{"id":20526,"date":"2022-03-06T22:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T05:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/acts1_1-11-copy\/"},"modified":"2022-03-01T22:51:07","modified_gmt":"2022-03-02T05:51:07","slug":"acts1_12-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/acts1_12-26\/","title":{"rendered":"When Making Tough Decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Acts\u00a0 1:12-26 Click here for Bible Verses<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is Acts 1:12-26.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

Acts 1:12-14 (NIV)
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0When 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.
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 12-14:\u00a0 After spending time with Jesus post-resurrection and witnessing His ascension into heaven, the disciples, including Jesus\u2019 female followers, Jesus\u2019 mother Mary and Jesus\u2019 brothers, would return to the place where they were staying and join together constantly in prayer.\u00a0 It was their closest, most natural and most direct way of keeping in contact with their Lord Jesus.\u00a0 They would pray together, knowing that Jesus heard them.\u00a0 It was all coming together for them that Jesus truly is all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful God.\u00a0 What can we learn from this?<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0According to Mark 6:3, while Jesus lived on this earth Jesus had four brothers called James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.\u00a0 They were his half-brothers in that they were the natural sons of Jesus\u2019 parents Joseph and Mary.\u00a0 These brothers did not believe that Jesus was who he claimed to be: the Son of God.\u00a0 That is, until the resurrection.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 resurrection was that pivotal moment when his half-brothers who doubted Him started to believe in Him.\u00a0 James would even become the leader of the church in Jerusalem.\u00a0\u00a0 Again, if you want to know if Christianity is valid and worth believing in, start with the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For the early church, prayer was a major priority.\u00a0 It\u2019s how they kept in contact with their Lord Jesus.\u00a0 Today, you and I have the same access to our Lord Jesus through prayer.\u00a0 Wherever you are, you get to pray to the Lord Jesus, knowing that He loves you and that He hears your prayers.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t take the privilege of prayer for granted.\u00a0 Make prayer your priority.\u00a0\u00a0Join with other Christians in prayer.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of the most powerful things you can do.\u00a0\u00a0When making tough decisions,\u00a0don\u2019t downplay the importance of prayer.<\/p>\n

Acts 1:15-17 (NIV)<\/em>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)
\n16\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus–
\n17\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 15-17:\u00a0 Notice how Peter viewed the Psalms.\u00a0 Peter saw that although David was the one who wrote Psalm 69 and 109 which he will later quote in verse 20, Peter believed it was the Holy Spirit who was speaking through David\u2019s writing.\u00a0 For Jesus, Jesus\u2019 disciples and the early church, the entire Old Testament was Scripture, the word of God to them.\u00a0 Peter was trying to use the Scriptures as a guide for what they should do.\u00a0 He even saw the Psalms as speaking prophetically about what would happen with Judas.\u00a0 One might argue that Peter was \u201cproof texting\u201d, using verses from Scripture to justify a position without having enough regard for the verses\u2019 context, and that this is because Peter had not yet received the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 According to this argument, Peter might have been jumping the gun like he famously did on other previous occasions in the gospels.\u00a0 Alternatively, you could argue that even at this time the Holy Spirit was already giving Peter new and valuable insight into the Scriptures.\u00a0 Whether Peter was jumping the gun and proof texting, or Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit to reach the conclusions that he did, what is commendable about Peter here is that Peter was looking to Scripture for guidance on what to do.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0Like Peter, when making tough decisions or facing uncertain situations, look to the Scriptures for wisdom and guidance on what to do.\u00a0\u00a0Try to get a sense of what the Holy Spirit is doing and how the Holy Spirit is leading.<\/p>\n

Acts 1:18-19 (NIV)
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.
\n19\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 18-19:\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t this account of Judas\u2019 death contradict Matthew 27:5 where it says that Judas hanged himself?\u00a0 Not necessarily.\u00a0 One possible explanation is that the blood money Judas received for betraying Jesus was used to buy a field, Judas hanged himself, and his body dropped and burst open over that field.<\/p>\n

Acts 1:20-26 (NIV)
\n20\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0“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,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’
\n21\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
\n22\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0beginning 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.”
\n23\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
\n24\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
\n25\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
\n26\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 20-26:\u00a0 Here Peter initiates a process for choosing someone to take Judas\u2019 place as the twelfth apostle.\u00a0 The early church proposes two men who had been with them ever since Jesus was baptized by John until Jesus ascended to heaven.\u00a0 Then, as a way to let their decision not be influenced by their own personal preferences, they cast lots and chose Matthias, believing that God was behind that choice.<\/p>\n

We never hear of Matthias specifically after this.\u00a0 God would end up using other believers much more prominently as witnesses of Jesus\u2019 resurrection, such as Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, Stephen and others.\u00a0 You might even argue that, having not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit (Pentecost was just a few days away), Peter and the early church were jumping the gun and making a decision prematurely or unnecessarily to find a replacement for Judas.\u00a0 Or, alternatively, you could argue that the choosing of Matthias was not only necessary but something that God was behind, that twelve was the number of disciples Jesus had originally chosen, the number of apostles God wanted, and a number that carries significance in the Bible, symbolizing completion.<\/p>\n

Either way, whether you think the church\u2019s appointment of Matthias as the twelfth apostle was necessary or not, what can we learn from this?\u00a0 What is commendable about Peter and the early church here is that they did their best to filter their options carefully, but in the end they tried to leave the final decision in the Lord Jesus\u2019 hands.\u00a0 They said, \u201cLord, you know everyone\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Show us\u2026\u201d (v24) \u00a0Like the early church,\u00a0when making tough decisions, filter your options thoughtfully and carefully, and trust that God is ultimately in control of the process.<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, thank You so much that no matter where I am and how I feel, I can pray to You, call on Your name, knowing that You hear me.\u00a0 Thank You that because You died on the cross to pay for my sins, the curtain that once separated me from Your presence is now torn and I have constant access to You.\u00a0 May I not take the privilege of prayer and the gift of Your presence for granted.\u00a0 Thank You that when making tough decisions, I have Your Scriptures to go to for guidance.\u00a0 While I will carefully and thoughtfully consider what to do, thank You that in the end You are in control and You will lead the way.\u00a0 In Jesus\u2019 name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is Acts 1:12-26.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Acts 1:12-14 (NIV)
\n12\u00a0\u00a0Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
\n13\u00a0\u00a0When 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.
\n14\u00a0\u00a0They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.<\/p>\n

On verses 12-14:\u00a0 After spending time with Jesus post-resurrection and witnessing His ascension into heaven, the disciples, including Jesus\u2019 female followers, Jesus\u2019 mother Mary and Jesus\u2019 brothers, would return to the place where they were staying and join together constantly in prayer.\u00a0 It was their closest, most natural and most direct way of keeping in contact with their Lord Jesus.\u00a0 They would pray together, knowing that Jesus heard them.\u00a0 It was all coming together for them that Jesus truly is all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful God.\u00a0 What can we learn from this?<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0According to Mark 6:3, while Jesus lived on this earth Jesus had four brothers called James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.\u00a0 They were his half-brothers in that they were the natural sons of Jesus\u2019 parents Joseph and Mary.\u00a0 These brothers did not believe that Jesus was who he claimed to be: the Son of God.\u00a0 That is, until the resurrection.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 resurrection was that pivotal moment when his half-brothers who doubted Him started to believe in Him.\u00a0 James would even become the leader of the church in Jerusalem.\u00a0\u00a0 Again, if you want to know if Christianity is valid and worth believing in, start with the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20528,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20526"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20526\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20535,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20526\/revisions\/20535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}