WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.240 The scripture for today comes from Acts chapter 1, verses 12 to 26. 00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:09.359 Please follow along on the bulletin and your own Bibles on the screen. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:12.720 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:55.320 In those days, Peter stood up among the brothers. 00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:59.900 The company of persons was in all about 120 and said, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:11.180 Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, 00:01:11.739 --> 00:01:14.819 who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:19.760 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:24.799 Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness. 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:30.359 And falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 00:01:31.179 --> 00:01:37.319 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language, 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:40.200 a kaldema, that is, a field of blood. 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:43.679 For it is written in the book of Psalms, 00:01:43.680 --> 00:02:00.740 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 00:02:00.740 --> 00:02:05.760 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us, 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:11.500 one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. 00:02:13.140 --> 00:02:14.819 And they put forward two, 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:17.640 Joseph, called Basabbas, 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:19.460 who was also called Justus, 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:20.879 and Matthias. 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:23.060 And they prayed and said, 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:26.400 You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:29.219 show which one of these two you have chosen 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:32.360 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship, 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:34.680 from which Judas turned aside 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:36.620 to go to his own place. 00:02:38.020 --> 00:02:39.819 And they cast lots for them, 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:41.939 and the lot fell on Matthias, 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:45.039 and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:46.860 This is the word of God. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:03:05.560 Sorry, guys, I should have done this before. 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:07.360 I didn't know it was so high. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:13.140 Cool. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:16.039 But, yeah, let's keep that passage open, 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:17.280 and let's look at it together. 00:03:18.180 --> 00:03:19.599 If you don't know me, my name is Niels. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:21.240 Yeah, one of the leaders here. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:24.680 It's my privilege to be preaching God's word together. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:27.100 But if we want God to speak to us, 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:28.340 we need to pray. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:30.280 So let's pray. 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:33.379 Paul wrote, 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:35.939 To him who is able to strengthen you 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:37.620 through my gospel. 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:40.520 Father, thank you for the gospel. 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:43.620 Thank you for your word of salvation. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:44.980 Thank you that it strengthens us, 00:03:45.020 --> 00:03:45.780 it keeps us going, 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:47.340 it speaks to our hearts. 00:03:47.520 --> 00:03:48.620 Please, would you do that today? 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:50.920 By your spirit to each of us here, 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:52.879 would you speak deeply 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:55.959 and make us hear what each of us needs to hear. 00:03:56.359 --> 00:03:57.459 In Jesus' name. 00:03:57.959 --> 00:03:58.239 Amen. 00:04:00.179 --> 00:04:00.579 Great. 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:02.319 So, 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:04.359 now, Hong Kong, 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:05.479 as you probably know, 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:07.579 it's a very, very rushed city. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:09.179 Everything has to be done so quickly. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:11.439 You probably know that at work, right? 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:13.019 Deadline after deadline. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:14.259 It's all so quick. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:16.360 Sometimes even here at church, right? 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:17.379 Summer is coming, 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:18.899 and then the next academic year, 00:04:18.899 --> 00:04:20.239 so we need to prepare things. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:23.859 The venue is coming on very quickly. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:25.139 Maybe, you know, 00:04:25.179 --> 00:04:26.859 if you're trying to park here, 00:04:27.539 --> 00:04:29.159 you feel like it's taking ages. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:31.219 But the design team will realize, 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:31.939 they think, 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:33.479 well, July is really, really soon. 00:04:34.039 --> 00:04:34.819 Everything is so quick. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:36.199 And then you compare that 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:37.019 with some other things 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:39.319 that just seem to take ages, right? 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:40.259 The MTR says, 00:04:40.339 --> 00:04:41.860 yeah, we're going to build this new line 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:44.120 that will be done in 2033. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:47.300 And you just feel that this ages away, right? 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:50.360 Some things are taking so long. 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:51.759 And yet, 00:04:52.659 --> 00:04:53.360 as I've been reflecting, 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:55.399 2033 is nothing. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:56.719 It's only eight years away. 00:04:57.480 --> 00:04:58.699 I recently had a birthday, 00:04:59.159 --> 00:05:01.279 and that's like one year away 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:02.939 from a bigger one next year. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:05.139 And I realized, 00:05:05.219 --> 00:05:06.079 yeah, I'm getting old. 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:09.120 I'm no longer young, 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:11.399 especially as a Christian, right? 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:12.540 So I became a Christian 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:14.060 as an adult, 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:15.160 25 or so. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:16.060 I feel like, wow, 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:17.360 I became a Christian 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:18.480 quite late in life. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:19.439 I'm only just going. 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:20.980 And then I realized 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:21.579 I've been a Christian 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:22.740 for 24 years. 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:24.379 All right? 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:26.040 So 24 years of reading the Bible. 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:27.879 It's longer than some of you 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:28.740 have been alive. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:30.139 24 years of, 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:30.699 you know, 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:31.620 fighting sin 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:32.639 and sometimes good days, 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:33.659 sometimes bad days. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:36.500 24 years of denying yourself 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:37.560 for the good of others. 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:39.680 That's the Christian life. 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:42.300 And I'm not even halfway. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:44.759 I've got another 30 years to go 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:45.800 or more, right? 00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:46.659 That's a really, 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:47.379 really long time. