Discerning God’s Will 10.11.20 SERIES: “The Book of Acts”

NEW SERIES: “The Book of Acts”
TEXT: Acts 1:12-26 
MESSAGE: “Discerning God’s Will”
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Learning to discern God’s Will comes through…
  1. Seeking God Collectively (v. 12-14)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

“Jack Miller talks about the difference between “maintenance” and “frontline” prayer meetings. Maintenance prayer meetings are short, mechanical, and totally focused on physical, personal needs inside the church. But frontline prayer has three basic traits: A request for grace to confess sins and humble ourselves; a compassion and zeal for the flourishing of the church; and a yearning to know God, to see his face, to see his glory.” — Timothy Keller (Kingdom Centered Prayer)

  1. Seeing Through Scripture (v. 15-16)
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”
 
  1. Stepping In Obedience (v. 21-26)
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
TAKEAWAYS: 3 takeaway questions
  • How’s your prayer life?
  • Are you seeing life through God’s Word?
  • What’s the next step God is asking you to take?
“…believers can recognize that none of their troubles take God by surprise, and none will derail his purpose of making things right for those who faithfully love him.” – Tremper Longman III
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” — Isaiah 53:10

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