Waiting on the Promise-Part II

There are many times I invite people to church or I have a conversation with someone who is a believer but has walked away from the faith because they feel what they have done is far beyond forgiveness. They feel they can’t be restored or aren’t worthy of restoration into the family of God. I’m sure there have been times you thought your sin is to great to be forgiven. You shame and your guilt keeps you from coming to God so instead you run from Him. Shame and guilt have a way of blinding even the most faithful of people from trusting in God’s promise of restoration. This morning as we continue to look at Acts and as we look at the apostles as they are “Waiting on the Promise,” we will learn from them a valuable lesson in restoration. We will see the Effects of Trusting in God’s Promise.

The Effects of Trusting and Rejecting God’s Promise

Sin affects every part of God’s creation and created order. Ever since sin has been introduced into the is world there has been a rift between man and God and a rift man can not repair. This is also a rift God has always desired to repair. God ever since Adam sinned in the garden and caused this rift between man and God God has put in place a plan to restore mankind back to Himself. This has been God’s promise to mankind. Sin has also caused a rift between mankind and God has put in place a means of restoring that relationship as well. This morning we will take a look at how God’s restoration works out in and through mankind. We will see how God has planned out this restoration and now the restoration must be fulfilled. This happens as the men and women wait patiently on the promise of the Holy Spirit.

We are continuing our study of Acts this morning and last week Luke provided for us the best way for us to wait on God’s plan, it is by patiently persevering with a priority of prayer. The disciples were all together, this included the apostles, women and even Jesus’ earthly family . They were all devoting themselves to prayer for the purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the continuity of the gospel message. Now as Luke provides more on the waiting on the promise he tells us about yet another crucial element on the coming of the Holy Spirit and the patience it takes for His approaching. Luke here in this account tells us about restoration. We learn there is a need for restoration of the chosen group of people who are to further the message. We learn there is a need for the restoration of leadership and through this restoration we find a strong reliance on Jesus’ power.

Let’s go ahead and look at our passage for this morning. We are in Acts 1:15-26;

Acts 1:15–26 NASB95

At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’ “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

As we begin in this passage we see the phrase “At this time” which for Luke is a change of scene or setting. It also places this event somewhere between the Ascension and Pentecost. We also have a spokesperson emerge. The spokesman is non other then Peter. Now for those who know about Peter know he was always one who stepped out in front and always spoke on behalf of the apostles. Now mind you he is speaking on behalf of the apostles here as well. This is not a means of Peter just taking charge and this is not a proof of hierarchy within this group with Peter as top man on the totem pole here. Peter is a natural born leader that is for sure and this gifting was utilized by God in Peter’s service to Jesus. This instance, however, there is more humility in Peter’s speaking up then pride. This is actually our first example of Peter’s restoration after his public denial of Jesus at His trial.

Trusting the Promise brings Restoration

Peter at his denial even though he was hand picked by Jesus was weighed down with guilt and shame. He found it hard to serve his Lord. Jesus knew this because Jesus knows the hearts of man and it was a humble side of Peter. So Jesus turns to Peter and as we see in John’s gospel this account.

Luke 22:31–34 NASB95

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

Because of Peter’s denial Jesus had to restore him and this happens in John.

John 21:15–17 NASB95

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

This was Jesus’ way of restoring Peter back to his position. Three times Peter denied Jesus and three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter need this because Peter’s task now is not so much to lead the people but to encourage them and strengthen them. Just as Jesus foretold to Peter what would happen.

Peter was sifted but his faith didn’t fail and Jesus has turned him back and strengthened Peter. Now Peter is strengthening his brothers. Even the most strong willed person will fall into sin and turn his or her back on the Lord. There is no perfect human being apart from Jesus Christ, if there were perfect human beings Jesus wouldn’t have had to die to pay the penalty for the sin of all mankind. This is important when we fail, notice I didn’t say if but when. When you and I fail we need to look to Jesus and bring our failure before the throne of grace and God will forgive of this and he will restore us in our walk with Him. Then we need to be like Peter and turn to strengthen the brethren.

