Acts 01_12-26 Preparation for Greatness

Read Acts 1:12-26 – Imagine sitting atop a space capsule just before launch? What would you think? John Glenn said, “I was thinking I’m about to trust my life to a spaceship comprised of millions of parts that was built by the lowest bidder.” Truth is, astronauts’ heartbeats are highest just before launch as they go thru final checklists anticipating the greatest adventure of their lives. All the preparation, planning, practice has been aimed at this moment.

Perhaps that’s how the disciples felt as they cooled their heels in Jerusalem for 10 days between Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the HS at Pentecost. They must have been filled with wonder at what the future held. If Jesus’ incarnation was lightning, then His continued ministry through them was thunder and they were in the final minutes before launch.

Every life lived for Christ is a great adventure. While each differs in mission, there are common issues of preparation for greatness that relate to all. So, what we can learn from the disciples in these final moments before take-off?

The Submission of the Disciples

After Jesus ascension, the disciples return to Jerusalem. Why? Home was Galilee. Jerusalem was a hotbed of danger. So why there? Easy: Acts 1:4: “And while staying [literally eating] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem.” They stayed bc Jesus said to. Their running days are over.

They’re in an “the upper room”, perhaps the same as the Last Supper. But of prime interest is what’s on their final checklist? 14) All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer.” They’re ready to roll. But Jesus has them wait. And during that time, they learn unity and prayer. Beautiful.

Unity wasn’t easy for this crowd. The apostles could have been criticized for running. Peter’d been cowardly in his denial of Christ after being so braggadocios beforehand. Women were there, unheard of at that time, rich and poor, opinions across the political spectrum. Yet there was unity.

They’re learning Xns need each other. The Bible knows nothing of isolated believers who have sworn off church bc they’ve been hurt in some way. Pastor Wm Sangster, asked a critical question: “Are some outside the church because you’re inside?” That must never be. We must “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom 12:10). We may disagree, but kindness must still be our middle name. We need each other far more than we realize. Unity is key.

Then, they prayed, the only source for spiritual power. They were not praying down the HS. Jesus told them “to wait for the promise of the Father”, not to pray for Him. They weren’t begging for a blessing God had already promised! What they were doing: Lu 24:52, “And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53) and were continually in the temple blessing God.” They were blessing and praising God – waiting with anticipation and joy.

And note, Mary was with them. They were praying with the mother of Jesus, not to her. The Bible knows nothing of praying to Mary, the saints or anyone other than God. Jesus told these men in Jn 14:14: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” You don’t need a lobbyist with Him! Mary herself prayed after hearing she’d give birth to Jesus: Lu 1:46-47: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Savior? Why did Mary need a Savior? Bc she as sinner just like you and me. She’s no intermediary to God. I Tim 2:5: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is our mediator.

These are praying people. Humility bound them together despite their diverse backgrounds. All had failed in some way – perfect for God’s use. They knew they must depend on Him. In His physical absence, they became powerful prayerers. It was their lifeblood and they knew it; they had demonstrated decisively they could do nothing on their own. What a critical lesson to learn.

Paul urges in I Thess 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” And these men and women did just that. Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” They prayed for boldness after being imprisoned (Acts 4:23-26). The apostles made it their priority over serving widows: Acts 6:4: “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans whom they had previously wished to call fire down upon (Acts 8:14-17). Stephen prayed as he was being stoned to death (Acts 7:59). Cornelius prayed. The church at Antioch prayed. Paul and Silas prayed and God opened prison doors. Prayer is all over Acts! Prayer is all over any effective ministry for Christ. There’s no real ministry without prayer.

Before he went to China, Hudson Taylor, a very common man, said this: “When I get to China, I shall have no claim on anyone for anything. My only claim will be on God. [I’ve learned you can] move men, through God, by prayer alone.” Taylor turned his world upside down – thru prayer. Nothing of substance has ever been done for God except by prayer. Visitors asked Spurgeon the key to his success. He said it was his heating room. They asked to see it. He took them downstairs and opened a door to a room where more than 400 people were praying for God’s blessing on a meeting about to start.

Prayer is it, Beloved, if we hope to see God change lives. Whether you are preaching, teaching, doing fellowship, counseling, sponsoring youth, making phone calls or visits – whatever it is – wait on God long enough to pray. Jn 15:5c “apart from me you can do nothing.” So let’s quit trying to go it alone.

II. The Suicide of a Disciple

15) In those days Peter stood up among the brothers.” Peter’s back in leadership despite his recent colossal failure. Why? John 21. Jesus profoundly forgave him and said, “Feed my sheep” (Jn 21:17), just what Peter is doing? What encouragement. We may have failed horribly – even as a Xn, but when we truly repent, God grace is indescribable. Our past never excuses us serving now. Whatever your failure, the greater sin would be to let it keep you out of the game. Rom 5:20: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

So, his days of prayer and waiting led Peter to a critical realization: 17) For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” With Judas gone, Peter realizes, the apostles are one short! If nothing else, they’re one short to sit on 12 thrones in the kingdom (Matt 19:28).

