"4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, 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

The Point: Before we can go in power, we must gather in dependent obedience.

"12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away."- Acts 1:12

"13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." - Acts 1:13-14

Dependent obedience begins with gathered prayer.

"1 Unless the Lord builds the house,

    those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the watchman stays awake in vain." - Psalm 127:1

"16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” - Acts 1:16-17

"20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,

    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’" - Acts 1:20

Dependent obedience means letting Scripture shape how we interpret life.

"105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105

" 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." - Romans 15:4

"16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"12 There is a way that seems right to a man,

    but its end is the way to death." - Proverbs 14:12

"21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” - Acts 1:21-22

"24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen" - Acts 1:24

"33 The lot is cast into the lap,

    but its every decision is from the Lord."- Proverbs 16:33

Dependent obedience means acting faithfully without demanding certainty.

"6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." - 1 Corinthians 3:6-7