Acts 1:15-26

Introduction

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Have you ever been in the “in-between”? You may just graduated high school and now you are waiting for college to start. You might be selling your house to buy your new house. Or you might be going through that weird week from Christmas to New Years.

Some people love going with the flow. No plans, no plans. Then there are others that hate that feeling. They hate the uncertainty of the “in-between”.

Its amazing that the apostles and disciples did not feel like this. In between Jesus’ ascencion and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the apostles and disciples could have been angry, disheartened, bickering, and fighting. They were devoting themselves to praying and unity.

As a church, we are living in the “in-between”. We are living in the unknown of what is happening with our building. We are living in the unknown of the longterm future of our gatherings. But, I am really excited about the unity and future that lies before us.

Referent

Acts 1:15-26

Organization

Restoration of Israel

Recompense for Sin

Reign of Christ

Sermon in a sentence:

God is preparing me during the “in-between”.

Restoration of Israel (vs. 15-20)

We saw that last week, the 11 apostles were meeting together.

The choosing of a new apostles to replace Judas appears to be almost meaningless. We don’t even hear about Mathias again in the Bible.

The appointing of Mathias was the to fulfill Jesus’ promise to his disciples that the twelve apostles help judge in the NHNE.

The choosing of Mathias is also a symbolic restoration of Israel.

God has always had a people for himself.

Adam - Seth - Noah - Abraham - Isaac - Jacob.

Jesus fulfilled all the requirements and promises to the nation of Israel. In Christ Jesus, the church is the people of God.

Judas was with Jesus during his three year ministry. He was one of the twelve. No one started pointing fingers at Judas when Jesus told the disciples one of them would betray him. He was the one that took care of the money. Yet, he betrayed his very Rabbi.

Saints, even in the midst of such pain, betrayal, anger, sadness, and questioning the disciples were not discouraged. They knew that this was not a surprise to God! As a matter of fact, God declared this from the beginning of the world. They did not forget but they moved on. They leaned on God’s faithfulness! Let us learn from their example! We must be wise

Recompense for Sin (vs. 18-20)

(vs. 16) Judas is a guide (ὁδηγός) which is similar to όδος - they way. Judas (and all like him) will lead to a way of destruction and recompense.

Judas is anoth failed Absalom (2 Sam 18) and Jezebel (2 Kgs 9).

Patrick Schreiner

Acts 1.2.1.1. Defection of Judas (1:15–20a)

The fate of those who oppose God is repeatedly emphasized in Acts: the Holy Spirit slays Ananias and Sapphira for their attempted deception (5:1–11), Peter curses Simon the sorcerer (8:9–24), the angel strikes Herod and condemns him to a gruesome demise (12:20–24), and Paul blinds Elymas the sorcerer (13:6–11).

Judas is therefore the first of many figures to experience judgment in Acts, but God will turn even his evil actions to good (

Jesus’ death was the result of Judas’ sin! And that is amazing. Acts 2:23 “23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” God used the sin of Judas to bring about the death of Jesus and the life of you and me!

Saints, we may sin in this world go unpunished. We may see people continue to grow in their sin and rebellion. But saints we must remember that God is doing something through it. He is preparing us one degree of glory to the next. Also, we can have assurance that vengeance is the Lord’s. There are some battles that we must be willing to fight. But also remember, that we don’t have to fight every battle against us. In the day of the Lord, I do not need to defend or explain our reputations.

Reign of Christ (vs. 21-26)

Jesus is still reigning in the midst of their conversations, prayers, and Bible study/preaching.

The apostles appeal to the active reign of Christ to decide the lot.

(v. 24) This choosing is similar to 1 Samuel 16 - God chooses not based on appearances but the heart and Proverbs 16:33 “33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

The requirements for an apostolic replacement are:

with Jesus from the beginning of his public ministry.

a witness to Jesus’ resurrection

with Jesus at his ascension

Even in the mundane and overlooked, the Lord Jesus Christ reigns. Do not feel like the Lord has forgotten you. He is sovereign over human history. He is sovereign over your history.

Conclusion

Application

Repent and believe in Jesus!

As we are waiting for answers, ask what is the Lord preparing for us? Personally and corporately. How can you serve in the church? Is there some sin or difficulty in your own life or around you that you need to remind yourself that God is doing something through it?