Acts 2 (1:12-26)

Waiting for the moment

Maybe I speak for all humans but I can guarantee I speak for myself. WAITING IS HARD. Its not just hard for us because we have to be patient. It can often be times filled with confusion. times filled with hurt or even discontentment. I think we waste so many opportunities while in the waiting.

I know I have been guilty of using all the time in the waiting for complaining and discontentment. Here is what I want us to remember tonight about waiting on God to move and direct.

There is Purpose in the Waiting

The Waiting is what prepares you for The Moment

When it comes to God’s movement, it is always worth the wait.

The New International Version Chapter 1

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Lets notice a few things here. What was the first thing the apostles did? They obeyed what they were commanded to do. Remember before the great commision was to be fulfilled, Jesus told them to go back to Jerusalem and do what? to wait for Holy Spirit.

Here were the options the disciples had at this moment

Worry

doubt

start working

All of these options would have been in direct disobedience to what the Lord has asked of the Apostles.

Instead, they pray. Maybe some of us dont have the prayer life and relationship with God that we so desire because we view praying more as a time filler and last resort as opposed to an active means of preparing your heart for what the Lord has in store for you. Its battle preparation.

KCC we cant miss this. The Church of Jesus Christ is about to be catapulted into history and it doesnt happen without prayer. They observed Jesus do this time and time again. Before the great moments they witnessed they would see Jesus stop and pray.

We must be a church built on prayer.

Constant consciousness

We could spend all night here but lets keep moving through the scripture.

The New International Version Chapter 1

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, d the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“ ‘May his place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in it,’ l

and,

“ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ m

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the me

Here we get to experience the first business meeting, held by the leader Peter. Luke, as is typical, is very precise to the number 120. This was the number required to have an official Sanhedrin or council.

Now this is a large matter at play. Judas needs to be replaced so that they could be fully staffed and ready for when the spirit falls. (Apostles // James Died and did not abandon post)

Notice once again you do not see waiting as being meaningless or pointless but they are doing what was commanded to them in SCRIPTURE

This is key KCC. It started in prayer and lead them to scripture. KCC is saturated in prayer, rooted in scripture, and powered by the Spirit

We are not building our own church or making our own rules.

The world and the enemy will tempt you to rewrite the rules when you are waiting. That was how the first sin took place right?

The New International Version Chapter 1

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Two things I want to draw our attention to here. Look at the detail in Joseph’s name and then just Mathias. There may be nothing here but it is so interesting on the people we choose for church work.

Story of someone at Passion City Church and using talent over God’s called. OMIT PASSION NAME

God is not about that and we arent either. We dont just take observation of those we think are flashy, pretty, hip, or cool. But we ought to look to the one who God has called, fits the qualifications, and has faithfully served.

WHy did they cast lots? its was what they knew and the Holy Spirit had not fallen.

This is the moment between the ascension and pentecoast. the waiting. remember our three principles.

Gospel presentation

Prayer