The Power of Three: Wait, Receive, Witness
Notes
Transcript
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”
50 He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them.
51 As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.
The Power of Three
The Power of Three
Neuroscience studies have revealed a captivating fact about our brains: they have a special inclination towards the number three. This might not be something you're consciously aware of, but you've likely encountered this phenomenon numerous times. Our brains are wired to favor the number three because our short-term memory is designed to identify and retain patterns of three. This number feels complete and manageable to our cognitive processes, and its practical implications are far-reaching.
Think about the frequency with which we come across instructions presented in sets of three. Safety protocols, for instance, often employ three-part instructions to guarantee they are easily memorized and adhered to. At a railroad crossing, we're advised to "Stop, look, and listen." In the event of a fire, we're guided to "Stop, drop, and roll." These sets of three are not randomly chosen; they are meticulously crafted to be easily retained and recalled, especially in emergencies.
The power of three extends beyond safety instructions to parenting strategies as well. Child development experts suggest that parents give a child no more than three instructions at a time. This simple yet effective approach ensures the child can easily remember and follow through without becoming overwhelmed, empowering parents with a manageable and effective strategy.
This principle also applies to effective communication, particularly in sermons. Many sermons are structured around three main points, capitalizing on this cognitive preference to ensure the message is memorable and impactful. The number three provides a sense of completeness and balance, making the content more digestible and easier to recall.
Imagine being in the middle of a busy airport, bags packed and ready for an exciting journey, only to hear the announcement that your flight has been delayed indefinitely. The anticipation and excitement quickly turn into frustration and uncertainty. During the delay, you notice a family nearby, calm and patient. They seem to know something you don't—a promise of a wonderful destination awaits, no matter how long the wait.
Similarly, the disciples found themselves in a period of waiting after Jesus' resurrection. They had witnessed the most incredible event in history, yet they were instructed to wait. But this waiting wasn't in vain; it was a crucial part of their journey to receiving the Holy Spirit and becoming witnesses to the world. Today, we will explore the significance of waiting, receiving, and witnessing as Jesus commanded His disciples in Luke 24:49.
Let's read Acts 1:1–11 now. Pay close attention and listen for the three specific instructions given by Jesus.
1 Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning,
2 right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen.
3 After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom.
4 While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me:”
5 John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”
7 Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.”
8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9 After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them.
11 They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”
Wait
Wait
Jesus' command to wait in Jerusalem was not a passive instruction but an active form of obedience. The disciples were to remain in a place with significant meaning—the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This waiting period was a time of preparation and expectation.
Jesus said in our text
Luke 24:49
49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”
Luke wrote in the book of Acts
4 While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me:”
Why the wait? God has a purpose and timing. You're not here by chance. If you follow His three directions and remember that He is always with you, God's plan for your life will emerge.
Through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God has shown His faultless ability to make and fulfill plans. He carefully arranged these events and the Holy Spirit's arrival. God's plan includes Jesus' second coming. All steps are timed and planned for our benefit. Recognizing and aligning with God's timing helps us grasp His plan and trust His guidance.
Jesus' command to remain in Jerusalem required the disciples to actively engage in faith and obedience. They had witnessed Jesus' triumphal entry, crucifixion, and resurrection in this city. The land they stood on had spiritual importance and memories that shaped their mission.
The waiting phase was not about inactivity, but rather readiness. Prepare your hearts and minds, disciples, for the Holy Spirit. They prayed and studied the Bible together. They sought spiritual clarity and harmony during this time. They prepared for a shift that would enable them to fulfill the Great Commission, not merely an event.
The prospect of change needed attentiveness and spiritual readiness, similar to the calm before a storm. They knew something significant was about to happen, something that would transform them forever and equip them for the mission ahead. Waiting tested their faith and patience, emphasizing the significance of trusting in God's timing and promises.
Waiting in Jerusalem involved actively engaging with God's plan, preparing for the Holy Spirit's outpouring, and preparing to serve as witnesses worldwide. The birth of the Church and the spread of the Gospel were shaped by spiritual growth, unity, and expectancy.
