WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.160 Well, good morning. Please turn with me in your Bibles to Genesis 6. We're going to preach on Noah and the flood this morning. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:22.240 ! No, seriously. I want to start this morning with a question. What is God up to you in the world today? 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:29.240 We might have a whole list of things that we wish God were up to. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.700 We wish that wars would end. We wish that poverty would be eradicated. We wish that disease would be cured. 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:49.179 We wish that ungodliness would not run rampant. We wish that sex trafficking and sex crimes would be stopped. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:55.659 Many, many things that we long for, and these are all good desires that we would have. 00:00:55.659 --> 00:01:04.879 There are also things that we wonder about when we think about this. In the church, we wonder, will God return soon? 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:10.939 And if He's not returning soon, what is He up to? What is His work doing? 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:18.560 Well, I believe that these are questions that the early church was asking as well. 00:01:19.219 --> 00:01:25.099 As we begin our series in the Book of Acts, actually, this is the second week, so if you weren't here last week, 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:35.719 we're preaching through the Book of Acts this fall, actually this year, we'll be looking through the story of God's work in building His church. 00:01:36.619 --> 00:01:42.099 If you didn't get to hear the sermon last week, I really encourage you, go to our website, go back and listen to it again, 00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:44.979 because it's a great introduction to the work. 00:01:44.980 --> 00:01:49.240 But we're going to preach on the second passage in the Book of Acts. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:54.240 In your pew Bibles, it's going to be page 855 or so. 00:01:54.780 --> 00:02:01.540 We're going to look at Acts 1, verses 12 through 26, and it's a little bit of an odd passage. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:05.800 Interestingly, lots of sermon series just skip over this passage. 00:02:05.960 --> 00:02:08.780 When they want to preach through the whole Book of Acts, they just skip this one. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:18.300 But we believe that all of God's words are profitable for us, and so we don't want to set our own agenda by picking all the passages. 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:21.000 We want to preach through God's word as it is written. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:29.240 And so we're going to preach through this passage and see what God has for us as we think about what is God up to in the world today. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:33.879 As we get there, we want to set the scene for what's going on in the narrative. 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:39.180 This is after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:47.560 He appeared to many people over a period of 40 days, and then, as we saw in the first eight verses, 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:53.539 He then ascended into heaven, disappeared from view, miraculously, supernaturally. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:58.900 He ascended into heaven, and the disciples were left with the instruction, 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:01.099 Go back to Jerusalem and wait. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:04.020 Wait for what God has next. 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:07.599 Now, can you imagine these men and women? 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:10.960 They had believed in Jesus. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:17.500 They had left their old faith commitments, their old communities, and said, 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:18.879 We will follow you. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:24.780 Many of them had left their livelihoods and their homes and even their families to follow Jesus. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:26.860 And now He's gone. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:29.860 What happens next? 00:03:31.200 --> 00:03:33.080 Well, we're going to pick up the story. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:35.140 We're going to read, starting in verse 12. 00:03:36.100 --> 00:03:42.080 And then we will consider together a few things we can learn about what God is up to. 00:03:43.220 --> 00:03:46.020 So, Acts chapter 1, verse 12. 00:03:47.140 --> 00:03:52.360 Then they, that is the disciples, returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, 00:03:52.420 --> 00:03:55.180 which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath-stage journey away. 00:03:55.180 --> 00:04:00.240 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room where they were staying, 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:06.280 Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:11.520 James, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the zealot, and Judas, the son of James. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:20.280 All these were, all these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer together with the women and Mary, 00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:22.699 the mother of Jesus and his brothers. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:31.019 In those days, Peter stood up among the brothers in the company of persons, was in all about 120, 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:32.579 and said, 00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:41.800 Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:45.479 who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:51.479 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in the ministry. 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:59.100 Now, this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, 00:04:59.280 --> 00:05:01.000 and all his bowels gushed out. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:04.020 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:07.780 so that the field was called in their own language, 00:05:08.200 --> 00:05:11.600 a keldama, which is field of blood. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:15.180 For it is written in the book of Psalms, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:19.140 May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it, 00:05:19.520 --> 00:05:22.000 and let another take his office. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:30.379 So, one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:35.040 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us, 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:40.760 one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:48.580 And they put forward to Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also called Justice, and Matthias. 00:05:49.140 --> 00:05:50.460 And they prayed and said, 00:05:50.460 --> 00:05:56.300 You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 00:05:56.300 --> 00:06:03.740 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:11.079 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven disciples. 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:13.500 This is God's Word. Let's pray. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:15.460 Lord, thank you for your Word. 00:06:15.840 --> 00:06:19.000 Thank you for the instruction that you give us, 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:22.040 and the way that you reveal yourself to us through it. 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:24.420 Lord, be with us this morning. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.879 Lord, make our minds alert to understand your Word. 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:32.879 Make our hearts soft to receive your Word. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:37.759 And may our hands be quick to respond in faithful obedience to it. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.980 Lord, we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:41.800 Amen. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:45.259 What is God up to? 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:49.060 God is fulfilling His promises 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:53.779 to create for Himself a people 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:58.459 who will worship and serve Him forever. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.199 A renewed people. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:06.620 And what we see in this passage is the beginning of what we're going to see throughout the book of Acts, 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:11.939 which is a picture of what this renewed people of God look like, 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:14.420 which we now call the church. 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:16.680 And the church called it the church back then too. 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:20.139 But this renewed people, 00:07:20.539 --> 00:07:23.639 this is what God is up to in the world. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.560 He is making a new people to worship Him, 00:07:27.719 --> 00:07:28.759 to glorify Him, 00:07:28.919 --> 00:07:30.099 to proclaim Him, 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:31.839 to serve Him in the world. 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:36.939 There are four things that we can learn about 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:39.899 this renewed people of God from this passage. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.419 So that's what we're going to explore this morning, 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.099 four of them. 00:07:42.539 --> 00:07:43.759 The first one is, 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:45.899 and as we see in the first couple of verses, 00:07:46.479 --> 00:07:47.839 God's renewed people 00:07:47.839 --> 00:07:50.439 fulfill God's sovereign plan. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:50.920 Okay? 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:56.160 So, this renewed people is a fulfillment of God's plan. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:58.259 The disciples return to Jerusalem, 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.339 both the apostles, 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.980 that is the eleven that are named, 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:01.920 and a lot of others, 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:06.120 as you see there are 120 in verse 15 are mentioned. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:08.779 And they return back to Jerusalem 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:10.480 in obedience to the command, 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:13.159 go back and wait for what God is going to do next. 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:14.100 Right? 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:15.740 And then in verse 16, 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.180 Peter gets up and he says, 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.579 we need to replace Judas. 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:23.000 Now, the first question that we should ask is, 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:23.459 why? 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:26.340 Why do we need to replace Judas? 