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:48.839 Maybe on some of the people here 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:49.800 with gray hair, 00:05:50.219 --> 00:05:50.399 you know, 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:51.800 some people who are in their 80s. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:54.000 That is the Christian life, 00:05:54.039 --> 00:05:54.719 actually, right? 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:57.159 We don't only the Christian life. 00:05:57.159 --> 00:05:59.439 It actually is the Christian life 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:01.360 that you're committed to Jesus 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:02.779 for your whole life. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:04.639 And that is long. 00:06:05.219 --> 00:06:07.120 And there are great moments of joy 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:09.160 and meaning and peace. 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:10.740 But there are also 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:13.160 a lot of moments of discipline, 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:14.319 of keeping going, 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:16.680 of putting up with things, 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:18.279 of doing that. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:21.319 Now, why would you do something like that, 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:21.540 right? 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:23.740 If you're getting baptized next week, 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:24.800 you've just become a Christian. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:28.060 Maybe it's great to be a Christian. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:28.180 Christian, 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:29.899 but the hard things, 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:30.379 they will be there 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:31.420 for another 60 years. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:32.959 That's a long time. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:35.399 How do we keep going? 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:36.120 You know, 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:39.319 how do we stay faithful as Christians? 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:39.939 How do we, 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:40.300 well, 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.819 a multi-generational Christian, 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:42.560 not just people 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.199 who keep going for a bit, 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:45.840 but make it to the end. 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:46.980 Well, 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:47.939 we need to know that 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:49.579 God is faithful, 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:49.860 right? 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:51.220 We want to make sure 00:06:51.220 --> 00:06:52.680 that the thing we're trusting in, 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:53.319 you know, 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:55.000 I've given my life to Jesus, 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:56.699 that that's really worth it. 00:06:56.699 --> 00:06:58.240 That is really something 00:06:58.240 --> 00:06:58.959 that will happen, 00:06:59.039 --> 00:06:59.899 that will keep going. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.199 Something that we can rely on, 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:03.339 that Jesus is someone 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:04.379 we can rely on. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:05.899 That is the thing 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:06.620 that keeps us going. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:07.219 And I think 00:07:07.219 --> 00:07:08.659 that is where this passage 00:07:08.659 --> 00:07:09.920 wants to go. 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.459 And that is how I think 00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:12.699 God wants to encourage us 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:13.279 this morning. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:15.379 And that we will keep going 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:16.699 with Jesus our whole life 00:07:16.699 --> 00:07:18.339 and not just a few moments. 00:07:19.539 --> 00:07:19.939 Now, 00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:20.699 you probably wonder, 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:21.539 what does it have to do 00:07:21.539 --> 00:07:22.240 with this passage? 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:23.160 which is a bit 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:24.460 of an unexpected passage, 00:07:24.840 --> 00:07:26.120 but especially if you are, 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:26.540 you know, 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:27.699 you were here last week. 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:28.900 This is, 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:30.240 we're doing the book of Acts, 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:31.120 which is kind of the, 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:34.120 the history of the early church, 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:34.900 of what Jesus, 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:35.639 you know, 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:36.780 continued to do 00:07:36.780 --> 00:07:37.960 after he went to heaven. 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:38.879 And last week 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.800 was really exciting, 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:40.139 right? 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:40.639 Jesus, 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:41.240 you know, 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:41.639 risen, 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.000 he ascended to heaven 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:44.360 and gave the disciples 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:45.220 a job to do. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:45.600 And he said, 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.540 wait for the spirit. 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:47.639 And in chapter two, 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:48.460 the spirit comes, 00:07:48.460 --> 00:07:49.819 but we get kind of 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:50.600 this interruption 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.060 of this passage here, 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:53.180 right? 00:07:53.660 --> 00:07:54.280 In a way, 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:54.560 they, 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:55.360 they were doing 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.120 what they should do. 00:07:56.200 --> 00:07:56.900 They were waiting. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:57.700 I mean, 00:07:57.700 --> 00:07:58.860 if you've read the gospels, 00:07:58.939 --> 00:07:59.920 you know that the disciples 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:00.800 didn't always do 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:01.580 what Jesus wanted, 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.260 but here they do. 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:04.060 Verse 12, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:04.400 right? 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:05.760 They returned to Jerusalem 00:08:05.760 --> 00:08:07.879 from the Mount called Olivet. 00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:10.360 When they had entered the city, 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.760 they went up to the upper room 00:08:11.760 --> 00:08:12.780 where they were staying. 00:08:13.200 --> 00:08:14.140 Verse 14, 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:15.740 all these with one accord 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:17.220 were devoting themselves 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:17.980 to prayer 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.600 together with the women 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:20.020 and Mary, 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:20.920 the mother of Jesus. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:22.280 Great, 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:22.560 right? 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:23.939 Praying with one accord. 00:08:24.320 --> 00:08:24.980 Last Thursday, 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:26.840 we had our church prayer meeting 00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:28.260 over 40 people. 00:08:28.640 --> 00:08:29.840 It was such a great time 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:30.480 of together, 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.640 crying out to God, 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:31.879 right? 00:08:31.900 --> 00:08:32.560 It was wonderful. 