Consider a gardener who plants seeds and awaits the harvest. This waiting period is full with anticipation and preparation. The gardener knows planting seeds isn't enough. He must keep the soil fruitful and weed-free. He frequently waters the plants to keep them healthy. He monitors weather, pests, and crop care to adapt to changing conditions.
The gardener strives to produce optimal growth circumstances, as a successful harvest depends on the correct environment and time. This waiting period becomes a time of faith and hope as the gardener trusts in underground growth.
God sometimes requires us to wait in life. We prepare our hearts, strengthen our faith, and trust God's timing while waiting. This includes prayer, studying scripture, and connecting with other believers. We grow and prepare, and our faith in God's promises grows.
Think about the disciples who were instructed to wait in Jerusalem. Their wait was eager and focused. They prayed hard and trusted Jesus' Holy Spirit promise. They trusted God's timing even if they didn't know when. Their trust was in God's promise, not the timing.
We should also use these waiting periods to grow spiritually and prepare. We must trust that God will keep His promises in time. Active waiting aligns our hearts with God's will, preparing us to receive His plans.
After the waiting period, the disciples received the Holy Spirit, fulfilling Jesus' promise. This empowered them from followers to courageous witnesses of Christ, not just an emotional experience.
Receive
Receive
We are called to wait until we are empowered with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This requires patience and trust in God's promise. The power of the Holy Spirit is given to meet the needs in our lives and to equip us for the Christian walk. We are not meant to live out our faith by our own strength; instead, we are to walk in the power of the Spirit.
Jesus said to the disciples in Luke 24:49 to wait - "...until you are clothed with power from on high."
In Acts 1:8 he said
8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Paul explains this in Galatians 5. 16 states, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." By living under the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength, we can overcome our human nature's temptations and shortcomings, feeling empowered and free. In verse 25, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." This underlines the significance of regular, active communion with the Holy Spirit to increase spiritual freedom.
To begin any spiritual work, we first acquire power from the Holy Spirit. Consider this: would you start a long trip with half a tank of gas or a partially charged battery? Most wouldn't. We would fuel and prepare our vehicle. We must also turn to God for spiritual fuel to live victorious. This personal relationship with the Holy Spirit emphasizes our value in God's purpose.
The Holy Spirit's initial infusion into Christians' lives was a transforming event on Pentecost. This empowered Christians in a new way. As the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples, we can too experience divine empowerment and change our lives.
Imagine a magnificent lamp, built with elegance and perfection, a true handicraft masterpiece. Its complex decorations and magnificent characteristics make it a spectacular decoration. Despite its elegant design, the lamp is worthless in darkness without power. It cannot illuminate without power.
In our spiritual existence, we resemble the lamp. We may have numerous talents, gifts, and visible faith. Still, without the Holy Spirit, we cannot shine in a dark world. Our supernatural power source, the Holy Spirit, helps us shine Christ's light.
Our efforts and abilities alone cannot fully represent God's splendor, like a lamp's design cannot produce light. Only via the Holy Spirit can we fulfill our God-given purpose. The Holy Spirit gives us insight, strength, and guidance to overcome life's obstacles and give others hope.
In a world of sin, sorrow, and hopelessness, our connection to the Holy Spirit is crucial. We can radiate God's love, peace, and joy when we rely on the Spirit. This light guides us and draws others to Christ's truth and love.
To stay connected, we must prioritize spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture study, and interaction with other believers. These actions maintain us connected to our power source, keeping us bright and effective in witness.
The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to shine brilliantly, similar to how electricity illuminates a bulb. Our potential is dormant without the Spirit. Our Spirit empowers us to shine light on darkness and glorify God.
We rely on the Holy Spirit's strength to overcome obstacles, share the Gospel, and fearlessly live our faith. Spiritual empowerment requires prayer, scripture, and company with other believers to seek the Holy Spirit.
