Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Introductory information
Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come to them, before they went out to preach the gospel to the world
In Matthew 19:28 Jesus said things to the disciples that placed significance on there being 12 of them - possibly as a corollary to the tribes of Israel
One of their 12, Judas, had betrayed Jesus and killed himself, leaving only 11 of them
Read the passage
Question to consider as we read:
What do you do when the next step isn’t clear?
Examine the passage
What are some key points in this passage?
The disciples didn’t just passively wait for the Holy Spirit - they were actively praying
Peter raises the issue of Judas’ leaving an “empty seat” in the 12
And he sees this as a fulfillment of God’s word
Possibly He has Psalm 41:9 in mind: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”
“God’s promises of guidance are not given to save us the bother of thinking.”
- John Stott
Based on what he already knew, Peter proposes the next step is to replace Judas as one of the 12
“One of the many lessons Acts teaches quietly, as it goes along, is that you tend to get the guidance you need when you need it, not before, and not in too much detail.”
- N.T. Wright
The disciples don’t have a clear direction of who to replace Judas with
So they prayed, asked God to guide them, and then made a decision
The practice of “casting lots” may have been tied to the Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
Interesting fact: After the Holy Spirit fills them, there isn’t a mention of the apostles casting lots again
Apply the passage
[Pose the following questions for group discussion, offering the suggested answers only if the group has nothing to say or drifts too far off topic]
What are the “big ideas” you see in this passage?
Suggested “big ideas” to offer if needed:
God may not always make it clear what we are to do next
We must sometimes take what has already told us, make a decision, and trust Him with what happens next
How do these ideas apply in your life?
Suggested application to offer if needed:
I need to stop waiting and expecting for God to give me the play-by-play
I need to take risks and trust God to guide me along the way
What is your next step?
Suggested next step to offer if needed:
I need to revisit what God has already revealed so I can draw wise conclusions
Reflect on the lesson
Prayer Point
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring to our remembrance what God has already taught us
Devotional Question
What important decisions are you delaying because you’re afraid of making a mistake, and not trusting God with what He has already shown you?
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