00:08:33.040 --> 00:08:33.960 I know many of you 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:35.259 couldn't be there, 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:37.060 but such a great moment. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:38.259 And yet, 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.639 we are waiting for the spirit, 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.639 but we get this long story 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:43.620 in between 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.680 of, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:45.399 yeah, 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:45.840 that seems 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:47.120 a bit irrelevant, 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:47.519 right? 00:08:47.540 --> 00:08:48.580 It's a bit like HR. 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:49.620 There's this vacancy 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.139 to fill. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:51.580 Well, 00:08:51.780 --> 00:08:52.759 this is narrative, 00:08:53.040 --> 00:08:53.200 right? 00:08:53.300 --> 00:08:54.560 Luke doesn't really say, 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:56.320 this is what I want you to know. 00:08:56.520 --> 00:08:57.520 He tells a story 00:08:57.520 --> 00:08:58.280 and he wants us 00:08:58.280 --> 00:08:59.340 to think about it 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:01.180 and feel its significance. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.520 And I think 00:09:02.520 --> 00:09:03.440 that's what we're going 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:04.020 to do. 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:06.500 The aircon is strong today. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.060 But, 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:09.840 yeah, 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:10.600 I just had a few 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.980 simple question words, 00:09:12.040 --> 00:09:12.180 right? 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:12.500 What? 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:13.020 Why? 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:13.379 Who? 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:14.519 And then, 00:09:14.579 --> 00:09:14.980 so what? 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:16.699 So, 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:17.819 let's think about 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:19.699 the what first. 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:21.120 What is happening here? 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:21.399 Well, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.620 as you read the story, 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.120 it is ultimately 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.620 about replacing Judas, 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:27.019 right? 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:28.439 In a way, 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:28.919 that's a, 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:29.199 you know, 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.299 you look at the start 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:30.939 and at the end, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.559 what has happened 00:09:31.559 --> 00:09:32.199 in the story. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:32.919 Well, 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:34.319 Judas is replaced. 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:34.860 I guess, 00:09:34.939 --> 00:09:35.840 if you're new to Christianity, 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.639 you probably know 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:37.460 the name Judas. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.019 That is not very popular. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:39.879 Why? 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.639 Because it's, 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:41.879 as a baby name 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:42.319 or something, 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:43.759 because it's the guy 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:44.799 who betrayed Jesus, 00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:45.120 right? 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:47.059 Who was one of his 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:47.819 chosen followers 00:09:47.819 --> 00:09:49.360 but betrayed him. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:50.779 And, 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:51.699 well, 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:52.199 Peter, 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:53.340 kind of the, 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:54.939 one of the, 00:09:55.059 --> 00:09:55.279 yeah, 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:55.659 the, 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.439 one of the most vocal 00:09:57.439 --> 00:09:58.600 apostles, 00:09:59.079 --> 00:09:59.840 he stands up, 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:00.620 verse 15. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.500 In those days, 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.340 Peter stood up 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:03.139 among the brothers. 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:05.059 The company of persons 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:06.179 was in all about 120 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:07.000 and said, 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:07.840 brothers, 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.560 the scripture 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:09.980 had to be fulfilled, 00:10:10.420 --> 00:10:11.680 which the Holy Spirit 00:10:11.680 --> 00:10:12.860 spoke beforehand 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:14.180 by the mouth of David 00:10:14.180 --> 00:10:15.180 concerning Judas, 00:10:15.780 --> 00:10:16.800 who became a god 00:10:16.800 --> 00:10:18.680 to those who arrested Jesus. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.399 For he was numbered 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.040 among us 00:10:21.040 --> 00:10:21.860 and was allotted 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:22.560 his share 00:10:22.560 --> 00:10:23.500 in this ministry. 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.160 And there was Judas, 00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:26.259 he was one of us, 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.639 but he became 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.220 a traitor. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.740 And he is now gone, 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:31.519 right? 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.100 That's what we, 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:34.560 Luke fills that in. 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.700 He talks about 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:36.639 what happened to Judas. 00:10:36.780 --> 00:10:37.800 You heard it in the reading. 00:10:37.920 --> 00:10:38.080 Right? 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:39.100 How he fell over 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.139 and all his bowels 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:40.780 gushed out. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.820 It's pretty gruesome. 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:43.379 And that field 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.440 became a field, 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:44.740 yeah, 00:10:44.780 --> 00:10:45.860 known as the field of blood. 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:48.759 But it's not a surprise. 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:50.100 Peter says, 00:10:50.180 --> 00:10:50.500 actually, 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:51.300 the scripture 00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:52.259 had to be fulfilled. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:52.500 Right? 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:52.940 This is, 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:54.360 this was all what, 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.120 yeah, 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:56.019 what it said in scripture. 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.899 So he quotes a few psalms, 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.320 a few psalms of David. 00:10:59.780 --> 00:11:00.120 David, 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.580 the ancestor of Jesus, 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:02.780 kind of predicting 00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:03.560 the pattern 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:04.239 of what Jesus 00:11:04.239 --> 00:11:05.559 would go through, 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:06.759 that he would be betrayed. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:07.959 But then, 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:08.239 yeah, 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.259 the betrayer, 00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:10.439 verse 20, 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:11.299 for it is written 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.359 in the book of Psalms, 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:13.739 may his camp 00:11:13.739 --> 00:11:14.679 become desolate. 