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:28.360 Well, the reason is 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:30.740 because this renewed people of God 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:32.639 is a fulfillment of a pattern 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.460 that we see in the Old Testament. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.480 So, we're going to do this really quickly. 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:39.820 Go all the way back to Genesis 12. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.899 God comes to a man named Abram 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:42.940 and He makes a promise. 00:08:43.560 --> 00:08:45.080 Abraham, I'm going to make you 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:46.919 the father of a great nation. 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:48.519 Right? 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:50.179 Even though he had no children. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:52.159 Father, I'm going to make you 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:53.620 the father of a great nation 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:54.639 and I'm going to bless you 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:55.500 and through you, 00:08:55.579 --> 00:08:57.219 I'm going to bless the whole world. 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:00.519 This was the beginning of a promise 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:02.419 to make a people for himself. 00:09:03.319 --> 00:09:05.299 And Abraham miraculously had a son 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:07.739 and Isaac had two sons 00:09:07.739 --> 00:09:09.739 and Jacob was the chosen line 00:09:09.739 --> 00:09:11.859 and Jacob had 12 sons. 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:14.579 And Jacob's family was removed to Egypt 00:09:14.579 --> 00:09:15.559 because of a famine 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:18.039 and lived there for 400 years 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:22.199 and became a structure of 12 tribes. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:26.799 12 tribes descended from those 12 sons. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:27.519 Not perfectly. 00:09:27.699 --> 00:09:29.219 We're not going to get into the details of that. 00:09:29.339 --> 00:09:32.500 But this structure of 12 tribes, 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:33.779 this picture of completeness, 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:35.979 this is the whole people of God. 00:09:35.979 --> 00:09:38.519 And when God miraculously saved them 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.899 from slavery in Egypt 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:41.199 and brought them out, 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:42.660 in Exodus 19, 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:43.320 he says, 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.120 I will make you my people 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:48.080 and I will be your God 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.200 if you keep my commandment. 00:09:50.540 --> 00:09:52.740 And then he leads this nation now, 00:09:52.800 --> 00:09:53.900 the nation of Israel, 00:09:54.400 --> 00:09:55.940 out of Egypt 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:59.720 and towards the promised land. 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:01.460 Now, the whole Old Testament 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:03.540 is now a complicated story 00:10:03.540 --> 00:10:05.200 of the people of God 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.980 failing to be the people of God 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:08.180 over and over again, 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:10.099 God continuing to be faithful 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:10.919 to his promise 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:12.120 over and over again. 00:10:12.219 --> 00:10:13.779 But when we see in the history, 00:10:13.959 --> 00:10:14.839 the end of it was 00:10:14.839 --> 00:10:16.659 the unfaithfulness became so great 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:18.459 that God judged the people of God 00:10:18.459 --> 00:10:20.399 by sending them into exile. 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:22.539 And the 12 tribes 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:23.959 who had taken up residence 00:10:23.959 --> 00:10:25.019 in the promised land 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.959 that God had given them 00:10:25.959 --> 00:10:27.659 were removed from that land 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:28.799 and they never returned 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.639 and never were reconstituted. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:33.740 And when you come to the time of Jesus, 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:36.699 the remnant of the people of God, 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.259 the God of Israel, 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.600 had returned to Jerusalem 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:39.720 but they saw, 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.180 they're wondering too, 00:10:41.280 --> 00:10:42.700 God, what are you up to? 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.540 What God is doing 00:10:45.540 --> 00:10:48.120 is creating a renewed people 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.800 for himself. 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:53.300 The 12 disciples of Jesus 00:10:53.300 --> 00:10:55.440 became the 12 apostles 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:58.540 who are the foundation of the church. 00:10:58.780 --> 00:11:00.120 And this is the pattern 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:01.060 where God is saying, 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.100 this is the fulfillment 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:05.139 fulfillment of what I have been up to 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:07.300 from the very beginning. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:10.080 Now, we want to be careful on this 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:12.800 because Tyler mentioned in his prayer, 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.540 but I'll say it again. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:14.920 The apostles, 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.540 the original apostles, 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.139 the 12, 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:19.240 were a unique part in history. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:19.940 Right? 00:11:20.420 --> 00:11:22.080 There are no ongoing apostles 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:23.120 with the same role 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:23.940 and the same authority. 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:24.180 Why? 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.460 Because they were literally 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:27.379 eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.540 And we can't replace them. 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:31.099 But we also see that in Scripture 00:11:31.099 --> 00:11:32.980 that when James the apostle 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:34.399 dies in chapter 12, 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.219 they don't replace him then. 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:38.620 So this is the hinge point 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.659 of the changing 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:41.379 from the Old Testament people of God 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.539 to the New Testament people of God. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:47.639 And there's this sense of fulfillment 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:50.919 in a renewed people of God 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:53.159 based on now something different. 00:11:53.319 --> 00:11:54.539 Not the Old Testament promise 00:11:55.179 --> 00:11:56.519 to Abraham or Carl Moses, 00:11:56.719 --> 00:11:58.480 but those things are fulfilled 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.980 in the person of Christ. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.879 And this new people of God 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.019 is based on the resurrected Christ 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:06.980 and his work of redemption for us. 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:08.860 So this is the big picture. 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.600 I want to make one more note 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.340 before we go on. 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:13.639 Luke is really careful to say 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:15.139 and notice that these, 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:17.060 that this new people of God 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.779 led by the 12 apostles 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:20.740 included both men and women. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:22.460 Now we might think today, 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:24.240 duh, of course, 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.759 that must be true. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:29.460 But in that cultural patriarchal time, 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:31.259 that would have been groundbreaking. 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.120 That would have been, 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.340 for it to be explicit, 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.299 the women were a part of this 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.379 from the very beginning. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.899 Because this is a part 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.340 of the renewed people of God 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:42.299 in a sense where God 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.360 was making sure 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.480 that he had the doors open wide 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.279 for this people to be 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:49.679 for all peoples everywhere, 00:12:49.939 --> 00:12:50.740 men and women 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.840 from every tribe 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.700 and tongue and nation. 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:55.300 There's so much more to say 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:55.980 about that, 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:56.720 but we'll pick it up 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.360 as we go along 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.020 because it's going to be 00:12:58.020 --> 00:12:59.280 a part of the rest 00:12:59.280 --> 00:13:00.060 of the book of Acts. 00:13:00.660 --> 00:13:02.140 This is a beautiful thing. 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:03.480 This is what God is doing, 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:05.320 creating the church 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:07.340 as this unique place 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.440 where his people 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:10.720 are displaying his glory 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.740 in fulfillment 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:13.300 of these Old Testament prophets. 