Of course, Judas had never really been part of them, as Jesus knew from the start: Jn 6:70-71: “Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71) He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.” Judas’ motives aren’t clear. Greed? Political manipulation? We can’t know for sure, but we know this: Mt 27:3: “Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4) saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5) And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.” Peter adds after “falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out” indicating either his rope broke or the branch holding it. Judas came to an ugly end – the greatest example of missed opportunity in the history of the world. From potentially ruling with Christ to spending eternity in hell. His case is sad beyond description, but no more than all who hear the gospel and turn away. What tragedies they are.

But the lesson here is this: Man’s failure can never thwart God’s purposes. In fact, man’s failure is used by God to further his purposes. Judas didn’t take God by surprise. He’d predicted 1,000 years earlier in Psa 41:9: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” God predicted the betrayal price: “30 pieces of silver” (Zech 11:12). None of this excuses Judas, but his treachery was the human means for Jesus’ arrest, atoning death and resurrection. But it was all God’s plan: I Pet 1: 18) knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20) He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” God didn’t force Judas, but he used his treacherous actions to further the plan He’d determined before time began.

God says in Isa 46:10b: “I will accomplish all my purpose.” Man’s failure never thwarts God. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, God used that evil to spare Messiah’s ancestors. Joseph later told his brothers in Gen 50:20: “You meant evil against me, but God meant if for good.” Saul sinned and lost his kingdom; God had David in reserve. Peter shunned the Gentiles in Galatia; God had Paul to set it straight. Listen, Beloved, we can hurt ourselves desperately by rebellion against God – even to the point of hell, like Judas. But we can never thwart the plans of God. God always wins.

When statesmen have had their last parley, / And despots have made their last threat; / When prophets are dumb with misgiving, / And forces of conflict are set; / When factions misleading and treacherous / Bring chaos where order prevailed; / When freedom long cherished is vanquished, / And leaders long trusted have failed, / When God and His Word are derided, / And men call it useless to pray; / Remember that God is still sovereign, / And HE has the last word to say.

III. The Selection of a Disciple

So, Judas is gone; he won’t be in the kingdom, let alone as a judge. A new apostle is needed. So, Peter takes the lead, a Peter we’ve not seen before. He says, 16) “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas.” Peter’s never talked like this before. Rather than his own opinion, his appeal is suddenly to Scripture. “The Scripture had to be [dei – must be fulfilled]”. Wonder where he heard that before?! Virtually every other word from Jesus, right? He’s saying, “Scripture demands this.” And he quotes from Psa 69 and 109 which had a historical relevance in David’s life, but now applies prophetically to the greater David, Jesus, and to his betrayer – Judas. “Let another take his place.” Peter’s saying, “We need a replacement.” That’s a good start when you want God’s will on an issue – what does Jesus say? What does the Bible say?

So they narrow the field based on 3 criteria: 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.” So, this must be someone who’d been at Jesus’ baptism, someone who followed Jesus’ whole earthly ministry; and a fellow-witness to the resurrected Christ. Two candidates emerged – Joseph Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias. Scripture and Jesus’ example got them down to two.

Now what? They prayed, and I love their specific request: v. 24: “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen.” They didn’t care about their own choice. They wanted God’s choice. What an example in choosing leaders – prayer and seeking God’s choice, not our own.

Then they did one other thing. 26) And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” This is OT, pre-HS methodology – praying, then casting lots. Prov 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” We don’t do this now. We have the HS, and it’s our job together to discern His will on such matters. But here they cast lots; Matthias was chosen; and not one word of complaint from Justus. His very humility showed him a worthy candidate as well.

Now, some have criticized this selection saying Matthias is never heard from again, while Paul becomes center stage. They contend Paul should’ve been that 12th apostle. But not so. First, they truly sought God’s will, and He certainly would not have allowed other than His own choice for such a critical role. Second, Paul didn’t fit the criteria. He’d not followed the Lord’s ministry on earth and had not seen the resurrected Christ except on the Damascus Road long after His ascension. Paul was no less an apostle, but one coming too late to be one of the 12. He says himself in I Cor 15:8-9: “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me, 9) For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, bc I persecuted the church of God.” He certainly was an apostle, but primarily to the Gentiles. He says in Gal 1:9b, Peter and John “gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised”. All this shows the disciples made no mistake in appointing Matthias.

Conc – Queen Elizabeth I once asked a British merchant to undertake a mission for the Crown. He said, “But your Highness, such a long absence will be fatal to my business.” The queen replied, “You take care of my business and I will take care of yours.” He returned to find the queen’s patronage had greatly enlarged his company.

Now, God’s not asking anyone to quit their occupation today, but He is challenging all of us to prepare for greatness the same way the disciples did – obedience to the words of Scripture and Christ. Judas went his own way, writing his own script and bought a one-way ticket to hell. The others – put obedience to Christ first resulting in them turning their world upside down. It cost them their lives, but made them great in God’s eyes. Which road is best; which will we take; we all have to decide. Let’s pray.

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