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:16.359 Let there be no one 00:11:16.359 --> 00:11:17.219 to dwell in it. 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:17.599 Right? 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.459 That field 00:11:18.459 --> 00:11:19.419 of blood 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:20.279 where no one lived 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.479 anymore, 00:11:21.739 --> 00:11:23.139 that came to pass. 00:11:23.239 --> 00:11:23.819 But then also, 00:11:23.939 --> 00:11:24.439 verse 20, 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.599 let another 00:11:25.599 --> 00:11:26.579 take his office. 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:28.519 He needs to be replaced. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:29.699 And so, 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:30.000 guys, 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:31.199 we need to find someone, 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.559 someone who's been with us 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:33.480 from John's baptism 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.419 to the resurrection 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:36.159 to take his place. 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:36.879 And so, 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:37.679 that's what they do. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:38.740 They deliberate, 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.740 they look for people, 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.139 they come up with two candidates, 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:42.799 they pray, 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:43.919 they cast a lot, 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:45.679 and Matthias is chosen. 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:46.759 So, 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.759 that's what we have here. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:49.259 We have a new apostle, 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:49.879 Matthias. 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:52.939 But why is this story here? 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.779 Is it just to tell us 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.879 how to choose a new leader? 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.139 Right? 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:57.240 That if we want more elders, 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:57.519 okay, 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.860 this is how we should go about it. 00:11:59.439 --> 00:11:59.919 Or maybe, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.000 when they needed a new pope 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:01.559 last week, 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.439 instead of the voting 00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:03.399 and the white smoke, 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.539 they should have just followed this. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:05.399 Well, 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.159 no. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:07.980 What is this? 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.059 I think, 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.220 I hope you notice, 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.279 that the idea is to make, 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.620 again, 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:13.919 12 apostles. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:15.319 Right? 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:16.600 It's not really about Matthias, 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.600 it's about having 12 apostles. 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:19.620 Right? 00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:20.059 Because, 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:20.879 Matthias, 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.840 verse 26, 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:22.480 was numbered 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.519 with the 11 apostles. 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.240 And, 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.480 even in the beginning, 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.519 in verse 13, 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:30.159 now they all went to the upper room, 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.220 and then we get a whole list. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:31.460 Right? 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.199 In verse 13, 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.600 Peter, 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:33.159 and James, 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:33.759 and John, 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:34.960 and Andrew, 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:35.600 and Thomas, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.939 and Bartholomew, 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:37.419 and Matthew, 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.600 and the other James, 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:39.840 and the other Simon, 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:40.600 and the other Judas. 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.539 Why all these names? 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.759 Why are they so important? 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:45.139 Well, 00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:45.799 they are 11, 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.460 and now we have 12. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.159 And, 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.779 it's not really about these guys. 00:12:51.819 --> 00:12:52.559 Apart from Peter, 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:52.860 James, 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:53.279 and John, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.299 none of them get mentioned. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:54.659 Right? 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.419 You think, 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:55.620 okay, 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:57.039 Matthias is going to be important. 00:12:57.219 --> 00:12:59.600 He's not really mentioned in the rest of Acts. 00:13:00.339 --> 00:13:01.199 We get Philip, 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:01.779 and Stephen, 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.740 and a lot about Paul. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.120 No, 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:07.100 it's not about these guys in particular. 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:08.919 It's about these 12, 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.000 these 12 apostles. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:11.480 And, 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:12.559 why are they important? 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:13.980 Well, 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:16.339 they are 12 apostles to Israel. 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:19.399 They are 12 apostles to Israel. 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:20.740 Because, 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:22.120 if you've read your Bible, 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:25.439 you probably know that the number 12 is very significant. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:31.519 12 is the number of the 12 tribes of God's people in the Old Testament. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:35.059 We read the whole Bible last year. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.720 There were the whole, 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:37.939 all the narrative books in the Bible reading plan. 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:39.299 Many of you have read it. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.299 We did a Bible overview last year. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:41.840 Well, 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:43.340 God chose this people, 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:43.579 right? 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.439 He chose Abraham and his family. 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:46.700 And that family, 00:13:46.920 --> 00:13:47.080 well, 00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:48.560 came out of, 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:48.840 yeah, 00:13:48.900 --> 00:13:50.060 a family of 12 sons, 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.460 the 12 tribes. 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.640 And, 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.780 God loved them, 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.280 and he rescued them from Egypt, 00:13:55.280 --> 00:13:57.580 and he gave them the promised land, 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.880 and he made them his own, 00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.600 and he looked after them. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:01.580 But, 00:14:01.660 --> 00:14:01.940 of course, 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:02.300 they, 00:14:02.380 --> 00:14:03.280 they sinned, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.660 and they rejected God, 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.920 and they worshipped idols. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:06.860 And, 00:14:06.880 --> 00:14:08.160 after hundreds of years, 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:08.920 well, 00:14:09.020 --> 00:14:09.460 ultimately, 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.680 God had to judge them, 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:12.260 and he sent them into exile. 00:14:12.880 --> 00:14:14.840 He sent them away from the promised land, 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.500 and they were, 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.120 well, 00:14:16.160 --> 00:14:17.180 they lost everything, 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.580 but they were lost. 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:20.440 They were just now scattered across the world. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.460 The 12 tribes were gone. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:23.740 But, 00:14:23.800 --> 00:14:25.000 God always promised, 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.519 I will bring you back. 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:27.200 Yes, 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:28.040 I've judged you, 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.259 but I love you. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:31.120 He's the God of steadfast love, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.540 of covenant commitment. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.379 He was going to bring them back. 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:36.460 He would gather them from the nations, 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:37.759 all the tribes, 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.019 all the people. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:40.160 They would come back, 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.840 and he would restore the kingdom of Israel. 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:43.840 That's what he would do. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.040 And so, 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.320 that runs through all the gospels. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.280 Right, 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:50.080 last Christmas, 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:51.540 we looked at Luke chapter 1, 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:57.280 and a lot of it was less to do with the particular things about Jesus' birth, 00:14:57.420 --> 00:14:57.620 but, 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.259 you know, 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.480 the promises to Israel, 00:14:59.720 --> 00:14:59.920 right? 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:02.420 Mary sings and praises God, 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.040 and she says, 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:03.280 you know, 00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:05.080 he's helped his servant Israel, 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:06.639 just as he, 00:15:07.040 --> 00:15:08.240 in remembrance of his mercy, 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.720 as he spoke to our fathers, 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.280 to Abraham, 00:15:10.400 --> 00:15:11.220 and to his offspring forever. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.860 Later, 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.040 later, 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.920 they go to the temple. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.519 We read it on Good Friday. 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:17.399 There was a man in Jerusalem, 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.440 whose name was Simeon. 00:15:18.660 --> 00:15:20.139 This man was righteous and devout, 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.820 waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:27.320 They were all waiting for God to fulfill that promise. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.000 Well, 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.740 even last week, 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.779 the disciples asked, 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.460 Lord, 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:33.100 are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:33.180 Well, 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.580 Jesus was a bit evasive, 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:36.879 but it's the right question, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.240 because God had promised this. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.040 Well, 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:43.659 that is the restoration. 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.460 And the thing is, 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:48.139 the 12 apostles are part of that. 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:52.060 Part of the restoration is these 12 apostles. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:54.379 Jesus said these guys would have a big role. 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.100 Here in Luke, 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.700 chapter 22, 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.540 at the Last Supper, 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.660 what did Jesus say? 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:03.079 He told the disciples, 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:03.959 you know, 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:07.219 you are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:09.480 and I assigned to you, 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:11.480 as my father assigned to me, 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.279 a kingdom, 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:16.059 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.879 and sit on thrones, 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.600 judging the 12 tribes of Israel. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:24.439 They were going to be Jesus' representatives, 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:27.199 12 representatives for 12 tribes. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:30.900 They were going to announce the gospel to the 12 tribes. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:31.640 And, 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.379 yeah, 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:32.960 at the end, 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:34.940 they would be there to judge the 12 tribes, 00:16:35.180 --> 00:16:36.560 on how they responded to Jesus, 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:36.820 right? 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.340 The 12 thrones, 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:39.660 with 12 apostles, 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.700 for 12 tribes. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.340 And so, 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:42.700 you kind of, 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.300 you need 12, 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.520 right? 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.020 This is part of God's promise. 00:16:46.640 --> 00:16:47.320 God promised, 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:48.520 yeah, 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:49.460 to restore Israel, 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:51.379 through these 12 guys. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.640 And, 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:54.200 can you imagine if one of them wasn't there? 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.640 One of the tribes, 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.140 didn't get the message. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.320 Because there were only 11. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:16:59.860 Or, 00:17:00.280 --> 00:17:00.820 at the end, 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.920 there's 12 thrones, 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:02.879 but one of them is empty. 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.980 Because Judas is in the other place. 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.200 And it couldn't be, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.440 right? 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:09.259 You need a 12 apostle. 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:13.059 Because this is part of God's salvation plan. 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.220 Now, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.860 just to say that was only back then, 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:17.779 in a way, 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:18.580 right? 00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:19.980 It was there at the start, 00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:21.299 at Pentecost, 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.240 when the Spirit came, 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.240 the start of the church. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:25.640 It doesn't mean it still continues now. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:26.660 You know, 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.380 in chapter 12, 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.440 one of them gets killed. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.519 He doesn't get replaced. 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:29.900 Because, 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:30.720 you know, 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:32.319 this thing has been done. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:35.200 The symbolic action has happened. 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:38.220 Some churches these days say they're still apostles. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.420 apostles, 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:41.140 but not in the way you have apostles here, 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:41.400 right? 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.160 Especially, 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:42.819 well, 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:47.500 they say they need to have seen Jesus from the time of John the Baptist until the resurrection. 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:50.559 There's not many people around today who fit that criteria. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:52.379 But, 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:52.779 yeah, 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.379 at that time, 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:56.919 they needed 12 apostles because they were going to, 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:59.480 God was going to restore Israel. 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:01.419 And that's why they were important. 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.399 So, 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.919 you can see that this is not just about, 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.619 yeah, 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.319 replacing Judas. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:10.119 This is about God's salvation plan. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.619 The 12 apostles. 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:13.299 And, 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.579 and who is doing this? 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:17.039 I think you can easily think that, 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:17.200 hey, 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.779 this is Peter, 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:18.099 right? 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:18.960 Okay, 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.360 guys, 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:19.900 hey, 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.079 one of us turned aside, 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:22.299 but I've got a plan. 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:22.600 Hey, 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:24.120 let's help God out and do this. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.039 Of course, 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.880 this is not God. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.200 This is not Peter doing it, 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.380 right? 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.900 Who is fulfilling this? 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.120 Well, 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:32.779 did you notice the emphasis on fulfilling scripture? 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:36.360 This is all predicted, 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:38.039 all that came to pass. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.940 Verse 16, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:39.620 brothers, 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.380 the scripture had to be fulfilled. 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:44.460 Judas' betrayal that was fulfilled, 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:46.440 and that was not done by Peter and the guys, 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.220 right? 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.940 Judas' gruesome ends. 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.240 That was predicted. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.140 That came to pass, 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.860 but that wasn't Peter and the guys. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.319 That was, 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:54.779 well, 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.600 that was God doing it, 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:55.799 right? 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:56.920 And so, 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.779 here as well, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.079 this 12 apostle, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.160 they are very aware, 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:00.880 okay, 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.779 this is God doing it. 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:03.360 That's why, 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.279 at the end, 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:04.660 they, 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.620 they pray, 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:06.420 right? 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.920 The scripture is a promise. 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:10.380 Fulfilling scripture is fulfilling a promise. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:12.960 That is God fulfilling his promises. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.539 And so, 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.140 yeah, 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.840 they pray, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.319 verse 24, 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.620 with these two guys, 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.279 you Lord, 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.480 you Lord, 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.600 who know the hearts of all, 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:23.519 show which one of these two you have chosen. 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.340 And they don't say, 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:25.700 okay, 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.080 God, 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.500 you need another apostle. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.600 We have these guys. 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.240 Uh, 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.000 why don't you choose? 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:30.779 No, 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.299 Lord, 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.440 you have already chosen. 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.240 We know that. 00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:35.860 And we just want you to reveal your will to us. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.580 Which of the two? 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.960 They're so aware. 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.460 This is God doing it. 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.480 It's interesting. 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:41.840 Actually, 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.600 I say God, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.900 but who is doing it? 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.220 I mean, 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.860 who do the disciples call Lord? 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.539 Well, 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.380 it's Jesus actually, 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:48.579 right? 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.380 Jesus is the Lord. 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.400 I mean, 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.660 who chose the other apostles? 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.860 That was Jesus when he was here on earth. 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:56.559 So who should choose the 12th one? 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:58.340 It's not that suddenly the father chooses it. 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.579 It's, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.380 they're actually praying to Jesus. 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.380 Jesus, 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:04.759 will you fulfill your promise? 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:06.740 Will you get his 12th apostle? 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:09.360 which is quite something, 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.579 right? 