After receiving the Holy Spirit, we are invited to be witnesses of Christ. Sharing the Gospel, showing Jesus' love, and living our religion honestly are all part of this. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage and knowledge to witness to others and fulfill Jesus' mission.
Witnesses
Witnesses
Witnessing entails living out the Gospel and showing Christ's love, not only retelling events. Witnessing is deep and requires a holistic approach to spreading Jesus' message.
To successfully witness, we must first grasp Gospel principles. This involves letting Jesus' teachings and sacrifice change our hearts and minds. We should live with Christ's hope, joy, and peace. Not only telling others what Jesus has done, but showing how He has changed our lives.
Living out the Gospel requires following its principles and demands in daily interactions. It involves loving our neighbors, forgiving, helping the needy, and acting ethically. These activities demonstrate our faith and make the Gospel real.
The disciples were supposed to begin their witnessing in Jerusalem, a place rich in spiritual importance and personal memory. Jerusalem needed to hear Jesus' redemption and hope message after his death and resurrection. Starting in Jerusalem meant starting their journey in a familiar environment despite anticipated antagonism.
It took strength and commitment to hold steady where their faith was most tested.
They spread their message from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond. This expansion shows how far the Gospel goes. It was meant for everyone, not just one place or group. The disciples' witnessing trip echoes the Church's purpose today—to share Christ's message locally and globally.
We experience our own "Jerusalem" in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. Start by sharing our religion with loved ones and showing Christ's love in our daily lives. Our witness expands to our jobs, social networks, and beyond as we gain confidence and spiritual maturity.
Embracing the witness role entails actively seeking opportunities to share the Gospel. Faith discussions, community service, mission support, and using our unique gifts and talents to assist others are all examples of this. Each act of compassion, encouragement, and integrity adds to the Church's testimony, pointing others to Christ.
The Gospel's global mission is emphasized by being witnesses worldwide. We must evaluate the broader ramifications of our beliefs beyond our immediate context. This could include sponsoring international missions, praying for persecuted Christians, or doing cross-cultural outreach. The call to be witnesses reminds us that our religion is part of a global divine narrative.
Being a witness for Christ involves honestly living out the Gospel and exhibiting Christ's love through acts, not just repeating events. We fulfill the great mandate by spreading hope and salvation from our "Jerusalem" throughout the world. Our words and deeds offer God's grace and invite others to experience Jesus Christ's transformation.
Imagine a pebble dropped into a pond. The ripples spread out from the point of impact, touching every part of the water. Our witness should have the same effect, starting where we are and expanding outward to touch lives far beyond our immediate reach.
The Power of Three
The Power of Three
Jesus' command to "wait, receive, and witness" is just as relevant today as it was for the early disciples. In our journey of faith, we should embrace periods of waiting as opportunities for preparation. We must seek the power of the Holy Spirit to empower our lives and boldly witness to the world about the transformative love of Christ. By doing so, we fulfill the Great Commission and see lives changed for the glory of God.
The three instructions from Jesus are clear: wait, receive, and witness. Sit in His presence until you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, go out and be a blessing!
Some of you today need to wait before God, praying to receive His power.
Others need to take the second step and receive the Holy Spirit's power!
All of us need to take the third step: witnessing about Jesus by being a blessing to our community.
Remember, you and I were blessed to be a blessing. Let's engage our community and be the blessing people of God!
As we close, I want to extend an invitation to you. If you feel the need for the Holy Spirit's empowerment in your life, I invite you to come forward and pray. Let us take this moment to wait on God together, seeking His presence and asking for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Whether you are in a season of waiting, ready to receive, or eager to witness, let us come together in prayer. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to come and empower us, to renew our strength, and to guide us as we go out to be a blessing to our community.
Please, come forward and join me in prayer as we seek the Holy Spirit's power. Let's trust in God's perfect timing and His promise to equip us for His work. Together, let's wait, receive, and witness the transformative power of God in our lives and in our community.