Faithful Waiting: Prayer, Obedience, and Heart Posture

Today, we gathered to witness the power of God at work in the lives of His people, beginning with the beautiful testimony of Olivia and Lonnie. Their story reminded us that when we pray for opportunities to share the gospel, God is faithful to orchestrate divine appointments—even in the most unexpected ways. As we celebrated new life through baptism, we were reminded that God is always moving, often behind the scenes, and He invites us to participate in His work by simply being available and obedient.

Turning to Acts 1:12-26, we found ourselves with the disciples in a season of waiting. After Jesus’ ascension, they returned to Jerusalem, uncertain of what was next, but they responded by gathering together in prayer. This posture of persistent prayer, even in the midst of uncertainty, is a model for us. Waiting on God is rarely easy, but it is in the waiting that our trust is deepened and our relationship with Him is strengthened. Sometimes, God’s answer is “wait,” and while we may not understand His timing, we are called to remain faithful in prayer and trust.

We also saw the importance of obedience to God’s Word. When Peter led the group to replace Judas, he didn’t wait for a special prompting from the Holy Spirit—he acted on the clear instruction of Scripture. This challenges us to recognize that when God’s Word is explicit, we don’t need further confirmation; our responsibility is to obey. The Holy Spirit is given to help us understand and apply the Word, not to override it.

The process the disciples used—casting lots—may seem foreign to us, but it highlighted a deeper truth: God is more concerned with the posture of our hearts than the mechanics of our methods. Their unity, prayerfulness, immersion in Scripture, and desire to do God’s will positioned them to discern God’s direction. Today, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we no longer need to cast lots; instead, we are invited to cultivate a heart that is sensitive to His leading, rooted in the Word, and quick to obey.

Ultimately, the call is to walk closely with Jesus: to know Him, to walk with Him, and to do what He says. This means dealing honestly with our sin, seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and remaining steadfast in prayer. As we do, we can trust that God will guide, empower, and transform us for His purposes.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Persistent Prayer in the Waiting: When God’s answer is “wait,” our calling is to continue in prayer, not just for the outcome we desire, but for deeper relationship with Him. The disciples modeled this by gathering together and praying, even when they had no clarity about what was next. Waiting is not passive; it is an active engagement with God that shapes our hearts and prepares us for what He has planned. [44:21]
• 2. Obedience to Clear Scripture: When the Bible gives clear instruction, we are not to delay or wait for a special prompting from the Holy Spirit. Obedience to God’s Word is non-negotiable, and the Spirit’s role is to help us understand and live out what Scripture commands. Using the Holy Spirit as an excuse to avoid uncomfortable obedience is a subtle form of disobedience. [56:12]
• 3. God Cares More About Your Heart Than Your Process: The method of seeking God’s will—whether casting lots or following a prayer routine—is secondary to the condition of our hearts. God desires authenticity, unity, and a genuine desire to do His will. When our hearts are right, God delights to guide us, often in ways that surprise us. [65:09]
• 4. The Holy Spirit Confirms and Empowers, Never Contradicts the Word: The Spirit’s role is to illuminate Scripture, guide us in its application, and empower us to obey. He will never lead us to act contrary to God’s revealed Word. Discernment comes from a life saturated in Scripture and surrendered to the Spirit’s filling. [75:13]
• 5. Walking with Jesus Requires Ongoing Repentance and Surrender: To walk closely with Christ, we must continually deal with sin, seek the Spirit’s filling, and remain steadfast in prayer. This is not a one-time event but a daily posture of surrender, openness, and obedience. True transformation happens as we abide in Him and respond to His leading. [01:16:48]
  ** [76:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [24:55] - Baptism Testimony: Olivia and Lonnie
• [25:51] - God Orchestrates Divine Appointments
• [37:36] - Prayer for God’s Presence and Truth
• [40:14] - Scripture Reading: Acts 1:12-14
• [43:04] - The Disciples’ Season of Waiting
• [44:21] - The Power of Persistent Prayer
• [46:38] - Praying While Waiting on God
• [49:04] - Trusting God’s Timing and Readiness
• [50:59] - The Necessity of Obeying Scripture
• [56:12] - When the Word is Clear, Obey
• [61:20] - Sanctified Common Sense in Decision-Making
• [65:09] - God Cares About Your Heart, Not Your Process
• [73:26] - The Holy Spirit Replaces Casting Lots
• [76:48] - Walking with Jesus: Repentance and Surrender
• [80:34] - Responding to the Spirit’s Leading

Bible Reading

Acts 1:12-26 (ESV) —
> 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, 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. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
>
> 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
>
> “‘May his camp become desolate,
> and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
> and
> “‘Let another take his office.’
>
> 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Observation Questions

1. What did the disciples do immediately after returning to Jerusalem following Jesus’ ascension? (Acts 1:12-14; [44:21])
2. According to Peter, why was it necessary to replace Judas among the apostles? (Acts 1:20-22; [55:24])
3. What process did the disciples use to select Judas’ replacement, and what was their prayer before making the decision? (Acts 1:23-26; [01:02:06])
4. In the sermon, what was emphasized as more important to God: the process the disciples used or the condition of their hearts? ([01:05:09])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the disciples chose to gather together and pray during their season of waiting, instead of acting immediately or scattering? What does this reveal about their trust in God? ([44:21])
2. Peter acted on the clear instruction of Scripture to replace Judas, even before the Holy Spirit had come at Pentecost. What does this teach about the relationship between obedience to God’s Word and waiting for further spiritual prompting? ([56:12])
3. The disciples cast lots to make their decision, a method we might find strange today. What does this say about their desire to let God lead, and how does this compare to how we seek God’s will now that we have the Holy Spirit? ([01:05:09])
4. The sermon mentioned that God cares more about the posture of our hearts than the mechanics of our methods. How might this challenge the way we approach prayer, decision-making, or spiritual routines? ([01:05:09])

Application Questions

1. The disciples persisted in prayer during a time of uncertainty and waiting. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel like you’re waiting on God? How can you actively engage in prayer during this season, not just for answers, but for deeper relationship with Him? ([44:21])
2. When was the last time you sensed God’s answer was “wait” rather than “yes” or “no”? How did you respond, and what could you do differently to trust Him in the waiting? ([49:04])
3. The sermon challenged us not to use “waiting for the Holy Spirit” as an excuse to avoid obeying clear commands in Scripture. Are there any areas where you know what God’s Word says, but you’ve been hesitating to obey? What’s holding you back? ([56:12])
4. Think about your own prayer life. Do you tend to focus more on following a certain process or routine, or on coming to God with an honest and surrendered heart? What would it look like to shift your focus more toward your heart’s posture? ([01:05:09])
5. The disciples were unified, immersed in Scripture, and eager to do God’s will. Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to cultivate in your own walk with Jesus? What is one step you could take this week to grow in that area? ([01:08:43])
6. The sermon said that the Holy Spirit will never lead us to act contrary to God’s Word. How can you become more familiar with Scripture so you can better discern the Spirit’s leading in your life? ([01:15:13])
7. Walking closely with Jesus requires ongoing repentance and surrender. Is there a specific sin or area of your life that you need to bring into the light and surrender to God? What would repentance look like for you this week? ([01:16:48])