Sermon Tone Analysis

Acts – 2

Acts 1:12-26

Introduction

William Booth, a Methodist preacher in England, founded the Salvation Army with his wife, Catherine, in 1865.

It has now spread around the world and is known for being on the largest distributors of humanitarian aid.

When Booth was old and his eyesight had failed, he would open up his Bible, which he couldn’t see or read anymore, and run his fingers over the pages as he quoted the book of Acts.

When he was finished with a passage, he would say a simple prayer: “Lord, do it again.”

As we anchor ourselves as a church in the book of Acts, we will utter that same prayer countless times as we see the worship and witness of the NT church.

That is certainly true in our text for today.

As we look at the back half of Acts chapter one, the church faces its first challenge, a leadership challenge.

Acts 1:12-26 – 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

13 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.

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “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.

17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”18

(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.

19 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.)

20 “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.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 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.”

23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

When Jesus began His ministry, he chose 12 of his original disciples and set them apart as “Apostles.”

It means “sent ones.”

The goal was that Jesus would invest his time and energy into those twelve and once He had finished His work of salvation and resurrection, those 12 would be sent out in His name and take the Gospel to the world.

The problem came with Judas Iscariot.

To this day, to call someone a “Judas” carries a heavy insult.

He rejected Christ and betrayed Him, leading to Jesus’ crucifixion Though he did feel remorse for his sin, instead of coming to the resurrected Jesus in repentance, he took his own life.

So now the 12 are the 11.

They have to choose a new one.

In the context of a leadership void, someone has to step up to lead.

And that person has to be qualified.

Peter makes that abundantly clear.

Not just anyone can decide they are going to step into a role like this.

It must be someone who has, v. 21-22 - 21 … accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 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.”

Apostles are the foundation of the NT church.

They are going to be witnesses in the world; therefore they need to be witnesses of what they are witnessing about.

He had to have been there the whole time.

They go through their process and it all works out well.

Here is what amazes me, that makes me pray “do it again”: I’ve been in countless leadership meetings over the last 21 years, with great leaders in the room.

I have watched as gifted men solve leadership crises with much integrity and humility.

I have also seen the opposite.

I’ve been in the room when weak, insecure men take advantage of times of crisis and bully for more power.

This is a risky endeavor for this fledgling group of leaders in Acts 1. Remember, these disciples of Jesus continually bickered with one another for 3 years over which of them was the greatest.

Peter typically lacks a verbal filter and cannot control his blurting.

James and John had their mommy ask Jesus to put her sons as His top two leaders in His kingdom.

This situation is a puddle of gasoline, and these men are a lit match.

Yet, notice how this crisis is solved.

There is not one single hint of toxicity, apathy, power struggles, ignorance, or division.

They are gracious, God-centered, and humble.

These leaders are a gift to this group of people following their lead.

And while you could look at this text and focus in on the characteristics of just the leaders, the rest of the people are right there with them.

The gap that sometimes exists between the leaders and the people is almost nonexistent.

There is leadership for sure.

Peter stepping up and directing things is clear.

But the people and the leaders are in perfect harmony.

And together, they are characterized by some incredible traits.

Ones that should make up pray, “Lord, do it again.”

TS – these believers are defined by spiritual health.

If you want to be spiritually healthy, if this church wants to continue its commitment to spiritual health, then we must follow the example set before us.

1. POSTURE IN PRAYER

Jesus has been teaching them for the last forty days (Acts 1:3).

Now he has ascended into Heaven after promising the Holy Spirit will come to them “not many days from now” (Acts 1:5).

They all head back to Jerusalem and what do they spend their time doing as they wait?

They aren’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

They aren’t whiteboarding a new strategic plan.

They aren’t dreaming up a new vision for their organization.

They are praying.

V. 14 - 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

As one, they are coming before God in prayer, seeking His will, His direction for them.

They do it again when it comes time to choose Judas’ replacement.

This is a big deal.

There is much riding on this decision.

This new leader with serve as a pillar of the church.

His teaching will be authoritative in the life of the church.

Two men are put up for consideration who meet the criteria.

They didn’t debate the merits of the candidates.

They didn’t whiteboard a list of pros and cons.

They didn’t even vote.

They prayed.

V. 23-24a - 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed….

No fights.

No disappointment.

No sore losers.

No hurt feelings.

No disagreement.

Again, notice their rare unity.

Who is there?

The 11 apostles are there.

Mary, the mother of Jesus is there.

Jesus’ brothers are there (Mark 6:3 tells us their names are James, Joses, Judas (Jude), and Simon).

And “the women.”

There were several women who were part of Jesus’ disciples.

Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, Susanna, the apostle’s wives, likely Jesus’ sisters as well (though Mark 6 doesn’t give us their names).

They could be fighting and arguing right now.