Empowered Waiting: Embracing the Holy Spirit's Presence
Summary
In the days following Jesus’ resurrection, He instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father—the coming of the Holy Spirit. This call to wait was not just about physical location, but about cultivating a posture of spiritual expectancy and unity. The disciples, a group marked by fear, doubt, and past failures, chose to wait together, setting aside distractions, anxieties, and the opinions of the crowd. Their waiting was not passive, but active—marked by faith, unity, and a hunger for God’s presence.
This waiting echoes the story of Mary and Martha, where Jesus commended Mary for choosing to sit at His feet rather than being consumed by busyness. True transformation and empowerment come not from striving or self-effort, but from lingering in God’s presence, allowing Him to fill and shape us. The early church’s experience in Acts 2 shows that the promise of the Holy Spirit is given to those who wait in one accord, bringing their unique gifts and voices together in harmony.
We are called to be vessels of God’s legacy—jars of clay filled with His glory, not our own striving or the clutter of the world. The Holy Spirit desires to fill us, but we must be willing to let go of the junk and distractions that crowd our hearts. Just as fabric must soak in dye to be truly changed, we must allow ourselves to be immersed in God’s presence, letting Him transform us from the inside out. This process requires patience and surrender, resisting the urge to rush ahead or manufacture spiritual results.
When we are filled with the Spirit, we are empowered to be bold witnesses—willing to lay down our comfort, reputation, and preferences for the sake of the gospel. Our effectiveness is not measured by the size of the crowd, but by our willingness to wait, be filled, and overflow with living water to those around us. God delights in using ordinary, imperfect people as vessels of His power and love. As children of God, we are invited to approach Him with confidence, asking for a fresh filling of His Spirit, knowing that He delights to give good gifts to His children.
Key Takeaways
- The Power of Waiting in God’s Presence
Waiting is not a passive act, but a spiritual discipline that positions us to receive from God. In a culture obsessed with immediacy, learning to wait at Jesus’ feet—like Mary—opens us to the “best part” of intimacy and transformation. The greatest breakthroughs often come not through striving, but through patient, expectant waiting on the promise of the Father. [01:04:26]
- Unity in the Spirit Brings God’s Power
The early believers were not just together physically, but spiritually united in one accord. This unity, like a harmonious chord, creates an environment where the Holy Spirit moves powerfully. True spiritual community is not about numbers or appearances, but about hearts tuned together in expectancy and surrender. [01:09:11]
- We Are Vessels of His Legacy, Not Our Own
God chooses to place His glory in “jars of clay”—ordinary, flawed people—so that the power is clearly from Him, not us. Our role is to be emptied of pride, distraction, and negativity, allowing the Spirit to fill and overflow through us. What we pour out to others is determined by what we allow God to pour into us. [01:22:11]
- Transformation Requires Immersion, Not Impatience
Just as fabric must soak in dye to be truly changed, we must allow ourselves to be immersed in God’s presence. Rushing the process leads to incomplete transformation—spiritual “half-baked” results that can harm rather than help. True spiritual change comes from lingering in God’s presence until His character and power are deeply imprinted on us. [01:28:33]
- Bold Witness Flows from Spirit-Filled Living
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold witnesses, willing to lay down comfort, reputation, and even our lives for the sake of the gospel. If we lack boldness or fruitfulness, it is often because we have not waited to be filled or have not obeyed the Spirit’s prompting. Our effectiveness is not in our own strength, but in the overflow of God’s Spirit through surrendered lives. [01:32:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01:55] - Jesus’ Call to Wait for the Promise
[01:03:26] - Mary, Martha, and the Best Part
[01:05:12] - The Rhythm of Waiting
[01:06:35] - The 120 Who Waited
[01:08:21] - One Accord: Spiritual Unity
[01:09:11] - Harmony in the Body of Christ
[01:10:44] - The Coming of the Holy Spirit
[01:12:31] - Receiving, Not Striving
[01:14:02] - Peter’s Transformation and Boldness
[01:16:47] - The Challenge of Waiting in Our Culture
[01:19:38] - Vessels of His Legacy
[01:22:11] - Emptying and Filling the Vessel
[01:28:33] - Baptized and Changed by the Spirit
[01:32:10] - Boldness to Witness
[01:38:14] - Asking for the Holy Spirit
[01:39:38] - The Gospel Invitation
[01:44:27] - Asking as Children, Not Orphans
[01:46:45] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of Waiting and Being Filled
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:4-8
Jesus commands the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit—and tells them they will receive power to be His witnesses.
- Luke 10:38-42
The story of Mary and Martha, where Jesus commends Mary for sitting at His feet and listening, calling it “the best part.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 1:4-8, what specific instructions does Jesus give His disciples before He ascends to heaven?
2. According to Luke 10:38-42, what is the difference between Mary’s and Martha’s approach to Jesus, and how does Jesus respond to each?
