Discernment to Go

Introduction: Video on Decisions we are constantly making. Incorporate decisions about telling people about Christ.

Approaching every decision with God’s Kingdom advancement at the focus.

Tonight I want to talk about two ways we have discernment when we go.

Discernment to Go follow God’s Will

Acts 1:12–20 ESV

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “ ‘Let another take his office.’

Acts 1:12-20

12 apostles corresponding to the 12 sons of Jacob (the tribal leaders of Israel). Israel is entering a new era and it must be restored.

The replacement had to be one that was an eye witness of Jesus’ life and resurrection…founded on resurrection. Trustworthy and informed.

These disciples were concerned about the immediate advance of the gospel.

Every decision you make matters. They have eternal impact.

God’s revealed will is found in His word.

God’s will is

God’s unspecified will is influenced by his revealed will.

God’s will is sought by prayer.

Discernment to Go advance God’s Kingdom

Acts 1:21–26 ESV

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Acts 1:21-26

The revealed will showed them this.

The revealed will showed them this.

The apostles allowed God’s revealed will to shape their unspecified will. They new they needed to choose another apostles.

They new the apostle needed to be an eyewitness.

They did their homework and came up with two potential replacements for Judas.

Eventually it led them to choosing Matthias.

Their discernment was not to advance their kingdom or their initiative to but advance the kingdom of God.

Follow God’s will laid out in the Bible.

Allow God’s revealed will to influence our lives as we Go.