Waiting for God's Promise - The Book of Acts - Acts 1:12-26

Title: Waiting for God's Promise

Acts 1:12-26

Structure:

1. Waiting is standing in continual united prayer

2. Waiting is simmering on Scripture and letting it shape our current situations

3. Waiting is opening our hearts to God's will

Scripture:

 - Acts 1:12-26

 - Eph. 6:18-20

 - Luke 22:30

 - Matt. 19:28

 - Acts 2:36; 1:8

 - Psalm 69:25; 109:8

 - Matt. 26:24

 - Eph. 2:20

 - 1 Cor. 15:8

 - Acts 14:14

 - 1 Cor. 9:1-2

 - Prov. 16:33

Quotations:

David Peterson "It is striking that at almost every important turning point in the narrative of God's redemptive action in Acts we find a mention of prayer (1:24; 8:14-17; 9:11-12; 10:4; 9; 30; 13:2-3)"

MacArthur  "The mission of the twelve was primarily to the nation of Israel, while he (Paul) was the apostle sent to the Gentiles."

SERMON NOTES:

- 

Open with me to: Acts 1:12-26

God is doing great things arounds us, he is leading each one of us in unique ways. He is leading our church to take steps into the unknown. But how is our waiting for God's movement look like?

• Do we simply wait and see what happens? Or do we follow their example of gathering together in a united prayer for God's will to be done.

• Do we immerse our mind in Scripture, does it speak to our current situation? Do we hold on to solid convictions from Scripture in what we are to do?

• Do we have an open hand to God's working? Or do we follow our own fleshly proud hearts?

We will make three observations.

1. Waiting is standing in continual united prayer

2. Waiting is simmering on Scripture and letting it shape our current situations

3. Waiting is opening our hearts to God's will

I. Waiting is standing in continual united prayer

v. 14

Jesus commanded his disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Holy Spirit

The core group of these disciples included: There are eleven apostles, the women who supported Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus' brothers and the rest of the disciples that Jesus had in total of about 120 people.

Yet, the first thing they do is they gather in the upstairs room "continually united in prayer"

In this private place they were gathered together. No one was on their own, they saw that this is important. We are in it together.

WHY, was is prayer the most important thing for them????

• Because Prayer is actively submitting to God (not my will but your will be done),

◦ It is seeking God to work and to empower us for his work.

◦ It is opening our fears, anxieties and uncertainties to God

• Prayer is not a passive process, it is active, standing in prayer

• Paul in chapter 6 of Ephesians, speaks on the armor of God and ends this section with the importance of Prayer. He says:

◦ "Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should." (Eph. 6:18-20).

Living WORD do we come to God in prayer for his will to be done in our lives and in our church?

The most foundational thing that the church can do is pray!

SO PRAY!!!!!!

• Pray for our church

• Pray for your growth,

• Pray for God's movement in our lives

• Pray for the future of this church and the decisions that need to be made.

• Pray for God to use this church to reach the lost people in Whatcom County!!!

It is great to pray alone, but there is something about the whole church gathering and praying for a need or for a cause.

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II. Waiting is simmering on Scripture and letting it shape our current situations

 v. 15-20

Notice that praying was not the only thing they were doing, Scripture filled their minds.

Peter was speaking in such a way that they all had no questions about. No one disagreed. Because they saw the leading of God through Scripture.

Peter raises an important issue before the Spirits coming, they only had 11 disciples at this time!

12 Apostles represented the 12 tribes of Israel

Jesus pointed this out to his apostles:

"And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Luke 22:30).

"Jesus said to them, 'Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Mt. 19:28)

So was Jesus wrong to choose Judas? Was his plan for the new Israel thwarted?

NO it was was not - The advance of the gospel was not halted by Judas's disobedience

Jesus was not mistaken when he picked him

Through Peter we learn two important approaches to Scripture:

1. All of Scripture is the word of GOD

2. Scripture speaks of principles and themes that are actively fulfilled even now

As we wait for God's working in our life, and in the church, do we summer in God's word, do we allow it ti shape our circumstances?

Or do we expect God to move, yet are not truly desire his will to be done? Are we simply there for results, for the experience?

God moves among people who seek his will in His scripture!

Are you truly dedicated to Christ!

Why do I expect God to work when I Don't obey his revealed word?

When we seek God's guidance for our church, do we talk necessary steps to prepare for God's leading by coming to his word and operating from it's foundations?

Or do we think that the will of God is some abstract thing that may happen in ways that we cannot be prepare for? Or do we fight sin, build our marriages and families by his word?

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III. Waiting is opening our hearts to God's will

v. 21-26

Here we are introduced of Juda's replacement process. Where they define what apostolic ministry has to have, the gathering of disciples propose two qualified people and then they cast lots for God's choosing.

Peter points out the undisputable will of Jesus, that Apostles were key in the early church

Because in order to be an apostle this man needs to be the one who was with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry, and is a witness to his resurrection.

If God is the one who in charge of his church, that means He already has definite processes, and players in it.

Thus, Paul points to the office of an apostle, which was established by Christ for the early church!

Notice then they proposed two candidates that fit that requirement. Then they cast lots:

Then Matthias was chosen, and they added him to the eleven apostles, which means they are ready for the Spirits outpouring.

Practically

Are we allowing changes to take place that we might be uncomfortable with?

Letting God decide because he is truly the one in control and has a plan

We might say "we are following God's will" but test your hearts, do you truly want his WILL? OR is it your desires, your own ambitions, your own fear?

Are our fears and discomforts get in the way of God?

We should have an open hand, to whatever God is doing!

But am I willing to submit to God, before He is going to bring his will and actions come?

Am I preventing God from working, because I am cautious?

The future is scary, change is scary, Yet, we have a savior who is the one in charge.

Hold his hand, trust him, and you will not be disappointed.

in Conclusion:

As we wait for God to move among us, are we standing in continual united prayer, simmering on Scripture and letting it shape our current situation and opening our hearts to God's will?

For this God's church, and we are his people and let his will be done!

AMEN!