An Unstoppable Church Follows Jesus
FOCUS TEXT: Acts 1:4-5, 12-14
On Sunday, we continued our UNSTOPPABLE series by looking at what it means to be a Christ-following Church—one that responds to Jesus with wholehearted obedience. We saw that a church alive in Christ follows Jesus with total obedience. Obedience isn’t about rule-keeping or religious duty. It flows from delighting in Jesus, trusting His authority, and surrendering to His leading. A church can gather, worship, and pray—but without obedience, it lacks life. Acts 1:4-5, 12-14 reveals three powerful truths about Christ-centered obedience.
1) Christ-Followers Obey Clear Commands — Acts 1:4 says: “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father.” Jesus didn’t offer a suggestion—He gave a command. Even though the disciples were eager to share what they had seen, He told them to wait. Obedience isn’t always action; sometimes, it’s trusting God’s timing when we don’t have all the answers. How do we hear His commands today?
Through God’s Word: Scripture is our ultimate authority, shaping how we live and respond.
Through the Example of Jesus: His life is our model for love, humility, and mission.
Through the Holy Spirit: The Spirit leads and empowers us, always in alignment with the Word.
Through God’s People: Biblical community sharpens and strengthens our obedience.
Obedience is not burdensome—it’s a response of love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). When we see Christ clearly, we joyfully follow wherever He leads.
2) Christ-Followers Wait on the Lord in Obedience — In this same verse Jesus told them to “wait for the promise.” The disciples didn’t just wait—they waited in faith. Their obedience wasn’t passive; it was rooted in trust. Waiting on God’s timing requires surrender, patience, and confidence that His plan is better than ours. Why does God call us to wait? Because waiting tests our faith, and prepares us for God’s plans, requires we walk by faith each day.
3) Christ-Followers Seek God Together in Prayer — In verse 14 we discover that “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…” The disciples didn’t wait alone—they gathered and prayed. Their obedience was marked by unity in prayer, preparing them for the Spirit’s power. Prayer is the heartbeat of an obedient church. It aligns us with God’s will (Matthew 6:10), unites believers (Ephesians 4:3), and prepares us for God’s power (Acts 4:31).
If we want to be a church fully alive in Christ, we must pray with dependence, pray together, and pray with expectation.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Am I obeying Jesus’ clear commands in my life?
Where is God asking me to trust His timing?
Is prayer central to my life and to our church?
PRAYER RESPONSE: “Lord, You are worthy of our trust and obedience. Help us to hear Your voice, follow Your commands, and wait on Your perfect timing. Make us a church that seeks You in prayer and walks in faith. Lead us to follow You with total abandon. Amen.”
MEMORY VERSE: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” – Acts 1:8
