First Act - Hurry up and Wait

3:33 - Welcome Back - Name Tag Sunday - Congratulations to the Graduates -

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What can be as soft as a whisper and as loud as a freight train?

What can be still enough to reflect the heavens, yet powerful enough to shape the landscape?

It is a force to be reckoned with and essential for human flourishing.

What is it?

Water.

In 1931 American Engineers began a project of epic proportions. A project requiring thousands of workers, millions of cubic yards of concrete - an innovation that would redefine what many thought possible.

Fun fact: the concrete used was so massive that if it had been poured all at once, the heat generated during the curing process would still be dissipating today—nearly one hundred years later.

You get it - this was no ordinary construction project. It required innovation…it required belief…it required dedication.

Something the country wasn’t exactly full of during the Great Depression…yet this impossible endeavor was completed in just 5 years!

The project…the Hoover Dam

For millennia the Colorado River was a powerful and life changing force in the Southwest. It provided food, sustained agriculture, it shaped the landscape.

Raw Power - But in 1931 the goal was to harness the power to serve a greater purpose. Yes all of the other elements still present - BUT NOW directed power through Hydroelectric generators allowed Raw Power to bring new purpose.

What once carved rock with raw power, now lit homes, powered hospitals, schools, downtowns…it transformed cities.

While the Hoover Dam may have directed the power in water to transform the American Southwest…

God is about to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit through ordinary people. People who are not all that different from you and I.

In doing so, God is putting in motion a movement that will change the the landscape of the world…thats not hyperbole that is reality.

Thats not PC exaggerating - this is History

its HIS Story…The Story we are still living today.

Same God, Same Spirit, Same Mission.

This summer we going see how God infused His Power into His People and changed the shape of cities, cultures…and individuals. This summer we will talk through the FIRST ACT - the first half or so of the book of Acts. Along the way we will discover timeless principles and biblical truths that apply for our lives today.

We will see how God’s presence brings Power, His Presence Gives Purpose, and His Power gives us the ability to carry it out.

So, let’s go back and see where it all started…

Acts 1 - Luke Writes…

Acts 1:1–3 (CSB) I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Luke is writing his second scroll - his second book - his second account to Theophilus. aka “Lover of God” the literal translation for the name.

Real person - yes - representative of real people - yes -

Luke is writing to the “Lover of God” then;

for the benefit of the “Lovers of God” now.

TO him (Theo) FOR you…The curious, the follower, the committed

Its like the FIRST ACT of the second story. First story all about the life, miracles, ministry, message, death, and ressurection of Jesus.

Acts…Its the Sequel

The stage is set, first time readers are wondering what is gonna happen next…or in Theophilus’ case. How did we get to where we are today, 30-40 years of church growth…30-40 years of a movement of people who believe in this guy named Jesus and seem to be influencing, changing the landscape of the ancient Greco-Roman World.

Book I - The Who and the Why Book II - The How and What next

Its not; “Here was Jesus and what HE DID.”

It is; “here is what Jesus continues to do - and guess what Theo….there is room for you to be part of all of it!”

BUT BUT BUT - Before you run out there and get started….let me get you up to speed, so you are prepared.

No - so you are EMPOWERED

I love that we know who this book was written to. I especially love his name because I think we can put ourselves in the shoes of Theophilus - Friend of God / Loved by God / Lover of God - and hear what he heard…

Luke continues as he connects the Dots from Book 1 to Book 2…

Acts 1:4–5 (CSB) While he (JESUS) was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

This is a direct connection to Luke 24:29

Luke 24:49 (CSB) And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

When I was in the Marines we had a very common phrase. “Hurry up and wait.” One year in particular, was a certainly a hurry . We were on a 24 hour call to deployment. Essentially what that means is they would call us and we’d have 24 hours to get back to base to deploy to the Middle East. Or wherever the area of operation required.

but hurry up and doesn’t have to be that severe. in your life too.

for all of those drivers out there that drive up to the last car in the line of traffic like they can’t wait to wait…at a stand still.

Or better yet its like getting to the airport the recommended 2-3 hours to make it through security with the rest of the common folk who don’t have a clear pass.

