He's Worth the Wait
- fccreative
- 15 hours ago
- 9 min read
Empowered Waiting: Living as Acts 29
The journey through Acts begins with a call to become the living continuation of the early church—Acts 29, the unwritten chapter that our lives are meant to write. Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples were not just about waiting, but about waiting for the right thing: the promise of the Holy Spirit. This promise is not a mere visitation, but the indwelling presence of God Himself, transforming us from the inside out. The Holy Spirit is not a second-class helper, but the very power and presence of God, essential for living the Christian life and fulfilling our purpose.
The disciples, like many of us, were often distracted by their own expectations and desires, missing the deeper work God wanted to do. Yet, Jesus’ promise was clear: the Holy Spirit would come, not just to visit, but to dwell, to renovate, and to empower. The difference between a visitation and an indwelling is profound—if a single visit from Jesus could dry tears, restore purpose, and conquer doubt, how much more can His permanent presence accomplish in us?
Waiting on God is not passive. It is an active, expectant, and obedient posture. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will soar like eagles, rising above the storms of life. In the waiting, God is conceiving new things within us, preparing us to give birth to His promises. But how we wait matters. Waiting with the right people, in obedience, with expectation, and in service positions us to receive all that God has for us.
The early church’s waiting was marked by unity, prayer, and obedience to Jesus’ specific instructions. They didn’t choose their own way or location; they waited in Jerusalem as commanded. Their expectation was not wishful thinking, but confident faith that God would do what He promised. Even in the waiting, they worked—serving, praying, and preparing for what was to come. The Holy Spirit’s arrival changed everything, shifting them from relying on external signs to being led by the Spirit within.
This is the invitation: to move from mere visitations to a life indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to wait well, and to become the living continuation of God’s story on earth.
Key Takeaways
- The Holy Spirit is not a temporary visitor but the permanent indwelling presence of God, transforming every area of our lives. When God moves in, He renovates, removing what doesn’t belong and establishing His character within us. The difference between a visitation and an indwelling is the difference between momentary relief and lasting transformation.
- Waiting on God is not passive resignation but active participation. Like eagles who soar above storms, waiting seasons are meant to lift us higher, not ground us. In these times, God conceives new things within us, preparing us to birth His promises—if we wait rightly, with faith and openness.
- The company we keep in our waiting seasons profoundly shapes our faith. Surrounding ourselves with people of vision and agreement fertilizes the seeds God plants in us, while negative voices can abort what God is doing. Sometimes, the most spiritual act is to clear our waiting room of influences that feed worry instead of faith.
- Obedience in the waiting season is crucial; God’s promises are tied to His instructions, not our preferences. We often rationalize or spin what God has said, but true alignment comes from seeking and surrendering to His will, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Waiting seasons are also weaning seasons, stripping away what hinders us from receiving.
- Expectation is the atmosphere for miracles. Like expectant parents preparing a nursery, we are called to prepare, speak, and act as if God’s promise is already on the way. Faith is not just believing God can, but living as though He will—naming, claiming, and watering the promise with our words and actions, even before we see it.
Study Guide
Bible Reading
- Acts 1:1-14
(Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the disciples’ response in unity and prayer.)
- Isaiah 40:31
(“But those who wait on 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.”)
- John 14:16-18
(“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever—even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”)
Observation Questions
In Acts 1, what specific instructions did Jesus give his disciples before ascending to heaven? What was the promise they were told to wait for?
According to Isaiah 40:31, what is the result of waiting on the Lord? How is this different from just being passive or doing nothing?
In John 14:16-18, how does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit’s role and presence in the life of a believer?
What was the attitude and activity of the disciples while they waited in Jerusalem? (See Acts 1:14)
Interpretation Questions
The sermon talks about the difference between a “visitation” and an “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit. Why is this distinction important for believers today?
The disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem, not anywhere else. What does this teach about obedience and following God’s specific instructions, even when we have our own ideas?
The sermon compares waiting on God to eagles soaring above storms. What does it mean for waiting to be an “active, expectant, and obedient posture” rather than just sitting around?
The company we keep during waiting seasons is emphasized in the sermon. How can the people around us either help or hinder what God wants to do in our lives?
Application Questions
The Holy Spirit is described as someone who renovates our lives, not just visits. Is there an area of your life where you sense God wants to “move in” and make changes, rather than just give you a temporary fix? What would it look like to invite Him to do that?
