What Are You Waiting On?

Read: Acts 1:9-11

Acts 1:9–11 KJV 1900

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The disciples had spent three lifechanging years with Jesus. Now they looked in disbelief as he began to rise into the heavens.

They didn’t just look, they began to stare, “look steadfastly” means to look with fixed eyes.

It was a nostaligic look -

they weren’t ready to see Hm go.

He had taught them so much,

he had helped them so much,

he had promised them so much.

It was a backward look

They wanted things to stay the same

They wanted Him to be visibly and tangibly accessible all the time again. Like it used to be

They wanted to stay and watch him return - surely it wouldn’t be too long

It was a progress halting look

They were too busy looking to be working

They were too busy waiting for Him to return to wait for the Promise of the Father

They were too busy focusing on what they wanted rather than what He was asking of them

While you and I will probably never have an experience like these great men - to be standing and talking to Jesus and see Him go up in the clouds

But we might be priveleged to be one who sees Him return in the clouds.

While we wait for His return we can’t wait to be about His business.

We can’t let our look be

Nostalgic (there are times to remember and memoralize - but it can’t be the focus of our fixed gaze)

A Backward look - again we remember the pit from which we were digged, but we don’t look fix our gaze on it - we don’t look back to it with fondness and hope

A Progress Halting look - We need to be looking forward to the greatness God has ahead of us.

The idea that the Angel says to the men

Acts 1:11 KJV 1900

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

He’s saying - You know what to do - Jesus already told you - what are you waiting on?

Tonight I’d like to ask us - Are we focusing on the wrong thing? Are we looking in the wrong directin? Are we waiting when we should be doing and working?

Some people wait because they don’t feel it’s the right time

Some people wait because they don’t feel impressed to do something

Some people wait because they’re afraid to take the initiave

Some people waith becasue they don’t realzie people are waiting on them -

[Have everyone 29 years old and younger to stand up. Ask everyone sitting down to look around - remind them - these are the people looking to you to see how worshipping God is done. This is the people who are watching you to see how you react to things and what does it mean to be a Christian. How do they handle adversity. They are listening to your testimonies, they are watching your actions. Don’t be afraid to show them the way. Don’t be afraid - don’t waith - this is a passing window }

I’m thankful the disciples listened to the angel and went to Jerusalem and waited for the right event. Waited for the Promise from the Father - and He did not dissapoint.

What are you waiting on?

Let’s go pondering these words..