3. The sermon describes the disciples as “a band of broken people, messed up people, uneducated, untrained people” who chose to wait together. What does this reveal about the kind of people God uses? [01:01:55]
4. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, what does Paul mean by calling us “jars of clay,” and what is the treasure inside?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit instead of sending them out right away? What might have happened if they had rushed ahead? [01:01:55]
2. The sermon says, “Waiting is not a passive act, but a spiritual discipline that positions us to receive from God.” How does this challenge our usual way of thinking about waiting? [01:04:26]
3. The early believers were “in one accord”—not just physically together, but spiritually united. What does true spiritual unity look like, and why is it important for experiencing God’s power? [01:09:11]
4. The sermon compares being filled with the Spirit to fabric soaking in dye. What does this image teach us about the process of spiritual transformation? [01:28:33]
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### Application Questions
1. The disciples had to set aside distractions, anxieties, and the opinions of the crowd to wait for the Holy Spirit. What are some specific distractions or anxieties in your life that make it hard for you to wait on God? What is one step you can take this week to set them aside? [01:01:55]
2. Jesus said Mary chose “the best part” by sitting at His feet. In your daily routine, what would it look like for you to choose the “best part” and spend time in God’s presence? Is there a practical change you can make to prioritize this? [01:04:26]
3. The sermon talks about being “vessels of His legacy”—jars of clay filled with God’s glory, not our own striving. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of God’s? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill those areas? [01:22:11]
4. The process of transformation requires patience and surrender, not rushing. Can you think of a time when you tried to “rush” spiritual growth or answers from God? What was the result, and what might have been different if you had waited? [01:28:33]
5. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold witnesses, willing to lay down comfort and reputation. Is there a relationship or situation where you sense God calling you to be a bolder witness? What is holding you back, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [01:32:10]
6. The sermon says, “What we pour out to others is determined by what we allow God to pour into us.” What are you currently pouring out to those around you—at home, work, or church? Is there something you want to change about your “overflow”? [01:25:18]
7. Jesus invites us to ask the Father for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, approaching Him as children, not orphans. How does seeing yourself as God’s child change the way you pray and ask for His help? [01:44:27]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to spend a few moments in quiet, waiting on God’s presence, and then pray together for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, unity, and boldness to be witnesses in their daily lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Waiting for the Promise of the Father
There is a sacred power in waiting on God, setting aside distractions, anxieties, and the urge to fix everything ourselves, and simply remaining at the feet of Jesus to receive what He has promised. The early disciples, though broken and imperfect, were told by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit. Despite their past failures and fears, they obeyed, choosing to wait rather than rush ahead, and in their waiting, they were filled with the Spirit and transformed. In a world that prizes instant results, God calls us to a different rhythm: to pause, to trust, and to wait for His appointed time, knowing that what He has for us is worth every moment of patient expectation. [01:01:55]
Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)
"And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'"
Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God asking you to wait on Him rather than rushing ahead or trying to fix things yourself? How can you intentionally create space to wait at His feet today?
Day 2: The Best Part—Choosing to Sit at Jesus’ Feet
True spiritual fulfillment is found not in frantic activity or striving, but in choosing the “best part”—to sit at Jesus’ feet, listen, and be present with Him. Like Mary, who chose to wait and learn from Jesus while Martha was busy serving, we are invited to prioritize relationship over busyness. Jesus affirms that the one who waits at His feet receives the best of Him, reminding us that our value is not in what we do for Him, but in being with Him, learning from Him, and letting His presence transform us. [01:04:26]
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: What is one way you can choose the “best part” today by setting aside distractions and simply being present with Jesus?
Day 3: Filled and Overflowing—Becoming Vessels of His Legacy
We are called to be vessels of God’s legacy, jars of clay filled with His Spirit, so that what overflows from us is not our own mess or brokenness, but the living water of Christ. God delights in using ordinary, imperfect people to carry His glory, but He also calls us to let Him cleanse us daily—removing the clutter, shame, and distractions—so that we can be filled afresh and pour out His love, joy, and power to others. The choice is ours each day: will we allow Him to fill us with His Spirit, or will we fill ourselves with the noise and chaos of the world? [01:22:11]
2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
Reflection: What “junk” or distractions do you need to let God cleanse from your life today so that you can be filled and overflow with His Spirit to those around you?
Day 4: Boldness to Witness—Empowered by the Holy Spirit
When we are baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, we receive a supernatural boldness to be witnesses for Jesus, laying down our comfort, reputation, and preferences to declare the truth of the gospel. This boldness is not self-generated but comes from waiting on God and being empowered by His Spirit, enabling us to speak life, share our faith, and impact our families, friends, and communities with the love and power of Christ. The call is to be willing to lay it all on the line, trusting that God will use our surrendered lives to carry His legacy wherever we go. [01:35:31]
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: Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus, and what step of boldness can you take today to share His love or story with them?