Think about a time when you were waiting on God for something important. Did you wait passively, or did you stay active in faith, prayer, and service? What could you do differently the next time you’re in a waiting season?
Who are the people in your “waiting room” right now? Are there voices or influences that are feeding worry instead of faith? What practical steps could you take to surround yourself with people who encourage your faith?
The sermon says that obedience in the waiting season is crucial, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Is there an area where you know what God has asked you to do, but you’re tempted to do it your own way? What’s holding you back from full obedience?
Expectation is described as the “atmosphere for miracles.” Are you preparing for God’s promises as if they are already on the way? What is one specific thing you could do this week to show God you are expecting Him to move?
The early church worked while they waited—they served, prayed, and prepared. Is there a way you can serve others or get involved in ministry, even while you’re waiting for God to answer a prayer in your own life?
The sermon challenges us to move from being led by circumstances to being led by the Holy Spirit. Is there a decision or situation in your life right now where you need to stop looking for external signs and start listening for the Spirit’s leading? How can you do that practically?
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to fill your life afresh, to help you wait well, and to empower you to be part of God’s ongoing story—Acts 29. Ask for courage to obey, faith to expect, and wisdom to choose the right company in every season.
Devotional
Day 1: The Power and Promise of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not just a visitor in the life of a believer, but the very presence of God who comes to dwell within, bringing transformation, guidance, and power for living out God’s purposes. When the Holy Spirit takes up residence, He renovates every area of your life, removing what does not belong and filling you with what is of Him. This indwelling is the most precious promise Jesus could give, ensuring you are never alone or powerless. The Holy Spirit is not a second-class helper, but the very presence of God, enabling you to live the life you were created for. [08:29]
John 14:16-18 (ESV)
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to invite the Holy Spirit to take full residence, allowing Him to remove what doesn’t belong and fill you with His presence?
Day 2: Waiting on God Is Active, Not Passive
Waiting on God is not a passive act of sitting still or doing nothing; it is a season of active participation, serving, and soaring above the storms of life. Just as eagles rise above the storm and even conceive in the air, your waiting season is a time when God deposits new things in you, preparing you to give birth to His promises. Waiting is meant to strengthen you, not ground you, and when you wait right—serving, seeking, and staying connected—you are positioned to receive all that God has for you. [22:38]
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: What is one way you can actively serve or encourage someone else while you are in a waiting season, trusting God to strengthen you as you wait?
Day 3: The Importance of Waiting with the Right People
Who you surround yourself with during seasons of waiting can either fertilize your faith or feed your worry. Just as the disciples waited together in unity and Jesus was careful to clear out voices of doubt before performing miracles, you must protect your waiting room from negative influences and voices that undermine your faith. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is to clear your waiting room, ensuring you are surrounded by those who share your vision and agreement with God’s promises. [29:00]
Acts 1:13-14 (ESV)
"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. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."
Reflection: Who in your life is speaking faith and agreement with God’s promises, and who might you need to lovingly distance yourself from in this season to protect your faith?
Day 4: Obedience in the Waiting Season
Obedience is crucial in the waiting season; it is not about putting your own spin on God’s instructions, but about aligning your actions and your words with what He has said. When you wait with obedience, you position yourself to receive the fullness of God’s promise, but when you compromise or rationalize disobedience, you risk aborting what God wants to birth in your life. Waiting seasons are also weaning and alignment seasons, where God strips away what doesn’t belong and brings you into greater conformity with His will. [36:24]
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: Is there an area where you have been rationalizing disobedience or speaking words of doubt? What step of obedience can you take today to align yourself with God’s promise?
Day 5: Waiting with Expectation and Faith
True waiting on God is marked by expectation—believing that what He has promised, He will bring to pass. Expectation is not wishful thinking, but confident faith that prepares, prays, and even names the promise before it arrives. Just as expectant parents prepare a nursery and speak to their unborn child, you are called to prepare for God’s answer, speak life over it, and water it with faith-filled words. Expectation moves you from worry to worship, from doubt to declaration, and positions you to receive God’s best in His perfect timing. [50:48]
Mark 11:22-24 (ESV)
"And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.'"
Reflection: What promise from God are you expecting in this season, and how can you tangibly prepare for its arrival as an act of faith?
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