A Time To Wait

Thesis: There is a time to wait and there is a right way to do it.

Intro.:

1. What do the following people have in common?

a. :

1) 15 year old teenager who longs for a driver's lic.

2) A young couple who have set date for their wedding.

3) A 4 or 5 yr. old who is looking forward to Christmas.

b. They all have to WAIT for something and it's not easy!

2. This AM we want to look at a Biblical picture of a waiting group of people ..... Luke 24 and Acts 1.

a. Read Luke 24:45-53.

b. Read Acts 1:1-14.

I. THERE IS A TIME TO WAIT.

A. One of the most difficult things that we have to do as human beings is to have to wait for something.

1. Illust. Kathy & I waiting for Jan. 15, 1988--Zachary's original due date. Didn't think it would ever get here! Often wondered why God made gestation period for humans 9 months? Why not 2/3? Must be some value in waiting!

2. Waiting goes against our nature--want to DO something!

a. There is a time to DO and a time to WAIT.

b. Ability to tell difference is a sign of maturity.

c. Illust. When I was a small boy my father would often take me to some Spotsylvania Co. pond and teach me to fish. Nothing fancy--pole & bobber. When bobber first moved my reaction was to yank line right out of water. Father taught to wait.

B. Spiritually speaking, there are times when we have to wait.

1. Some examples:

a. When we desire wisdom--takes time to learn & grow.

b. When we experience hurt/loss--takes time to heal.

c. Church that wants to grow--takes time to develop.

2. Waiting is a crucial part of our life in Christ.

a. Why did these disciples have to wait? (needed power & direction)

b. You and I may have to wait for same reasons.

3. Here is the point of this sermon: There's a right way and a wrong way to wait.

a. Right way ............ receive power & direction.

b. Wrong way ............ remain stagnant & powerless.

II. THERE IS A RIGHT WAY TO WAIT.

A. The disciples model the right way to wait.

1. The most remarkable thing about what these disciples did was what they didn't do!

2. Didn't run off helter-skelter on a mission with no sense of being empowered.

3. Put yourself in their shoes:

a. Witnessed Jesus' death, burial, resurrection.

b. Seen him ascend to heaven as Lord of all creation.

c. Supposed to keep mouth shut about that?!

B. What the disciples did:

1. They obeyed instructions they already had (Lk. 24:52a).

a. Went to Jerusalem as Jesus commanded--obedient.

b. Faithful in doing what lay at hand (cf. Mt. 6:34).

2. They obeyed instructions with great joy (Lk. 24:52b).

a. Could have reacted to Jesus' sudden departure with: anger, fear, frustration, disappointment.

b. Could've grudgingly obeyed; had expectant joy.

3. They all joined together constantly (Acts 1:13a).

a. Intensified commitment to community.

b. No one had to tell them to meet together--natural!

4. They all joined together constantly in prayer (1:13b).

a. Gatherings were not merely social events.

b. A time to lean on God and seek his direction.

C. Is there something in your life for which you have to wait?

1. Waiting is hard--goes against our nature.

2. Remember: "All good things come to him who waits!"

3. What should we do in the meanwhile?

a. Obey God's clear directives in Scripture.

b. Choose to feel & express joy vs. other emotions.

c. Maintain a strong commitment to community.

d. Maintain a strong commitment to prayer & devotion.

Conclusion:

1. There is a time to act and a time to wait. As much as we may wish it otherwise, this is a time to wait.

2. May God help us to wait properly! (Prayer)