Embracing the Purpose of Waiting in Faith
Summary
Waiting is a deeply challenging part of the Christian journey, especially in a world that values speed and instant results. Yet, throughout Scripture, God often calls His people to wait—not as a punishment or a sign of failure, but as a season rich with purpose. In these times, God invites us to press in, to seek Him, and to discover the “gold” He has for us in the waiting. Whether it’s rest, preparation, deeper revelation, or the refining of our character, God is always at work, even when it feels like nothing is happening. The story of Israel and the golden calf reminds us how easily impatience can lead us astray, but also how God’s faithfulness redeems our waiting when we keep our eyes fixed on Him.
Turning to Acts 2 and the day of Pentecost, we see a powerful moment where waiting culminates in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The disciples, along with a larger group of believers, waited together in obedience to Jesus’ command. When the Spirit came, He filled all who were present—men and women, not just the “spiritual elite.” This was a radical shift from the Old Testament, where God’s presence was limited to specific people and places. Now, through Jesus, every believer becomes a living temple, carrying the presence of God.
The first act of the Spirit was to empower the believers to speak in languages they did not know, so that people from every nation could hear the gospel in their own heart language. This was not just a miraculous sign, but a declaration that the good news of Jesus is for all people, regardless of background, culture, or status. The Spirit’s empowerment is not just for personal edification, but for mission—to make the gospel accessible to everyone.
This raises a vital question: Are we, as individuals and as a church, truly open to the fullness of the Spirit? And are we willing to let the Spirit use us to reach those who are different from us, without imposing our own cultural expectations or biases? The call is to be a people who wait well, who are filled with the Spirit, and who break down barriers so that all may encounter Jesus in a way that speaks to their hearts.
Key Takeaways
- Waiting is not wasted time; it is a season where God invites us to seek Him more deeply and discover treasures we would otherwise miss. In the waiting, God may be preparing us, refining our character, or giving us rest for what lies ahead. The challenge is to ask, “What does it look like for me to wait well?” and to trust that God is present and active, even in the silence. [03:12]
- The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was for all believers, not just a select few. This marks a profound shift: God’s presence is no longer confined to a temple or a chosen leader, but is available to every follower of Jesus. Each of us is now a living temple, called to carry and host the presence of God in our daily lives. [11:45]
- The primary purpose of the Spirit’s empowerment is mission: to make the gospel accessible to every nation, tribe, and tongue. The Spirit enables us to communicate the good news in ways that transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, ensuring that everyone can hear about Jesus in a way that resonates with their own story. Our calling is not just to enjoy the Spirit’s gifts, but to give them away for the sake of others. [09:37]
- God’s strategy for reaching the world is both simple and profound: He fills ordinary people with His Spirit and sends them out to meet others where they are. This means engaging people in their own “language”—not just linguistically, but culturally and relationally. We are called to lay down our assumptions and preferences, allowing the Spirit to use us as bridges rather than barriers. [20:08]
- It is easy, even unconsciously, to put up barriers that prevent others from accessing the gospel—whether through cultural expectations, personal biases, or assumptions about what a “good Christian” looks like. The Spirit challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we discipling people to look like us, or to look like Jesus in their own context? The gospel is for all people, and we are called to make it accessible without demanding conformity to our own image. [25:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction: The Challenge of Waiting
[02:30] - Reflections on Waiting in Faith
[04:55] - Lessons from Exodus and the Golden Calf
[07:30] - The Gold in the Waiting
[09:37] - Pentecost: The Spirit Falls on All
[11:45] - The Shift from Old to New Covenant
[13:50] - The Tabernacle and the Presence of God
[16:10] - Tongues of Fire: God’s Presence in Us
[19:05] - The Gospel for Every Nation
[20:08] - Speaking the Heart Language
[22:00] - The Global Mission on Our Doorstep
[23:40] - Barriers to the Gospel: Bias and Assumptions
[25:07] - Final Challenge: Are We Making the Gospel Accessible?
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Waiting, the Holy Spirit, and Making the Gospel Accessible
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:1-13 (The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost)
- Exodus 32:1-6 (The story of the golden calf during Israel’s waiting)
- Exodus 40:34-38 (The glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 2:1-13, what were the disciples and other believers doing before the Holy Spirit came? What details stand out about how the Spirit arrived and what happened next?
2. According to Exodus 32:1-6, what did the Israelites do while Moses was delayed on the mountain? What was their response to waiting?