You hurry to get there…to wait…and if you’re really lucky…you wait because you took the cash because they oversold the flight and needed the spots.

Jesus is saying to the disciples to hurry up and wait for it - wait for the power…

Seems clear...but its not what they hear…

Acts 1:6 (CSB) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

Translation - Jesus what are you about to do?!?!

Whats gonna happen when the POWER COMES?

Jesus what are you gonna do??

For generations, centuries even - the people of Israel have been asking the same question.

Jesus is now the time?

We thought it was gonna be the week before your death…then you died and it was horrible. Then you were back and it was amazing…it is amazing…so what are you gonna do now??

Is now the time you will take over?

Is today the day - or that day?

Is that whenn you fix the government?

Is that when you hold all the guilty accountable?

Jesus, what are YOU gonna do when the Spirit comes??

Not really that different from some of the faithful today is it?

Jesus are you gonna save our nation?

Was that the sign that is gonna make all things right?

How about that sign? Was that the final sign before its all better?

Jesus, what are YOU gonna do now?

Are you gonna fix government

Are you gonna make it all right

MAKES SENSE - For 3 years that was part of the model - Jesus did they watched.

they watched healings, they watched miracles, they watched the dead come back, they watched the outcasted restored to community.

Sure he sent them out, sure he empowered them for little excursions, but he was always around somewhere.

He was there when they got home…So of course they were asking Jesus what are you going to do next.

But Jesus wasn’t there to give them a timeline - He gave them a mission.

They want to be prepared for the political change - Jesus is preparing them for a Spiritual change.

His response is nothing short of brilliant…

Acts 1:7–8 (CSB) He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.

In other words - Thats God’s Schedule

You don’t need to prepare God’s schedule, you need to be prepared for God’s Promise

Actually this phrase has a bigger punch than you might think. And I don’t want you to miss it.

Jesus uses two different words here that really matter - to Theo then and us today.

Times + Periods | Chronos + Kairos

Hold up the Clock

What time is it? Some of you were like - I don’t think I can read those anymore haha.

If you could read it…that would be Chronos

Chronos - is the time of a clock…this minute, this hour, this week, this month - Its the linear time of the ticking of a clock or a watch.

Hold up the Diploma or the Wedding Album the Baby Album

This is Kairos - is the era, or season, or moment

Yes there is a date attached to it, but you recall the moment. But the image captures a moment.

Today is Grad Sunday - its a moment - yes it happens on the day of the calendar but what lingers isn’t the date on the calendar but the experience.

See the disciples wanted the inside scoop, is the Kairos changing and the Kronos when the Holy Spirit comes and you leave.

Jesus is saying - listen the Father has that under control. He’s got the calendar and the and the season all set.

Don’t worry about that, instead be ready for what your role is when the spirit comes.

The Time is Now…The Chronos and Kairos time of the Kingdom is now…

Not to overthrow Governments

Not to change the political systems

Something so much greater...The Dynamic move of the Holy spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

They wanted a regime change date…and Jesus is saying

I’m gonna send you power to participate.

The whole book of Acts is rooted in this verse right here.

Our whole movement as a global church is rooted in a deeply held conviction that the moment when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, baptizes you - changes everything.

It is the Chronos/Kairos MOMENT of a POWER ENCOUNTER with the Holy Spirit.

Power = Dunimas - If you’ve been around Summit for a bit you have heard us talk about the power…its no accident the word is the root word for Dynamic the root word for Dynamite.

This moment will change everything.

Luke has been leading up to this for throughout the book of Luke.

Jesus’ life conceived in the Holy Spirit

Jesus’ water baptism the Spirit came upon Him

Jesus’ ministry is marked by the power of the Holy spirit - Inn Jesus’ own words..

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,”

And Now Luke is writing to Theo to tell him the SAME POWER is available to the believer…today…here and now…still 20-30 years after the ascension of Jesus…

You Theo…I have written to you all the things of Jesus’ life so that you may trust what you believe, and I am writing you now so you realize the power God is giving you today!!

