WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:03.660 Thanks so much for praying, Neil, for reading, Michelle. 00:00:04.419 --> 00:00:05.960 Let me add my welcome this morning. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:06.879 My name's Archie. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:09.359 I'm one of the ministry trainees here at Brunsfield. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:11.960 Can I encourage you to have your Bibles open, 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:13.939 if you don't already, at Acts chapter 1, 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:16.640 maybe as you turn there or dust it off the shelf. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:18.160 Let me ask a question. 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:24.199 What's the biggest promise that anyone has ever made you? 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:29.199 Katie, my wife and I, we were both at Glasgow University 00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:29.800 together. 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:33.619 And a couple of years ago, it was around Christmas time, 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:36.019 we decided we'd go back, have a little look around, 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:38.219 relive some of our memories. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:40.460 I don't know if you've ever been to Glasgow University, 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:42.439 but it is an incredible place. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:46.219 The main building there in particular is beautiful. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:47.739 And at that time of year, at Christmas, 00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:49.299 they light up the cloisters. 00:00:50.659 --> 00:00:53.179 So Katie and I, we arrive, would you believe it, 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:55.539 there are even bagpipes playing in the background 00:00:55.539 --> 00:00:57.120 outside the chapel. 00:00:57.119 --> 00:01:00.059 And I had the ring in my pocket, you see. 00:01:01.019 --> 00:01:03.659 I knew that that was the day that I was going to propose. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:07.859 I hadn't really thought through actually how or where or when, 00:01:07.979 --> 00:01:09.799 but right there in the cloisters, it was beautiful. 00:01:09.900 --> 00:01:11.340 It just seemed perfect. 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:14.280 So there and then, I asked Katie to marry me. 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:15.359 Obviously, she said yes. 00:01:15.539 --> 00:01:16.400 We're now married. 00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:18.819 And in a sense, in that moment, 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:21.560 we promised ourselves to one another. 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:25.560 But then we had eight months of waiting. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:28.120 That's the thing with promises, isn't it? 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:31.640 They very often come with this period of waiting. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:37.960 And what we do as we wait can be really significant. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:41.079 I haven't actually counted them myself, 00:01:41.180 --> 00:01:45.840 but I'm told that there are over 9,000 promises in the Bible. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:50.719 But do you know, the two promises that we find in Acts chapter 1, 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:53.840 those two promises that we saw with Alistair last week, 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:58.200 I think they are two of the most significant promises in the Bible for us today. 00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:01.200 So let's just quickly revisit those. 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:03.219 One of the promises we saw last week 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:07.980 was that Jesus' followers were to wait for the coming Holy Spirit. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:10.480 Have a look at verse 4 of chapter 1 with me. 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:12.099 See what Jesus promised there. 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:13.719 It says, 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:28.359 So the Father has promised that though Jesus is going to ascend to heaven, 00:02:28.519 --> 00:02:31.039 he will send the Holy Spirit in his place. 00:02:31.859 --> 00:02:33.180 What exactly does that mean? 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:34.840 Well, have a look at verse 8. 00:02:35.519 --> 00:02:37.799 This is a key verse for the entire book, really, 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:39.639 which is why we're revisiting it. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:40.319 Verse 8. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:54.479 So the promised Holy Spirit is coming, 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:59.500 and he is coming to give Jesus' followers the power that they need 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:02.699 to see the gospel heard across the world. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:05.159 And so in our passage today, 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:08.180 Jesus has ascended, he's returned to heaven, 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:10.300 and this is where we find Jesus' followers. 00:03:11.040 --> 00:03:14.120 They are waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:17.040 But of course, we today, 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.400 we're not waiting for the Holy Spirit anymore, are we? 00:03:20.319 --> 00:03:22.540 No, he's already come for us. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:26.540 But chapter 1 contains another incredible promise. 00:03:27.100 --> 00:03:28.140 Have a look at verse 11. 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:37.679 This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:43.459 So just as these believers in the first century were waiting for the Holy Spirit to come, 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:48.119 so today we wait for Jesus to return. 00:03:48.899 --> 00:03:50.919 And our big question then this morning is, 00:03:51.019 --> 00:03:53.239 what does it mean to wait well? 