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.880 Seven weeks after they had dinner with Jesus, 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.620 uh, 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.440 before his death, 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:13.920 uh, 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.480 they're now praying to Jesus in heaven. 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:17.779 He's at the control center of the universe. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.600 Uh, 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:18.980 yeah. 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.940 But what does that show? 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:28.620 What does it show that God is providing a 12th apostle, 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.420 right? 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:33.840 That God is putting things in place for the restoration of Israel. 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.960 It was so, 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.140 that he is so faithful, 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.420 right? 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:41.640 And he made these promises thousands of years ago, 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:43.860 and he fulfills them. 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:46.579 He loves his people despite their sin, 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.660 despite their failure, 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.140 despite their idolatry. 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.720 He promised he would rescue them, 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.620 all of them. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:53.240 And so he's doing that. 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:55.220 He's getting what is needed. 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:56.579 He's putting it in place. 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.920 He's going to do it, 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:01.000 not just sending Jesus to die and pay for our sins. 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:01.400 Yes, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.000 that's the heart of it. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.240 And yet people need to hear. 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:10.400 And so we get the 12 representatives who were sent to the 12 tribes, 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.019 right? 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.779 Jesus is putting it all in place. 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:14.099 He is faithful. 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:15.500 He's unchanging. 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.460 Like Celine said, 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.480 Jesus is the same yesterday, 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.319 today, 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.099 and forever. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.539 Jesus, 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.779 he died on the cross. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.059 He's not going to leave it at that. 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:29.720 He's now putting everything else in place as well for the salvation that he promised. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:31.440 And of course, 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.519 it's not just Israel. 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:34.279 The focus is here on Israel. 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:34.860 Of course, 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:37.839 they had kind of priority in terms of God's plan, 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:41.160 but it's not just Israel, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.400 right? 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.680 God promised also to save the rest of the world. 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.579 Chapter nine onwards, 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.519 big focus on the Gentiles. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:50.940 And these 12 fade from view and you get Paul, 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.539 who is the apostle to the Gentiles, 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:55.000 Jesus representative to the Gentiles. 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.620 So if you're here, 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.400 you're not a Christian, 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.620 don't just think, 00:21:59.700 --> 00:21:59.720 yeah, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.580 but I'm not Jewish. 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.100 What does it have to do with me? 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:02.940 You know, 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:05.080 this is just part of a bigger plan, 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.019 but a bigger plan. 00:22:07.780 --> 00:22:09.200 Every part needs to work. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.240 And you see here this, 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:13.820 and Jesus did everything to save them. 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:15.840 He will do everything to save you. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.360 You can come to him. 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:20.500 You can come like Damien has done, 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:21.440 like Celine has done, 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:24.259 come to him and find salvation. 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.259 He'll forgive you. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.700 You can give your life to him. 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:31.440 And that is actually what we're talking about. 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.560 I'm not giving your life. 00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:33.920 He will do that. 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.759 Because the question is, 00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:36.259 so what? 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.759 If Jesus is so faithful, 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.220 what should we do with that? 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.300 Well, 00:22:40.340 --> 00:22:41.580 I guess we should trust him, 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:41.820 right? 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.800 If we see this, 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:47.240 and we see how Jesus is doing this, 00:22:47.320 --> 00:22:47.519 well, 00:22:48.040 --> 00:22:48.980 we should trust him. 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:49.400 I mean, 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.400 X was written to this guy, 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.060 Theophilus. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:54.960 How would he feel when he reads this? 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.759 When he reads, 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:59.200 and he thinks about Jesus fulfilling his promises? 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.579 Well, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.799 I can have a deep, 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.099 kind of a deep trust in him, 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.299 right? 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:05.019 Jesus is so faithful. 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.039 He will do this. 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.019 He, 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:09.319 and this new faith that he's committed to, 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.399 this new religion that has just shown up, 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.679 it's real. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.940 It's reliable. 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:16.920 Even when life is not easy, 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.680 even when sin pops up and again, 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:24.019 even when things get hotter for Christians in the Roman Empire, 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:28.580 even when life is just tiring. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.539 Life may be like that, 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.279 but Jesus is faithful. 00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:36.080 He will make the salvation happen. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.980 He will make his plan happen. 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:40.380 You can see him put everything in place. 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.380 In a way, 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.420 it's even happening now, 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:43.740 right? 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:47.400 Jesus faithfulness is not just something in the future. 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.340 It's not something static. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:54.680 Acts is about that salvation coming into the world and spreading. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.279 And Theophilus, 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.539 you're, 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.380 you're part of that. 00:23:57.740 --> 00:24:02.799 You're part of faithful Jesus bringing this salvation to pass. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:05.779 And that's something that you can see in your life, 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:08.080 something you can see around you in church, 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.160 in the world. 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.700 And you're part of that. 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:12.140 You can be part of it. 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.920 You can join it. 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:14.300 You can rely on it. 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:17.320 It doesn't mean everything is always as we expect. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.400 Certainly, 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:26.400 the Jews were expecting a national kingdom with a capital city and a palace and an army and that kind of stuff. 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.120 And, 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.480 yeah, 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:27.700 no, 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:29.220 God's restoration looks different. 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:32.680 And this is about messengers bringing good news. 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:32.920 And, 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.680 you know, 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:37.720 people coming back first spiritually and only later physically. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.220 Sure, 00:24:38.540 --> 00:24:39.360 it's different. 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:42.659 But it really is Israel's return. 00:24:42.979 --> 00:24:44.419 God will save his people. 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.619 He promised it. 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:46.419 He will do it. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.979 And we see that here. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.179 He's arranging events. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.559 He's putting things in place. 00:24:50.959 --> 00:24:52.399 He is making sure it will happen. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:54.380 And that makes such a difference, 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.580 right? 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.540 We can rely on it. 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.000 I mean, 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.180 I think about Mother's Day. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.660 And mothers, 00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:00.300 yeah, 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.940 they work very hard. 00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:03.840 That's a pretty tough life, 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.380 right? 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:07.060 All the extra demands of having children, 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.320 the homework, 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.120 and the nappies, 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.380 depending on the stage of life, 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.160 and all the demands, 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.580 the self-denial. 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:17.619 Isn't it good to know that God is faithful, 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:20.740 that he will keep you going, 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:24.299 that salvation will happen because he is at work. 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:27.119 Whatever your normal day of motherhood feels like, 00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:31.419 you are part of this big thing that Jesus is putting in place, 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:32.720 that Jesus is doing. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.539 It means you can keep going. 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:37.399 It means you've got some great news for your children, 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.679 right? 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:39.899 You want to teach your children about Jesus, 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.759 the wonderful thing to do. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.759 But is that just a story? 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:48.319 Something that you're not sure if it's worth it? 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:48.599 No. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.759 You know this is real. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.879 This is substantial. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:54.700 You're inviting your kids into something they can rely on, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.140 something they can be part of, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.720 that is real, 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:59.379 that will happen, 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.400 right? 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:02.259 That's really worth teaching your kids about, 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.539 teaching anyone about, 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.879 anyone you're discipling or whatever. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.660 Or even when you're not a mother, 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:09.619 if you're just in your workplace, 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.079 right? 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:14.879 The coming week will be the first five-day week in a row after a few fourth-day weeks. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.339 My guess is most of us will feel, 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:17.079 man, 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:17.939 five days is long. 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.419 You know what? 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.339 You're going to have a, 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.419 even when it's difficult, 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:24.240 you can remember Jesus' faithfulness. 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:27.699 You can just stop and pray and remember, 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.139 oh yeah, 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:29.379 this will happen. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.279 This is reliable. 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:32.359 I can give my life to this. 00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.519 I can love. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.299 I can serve. 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.299 I can keep going. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.079 You know, 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.859 I can take part in this mission. 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.980 Lord Jesus, 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:42.619 how do you want to use me today as part of what you're doing? 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:45.619 We can do that because it's reliable. 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:47.859 And Jesus will make it happen. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.180 He'll keep his promises. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.279 Isn't that the good news we need? 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:53.359 Why don't we pray? 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.480 Why don't we just take a, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.660 we have time, 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:58.579 30 seconds just to reflect. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:01.220 And then I'll lead us in prayer. 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.859 So just to think, 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.299 how has God spoken to you? 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:06.160 And how does he want you to respond? 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:08.339 Just think about that for 30 seconds. 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:08.839 What? 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:08.839 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:38.819 Thank you. 00:27:38.839 --> 00:28:08.819 Thank you. 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:10.839 Thank you. 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.559 We need your strength. 00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:40.319 We need your spirit. 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.119 We need your help. 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.019 Help us to rely on you. 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:45.279 So please encourage us. 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:49.319 And would we see you at work in us and through us this coming week. 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.519 In Jesus name. 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.279 Amen.