Acts Message 3

Getting ready for the power.

Acts 1:12–26 NKJV

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ 21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Intro: The church hadn’t started yet.It wouldn't start until the Holy Spirit came.

Acts 1:5 (NKJV)

5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

We are going to look at 2 things that happened

They prayed. VS 14

The believed the scriptures. VS 16

The 11 had watched Jesus ascend into heaven. Going to Jerusalem where he told them to go and wait. Wait for the Holy Spirit to come down and give power.

I believe that they were anxious, nervous because of the unknown. Remember he told them something very important, WAIT. They did not know how long, they just knew they had to wait.

But, the were also motivated, they were excited.

They believed in the resurrection of Jesus.

They had witnessed the resurrected Jesus.

(we haven’t seen the resurrected Jesus, with our eyes but we know what the what the resurrected Jesus has done in our lives, that should motivate us to tell others about Jesus.=0

2. They believed in the power of the Holy Spirit. VS 5

(They would soon feel the power on the Holy Spirit) Acts 2

3. They believed in the 2nd coming of Jesus. VS 11

VS. 12 They travailed a Sabbaths day journey. (About 3/4 of a mile)

1. God had sanctified the Sabbath to Israel, setting it apart as a day of rest.

I. WE SEE A PRAY MEETING AND A BUSINESS MEETING VS. 13-15

Acts 1:13–15 (NKJV)

13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

1. They all together in the upper room. An upper room:

Luke 24:52 NKJV

52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

Elab on their Joy.

2. Look who was there. VS. 13,14

3. All together about 120 VS. 15

4. Different people, different back grounds, some may have been rich, some may have been poor. Women, and men.

5. But they with one accord. “With their minds in full agreement”

6. What we see here is unity. The first time I preached was on unity. Elab.

Psalm 133:1 NKJV

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

a. An example early believers of unity. Examples we should follow.

1. Acts 1:14 “Pray and supplication”

2. They devoted themselves to pray.

3. Consistent in prayer

4. Praying together. (Oneness of heart)

5. Praying together to seek God’s will (With unity)

6. Praying to God as they were waiting.(With unity)

7. Committed to prayer.

8. . We need to be committed to pray. Through prayer UNITY. “One accord”

1. We will through out Acts. 11 times “one accord”

3. If we at Pine Grove will be with “one accord” Jesus. UNITY

a. Eph. 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:1–6 NKJV

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

.

1. Lowliness: Having a humble opinion of our self.

a. Having this kind of attitude will keep the unity.

2. Meekness: Having an attitude of gentleness.

a. We can be meek, without being week.

3. Long-suffering: Patience and slow to anger.

a. This may have been a tuff one for Peter.

4. Forbearing one another in love: This fits with longsuffering. We have to have the love of Jesus in us.

5. UNITY. Remember Mission. Unity is working together to accomplish a mission.

a. If we want to accomplish the mission statement of Pine Grove Baptist Church, unity.

II. God’s spokesmen: VS. 15-20

Acts 1:15–20 (NKJV)

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.

19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’

1. Peter begins to speak about Judas. VS 16 :this scripture had to be fulfilled. (God spoke it, it must come to pass)

Psalm 41:9 NKJV

9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

2. Judas had been apart of the ministry of Jesus. Some may questioned, why did Jesus choose Judas. Ealb Judas being with them.

(none it took God by surprise)

3. This shows that someone can be apart on Church and still be lost. Elab

4. There may have been some questions about Judas, some may have wanted to forget about what had happened. It was an unpleasant subject to talk about, but Peter that it had to be done.

Peter had to share the truth.

READ VS 17

VS 18- 19(READ BELOW)

Matthew 27:3–7 NKJV

3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

VS 19

Acts 1:20 NKJV

20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’

Psalm 69:25 NKJV

25 Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents.

Psalm 109:8 NKJV

8 Let his days be few, And let another take his office.

4. Judas had died. Peter felt according to scripture that Judas needed to be replaced. James would be beheaded, they didn’t replace him.

They felt before the Holy Spirit came there needed to be 12.

Acts 1:21 NKJV

21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

A new Apostle was to be chosen.

Two opinions:

1. God had already chosen Saul. (Paul)

2. The other is that they did the right thing by casting lots. Casting lots was a valid Old Testament procedure.

Paul never counted himself among the 12. Yes Paul was an Apostle, it would be later, he was an Apostle to the Gentiles.

We never hear about Matthias again. We never hear from the others, other then Peter and John.

(No more Apostles today, they may have the name)

3. Lets look the qualifications.

VS. 21,22

Acts 1:21–22 NKJV

21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

1. Qualifications: He should be someone that had been a follower of Christ throughout his ministry.

Not someone that was a resent convert.

Someone that had witnessed the resurrection.

They believed this had to be done before Pentecost.

Acts 1:23 (NKJV)

23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Only 2?

READ EACH VS AND ELAB

Acts 1:24–26 (NKJV)

24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen

25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

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

3. We see that the disciples prayed just they had been doing.

a. Which one of these two.

VS. 25 Elab. On casting lots. Names on paper or wood, put into some type of container, and others way.

(We never see this happen again, not after the Holy Spirit)

This Message getting ready for the Power.

They believed in the resurrection of Jesus.

2. They believed in the power of the Holy Spirit. VS 5

3. They believed in the 2nd coming of Jesus. VS 11

They Prayed.

They believed the Scriptures.