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:58.020 First couple of verses in our passage, verses 12 to 14, 00:03:58.100 --> 00:04:00.520 give us two principles for waiting well. 00:04:01.480 --> 00:04:04.320 And then the rest of our passage, verses 15 to 26, 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:09.400 give us a sort of worked out example of how to implement those two principles 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:13.680 when difficult decisions of life need to be made. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:16.980 So first of all, what does it look like to wait well? 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:22.100 I was thinking a little bit as I was preparing this sermon about what I do generally when I'm waiting for things. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:23.300 I don't know if you've noticed this. 00:04:23.340 --> 00:04:25.160 It's something I'm definitely guilty of. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:29.160 Whenever I'm standing in a queue, or to be honest, just whenever I'm on my own really, 00:04:29.460 --> 00:04:30.280 what's the temptation? 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:33.120 We just get out our phone, don't we? 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:36.019 That's what we do when we wait today, I think. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:38.220 It's just what people do these days when they wait. 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:40.439 It's certainly what I do when I wait. 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:44.120 But what do Jesus' followers do as they wait in our passage? 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:50.459 Well, they are obedient to Jesus, and they are dependent on Jesus. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:53.100 They are obedient, and they are dependent. 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:55.680 Have a look at verse 12 with me. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:57.720 What does it say? 00:04:57.819 --> 00:05:00.300 Then they returned to Jerusalem. 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:04.579 Just notice, this is the first thing that these followers do. 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:08.839 See, Jerusalem wasn't home for them, at least for many of these believers. 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:11.599 Jerusalem wasn't their home. 00:05:11.979 --> 00:05:15.299 Many of them were from Capernaum and Galilee, way up in the north. 00:05:15.859 --> 00:05:18.539 And yet they go back to Jerusalem. 00:05:19.119 --> 00:05:19.439 Why? 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:20.299 Why did they do that? 00:05:20.359 --> 00:05:21.419 Why don't they go home? 00:05:22.719 --> 00:05:24.779 Well, do you remember what Jesus said in verse 4? 00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:28.379 Do not leave Jerusalem. 00:05:28.799 --> 00:05:30.039 That was his command to them. 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:35.819 And so right off the bat, these followers are being obedient to Jesus' word in their waiting. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:41.899 Now, you see, it's a short walk from the Mount of Olives where Jesus has ascended to heaven. 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:44.860 It's a short walk from there back into the city. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:47.439 And when they get there, have a look at verse 13. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:51.860 They went upstairs to the room where they were staying. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:55.000 So I think it's worth asking, who are we actually talking about here? 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:55.699 Who is they? 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:57.100 Who are these believers? 00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:02.320 Well, you see in the rest of verse 13, Luke names the remaining apostles. 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:07.620 And I take it he does that to emphasize that actually there are only 11 left. 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:13.280 Because Judas Iscariot, who is the apostle who's not named here, he's betrayed Jesus. 00:06:13.400 --> 00:06:14.700 So he's no longer with them. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.960 We'll return to that later. 00:06:17.020 --> 00:06:17.600 It's important. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:18.780 We'll see why it's here later. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:21.960 But then at the end of verse 14, do you notice who else is there? 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:26.799 The woman and Mary, the mother of Jesus and with his brothers. 00:06:27.579 --> 00:06:34.180 So there are the women here, probably those who witnessed the empty tomb, as well as Jesus's closest family. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:42.419 And so all of these believers, they're all there in Jerusalem being obedient to Jesus's word. 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:47.399 His command to stay in Jerusalem as they wait for the promised Holy Spirit. 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:56.120 But what does it mean for us to be obedient to Jesus as we wait for him to return today? 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:07.539 Well, first and foremost, I think it is by seeking to follow God's word, to be obedient to the scriptures, to live as Christians in this world. 00:07:07.599 --> 00:07:10.279 I think that means to be distinctive in that way. 00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:16.939 And often, certainly in my experience, that means going against our natural instinct. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:20.599 It means going outside of our comfort zone. 00:07:21.799 --> 00:07:27.699 See, everything inside the believers in our passage would have been screaming out for them to go home. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.279 But they stay in Jerusalem. 00:07:31.179 --> 00:07:31.559 Why? 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:33.979 Because Jesus asked them to. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:39.739 And sometimes going against our instinct can be deeply uncomfortable, can't it? 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:44.119 It might mean standing up for someone who's being bullied in the office at work. 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:48.019 Or stopping and having a chat with the homeless person on the street. 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:54.379 Or being prepared to stand up for Christian ethics in a tricky conversation with an old friend. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:08:02.000 Being obedient to Jesus can very often mean going against our natural instinct. 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:04.759 Refusing to stay in our comfort zone. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:07.599 Being obedient to God's word. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:08.600 Being obedient to God's word. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:14.780 But back in our passage, what are this group of believers actually doing as they wait in obedience? 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:18.340 Well, they're depending on Jesus. 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:20.780 Have a look at verse 14. 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:25.980 They all joined together constantly in prayer. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:30.800 See, at the very heart of waiting well is prayer. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:36.779 It is how they express their dependence on the risen and reigning Christ. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:39.960 And do you notice two things about the way that they pray? 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:42.320 Firstly, they do so together. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:47.240 And this togetherness is more than simply being in one place at one time. 00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:49.360 Doing the same sort of thing as each other. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:53.159 The word, it means something much closer to being united. 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:58.980 This group of believers are absolutely united together in their prayer. 00:08:59.839 --> 00:09:07.059 And really what they're united around is the core truth that Jesus died to rescue them. 00:09:07.459 --> 00:09:09.259 That he then rose again. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:12.639 That he has now ascended to reign from heaven. 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:20.740 In other words, it is their faith in Jesus that unites them together as one people. 00:09:22.439 --> 00:09:26.519 And so it is to him, the one who unites them, that they are praying. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:30.779 It's to him that they commune with their Lord and their Savior. 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:38.439 If you're here and you're in the building or if you're watching this at home and you don't know Jesus, 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:43.220 can I just speak to you in particular for a minute or two? 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:47.379 Because this is really what is at the heart of the Christian faith. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:53.959 There are lots of conversations out there at the moment going on about what Christianity might look like. 00:09:54.819 --> 00:09:58.199 About what we might say about various moralities. 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:02.520 Or about how faith and society ought to interact with each other. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:05.120 But can I plead with you? 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:08.100 Can I urge you to just set those things aside? 00:10:09.160 --> 00:10:12.940 And see something instead really very simple. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:17.120 And really quite wonderful about this man, Jesus. 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:21.540 See, the claim is that he is the God of this universe. 00:10:22.400 --> 00:10:24.200 And that he stooped down. 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:26.200 That he became a man. 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:32.000 And that the very reason that he did that was to invite you to commune with him. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:35.240 To have a relationship with him because he loves you. 00:10:36.640 --> 00:10:42.960 Knowing that, that very simple truth about Jesus, it might just change everything. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:47.879 And maybe for us as a church. 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:54.540 Looking around at the wider Christian culture around us, or even as we look around us here at Brunsfield, 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:57.000 I think it's really worth us remembering this. 00:10:57.800 --> 00:11:00.400 That we have been united in Christ Jesus. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:06.320 It's so easy, isn't it, to forget that we've been called to pray together out of that unity. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:14.060 And so praying to and communing with Jesus together as we do that. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:19.340 Because it is him, he is the Lord and Savior around whom we are united as his church. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:25.720 Have a look back at verse 14 with me and notice the second thing about how these believers pray. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:29.600 They all join together constantly in prayer. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:35.879 So they pray together and they pray constantly as they wait for the coming Holy Spirit. 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.759 They persevere in their prayer, in other words. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.920 They keep at it. 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:44.900 Because they're clinging to Jesus in total dependence. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:49.500 So what does it mean for us to persevere in prayer? 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:54.179 To pray constantly as we await Jesus' return? 00:11:55.299 --> 00:12:00.000 I think if you're anything like me, then very often you will be tempted to give up on prayer. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:03.319 When it doesn't feel as though God is listening. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:07.259 As though your prayers make no difference. 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:10.139 Remember who we pray to. 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:12.120 This is the God of the universe. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:14.399 He can literally move mountains. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:17.059 And so what do we do? 00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:22.899 Well for many of us here at Brunsfield, it helps doesn't it to come along to the prayer meeting on a Monday night or a Thursday night. 00:12:23.699 --> 00:12:25.840 Maybe that time doesn't work for you. 