Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

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It’s WEDNESDAY the 9th day of September

Before I begin today, let me ask— do you read in advance?

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we started Chapter 1 of the Book of Acts and in it is the record of events when Jesus was taken up into heaven— from that passage we learned a couple of things:

I DON’T KNOW WHEN, BUT I KNOW HOW THE LORD WILL RETURN

I WILL DO WHAT JESUS SAID WHILE WAITING FOR HIS RETURN

After that, they went back to Jerusalem and gathered at the upper room where they were staying to choose who shall replace Judas Iscariot

Now, open your Bible to ACTS 1:12-26 , once you get there I’d like you to type, “Let’s see who replaced Judas”

CHARACTER OF GOD, SIN TO CONFESS, PROMISES TO CLAIM, ATTITUDE TO CHANGE, COMMANDS TO KEEP, EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW, PRAYERS TO PRAY, ERRORS TO AVOID, TRUTH TO BELIEVE, SOMETHING TO THANK GOD FOR

Read ACTS 1:12-26

BOOK

Acts 1:12–26 NLT

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. 15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. 16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. 17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.” 18 (Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. 19 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”) 20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’ 21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

WHAT: The replacing of Judas as one among the 12 Apostles

WHERE: Upper room where they were staying in Jerusalem

WHEN: Shortly after the Lord’s ascension to heaven

WHO: The 11 apostles [Luke 6:12-16], women disciples, Mary the mother of Jesus and the brothers of Jesus, and about 120 believers

WHY: To replace Judas Iscariot

LOOK

A SABBATH DAY’S WALK FROM THE CITY

What does that mean?— Jewish tradition prohibits even walking far during their observance of the Sabbath— the maximum distance that they can walk during the Sabbath is three-fifth of a mile or 0.6 mile= approximately 1 kilometer

THEY ALL JOINED TOGETHER CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER

Prayer is always their first option not last— when seeking for God’s will they pray constantly

BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THE SCRIPTURE HAD TO BE FULFILLED

Which part of the scripture in the Old Testament Peter was referring to?— if you scroll down you’ll see Peter said, “it is written in the Book of Psalms”

Just as God judged David’s betrayer, so He judged and punished Judas— PSALM 69:25, PSALM 109:8

IT IS NECESSARY TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE MEN WHO HAVE BEEN WITH US THE WHOLE TIME

Judas’ replacement must from among those who had been with them the whole that they were with the Lord — Why?— So he could truly be a witness to testify about Jesus— look!

MUST BECOME A WITNESS WITH US OF HIS RESURRECTION

Someone who had personal knowledge and encounter with Jesus

SO THEY NOMINATED TWO MEN: JOSEPH CALLED BARSABBAS AND MATTHIAS

Neither of these figures appears elsewhere in the New Testament— but their nomination implied that they had been with them all along up until Jesus was taken up to heaven

THEY CAST LOTS AND FELL TO MATTHIAS

Casting lots is an Old Testament practice that when they seeking the will of God

The Old Testament depicts that casting lots is not a matter of chance but as an opportunity for God to make His will known in an unmistakable way— LEVITICUS 16:8, JOSHUA 18:6,8

The process of casting lots was not clearly stated— it could be that they put an object in a jar and then draw from it

TOOK

I MUST PRAY CONSTANTLY WHEN SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD

I CAN FIND MOST OF GOD’S WILL IN THE BIBLE

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Agape Worship Team - TREMBLE