Look at how Peter strengthens the brethren. Verse 15 continues as Luke writes “Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together, and said, 16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” Now here is Peter encouraging and strengthening his brethren, in fact it is the same term Luke used in his gospel in 22:32. This seems to me to be a clear demonstration of Peter’s restoration as the spokesperson for this merry band of followers.

Now you can either point to irony here or a sharp contrast because Peter after preying comes to a realization which mind you he can’t do with the Holy Spirit’s leading. Still there is an Epiphany. Judas has betrayed Jesus and lead the religious leaders to Jesus who were the ones who falsely convicted Jesus so that He would die on the cross. Judas may not have driven the nails, he might not have been in the crowd screaming crucify Him but he is just as guilty for everything that happened to Jesus. He is just as culpable if not more so then those who he lead to Jesus. Peter understands this and Peter also knows and understands this was God’s plan that need to be fulfilled. He knew this because he recalls a psalm of David and he applies this psalm to Judas.

I would like to call your attention to whom Peter attributes David’s psalm to. Peter states in verse 16, “the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David.” This is God’s word and it is God’s word that had to be fulfilled. It is not David’s word but Peter understands David carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke on events in his own life but also foretold of events to come. Namely Judas’ betrayal.

So first we find Peter who is restored and acts on this restoration to speak on behalf of those he is with. This means of course since no one argues they are all with one mind still. They are all still focused on one goal. The coming of the Holy Spirit and Peter is make it clear in order for the Holy Spirit to come and to bring about restoration and regeneration to all people first the 12 need to be restored to their rightful number.

Peter continues in verse 17, “For he was counted among us and recieved his share in this ministry.” Judas was selected by Jesus to serve in an a specific office, the office of apostle. He recieved this seat or this honor. There is to be twelve of them. Jesus selected twelve for a purpose, this was not by chance the was a reason for it.

Matthew 19:27–28 NASB95

Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

See here Jesus tells them they have a specific function and role not only as they serve as His witnesses here on the earth after His ascension but also as judges over the twelve tribes of Israel.

Look in Revelation we have the apostle John who has a vision and look at what he sees when heaven is revealed to Him.

Revelation 4:4 NASB95

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

So when Jesus picked the men to be apostles when He selected these twelve men they were chosen for a specific reason and purpose. Judas was selected among them and Peter acknowledges this. The problem now arise, Judas rejected the Promise of Restoration and his guilt lead him to rejection and this rejection lead to judgment.

Rejecting the Promise brings Judgment

Let’s look at Judas’ rejection and his outcome. We see this in verses 18-20. There is a parenthetical statement here in verse 18 and 19. Luke writes here, “ Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.” It is quite possible Luke added this parenthetical statement for the purpose of his audience to know what had happened to Judas. There is also no reason to think Peter didn’t say this. The point here is this is what happened to Judas. It is a contrast of what happened to Peter. Peter didn’t just feel remorse, Peter acknowledged his sin and turned back to follow after Jesus. Judas did not do such a thing. He felt guilt and shame for what he did but he never truly repented. He never turned back to Jesus.

Let’s look at Matthew

Matthew 27:3–10 NASB95

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”

There are slight differences between these two accounts which are easily rectified. The major elements of both texts are there. The betrayal, the money, the death, and the name of the field. The point here is Judas rejected the promise of restoration. He didn’t repent he didn’t change his coarse of life but as Peter says in his prayer in verse 25 “Judas turned aside to go to his own place” or go his own way. The point here is when you reject the promise of God the promise of restoration that can only come from having a love for Jesus and who He is and what He has done then you go your own way which in actuality is the way of the world which only dead to judgment.

Peter then quotes two different psalms here and as he quotes these two psalms he applies them to Judas.

Only a restored and regenerated person can serve God. A depraved and unregenerate person can be used by God but only a restored and regenerate person can serve God.

Reliance on Jesus to Discern His Promise

Well the effects of trusting God’s promise can lead to restoration rejecting His promise leads to judgment and if you have been restored then you need to rely on the promise.

Peter and the apostles demonstrate their reliance on the promise of God. They see the promise of God in their number needs to be restored and they also turn to Jesus to guide the decision making for them.

They recognize there are only two men who fit the criteria for apostleship and they put these two foreward.

Proverbs 9:10 NASB95

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:12–15 NASB95

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.

James 1:2–8 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.