While we wait, we must constantly join together in prayer, because it is the way Jesus reigns over us. 1. We wait and pray for what God promised. (v.12) 2, We wait and pray in unity with other Christians. (v.13) 3. We wait and pray constantly, until we prevail. (v.14) How can we learn to wait and pray? How can we maintain unity? Acts 2:42,46; 6:4,7 Eph.4:3 What must we do while we wait and work? Col. 4:2 When will we prevail? Acts 12:5,11-17

The way to calm ourselves is to renounce our own pride and to keep on lowering ourselves until we have re-discovered how to intentionally become fully contented and quietly at rest with our LORD, trusting in Him to provide for us, even in the context of a very long wait. 1. Whenever we elevate ourselves to a God-like position with a prideful heart attitude and we look down at others, we end up stirring up our own souls. (v.1) 2. Whenever we take a humble heart attitude and look up to God, we end up calming our own souls with true peace. (v.2) 3. Lesson: less playing God, more trusting God. (v.3) What is the surprising root cause if we are very upset? Who is lowly? Dt. 29:29, Mt 11:29;18:1-4, Phil. 2:3,7-8. How can we be quieted? Lk 14:11, Rom. 12:3, 1 Pet. 5:5-11. What does it look like to trust God? Jn. 4:34, Jms. 4:6.

1. Welcome your covenant Lord 2. Behold the Lamb of God 3. Rejoice in the Giver of the Spirit

Because of the mercy of The LORD, we pray, marvel, wait, and hope. 1. From rock bottom, we cry to The LORD for mercy. (v.1-2) 2. God lifts us up by forgiving us in Christ; so, we marvel! (v.3-4) 3. We, the church, wait for The LORD's return. (v.5-6) 4. We, the church, hope in The LORD's love. (v.7-8) How are we redeemed from our iniquities? Who takes away the sin of the world? John 1:29 Heb. 9:7-10 Why do we call His name Jesus? Mt. 1:21; 9:6; 26:28, 1 Jn 1:8-10 How did He redeem us? Heb. 10:17, Titus 2:14

In the ascension of Jesus, we learn about our King. 1. His timing. (v.6-7) 2. His witnesses. (v.8) 3. His plans. (v.9-11) What is it like to have Jesus as our king? When does the Lord do things? Rom 5:6 and 2 Peter 3:9 Where must we bear witness? Matthew 10:18 What does God have in store for us? Jeremiah 29:11-13

Because The LORD is righteous, the church maintains great hope by expecting a) persecution, and b) preservation. 1. Preserved through great hostility. (v.1-4) 2. Preserved to the great disappointment of haters. (v.5) 3. Preserved through all ages. (v.6-8) When people hate us, who are they ultimately hating? Why is hostility to Christ/church inseparable? Ps. 2:1-3, John 15:18 Was the violence in Jesus' parable brief or long? Mt.21:33-41 How did Paul describe being afflicted? 2 Cor. 1:10 and 4:8-9

The starting point and ongoing focus of The Church is Jesus' work and teaching, which He continues to do now through His Spirit. 1. Jesus teaches us. (v.1-2) 2. Jesus reigns over us. (v.3) 3. Jesus gives us gifts. (v.4-5) What is the most basic thing about us? What should convince us of Jesus' teachings? 1 Cor.15:5-7 How are we able to accept truth? John 14:16 From whom did the Spirit come upon us? Acts 2:33