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:15.860 So I want to end this point 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:16.660 by just reading 00:13:16.660 --> 00:13:18.160 from Ephesians chapter 3 00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:19.520 verses 7 through 12 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.699 so you can hear 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.819 how the Apostle Paul 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:23.659 talks about this new people of God. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:24.939 He says this, 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.220 of this gospel 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:27.539 I was made a minister 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.720 according to the gift 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:29.500 of God's grace 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.460 which was given to me 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.699 by the working of his power. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.000 To me, though I am 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.759 the very least 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.860 of all these saints, 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.419 this grace was given 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.019 to preach to the Gentiles 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:39.799 the unsearchable riches of Christ 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:41.360 and to bring to light 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.419 for everyone 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.939 what is the plan 00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:44.720 of the mystery 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.179 hidden for ages in God 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.360 who created all things. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.759 Here's the key part. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:51.559 So that through the church 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:53.899 the manifold wisdom of God 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.679 might now be made known 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.319 to the rulers and authorities 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.399 in the heavenly places. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.720 This was according 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.200 to the eternal purpose 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.819 that he had realized 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:04.500 in Christ Jesus our Lord 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.840 in whom we have boldness 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:07.139 and access with confidence 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.720 through our faith in him. 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:12.819 God said this church 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:14.319 from now on 00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:15.100 is the place 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.480 where I am displaying 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:18.580 my glory in the world. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:20.659 And the church 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.740 hasn't done that perfectly 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.600 by far. 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:24.059 But that is still 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:25.319 God's plan A. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.259 Right? 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:29.159 The gathered people of God 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.279 as we worship here 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:30.720 this morning 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.700 we are a part 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:33.700 of fulfilling this plan 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:34.939 that God has given 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:36.200 to his people. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.960 Not only so that 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.240 God would be worshipped 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.039 but also so that 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.019 he would be made known. 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.299 So we proclaim him. 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.479 we preach 00:14:43.479 --> 00:14:44.659 we share 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:46.759 we live lives 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:49.120 that invite others 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.779 to come 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.419 and see 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.620 who this Jesus is 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.479 and what he's done. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:54.559 This is God's plan A 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.859 for the world. 00:14:56.959 --> 00:14:57.779 So if you're wondering 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:59.659 today 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.179 what's God's plan 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:01.779 for my life? 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:02.759 Well here's one of 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.899 God's plans for your life. 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:04.759 He wants you 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.120 to be a part of his church. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.620 He wants you to find 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.620 your place of service 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.139 and worship 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.720 in it. 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.139 Okay. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.799 Second thing we see 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.799 not only is this 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.740 God's people 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.179 fulfillment 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:17.720 but we also see 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.779 that this renewed people 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.740 are centered 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.840 on God himself. 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:22.299 I just want to pick up 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.279 on verse 14 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:23.980 for a second 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.559 where what we see 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:27.259 is that 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.980 as the people 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.819 gathered together 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:29.799 it says two things 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.259 about them. 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.720 They were with one accord 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:33.519 devoting themselves 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.779 to prayer. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:35.939 Right? 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.539 This was not 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.779 an ultimate frisbee club 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.720 where they came together 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.659 because they like to do 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.799 the same kind of activity. 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:42.279 Right? 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.620 God had gathered them 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.519 around himself 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:48.079 and he is in the center. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.019 And so 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.819 being of one accord 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.620 with people 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.740 remember the disciples 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.480 weren't all from 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.279 the same place. 00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:56.059 Matthew was a tax collector. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.240 Peter was a fisherman. 00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:58.259 Many of them 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.179 were from Galilee 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.679 but not all of them. 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:03.039 And God was bringing 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.019 them together 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:06.259 and calling them 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.139 into a unity. 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:07.860 And again 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.960 we'll see this theme 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.519 play out 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.419 in the book of Acts 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.840 but calling them 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.620 together 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.460 for only one reason 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.919 because they followed 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.360 Jesus 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.360 together. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.120 And friends 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.899 I just have to say 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.419 one of the things 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.899 I love about this church 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.059 is that I feel like 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.220 we taste that 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.259 at least a little bit 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.379 because New Haven 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.699 is a very diverse city 00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:29.460 and when you look 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.240 at who comes here 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.039 on Sunday morning 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.559 like look around. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.379 Do we have things 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:34.820 in common? 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.159 Do we cross paths 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.179 in everyday life? 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.439 Probably not. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.519 Not that much. 