Decision Making And The Will Of God Series

Perhaps you are contemplating ending your life right now. Please hold on to these three truths:

• There is hope. The Bible says hope gets the last word.

• There is love. On your worst day, God still loves you more than you can imagine.

• There is community. We are here to help.

Whatever you’re going through, remember this: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation. God never wants us to end our lives prematurely. With the help of God and others, you can get through whatever you’re facing. Please come up and talk to me or another pastor after the service.

In verse 20, Peter pinpoints two passages from Psalms which show how Judas fulfilled prophecy and how they must fill his vacant position: “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and ‘Let another take his office.’”

Back in John 13:18 on the night of the Passover, Jesus informed His disciples that one of them would betray Him by quoting Psalm 41:9: “He who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me.” This psalm of David was written after Ahithophel who was David’s counselor, betrayed him by joining the rebellion led by David’s son Absalom (see 2 Samuel 17). When Ahithophel realized the revolt would fail, he went home and hanged himself. Both Judas and Ahithophel had trusted positions; both betrayed their leader and both men hanged themselves.

By staying in the Scriptures, Peter gives them a framework to understand what happened and what they should do now. The Bible gives both an explanation of what happened and how to move forward.

Brothers and sisters, during a time of waiting, make sure you stay in the Scriptures. BTW, this Thursday is “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” If you’re a student we’re encouraging you to bring your Bible to school on October 3 and look for ways to have gospel conversations.

The plan for making decisions is to obey, pray and stay in the Scriptures. That leads to the fourth directive – God will make a way!

4. God will make a way. I want to acknowledge the help I received from another pastor’s insight into verses 21-26. These verses help us to see the process the first church went through to make decisions.

• Describe the need. In verses 21-22 Peter establishes the importance of replacing Judas: “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.” Since Jesus had chosen 12 apostles and had promised they would one day sit on 12 thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28), it was important to fill this office. On top of that, Peter had just quoted from Psalm 109:8 which predicts someone would replace Judas.

Peter then lists three qualifications for a true apostle.

1. He must have been with Christ from the beginning.

2. The apostles must know him.

3. Since the resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith, he must be a first-hand witness of Jesus being alive. Christianity is true because it is based on true facts of history.