The Kairos is now…Jesus’ Promise is a reality…

Hurry up and wait…the wait is over…the time is now…for you too Theo!

The disciples, they had to go back into the city and wait for the power…The power that would come after Jesus returned to the Father…

Acts 1:9–11 (CSB) After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.

They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

For us church…This is going to be a Spirit Empowered Summer.

A summer filled with Kairos moments. We have the benefit of knowing what comes next in Acts…we can read ahead or refresh our memory.

We have access to the Power of the Holy Spirit in us today! But we too can get caught up “gazing up in to the heaven” wondering when Jesus is going to come back.

Consumed with trying to figure out the Chronos of His Return and miss the Kairos of being an empowered witness.

YES Jesus is coming back…

AND the time is now to

Wait Expectantly and Witness Accordingly

Church we have been given the mission to reach one more person - to see one more person fully known, filled with hope and making a difference in the name of Jesus.

That begins in the Super - between them and God and simotaneously happens in the natural when we live into that mission to be a witness.

We love People - To be a witness

We serve the Community - To be a witness

We teach Scripture - to be a witness

We comfort the sick - to be a witness

We support the poor - to be a witness

We care for our neighbors - to be a witness

We forgive, we love, we give, we live empowered to be a witness of the Power and Compassion of Jesus.

Jesus is coming BACK

So what are we gonna do?

We are gonna

Hurry up and Wait as an Empowered Witness of Jesus

Right now, Church! Today is the day that we get to live empowered as a witness of Jesus. There are people in our lives who do not know him yet. There are people in our workspace in our coffee shops in in our families that do not know Jesus yet. And we as followers our role is to help them come to know Jesus because they know us.

It’s not time for us to look into the if Jesus is gonna bring in the new the new . We know that that is going to happen in its own time. God has got the plan. God has got the God has got the breakdown all figured out. We don’t have to worry about that. We can just trust it is coming. Our job is to be empowered in the waiting.

Empowered in the waiting!

See they had to wait for the power to be a witness. You and I. The power is already here. It is already available. already come. The same . The power was ready for him too. It was 20 to 30 years post . It was 20 to 30 years post Pentecost. It was 20 to 30 years of a movement of a church that is empowered. We are 100 years, nearly 100 years into this experiment of Summit church. This movement of a church in a city that is empowered to be a gospel presence right here in Saint Paul. A good news presence! A people who are waiting expectedly and living as empowered witnesses of the life-changing power in the compassion of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

If you were here at Summit for the first time. This is who we . People who believe in the very real power of the Holy Spirit. That we have a calling on our lives. To love people well. To lead with compassion. To serve the community. offer forgiveness. truly become more like Jesus.

But maybe you’re here for the first time, and you’re just not quite sure about what to do with all of this. Church stuff. What to do with Jesus.

If you are new to the whole Jesus thing…maybe you have been curious and for a variety of reasons you decided today to be here. To come to Summit Church.

It is a new Kairos a new season in your life. Today, June 7 Chronos is the day you walked in but the Kairos…well God’s been working in your world for a bit hasn’t He?

Maybe today is the day you say yes to Jesus.

God has made in clear throughout the entire scriptures that he will do two things…Those who seek Him with all their heart and soul WILL find him, and He will give those who call on Jesus a new life.

Forgiveness for all of the mistakes, misteps, and flat out bad things we have done in our lives. He is not shocked or surprised by our thoughts or actions.

For all have fallen short of God’s standards, actions that separate us from God. But in his infinite love for us, for you, He sent Jesus - his one and only son - into your life into HIS Story - to make right all the places we come up short.

Jesus lived the perfect life, sinless and blameless - something just not possible for us - then Jesus died the death you and I deserve to die, and was raised on the third day defeating death and the grave. He did all of that for you! And now today, in Christ Jesus, we can live in the freedom of Christ - a life filled with meaning and purpose - giving glory to God for all that He has done, is doing, and will do for our good and His Glory.

So I guess the question is, are you sick of waiting and are you ready for a change? Is today the day that you are going to step forward ? Is today the day that you are going to say yes to Jesus?