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.799 But we gather 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.100 because of Jesus 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:44.340 and we're so glad 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.580 that we have 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.620 this kind of community. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.860 And here's my challenge 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.679 to you this morning. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.759 How do you want to 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.919 how can you be a part 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.600 of this church? 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.159 Well 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.740 one 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.879 you can stay 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.919 for the potluck afterwards. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.620 Two 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.899 you can sit with people 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:58.019 that you don't know 00:16:58.019 --> 00:17:01.019 you can sit with your friend 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.659 and other people 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.240 you don't know 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.440 but sit with people 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.220 you don't know 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.400 and ask them 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.319 about their life. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.640 Ask them about 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:08.559 their faith journey. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.319 Ask them about 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.440 how God has worked 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.079 in their lives. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.799 Spend time this morning 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:16.519 and in the weeks to come 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.759 as you have time 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.599 in fellowship hour 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.700 or however you interact 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.359 in small groups 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.759 or whatever 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.599 find out about 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.740 the other people in God 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:26.099 and become in one accord 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:28.579 over the shared faith 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.099 in Jesus 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.440 that gathers us 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.079 as a church. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.220 So that's my encouragement 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.140 with you about that. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.220 Not only were they 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.740 in one accord 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.680 but they were devoted 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.279 to prayer. 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.099 They seek 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.140 they were seeking 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.940 for the promised 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.200 Holy Spirit to come. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.299 You see at the end 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.940 of this passage 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:45.079 they were seeking 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:47.400 God to lead them 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:48.440 in guidance 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.740 about who they would 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.319 choose to be 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.160 this new apostle. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.400 They lived with a picture 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.259 of a vibrant 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.240 relationship 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.519 with a living God 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.900 who heard their prayers 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.160 and who responded 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.900 to them. 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.940 Friends, we live 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.580 in a world 00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:03.860 where we just 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:05.040 so desperately 00:18:05.040 --> 00:18:05.820 want to be 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.660 self-dependent. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.100 We hate 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.460 depending on other people 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.960 and we don't really 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.620 even like 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.720 depending on God. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.840 But the picture 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:16.380 of the people 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.180 of God here 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.120 is a people 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.120 who have embraced 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.920 the fact that 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.980 of course 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.580 we're dependent 00:18:21.580 --> 00:18:22.100 on God. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.040 This is what 00:18:23.040 --> 00:18:24.180 the gospel tells us 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.080 from the very beginning 00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:26.259 because we need 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.420 Jesus to save us 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:27.820 from sin 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.439 that we can't 00:18:28.439 --> 00:18:29.039 save ourselves 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.419 from. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.679 And if that's 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.519 the foundation 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.359 of how we know 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:32.619 God, 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.799 let's continue 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.259 in that. 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.000 Let's continue 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.700 to be dependent 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.460 on God. 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.519 And as we depend 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.119 on God, 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.359 let us also bring 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:40.859 others, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.919 the people of God 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.879 into our lives 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:44.559 trusting and believing 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.659 that God will use 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.139 them 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:48.200 to help us grow 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.819 in faith 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.480 together. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.859 If you need 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.919 help in your 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:55.480 prayer life, 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:55.960 there are lots 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.379 of good books 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:56.700 out there, 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.279 but I'll just say 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:57.480 one. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:58.599 Paul Miller's 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:58.819 book, 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.720 A Praying Life, 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:01.000 is a wonderful 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.379 book. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.720 It's very real, 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.700 it's practical, 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.920 it will help 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.559 you develop 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.299 a plan 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.240 so that you 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.539 can be purposeful 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.920 to create 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.740 a discipline 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.399 of prayer 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.319 because the 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.759 discipline 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.420 of prayer 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.220 will help 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.779 shape your 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.279 heart 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.339 in the 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.639 spontaneousness 00:19:17.639 --> 00:19:18.440 of a real 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.480 prayer relationship 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.200 with God. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.519 The other thing 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:21.980 I'll say 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.579 is in two weeks 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.099 there's a 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.859 women's conference. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.440 Do you know 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.000 what the topic 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.619 is going to be? 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.759 Prayer. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.799 What a great 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.220 thing. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.039 If you're a 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.440 woman here, 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.379 please sign up 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:31.859 and go. 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.839 We'd love for you 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.740 to join there. 