Managing the In Between | E. Dewey Smith | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Managing the In Between

The House of Hope Atlanta • May 24, 2026 • 64 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Dr. E. Dewey Smith teaches how believers can navigate the uncomfortable "in-between" transitions of life—the vulnerable space caught between what was and what will be. Through the experience of the disciples waiting between Christ's ascension and Pentecost, he highlights the emotional strain, mental fatigue, and anxiety that often arise during periods of waiting. Believers are encouraged to handle their honest questions with God, resist obsessing over timelines, avoid making premature decisions, and remain obediently positioned for the Holy Spirit's empowering presence.

Themes

Navigating TransitionsWaiting on GodFaith and QuestionsTrusting God's TimingSpiritual Intimacy vs. InformationHoly Spirit Empowerment

Pastor's Points

1.

Resolve to properly handle your own questions.

2.

Resist pressure to fixate on when you'll shift positions.

3.

Realize you must participate in right decisions.

Key Points

1.
Resolve to properly handle your own questions: having a relationship with Jesus does not eliminate curiosity or cancel honest inquiry.
2.
Resist pressure to fixate on when you'll shift positions: obsessing over timelines creates unnecessary mental fatigue and emotional tension.
3.
Realize you must participate in right decisions: avoid making anxious, premature choices in periods of waiting that force open doors God never intended.
4.
The "in-between" transition—caught between what was and what will be—is often where faith is tested most intensely and anxiety grows.
5.
God welcomes honest questions from His children, but He is not obligated to reveal His exact timelines or answers regarding the future.
6.
Withholding timing preserves spiritual intimacy with God, preventing believers from seeking mere information over a personal relationship with Him.
7.
Comparing your current season to curated social media portrayals creates false expectations and distracts from God's work in your journey.

Sermon Moments

“Defining the "in between" as the uncomfortable space caught between "what was" and "what will be," where faith is tested and 80% of imagined fears never happen.”

“Reminding believers that "faith does not cancel your inquiry"—Jesus invites honest questions, and half the book of Psalms consists of raw questions to God.”

“Illustrating social media comparisons as green screens and artificial turf, warning believers not to envy someone's post when they don't know the water bill.”

“Teaching that God withholds information about future timelines because giving all the answers would eliminate our intimate dependence on Him.”

“Using the news illustration of deer in France getting drunk on fermented grapes to challenge believers to get drunk on God's Word instead of obsessing over timing.”

“Warning against choosing a "Matthias" out of anxiety during seasons of waiting, when God already has a "Paul" prepared for His perfect timing.”

“Encouraging believers to move past only celebrating Easter's early Sunday morning resurrection to embracing Pentecost's chapter-two Holy Spirit power.”

This Week

Bring your raw emotions and honest questions directly to God in prayer rather than suppressing them in fear.

Release your fixation on timelines, choosing to focus on God's presence today rather than obsessing over when circumstances will change.

Stop comparing your current life season to the curated highlight reels of others on social media.

Prioritize deepening your daily intimacy with God over seeking information about your future.

Refrain from making hasty major life choices or entering rushed relationships out of impatience while waiting.

Practice taking life "one day at a time," receiving God's daily portion of grace instead of worrying about tomorrow.

Remain obediently positioned where God has placed you, waiting faithfully for the Holy Spirit's guidance and timing.

Remember This

While waiting in life's uncomfortable transitional periods, believers must bring their honest questions to God, release obsession over His timing, and remain obediently positioned for the Holy Spirit's empowering presence.

A Challenge for You

If you're in the in between in chapter one, don't lose hope. Wait on God cuz chapter 2 can come. The Holy Spirit will empower you to whatever you've been dealing with.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.