders our spiritual growth, but active waiting builds our spiritual muscles.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses, to have boldness and joy in our lives. This power is not for personal gain but to advance God's kingdom. We must be filled with the Spirit, not with fear or the things of this world. Our attitude can quench the Spirit, but a heart of gratitude and rejoicing invites His presence. As we wait on God, we must pursue Him with all our hearts, seeking His face and His will above all else. The darkness in the world is not retreating, but we are called to be light, to push back against the darkness with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Unlocks Promises: Obedience is not about perfection but a continual movement in the right direction. It is the key to unlocking God's promises and can restore relationships and bring about personal revival. Obedience is the lever that opens the door to God's promises. [07:30]
2. Waiting is Active Pursuit: Waiting on God is not passive; it is an active pursuit of Him. It clarifies our motives, aligns us with His timing, and renews our fellowship with Him. Waiting builds our spiritual muscles and renews our strength. [16:09]
3. The Holy Spirit Empowers: The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses, to have boldness and joy in our lives. This power is not for personal gain but to advance God's kingdom. We must be filled with the Spirit, not with fear or the things of this world. [46:15]
4. Attitude Affects Spirituality: Our attitude can quench the Spirit. A heart of gratitude and rejoicing invites His presence. We must pursue God with all our hearts, seeking His face and His will above all else. [43:20]
5. Darkness is Not Retreating: The darkness in the world is not retreating, but we are called to be light. We must push back against the darkness with the power of the Holy Spirit, being bold and loving witnesses for Christ. [51:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction to the Series
[00:45] - The Importance of Waiting
[01:29] - Certainty in God's Promises
[02:35] - The Command to Wait
[03:18] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[05:11] - Obedience and Its Impact
[07:14] - The Role of Obedience
[10:37] - The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
[14:07] - The Pursuit of God
[19:03] - Passivity vs. Active Waiting
[22:27] - Seeking More of God
[30:20] - The Importance of Genuine Faith
[35:45] - Clarifying Motives Through Waiting
[46:15] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[51:33] - Boldness in the Face of Darkness
[56:35] - The Return of Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Acts 1:4-8
Isaiah 64:4
Romans 12:2

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Observation Questions:

What command did Jesus give to the apostles in Acts 1:4-5, and what were they instructed to wait for? How does this relate to the concept of waiting as discussed in the sermon? [04:17]
According to Acts 1:8, what is the purpose of the power that the Holy Spirit provides? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit empowering believers? [46:15]
In the sermon, the pastor mentioned that waiting on God is not passive. What examples from the sermon illustrate this active pursuit of God? [16:09]
How does the pastor describe the role of obedience in unlocking God's promises, and what are some examples given in the sermon? [07:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the pastor interpret the command to wait for the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:4-5 in terms of its significance for believers today? [10:37]
The sermon suggests that our attitude can quench the Spirit. What does this mean, and how can a heart of gratitude and rejoicing invite His presence? [43:20]
In what ways does the pastor suggest that the darkness in the world is not retreating, and how are believers called to respond according to the sermon? [51:33]
How does the pastor connect the concept of waiting on God with the renewal of spiritual strength and fellowship with Him? [18:13]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt you were actively waiting on God. What did you learn about your motives and alignment with His timing during that period? [35:57]
The sermon emphasizes obedience as a key to unlocking God's promises. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to be more obedient? How can you take a step in that direction this week? [07:30]
Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. Do you feel empowered to be a witness for Christ? If not, what might be hindering that empowerment, and how can you address it? [46:15]
The pastor mentioned that our attitude can affect our spirituality. Identify one negative attitude you struggle with and develop a plan to cultivate gratitude and rejoicing in that area. [43:20]
How can you actively pursue God in your daily life, especially in moments of waiting? What specific practices can you incorporate to build your spiritual muscles? [16:09]
The sermon calls believers to be light in a world where darkness is not retreating. What is one practical way you can be a bold and loving witness for Christ in your community this week? [51:33]
Reflect on the pastor's question: "Does the Holy Spirit have all of you?" What steps can you take to surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit's work in your life? [11:40]

Sermon Clips

Obedience brought the promise. Obedience brought the promise if you know God's working in your heart at a very deep level and there's some things you really want to claim and pray for and have faith for is he calling you to be obedient in a certain area because that's often what they call the Kingpin or the lever that opens that door when we obey Jesus we walk into what he promises. [00:07:19]

The biggest change agent I have ever seen is obedience. Marriages restored, somebody was obedient. Prodigal at this altar, somebody was obedient. Finances getting fixed, somebody was obedient. Relationships getting fixed, somebody was obedient. Filled with the fire of God, somebody was obedient. Working on quarrels and problems in the church and fighting and contentions, and that brings Unity. [00:09:20]

Waiting is not passive because we think I wish I should bring a chair over right okay let's wait till the service is over. Waiting is not waiting on God's never passive. What is it? It pursues, it yearns for, it desires more of God. So as I'm waiting on God, my appetite is building. [00:16:06]

Waiting on God renews your strength. As you're waiting in God, you're not going to get stronger in your bench press. It's spiritual weight, not physical weight. As you're waiting, sometimes you get weaker physically because many times in the Bible those who waited upon the Lord also fasted. [00:18:02]

Passivity hinders more of God. Passivity hinders more of God. A passive person is not waiting on God; they are spiritually lazy. Is it not true, brother? I'm just waiting on the Lord. No, you're passive. You have six hours for Netflix but no time for God. Where's the hunger, where's the desire for more of God? [00:18:52]

You have as much of God as you want. Probably just got married. I was reading one of those old, I don't know how many you heard, the Keswick conferences from the 1800s on Revival and different things, reading their books and just tears coming. It's like you'll have as much of God as you want. [00:22:44]

Darkness is not retreating. Darkness is not retreating. Set your face back on God, prodigal sons. Set your face back on God like a flint. Say no matter come to hell or high water, I'm going to finish strong. I'm going to get through this. I'm going to persevere. I'm going to work on my marriage. [00:51:33]

The darkness is never holding its ground, is it? What's it doing? It's always a frontal assault. Darkness is coming in. Darkness is coming in. So I'm going to pull it back. No, no, no, not by might nor by strength, but by the spirit of the Living God. He will raise up a standard against the darkness. [00:53:10]

The best thing you can do for your family is to be filled with the spirit, men. Hello, the best thing you can do, and women, is to be filled with the spirit. Why? Because your passion overflows. You're seeking God will motivate them, and your hunger will hopefully drive them to the Cross. [00:30:15]

The Holy Spirit comes into a Believer and gives them boldness to be Witnesses. So if they're not witnessing and they're not on fire for God, I got to wonder what Spirit they have. They're probably quenching and grieving the Spirit. Joy as well. You have joy and boldness. There are two primary signs of being filled with the spirit. [00:46:15]

Attitude is key. Attitude is key. Rejoice always. How many have passed that test? Well, I will tell you too, the last couple of years I've been really not happy with what's going on in our country. That will quench the Rejoice button or push the silence the Rejoice button. [00:43:20]

Waiting clarifies your motives. As you wait on God, he begins to clear out your heart a little bit, doesn't he? You know, maybe I'm kind of off on that. Maybe I'm rushing ahead on that. Maybe that's not a good idea because what is rushing? That's impulse. That's the flesh. [00:35:45]

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Active Waiting: Unlocking God's Promises Through Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience as a Pathway to Divine Promises

Day 2: Active Waiting as Spiritual Growth

Day 3: Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit

Day 4: Attitude and Spiritual Receptivity

Day 5: Being Light in a Dark World

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Active Waiting: Unlocking God's Promises Through Obedience

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