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.099 And finally, 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.399 if you're wondering 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.319 what do I pray, 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.059 well, 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.200 I'm going to read 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.859 Paul's prayer 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.379 from the book 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:40.960 of Ephesians 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.460 for you 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.339 just as an 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.079 example of how 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.740 you can pray 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.619 for yourself 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.460 and for others. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.799 Paul says this 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.759 in Ephesians 1 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.480 verse 16 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.200 through 23. 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.059 I do not 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.680 cease to give 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.380 thanks for you 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.120 remembering you 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.880 in my prayers 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.960 that the God 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.440 of our Lord 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.180 Jesus Christ, 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.900 the Father of 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.160 glory, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.940 may give you 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.500 the spirit 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.000 of wisdom 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.279 and of revelation 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.980 in the knowledge 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.400 of him. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.880 Having the eyes 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.480 of your heart 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:02.980 enlightened 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.640 that you may 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.819 know what 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.620 is the hope 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.200 to which he 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.900 has called you, 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.900 what are the 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.840 riches of his 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:10.039 glorious inheritance 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.860 in the saints, 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.259 and what is the 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.460 immeasurable greatness 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.620 of his power 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.380 towards us 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.100 who believe 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.219 according to 00:20:17.219 --> 00:20:17.759 the working 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.740 of his great 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.059 might that he 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.980 worked in Christ 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.759 when he raised 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.480 him from the dead 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.339 and seated him 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.299 in his right hand 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.299 in the heavenly 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.500 places far above 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.339 all rule and 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.219 authority and power 00:20:28.219 --> 00:20:28.939 and dominion 00:20:28.939 --> 00:20:30.039 and above every 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:31.000 name that is named 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.839 not only in this 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.699 age but also 00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.699 in the one to come 00:20:33.699 --> 00:20:34.919 and he put all 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.859 things under his 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.939 feet and gave him 00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.819 his head over 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.819 all things to the 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.839 church which is 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.359 his body, 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.259 the fullness of 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.919 him who fills 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.879 all in all. 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.299 Friends, 00:20:44.459 --> 00:20:45.459 pray this that 00:20:45.459 --> 00:20:45.919 you may know 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.480 the hope 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.360 and the riches 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:48.100 of the inheritance 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:49.360 and the power 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:50.300 of God at work 00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:51.100 in you that you 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.060 may know Christ 00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:54.539 in all of his 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.420 exalted glory. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.660 Okay, 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.660 so what have we 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.320 seen so far? 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.880 God's people are 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.779 fulfillment of his 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.320 promises. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.860 God's people are 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:06.019 centered on Christ. 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.080 We move through 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:07.900 the passage in 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.779 verses 16 through 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.600 20, we see that 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.900 God's people are 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:13.060 preserved despite 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:15.259 human sin by God. 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.099 God's people are 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.200 right? 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.000 Look with me again 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.819 in verses 16 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.259 through 20. 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.140 Peter stands up 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.539 and he says, 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.220 hey, we need to 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.920 fulfill, we need to 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.500 fill this role that 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.839 Judas has abdicated, 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.400 right? 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.319 He had this role as 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.799 an apostle. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.319 He was deeply 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.640 involved with us, 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.019 right? 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:32.119 He was involved in 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:32.559 our ministry. 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.539 He was counted as 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.000 our number. 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.480 Remember, thinking 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.279 back into the 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.339 gospels, he was 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.460 called by Jesus. 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.960 Jesus knew who he 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.220 was. 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.140 He called him in. 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:42.180 He walked with 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.320 him. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.340 He discipled him. 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:44.580 He entrusted 00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:45.440 things to him. 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:47.960 Judas was fully 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.000 engaged as a 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.080 disciple, as a 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:51.200 follower of Christ. 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.680 And with his 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.800 betrayal, one of the 00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.820 questions that the 00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:55.640 early church had to 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.940 ask was, God, can 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:59.660 we trust one 00:21:59.660 --> 00:21:59.900 another? 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.180 Can we trust you to 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.960 do this? 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:03.620 Right? 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.420 Because it was a 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:07.580 crisis that one of 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:09.259 Jesus' 12 disciples 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:12.059 had betrayed him and 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.759 had led the 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.940 authorities so that 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.740 they could arrest 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.680 him and ultimately 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.859 crucify him. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.759 So this is one of 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.200 the questions. 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.180 Peter's saying, hey, 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.119 we need to replace 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.319 him. 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:22.920 And then do you 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.640 notice in verses 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:25.119 18 and 19, there's 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.759 a parenthesis? 