Trusting God in Transitions

In this week’s sermon, we go through Acts 1:1-11 and learn to trust God in the midst of transitions.  This sermon is extremely special as it is our last Sunday with the Saxton family who have been a huge part of West Side for the last 7 years. 

It’s all about Jesus!

Date: April 24, 2022
Series: Stand Alone Sermons

Watch the archived Facebook LIVE stream by clicking the button below!
Facebook LIVE

Sermon Extras

Sermon Notes➝

Pastor’s Comment

Thank you so much for listening in here at West Side. We often say that we love the word of God because it points us to the son of God. We hope these messages encourage you and equip you to love Jesus more. We also want you to be apart of a local church, we believe these messages are only supplemental, being apart of a local church is essential. Blessings.
Jason G Jordan

Lead Pastor, West Side Church

SERMON NOTES

“Trusting God in Transitions” Acts 1:1-11

INTRO> There is a scene that I have told you about that the Lord has used to teach me from time to time. When our kids where learning to swim, standing on the edge, before jumping in the deep end, they did want to jump but didn’t want to jump.

APP> What that can be referred to and what the kids where experiencing was a transition. Transition- the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. The reality is, is that we ALL go through transitions in life:
Common Transitions: 

        • Average person has 12 jobs in their lifetime. 
        • Average person moves 11x in their lifetime.
        • Average person has 2 serious relationships before marriage. 

APP> I want to make a distinction here, one that a guy by the name of William Bridges help me distinguish. When we speak of transitions, most people think , “Yeah, transitions and change are the same thing.” they are not. In his book he says, “It isn’t the changes that do you in, it’s the transitions. Change is not the same as transition. Change is situational: the new site, the new boss, the new team roles, the new policy. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation. Change is external, transition is internal.” -William Bridges, Bridges goes on to break down any transition into 3 sections, 1)Endings 2) Neutral Zone 3) Beginnings 

CONTEXT> And that is exactly what we see in Acts chapter 1, a transition. Jesus is getting ready to ascend to heaven and leave his disciples. Think about this…. They have spent ever single day with this man for 3 years… they have depended on him for their purpose, meals… plans and all of that stuff. And now he is leaving them! This is the moment that he has been preparing them for! 

APP> I think in this passage from a devotional 30,000 view there are 4 key principles that we can learn about how to walk through a season of transition… 

  1. Do what you where last told to do. 
        • “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem…” Acts 1:4 This is an important command that Jesus has given them previously at the end of Lukes Gospel as well… “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:59

APP> In a season of transition when you don’t know what to do, do the last thing that Jesus told you to do. *ILL> My friends going into Mariene bootcamp, hiking and cutting communication. 

APP> God’s will is that you would live God’s way as revealed in God’s word. 

2) Wait. 

        • …but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 I love that Jesus speaks this to them! On the surface it almost appears as … hurry up and wait! But this is a massive promise, it’s the promise of the Holy Spirits power! 

APP> Where God guides you, he provides for you! 

APP> Waiting is not a passive act. Out of William Bridges 3 phases of a transition guess which one he says is when things go wrong… The Neutral Zone! 

Working while we wait: 

        • Have I gathered all the information needed to make a decision? 
        • Have I soaked this transition in prayer or just sprinkled it in prayer? 
        • Have I pursued godly wise counsel from a neutral 3rd party? 

3) Be aware of your own personal bias. 

        • “So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Acts 1:6-7 This is a political statement! The Disciples wanted Jesus to move on their time, their way! 

APP> Often times, the greatest hinders to God’s agenda is our own. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12

4) Fill the gaps with trust. 

        • “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 This is a future promise for the disciples! 

APP> “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6

Questions: How would my life look differently if in every situation and relationship, I filled the cracks with trust? 

Big Idea > Every transition is an invitation to trust God.

*ILL> Corrie Ten Boom, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Application: 

      • Where are you at? 
      • What is the Spirit of God saying to you?
      • What are you going to do about it?