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:28.519 But maybe it just means praying together as we gather on a Sunday. 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:31.379 Maybe especially at our monthly prayer gathering. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.879 Or praying in your small groups. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.220 Or with a Christian friend. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.120 Or with your family. 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:38.279 Maybe for you it means praying out loud. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.860 Maybe it simply means praying in your head. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:43.919 Whatever works for you. 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:46.460 Friends, please just keep at it. 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:50.320 Apparently Martin Luther said something along these lines. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:57.259 To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:01.580 Friends, don't ever give up on prayer. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:07.740 Because by our prayer we are clinging to Jesus and depending on him. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:16.000 So here are two principles that this group of believers held as they waited for the coming Holy Spirit. 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:20.519 They were obedient to him and they were dependent on him. 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:25.720 And today we wait on the promised return of Jesus. 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:32.259 And as we do so, we too can be obedient to him and dependent on him. 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:35.860 I think that is waiting well. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:43.579 But as we wait well, there will be times when real life requires us to make difficult decisions. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:47.439 I wonder if you've ever played the game Would You Rather. 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:49.280 It's a silly game really. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:52.820 I think they're playing it actually up in embassy as we speak. 00:13:52.920 --> 00:13:53.860 But here's how it goes. 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:58.300 Would you rather have toes on your hands or fingers on your feet? 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:05.900 Would you rather fight a thousand mouse-sized horses or one horse-sized mouse? 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.940 Difficult decisions. 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:09.780 Now these are obviously ridiculous. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.480 Those are impossible decisions. 00:14:11.880 --> 00:14:15.260 But very often in life we are faced with difficult decisions 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:18.460 where the way forward doesn't seem immediately obvious. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:23.779 That might be a small thing like whether to work late or even just what to have for dinner. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:28.879 It might be a bigger decision like a career change or a house move. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:33.460 Sometimes our decisions even have massive impacts on other people. 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.439 Whether to get married. 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.860 Who or where to give your money. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:47.039 And the remaining verses of our passage then offer a very real and difficult decision that these believers had to make. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:56.879 And they also offer us a lived out example of how to be obedient to and dependent on Jesus as we make those decisions. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:15:03.139 And we see in verse 15 that what's going on here is happening in those days. 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:11.620 Which I take it just means in this period of waiting between Jesus' ascending to heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:17.639 And it also tells us there in verse 15 that there are about 120 believers in Jerusalem at that time. 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:25.340 So you've got this relatively big group of believers and they've been gathering together in obedience and dependence. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:31.159 And as they've done so, one of the apostles, Peter, seems to have noticed something in Scripture. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:35.120 And it is something that requires them to make a difficult decision. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.840 Do you see that? 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.860 Do you see what he says? 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:39.120 Have a look at verse 16. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:48.799 Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:52.080 who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus. 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.340 So what's Peter saying? 00:15:54.440 --> 00:16:04.039 Well, he's saying that David, the Old Testament king, at some point in Scripture has said something about what would happen to Judas. 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:07.500 But what Scripture is Peter actually talking about? 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:09.659 Well, luckily, he tells us. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.179 Have a look at verse 20. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.759 It is written in the book of Psalms, 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.659 May his place be deserted. 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:19.080 Let there be no one to dwell in it. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:21.639 And may another take his place of leadership. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:28.139 Now, the Psalms were sort of like the prayer book of the early church. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:33.820 And so as they gathered together in prayer, they're rooted in the Psalms. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:38.379 And in them, Peter sees Judas's betrayal. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:42.860 He sees that the betrayal was foretold, that his place would be deserted. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:49.860 And he also sees that it was foretold that he would have to be replaced, that another would have to take his place. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:55.779 And I think it might seem a little bit random to us, the way that Peter uses the Psalms here. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:58.180 But I really do think we can make sense of it. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.060 So bear with me. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:04.500 See, these Psalms that Peter quotes from, Psalm 69 and Psalm 109, 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:09.440 Jesus uses those Psalms in the Gospel to explain what is going to happen to him. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:13.140 In fact, they're some of the most quoted Psalms in the New Testament. 00:17:14.820 --> 00:17:20.460 And if you think about how Jesus uses the Old Testament, in Luke's Gospel, for example, 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:27.480 on the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus, he explains to two of his followers how the Old Testament foreshadowed him 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:29.059 and what he'd come to do. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:35.740 And so in those 40 days between Jesus's resurrection and his ascension back to heaven, 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:41.779 I suspect that he would have been teaching the apostles and the early believers in a similar sort of way, 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:47.299 showing them how to handle the Old Testament, how to see its fulfillment in him. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:52.660 And so because of that, I think it's no surprise that Peter has noticed here 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:56.680 the need for this scripture to be fulfilled concerning Judas. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.920 Maybe Jesus even showed him it himself. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:05.740 And in seeing that, he notices that they have a difficult decision to make. 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:14.039 And in addressing that difficult decision, what is he being if not obedient to Christ and his word? 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:18.300 We will return to that difficult decision in a moment. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:23.400 But our passage, it gives us the fulfillment of both of those in it. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:27.820 And one of the fulfillments is a little bit of a tangent, I think, from the thread of the passage. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:31.379 But it's worth going there with Luke, the author of this book, 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:37.279 because Luke, the diligent historian, he gives us the result of Judas's betrayal, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:41.720 the desertion, as it is, of his place as an apostle. 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:45.659 And it's pretty graphic in verses 18 and 19. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:50.980 With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.899 There he fell headlong. 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:56.159 His body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:59.160 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:01.160 So they called that field in their language, 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:04.000 akaldama, that is, field of blood. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.940 Now that might be in brackets in your Bible. 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:10.300 And that's because it's not part of Peter's speech. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:13.779 It's, like we said, a sort of editorial insert from Luke. 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.880 And he does that sometimes. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.680 We'll come across it through this book. 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:25.640 But what he's doing is simply showing here how the scripture that Peter is referring to has been fulfilled. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:33.060 And I think it's worth us going there too and just thinking for a moment in this tangent about Judas's death. 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:41.119 I'm beginning by saying that, quite importantly, I think, I'm not sure this is how it had to end for Judas. 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:51.139 See, in some ways there's very little difference between Judas's betrayal of Jesus and Peter, his denial of him. 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:56.020 And the biggest and most important difference there is repentance. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:04.380 Peter denied Jesus, but his genuine heartfelt repentance led him back to his savior. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:10.700 Judas, on the other hand, may have deeply regretted his choice to betray Jesus. 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:16.120 But instead of that leading him to return, it drove him away. 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:21.399 And ultimately, here we see it drove him to death, tragically, to suicide. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:28.699 Just a note here to say that we really recognize the pain of that here, of suicide. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:31.959 The feeling that you've had enough of this world. 00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:34.519 That you no longer want to be here. 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:37.379 Or that you're no longer wanted here. 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:43.359 Maybe you or someone you know has or is battling with that. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:46.179 And if that's you, please speak to us. 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:50.439 We'd love as a church to do what we can to help you. 00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:55.339 And do as well, please stay plugged in, tuned in here at Brunsfield. 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:58.139 This summer we're going to be working through the book of Job. 00:20:58.199 --> 00:21:02.240 And hopefully that will equip us as we think about this issue together. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:06.839 Judas's story, though, it didn't need to end this way. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.479 See, he could have repented. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:16.000 But what did have to happen was that he had to be removed from the office of apostle. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.819 He had to vacate his possession. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:22.079 He had to make way for another to be chosen in his place. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:24.039 And that's what we see here. 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:29.420 But come back to the thread of the passage with me for the second fulfillment of those scriptures, 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:33.480 which is choosing a 12th apostle to replace Judas. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:35.880 This is the difficult decision we've been talking about. 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:37.380 See in verse 21. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:41.579 It is necessary to choose. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:48.680 See, the way that the scripture is fulfilled here is through the obedience of God's people. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:53.740 And what are the criteria here for this replacement apostle? 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:57.220 Well, have a look at the rest of verse 21 and 22 with me. 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:05.279 He has got to be one of the men who has been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:09.420 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:13.619 For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:18.099 In other words, the mark of an apostle, the qualification required, 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:25.899 is that they must be someone who has been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry and witnessed his resurrection. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:31.460 Now, the word apostle simply means messenger of good news. 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:39.040 But for the early church, the office or the role or the charge of the apostle, it was unique to that time. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:41.740 A capital A apostle, if you like. 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:49.180 And so just a brief aside to say that we might see those in churches today who would claim to call themselves apostles. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:56.900 And being charitable, I think it's very likely that they're simply trying to describe themselves as messengers of good news. 00:22:56.900 --> 00:23:05.060 But in my view, I think it would be wise to be wary of the use of apostle in that way today, 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:07.240 certainly where it's used as a title. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:11.440 Because it seems clear to me that the title apostle was unique, 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:17.440 unique to those who were qualified in their witnesses of Jesus's life and his resurrection, 00:23:17.840 --> 00:23:23.320 and also unique in that they were chosen to be the foundation of Christ's church. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:29.519 Back in our passage, in order to make an obedient choice, then, 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:32.220 they needed to choose one who fit the bill. 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:34.579 This very specific criteria. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:37.659 But there are 120 believers there. 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:41.419 I suppose there must have been at least a handful of those who met that criteria. 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:46.279 Indeed, in verse 23, two are proposed, aren't they? 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:48.220 Who fit this criteria. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.980 And so one of them has to be chosen. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.539 This office of apostle. 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:56.599 So it's unique, not only to those who are qualified, but also unique to those who are chosen. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:58.619 But how did they choose? 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:04.359 Faced with this decision where there seemed to be more than one good possible option, 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.119 what did they do? 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.399 Well, have a look at verse 24. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.119 Then they prayed. 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.799 And notice their prayer. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.599 It isn't long. 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.519 It isn't flowery. 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.399 It isn't mystical. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.799 Continuing in verse 24, their prayer. 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:18.960 Lord, you know everyone's heart. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:23.819 Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry. 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:28.399 They simply ask Jesus to help. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.700 They depend on him. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.740 And what happens? 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:36.919 Does Jesus then speak to them out of the sky, out of the clouds, 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:40.860 or appear to them in some way like a ghost to answer their question? 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:42.519 No. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.539 What happens? 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.200 Does he help? 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.000 Does he answer them? 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.259 Well, he sort of does. 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.240 See what happens in verse 26. 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:53.380 They cast lots to make the final decision. 00:24:53.580 --> 00:24:54.200 Casting lots. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:57.560 It's like drawing straws or rolling a dice or simply tossing a coin. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:01.460 And so there's no doubt here that God is in that decision. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:07.039 Throughout the Old Testament, people cast lots as a means of making God-informed decisions. 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:11.079 But there are a couple of important caveats to make here 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:15.099 before we all start tossing coins over every decision we have to make in life. 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:18.119 Firstly, the believers here, before they do anything, 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:21.240 they consult scripture and they pray. 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:24.819 In other words, they are obedient and dependent. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:28.639 And it's only once they've done that that they then cast lots. 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:35.179 But secondly, this is actually the last and only time a decision is made in this way 00:25:35.179 --> 00:25:36.359 in the New Testament. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:41.480 Many would say that the coming of the Holy Spirit essentially removed the need 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:43.759 to make coin toss decisions, 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:48.879 because spirit-filled believers will be guided in their decisions by him. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.919 And I'm sure that there is some truth to that. 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:54.559 Maybe some of us have even experienced the truth of that. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:57.639 But it's certainly my experience, maybe it is yours too, 00:25:58.639 --> 00:26:01.960 that making decisions in life, whether they're big or small, 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:06.359 having searched scripture in obedience to him, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:09.919 having prayed about it in dependence on him, 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:16.099 I'm very often, nevertheless, left with more than one possible path. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:19.919 And in my view, if we are depending on him, 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:22.000 if we are obedient to him, 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:28.099 sometimes we will still just have to make a decision to pick a path. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:32.559 This doesn't mean that we should be making every decision at the flip of a coin 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:35.599 and then claiming that that is God's will for our life. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.919 Of course it doesn't mean that. 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:39.600 But if we have searched scripture, 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.080 and if we have prayed, 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.980 and only if we've done those things first, 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:46.200 at some point we might just have to make a decision 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:48.500 and trust that whatever happens, 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.759 Jesus is right there with us. 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:54.200 That's what this group of believers seem to do. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:58.120 And I think that the way that they make that difficult decision 00:26:58.120 --> 00:27:01.180 is a wonderful example of waiting well, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:05.140 by being obedient to Jesus and his word, 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.799 and by depending on him. 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:13.720 When I proposed, when Katie said yes that day in Glasgow, 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:17.539 I was at that time living down south, somewhere near Oxford. 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.960 But Katie was still up here. 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:22.340 She still lived actually quite close to Glasgow. 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:25.740 And do you know, it was a pretty tough eight months, 00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:28.179 not being able to see each other very often. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.519 That wasn't always easy. 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:33.579 But imagine how it must have been for this group of believers, 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:36.399 desperately trying to cling to Jesus 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:38.559 as they wait for the Holy Spirit to arrive. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.220 And how do they do that? 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:44.919 Well, they are obedient to Jesus' word, 00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:47.819 and they are dependent to him in prayer. 00:27:48.699 --> 00:27:51.659 And as we wait for Jesus to return, 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:54.820 in every decision of life, 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:57.560 will we do the same? 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.019 Let me pray. 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:09.860 Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your word. 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:14.960 Thank you that through it we see you make wonderful promises, 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:18.920 and that in it we see some of those promises wonderfully fulfilled. 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:25.900 Lord, I pray that as we wait for that final promise of your return, 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:32.700 that we might be a group of believers who are marked by our obedience to you, 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:36.340 and who are known for our dependence on you. 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:41.019 We pray in your son's precious name. 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.120 Amen. 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:43.039 Thank you. 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.419 Amen. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.119 Amen. 00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:52.199 Amen. 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:52.559 Amen. 00:28:56.739 --> 00:29:01.139 Amen. 00:29:05.739 --> 00:29:06.699 Amen. 00:29:06.699 --> 00:29:07.699 skilliki.