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.259 This is because it 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.379 seems very clear this 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.220 was not a part of 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.859 Peter's sermon. 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.779 Luke, the author of 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.519 the Acts, is 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.359 interjecting, oh, by 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.299 the way, do you 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.859 know what happened 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.379 to Judas? 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.400 In case you're 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.379 wondering, because 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.059 everyone in 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.819 Jerusalem knows 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:42.159 this, he died. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.039 Right? 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:44.079 Now, there are two 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.679 different accounts. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.299 There's one in 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.579 Matthew 27 and 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.279 there's one here. 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.259 They emphasize 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.819 different details. 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.700 I don't think 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.379 they're contradictory. 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.599 We can get into 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.519 that another time if 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.099 you want to ask me 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.539 about it. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.919 But they emphasize 00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.799 different details. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.779 But it's very clear 00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.659 that the end of it 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:01.319 is that his acts 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.960 of wickedness led 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.159 to his destruction. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.079 Matthew tells us 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.779 that he hanged 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.200 himself. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:12.019 Luke here describes 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.299 that after hanging 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.359 himself, his body 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.279 hung there for so 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.839 long that it 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.919 decomposed and fell 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:17.279 apart. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.799 And that the place 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.599 where he died 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:22.539 was an accursed 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.559 place because they 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.839 knew that this was 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.539 a place where 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.700 condemnation and 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:28.359 judgment, a just 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.940 result for Judas' 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.639 betrayal, had 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.079 happened. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:35.579 Peter goes on. 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:38.980 In verse 20, he 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.099 says, okay, so 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.480 that's what 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.179 happened to Judas. 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.859 But now, Peter 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.639 says, we must 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:47.039 fulfill what God 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.679 knew was going to 00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.319 happen anyway, 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:48.799 right? 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.659 Because in verse 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:50.579 20, he ends up 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.819 quoting two psalms. 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:52.980 And they're psalms 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.519 from the Old 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.899 Testament. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.740 They're psalms of 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.279 David. 00:23:55.699 --> 00:23:56.519 And they're psalms 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.879 David crying out 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:58.680 to the Lord about 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.720 his enemies, the 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:01.440 people who stood 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.680 up against the 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:04.039 anointed king of 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.500 Israel. 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:06.059 And he's praying 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.139 for God's work, 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:07.920 right? 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.099 And the first 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:11.099 one is that 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:14.619 this man, that the 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.660 enemy's camp would 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:17.099 be made desolate and 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.799 no one would live 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.539 there, right? 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.599 And then the second 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.720 one is that he would 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.519 be removed and 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.079 replaced. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.659 Christ, okay? 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.519 Now, I could have 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.099 preached a whole 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.619 sermon on the use of 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.139 the Old Testament 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:28.599 and the New. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.460 I'm not going to do 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:29.960 that today. 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:31.000 We'll talk about that 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.839 a lot throughout the 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.299 book of Acts. 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.759 But for here, what I 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.679 want you to see is 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:36.839 that Peter's saying 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:39.579 God knew that Judas 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.439 was going to do what 00:24:40.439 --> 00:24:41.220 he was going to do. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:43.740 Jesus knew that 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.659 God was going to, 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:45.859 that Judas was going 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.419 to do what Judas 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:48.079 did. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:51.460 And God 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.559 sovereignly 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.460 oversaw 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:57.079 the work of 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:58.599 redemption despite 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:00.019 the human sinfulness 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.319 that happened, 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.819 right? 00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:07.139 So rather than 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:08.559 fearing that God 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.460 would keep his 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.599 promises, Paul 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:11.779 reminds his people 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:13.119 God knew that this 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.759 was going to happen 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.079 from the very start. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.079 Jesus promised 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:18.000 that God, that he 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.779 would build his 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.420 church and the 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.220 gates of hell would 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.279 not stand against 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.539 it. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.480 No human sin can 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:26.119 thwart the work of 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.680 God. 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.940 Now look, as a 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.960 church, this never 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.359 excuses our human 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.799 sinfulness. 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.420 We never say, oh, 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.240 well, it's okay 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.019 because God's 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.539 sovereign so it 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.059 doesn't matter. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.940 I can sin all I 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.160 want. 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.980 That is, if you're 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.839 thinking that way, 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.740 you come see me 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.000 afterwards. 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.720 We'll talk about it. 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.460 But that is so far 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.019 from the biblical 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.460 picture. