Timing (Acts 1)

Everything starts small. It takes something seemingly insignificant to spark a movement that can change the world.

Have you ever seen the headwaters of the Mississippi River? At first glance, it’s unimpressive—a small, quiet stream. But over time, through movement and force, it grows into one of the most powerful rivers in the world.

The Book of Acts paints a similar picture of the early Church. It begins with a small group gathering together, but through the unstoppable power of the Holy Spirit, a movement is unleashed that changes the world.

The Action-Packed Story of Acts

Acts has just about everything—except dinosaurs! Think about it: earthquakes, shipwrecks, avenging angels, daring escapes, riots, murder plots, political intrigue, and courtroom drama. Who needs soap operas or court shows when Acts has it all?

Today, we begin a series on the movement of the Holy Spirit in the early Church by exploring the narrative of Acts.

Written between 70 and 80 AD, Acts tells the story of the Church’s explosive growth. The book’s outline is found in Acts 1:8:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV)

The story unfolds just as Jesus said:

The message starts in Jerusalem,

Spreads to Judea and Samaria,

And ultimately reaches the ends of the known world (Rome).

This happens through the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, Acts could be more accurately titled The Acts of the Holy Spirit or even The Acts of the Risen and Ascended Lord.

When reading Acts, remember it is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, showing how believers began faithfully living out their discipleship in everyday life.

Throughout this series, we will explore:

• How Christians can live in a world with differing theological views.
• The purpose of the Church.
• The meaning of salvation.
• How we are called to care for others.
• And more.

Acts 1: The Theme of Timing

Acts 1 sets the stage by introducing key themes:

• The promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Waiting for God’s timing.
• The mission of Jesus.
• His ascension.
• The selection of a new apostle to replace Judas.

There is so much to unpack in this one chapter, but today, we will focus on a single, overarching theme: timing.

Have you ever heard this joke?

What’s the hardest part of telling a joke? Timing.

One of our greatest struggles is wanting to know what’s coming next—what to do, when to act, and how things will turn out. Let’s be honest: how many of us enjoy waiting? We want things immediately—yesterday, even. We live in a constant state of impatience.

I know this is something I struggle with. My son, Solomon, loves to remind me of a joke I tell—how I get impatient at McDonald’s while waiting for my own drink…and I’m the one pouring it!

The Faith to Wait

Here’s the truth:

The life of faith is forged in the fires of patience.

Faith grows when we wrestle with ideas and new ways of living. It becomes deeply rooted in us when we take the time to let it sink into our daily lives.

This past summer, I participated in a Bible reading challenge, which I loved. After finishing a 40-day devotional (available on Facebook and soon to be published), I felt called to approach my devotional time differently.

I have always been someone who likes to start and finish projects quickly. But now, I am doing something that will take years to complete—and I need to be okay with that.

What have I started?

I’ve begun handwriting the Bible. Each day, I spend 15-30 minutes copying Scripture (from the NIV), moving at a much slower pace than I’m used to. Yet, I’ve noticed words, phrases, and repetitions I had never seen before. It has been an incredible experience, and I pray I will see this project through.

Why do I share this?

To brag? No.

I share this because Jesus always calls His disciples to wait.

He calls us to seek His will in everything. Our plans only succeed when we take time to discern what Jesus is saying—what we should do and how we should do it.

Learning to Wait on God

Notice how Jesus rebuked the disciples in Acts 1:6-7. They were focused on when things would happen, but Jesus essentially told them, You’re not ready yet. When the time comes, you will be.

Can you imagine that? After hearing all these exciting things about what Jesus was leading them to do, He says…wait.

Put this in today’s context—how many of us would be willing to do what Jesus asks if the first step is waiting?

Instead of rushing ahead, we are called to:

Spend time in prayer.

Discern the right timing and action together.

Trust that Jesus will reveal what we need when we need it.

Even though we might want to take action immediately, faith requires us to stay—to meditate on what has been revealed so far, trusting that God will provide direction in His perfect time.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The disciples didn’t move forward alone. The Holy Spirit—often the most neglected person of the Trinity—was sent to empower them.

The Holy Spirit is the one who:

Sanctifies us—making us whole and holy.

Convicts us of truth.

Comforts us in trials.

Guides us in God’s ways through Scripture.

But for us to experience this, we must take time to seek the Spirit’s presence and power.

Our Mission

What is our mission as followers of Christ?

Paul lays it out in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Jesus commands it in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

And we follow Jesus’ own mission in Luke 19:10:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

At times, this mission may seem impossible. And for us, it is. But through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, what God plans for, God provides for.

An Invitation to Trust God’s Timing

This week, I invite you to be present to the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Identify areas where you struggle with impatience.

Ask God to help you trust His timing.

Wrestle with what it means to wait on Him.

Prayer and waiting may seem small, but when we seek God’s will, we will see Him move in mighty ways.

How are you at waiting?

Are you truly trusting God’s timing?

Or are you trying to force things to happen on your own terms?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (You can also ask your own questions or begin a discussion starter)

• What stands out to you in this scripture? In other words, what is the Holy Spirit impressing on you to notice?

• What did the early church/apostles do in this scripture? How do you see Jesus working in this picture? How can you translate this for today?

• How is our church mission and culture the same from the early church mission and culture? How is it different?

• What challenges you in this scripture? Why? How might the Spirit be leading you?

• Take time to pray about what the Spirit is leading you to do. Are you being led to do something within or through this church because of the Spirit’s word in this scripture? What would that look like? How could you begin?

• What can you do, today, to be more in tune with the Spirit’s leading in this passage?

HOMEWORK: BEGIN TO WORK IN THE “TRANSFORMATION 1:8” BOOK CHALLENGE