Day 5: Receiving as Children—Asking the Father for His Good Gifts
God is a good Father who delights in giving the Holy Spirit and His gifts to His children—not because we earn them, but because we are His beloved sons and daughters. We do not come to Him as orphans or beggars, but with the confidence of children, asking our Father to fill us, baptize us, and pour out His Spirit afresh. Every day with God is an opportunity to receive anew, to be changed by His presence, and to walk in the fullness of His love and power, simply because He is good and we are His. [01:44:27]
Luke 11:11-13 (ESV)
"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to approach God as a beloved child, asking Him boldly and expectantly for a fresh filling of His Spirit or a specific gift today?
Quotes
Sometimes we allow our own doubt, our fear, our insecurity, our illness, our pain, our uncertainty to have us be so busy trying to fix it all or busy telling everyone about it. Just wait at the feet of the Master. Just wait for the promise of the Father. [01:06:07] (35 seconds)
The 5 ,000 men that He fed, the 500 that saw Him resurrect, only 120 waited. Stop being so concerned on what your friends are doing. I don't really care what your mama's doing or what your daddy done taught you. I need you to be a part of that 120 that waits on God. I don't care the latest trend on social media could care less. Be the 120 that waited. [01:07:33] (51 seconds)
They weren't just geographically in one place, they were spiritually in one place. you could be a room full of people who are geographically here, but spiritually not so much. I need the 120 people to be spiritually here waiting on God. Crowds should not define us because in a crowd, how many are actually there, present, spiritually waiting on Jesus and how many are just there for the show? [01:08:55] (42 seconds)
But the other sister, Mary, she's just sitting at his feet just to learn of him, to know him, to be in relationship with him. And Jesus says this to Martha who had the audacity to complain. Look at this one, Jesus. She's waiting. She's not working and serving and running around. She's waiting. Jesus said, this one shows in the best part. The one waiting at my feet has the best part of me. [01:03:52] (47 seconds)
when we wait and we behold his face we see the glory of the Father as shown forth through Christ the Son and we are carriers of this glory and he said he puts it in these earthen vessels so that the power is not in or through us but it's only because of God why did he use a bunch of untrained uneducated people to spread the gospel in the book of Acts because they're earthen vessels and jars of clay and so when you see a Peter stand before you with a boldness and say thus saith the Lord that's gotta be God because that's sure ain't Peter he's a cussing hot mess that ain't Peter that's gotta be God so when someone has the audacity to tell you that you're unworthy that you're no good that you're unqualified untrained uneducated you better square up and look them right in the eye [01:20:54] (74 seconds)
so he must fill me and fill me and fill me to flush out all that other mess doesn't happen when you're running around distracted happens when you're waiting at the feet of the savior and you say just fill me I know I got mess I know I got pain and a past and drama I know I know I got all this spiritual coke and pepsi in my vessel but Lord I'm just going to wait on you for the promise of the father to pour in and pour in and pour in to flesh it all out so when I give of myself to others the overflow is pure and clean before [01:25:18] (67 seconds)
could you just wait and just rest in his presence so he can baptize you in his spirit you can just stay there for a while and when you come back up you've actually changed changed it's actually a difference in your countenance because you now carry the dye of what you were baptized in so you now actually look like the holy spirit you actually speak and walk like the holy spirit you love like the holy spirit you forgive like the holy spirit you have joy like eli said last week unspeakable joy like the holy spirit you walk in full wholeness healing health victory like the holy spirit if you allow him to baptize you [01:29:21] (65 seconds)
heart check if your neighborhood is not saved why not I mean why not why do your neighbors not know about the saving grace of Jesus Christ why are your neighbors healed set free and delivered if your best friends the ones you roll with all the time if they have no clue of who Jesus is why not have you never witnessed of who he is have you never laid it all on the line be willing to die to your reputation be willing to die to your comfort be willing to die to complacency and your preferences but when you're filled with the Holy Spirit he gives you power and boldness so either one we're not filled or two we're not obedient I mean it's one or the other we can't side swipe it because when he fills us we have a boldness to declare the gospel [01:33:17] (73 seconds)
He never pondered on the issues of the day. How things don't compute in the finances. How things don't make sense at home or at work. He never was bothered with that. He waited and communed with His Father for the appointed time. Church, I do not want us to miss the appointed time. we must learn the rhythm of the waiting. [01:05:22] (39 seconds)
And so a band of broken people, messed up people, uneducated, untrained people, who a mere 40 days before had fled in fear and doubt and shame. A mere 40 days before denied even knowing the name of Jesus. they waited. They waited. They stayed and they waited for the promise of the Father. For the promise of the Holy Spirit. [01:02:07] (57 seconds)
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