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.480 But what it is 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.099 saying is that 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.400 despite the reality 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.420 of human sin, 00:25:49.280 --> 00:25:50.700 God is at work 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:52.580 accomplishing his 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.500 work of redemption 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.660 to redeem a people 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.720 for himself. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.380 And so, you'll see 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.920 that this is exactly 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.860 what Peter says 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.540 when he preaches 00:26:00.540 --> 00:26:01.620 the gospel in 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.660 Pentecost in the 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.400 next chapter of 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.620 Acts. 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.600 So in Acts 2, 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.259 22 through 24, 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.259 Peter will say 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.640 this, 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.780 Men of Israel, 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.800 hear these words. 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:11.220 Jesus of Nazareth, 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:12.259 a man attested 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.340 to you by God 00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:14.200 with mighty works 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.279 and wonders and 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.380 signs that God 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.220 did through him 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.940 in your midst. 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:19.140 As you yourselves 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.759 know, this Jesus 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:22.500 delivered up according 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:24.340 to the definite plan 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.620 and foreknowledge of 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:27.519 God, you crucified 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:29.319 and killed by the 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.900 hands of lawless men. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.880 Do you see that? 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:36.120 Together, God 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:37.420 ordained it and 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.580 sovereignly ruled 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.680 over it at the same 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:41.660 time that godless 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:43.279 men, lawless men, 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:45.980 did the most unjust 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.940 thing that has ever 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.600 happened in the 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:50.320 world, the crucifixion 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.420 of Jesus Christ. 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:55.940 So this is a part 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.420 of what God is doing 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.720 through his people, 00:26:58.820 --> 00:26:59.980 is accomplishing his 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.880 plan even through 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:03.880 human sin. 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:07.040 And friend, again, 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.320 isn't this true 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.740 because of the gospel 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.000 that we believe in? 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.200 Right? 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:15.000 That Jesus 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:17.279 Christ was 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.880 wronged in his 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:20.440 accusation, in his 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.980 judgment, in his 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.880 crucifixion. 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:25.240 It was all human 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.700 sin. 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:27.000 And yet it was 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:29.100 exactly God's 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:30.660 plan that he would 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:33.320 suffer unjustly so 00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:35.220 that he might be our 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.759 redeemer. 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.900 Because we deserve to 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.980 suffer justly. 00:27:39.580 --> 00:27:40.580 And Jesus took our 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.039 place. 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:43.759 And so if we have a 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.319 problem with God 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:48.099 wrestling with, as we 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:49.139 wrestle with, like, how 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:50.919 can God, who is just, 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.319 work in an unjust 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.220 world, how does he 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.939 work this out? 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.799 Friends, look to the 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:58.019 cross where justice and 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.099 mercy meet. 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.299 And wrestle with the 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:03.699 problem of evil based on 00:28:03.699 --> 00:28:04.879 that perspective. 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.419 And I'd love to talk to 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.159 you more about it. 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:08.200 Okay. 00:28:09.300 --> 00:28:10.500 Fourth thing. 00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:13.040 We've seen God 00:28:13.040 --> 00:28:14.040 fulfill this promise. 00:28:14.800 --> 00:28:16.380 We've seen God's people 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.900 centered on him. 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.580 We've seen God 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:21.779 preserving his people, his 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.259 church, despite human 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.740 sinfulness. 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.820 And finally, God's 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:27.560 people are called to be 00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:28.759 witnesses to the 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.940 resurrected Jesus. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.460 This is what we see in 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:33.000 verses 21 through 26. 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:34.700 We finally get to the 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.480 action point. 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.720 Peter's preached a 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.460 sermon saying, hey, we 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.819 have to do this, and 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.700 then how are we going to 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.079 do this? 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.680 Well, what are some 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.220 criteria? 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.960 They have to have seen 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.440 and been with Jesus. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.660 They had to have been 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.640 with Jesus from the 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.839 start so they knew who 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:50.519 he was, so they'd heard 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.539 his teaching and could 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.559 represent it again. 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:54.019 They had to be those who 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.900 witnessed his 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:56.740 resurrection or witnessed 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.500 the resurrection, 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.940 resurrected Jesus, so 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.920 that they could testify, 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:03.300 as we read earlier in 00:29:03.300 --> 00:29:04.420 1 John, what we have 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.820 seen with our eyes, what 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:07.180 we have heard, what we 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.980 have touched, we know 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:11.320 this is real, right? 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.539 So we have to replace 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.700 someone because these 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.279 apostles were going to 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:18.440 be the foundation of the 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.960 new church, right? 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:22.019 They had to represent 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:23.320 Jesus in his teaching. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.840 They had to speak about 00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:25.880 his life and death and 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.860 resurrection because 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:29.620 their teaching became the 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.860 core of the church. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:32.640 And it was then laid out 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:34.340 in the scriptures for us 00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:35.320 so that the New Testament 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:37.259 account that we have is 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:39.900 based on eyewitness accounts 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.259 of those who had seen 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:43.600 Jesus, right? 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.880 And this is the ongoing 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:47.480 witness then of the church, 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.460 right? 