3. In the sermon, what was the first thing the Holy Spirit empowered the believers to do after filling them? [09:37]
4. How does the description of the tabernacle in Exodus 40:34-38 compare to what happens at Pentecost in Acts 2?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon suggests that waiting is not wasted time, but a season where God is at work. What might God be doing in someone’s life during a season of waiting? [04:55]
2. Why do you think the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in many different languages, rather than just empowering them to speak more boldly in their own language? [20:08]
3. The sermon draws a parallel between the tabernacle in the Old Testament and believers as “living temples” in the New Testament. What does it mean for each believer to be a temple of the Holy Spirit? [16:10]
4. The story of the golden calf shows how impatience can lead people astray. What are some modern “golden calves” that people might turn to when they get tired of waiting on God? [04:55]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you were in a season of waiting. Did you find it easy or hard to trust that God was at work? What helped you wait well, or what would you do differently now? [04:55]
2. The sermon challenges us to ask, “What does it look like for me to wait well?” What is one practical thing you could do this week to seek God more deeply in a season of waiting? [04:55]
3. The Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers, not just a select few. Do you ever feel like God’s presence is only for certain “spiritual” people? How does it change your perspective to know that you are a living temple of the Holy Spirit? [16:10]
4. The first act of the Spirit was to empower believers to speak so that everyone could hear the gospel in their own language. Who in your life might need to hear about Jesus in a way that connects with their own background or story? How could you be more intentional about this? [20:08]
5. The sermon asks if we are putting up barriers—maybe without realizing it—that keep others from accessing the gospel. Are there any personal biases, assumptions, or cultural expectations you might need to lay down to make the gospel more accessible to others? [25:07]
6. The speaker shared about discipling people to look like Jesus in their own context, not just to look like us. How can you encourage someone to follow Jesus in a way that fits their unique story, rather than expecting them to fit your mold? [25:07]
7. Is there a specific group of people (by age, culture, background, etc.) that you find it hard to relate to or reach out to? What is one step you could take this month to build a bridge and make the gospel accessible to them? [23:40]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to help you wait well, to fill you afresh, and to use you as a bridge so that others can encounter Jesus in a way that speaks to their hearts.
Devotional
Day 1: Waiting Well: Embracing God's Purpose in the Delay
Seasons of waiting can be uncomfortable, especially in a world that values instant results and quick fixes. Yet, God often uses these times not as punishment or evidence of misdirection, but as opportunities for growth, rest, and preparation. In the waiting, God invites you to press into Him, to ask what He wants to teach you, and to discover the "gold" He has for you in this season. Rather than rushing ahead or becoming discouraged, you are called to seek God's presence, trust His timing, and allow Him to shape your heart for what lies ahead. [07:40]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God asking you to wait? How can you intentionally seek His presence and purpose in this waiting season today?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit Is For All
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was not limited to a select few, but was given to all who believed—men and women, people from every background, every nation, and every walk of life. This radical inclusivity means that no one is excluded from God's presence or power, and that the Holy Spirit desires to fill and empower every believer. You are invited to receive the fullness of the Spirit, knowing that His presence is not reserved for the "extra spiritual" but is a gift for all who follow Jesus. [12:30]
Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Reflection: Do you truly believe the Holy Spirit is for you, regardless of your background or past? What would it look like to open yourself fully to His presence today?
Day 3: Empowered to Share the Gospel with All Nations
The first act of the Spirit-filled church was to proclaim the good news of Jesus in every language, making the gospel accessible to people from every nation and background. The Holy Spirit empowers believers not just for personal edification, but so that the message of Jesus can reach every corner of the world—starting with those around you. You are called to be a witness, allowing the Spirit to use your life and words to bring the hope of Christ to all people, near and far. [19:05]
Acts 2:5-11 (ESV)
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
Reflection: Who in your life might need to hear the gospel in a way that truly connects with their heart and background? How can you be intentional about sharing Jesus with them this week?
Day 4: Becoming the Living Temple: God's Presence in Us
Through Jesus, the presence of God is no longer confined to a physical tabernacle or temple, but now dwells within every believer. You are called to be a living temple, carrying the Holy Spirit wherever you go, and making God's presence accessible to those around you. This is a profound privilege and responsibility—to live daily in communion with God and to let His light shine through you in every context. [16:45]
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Reflection: In what ways can you be more aware of carrying God’s presence into your daily interactions and environments today?
Day 5: Removing Barriers: Giving All People Access to the Gospel
God’s heart is for every people group, every culture, every generation, and every background to have access to the good news of Jesus. Sometimes, our own assumptions, preferences, or cultural expectations can unintentionally create barriers for others. The Spirit calls you to examine your heart, to lay down prejudices, and to intentionally engage with people who are different from you—meeting them where they are, and making the gospel accessible in their "heart language." [25:07]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: Is there someone you tend to overlook or avoid because they are different from you? How can you take a step today to build a bridge and share Christ’s love with them?
Quotes
Sometimes we can put our cultural norms and our cultural understandings of the gospel into the gospel that we preach. Whereas here, kind of Holy Spirit bypasses all of that and preaches the gospel in a way that is accessible to people from every background, from every nation, from every tongue. [00:20:17] (23 seconds)
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