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:50.320 I haven't, I didn't see 00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:51.620 Jesus physically raised 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:54.259 from the dead, but I can 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.940 proclaim this because this 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.420 is a trustworthy witness. 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:59.160 And that's what the 00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.240 apostles were doing. 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.800 And that's why it's so 00:30:01.800 --> 00:30:03.660 important to have replaced 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.980 someone like this. 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:08.940 And so, as, and again, 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.380 we're setting up, chapter 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.860 two is really exciting in 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.160 Acts. 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:12.960 They're great. 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:14.519 God does amazing things, 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:14.720 right? 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:16.120 So this is the setup. 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:17.900 The people are being set up 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:20.500 in place to receive what God 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:22.340 has next for them, right? 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:25.179 So they sought God in prayer. 00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:26.779 God, which one are you going 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.159 to choose? 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:29.839 Now, they cast lots, right? 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:31.579 And this is a fascinating thing, 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.819 but do you notice how they 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.619 talked about it? 00:30:34.179 --> 00:30:35.619 Casting lots was not like, 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.980 oh, this is a game of chance. 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.199 I wonder which guy's going to 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.779 get picked. 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.639 No, because they saw that God 00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.659 was in the middle of it from 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:43.480 the very beginning. 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.839 God, who have you chosen? 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.699 Who have you chosen and 00:30:48.699 --> 00:30:50.059 selected, right? 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:52.379 They considered men who met 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:54.220 the criteria, and then they 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.659 cast lots. 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.799 And casting lots literally 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.039 is probably like a bunch of 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:58.579 marked stones in a bag, and 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.339 they reached in and pulled 00:30:59.339 --> 00:30:59.679 one out. 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.259 You know, that's probably as 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.859 simple as it looked. 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.940 But they believed that God 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.720 was sovereignly active in 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:07.039 that, and that he had 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:08.659 already prepared someone, and 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.759 that Matthias was the one 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:11.919 who was picked, right? 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:16.039 And so, this is how God 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:19.839 works for them to fulfill the 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:21.379 twelve again, so that they 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:23.359 can play their apostolic role. 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:27.139 And you see in verse 25, it 00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.459 repeats this, right? 00:31:28.959 --> 00:31:31.220 To take the place in this 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:33.799 ministry and apostleship from 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:35.299 which Judas turned aside. 00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:37.519 This is the role that the 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.240 apostles had. 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:39.480 The ministry, that is, they 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:41.419 were going to serve God and 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:43.839 serve his people by teaching 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.519 and proclaiming and bearing 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.939 witness to the people of God. 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:48.920 And they were apostles, meaning 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:50.460 they were sent ones. 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:52.580 They had a particular role and 00:31:52.580 --> 00:31:54.740 a particular job that then 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:56.340 become a pattern for the 00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:59.480 church that follows them to 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:01.180 continue in. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:03.320 That the church is called to be 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:05.420 those who serve one another, 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:08.160 serve God, and serve the world. 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:10.299 We are meant to be sent into 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:12.660 the world as followers of Jesus 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.840 to do what? 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:16.600 To proclaim the resurrected 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.460 Jesus. 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:20.940 This is what the church is 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:23.880 meant to do, bearing witness to 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:26.759 the life-saving power of the 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.200 gospel. 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:32.600 So, friends, let me close with 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:35.600 the words of Peter as he wraps 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.940 up some of these things and puts 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:38.560 it in a different language in 1 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:40.759 Peter 2, 9 and 10. 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.500 He says this, 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:45.859 But you are a chosen race, a 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:47.759 royal priesthood, a holy nation, 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:50.179 a people for his own possession. 00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:51.740 Why? 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.599 So that you may proclaim the 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:56.359 excellencies of him who called 00:32:56.359 --> 00:32:58.220 you out of darkness into his 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.359 marvelous light. 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:02.159 Once you were not a people, but 00:33:02.159 --> 00:33:04.259 now you are God's people. 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:06.220 Once you had not received 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:08.860 mercy, but now you have 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.839 received mercy. 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:13.700 Friends, what is God doing in 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.039 the world? 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.539 He's building his church. 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.039 What is the church called to 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.319 do? 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:20.039 To declare the excellencies of 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:21.360 him who called us out of 00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:22.600 darkness into light. 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.240 Not because we are great, 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:26.120 because we are nothing, but 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:27.420 because he is great, because 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:29.160 he is everything, and he has 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:30.500 done everything in the 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:32.440 resurrected Christ for us to 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:34.420 know him and to be his people 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:36.660 and to represent him until he 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.060 returns. 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:38.100 Let's pray together. 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.580 Lord, we thank you for your 00:33:40.580 --> 00:33:40.860 word. 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:44.779 We pray that you will help us, 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:47.980 help us, Lord, to internalize 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:51.940 your plan for your people, 00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:54.400 that it might become our plan for 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.180 our lives. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:58.860 By your Holy Spirit, Lord, fill us. 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:02.160 Lord, if there are those here this 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:03.720 morning who are wondering about 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:05.279 the resurrection of Christ, I 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.660 pray that you would help them, 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:08.960 help them to become convinced 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:12.440 and certain that because you 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:14.059 were raised from the dead, Lord, 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:15.860 all of your redemptive work is 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:17.559 real and is for us. 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.680 And, Lord, that you would show us 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:23.820 your great love so that we may 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:29.000 come to know that love in faith in 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.239 you. 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.460 Lord, be with us, we pray. 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:33.400 In Jesus' name, amen.