Filling The Void-1 Series

D—SETTING the STAGE for the SPIRIT

FILLING THE VOID-I—Acts 1:15-26

Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot.

A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed.

A void in leadership/the ranks creates a vacuum which must be removed.

When must a void in position/leadership be removed?

1—A void in leadership must be removed as....

BURDEN Demands It(:15-16)

Explanation:(:15-16)

:15—“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred & twenty), & said,”

Peter saw a need & acted on it.

*He Sought to set things right....

....Rather than being satisfied w/status quo.

:16—“Men & brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;”

“Fulfilled”—plhrow—To make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full; To render full, i.e. to complete.

Argumentation:

2Tim. 3:16-17—“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Isa. 13:1, 15:1; 17:1; 19:1;21:1;21:11;21:13—The burden against....Babylon, Moab, Damascus, Egypt, the Wilderness of the Sea, Dumah, Arabia, the Valley of Vision, Tyre, the beasts of the South, etc.

Jer. 20:7-9—“O LORD, You induced me, & I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, & have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, “Violence & plunder!” Because the word of the LORD was made to me A reproach & a derision daily. Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.”

Illustration:

Junk-filled yard/You might be redneck if...you mow the frontyard & find a car on blocks/BURDEN Demands It

Giving poor people your trash/What should we really do?/Give them something they can use!—NOT what makes you feel better!/BURDEN Demands It

Not let it proceed any further

Application:

?Your BURDEN demand leadership from the Lord?

?You Removing the Void with God’s leadership?

2—A void in leadership must be removed as....

VACUUM Demands it(:16-17)

Explanation:(:16-17) Emptiness

:16—“Men & brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;”

“Guide”—odhgov—A leader of the way, a guide; A teacher of the ignorant & inexperienced. From two words meaning—a leader to the way, road or course.

“Arrested”—sullambanw—To seize, take one as a prisoner; To conceive(of a woman); To seize for one’s self.

:17—“for he was numbered with us & obtained a part in this ministry.”

“Obtained/Received”—lagcanw—To obtain by lot; To cast lots, determine by lot.

—Jesus chose Judas & it was Jesus’ intention that Judas rise above his fears & desires to enter into saving belief in Christ....

—Judas had an equal part in or in other words, an equal opportunity to serve as did the other eleven. Judas’ part in the apostolic ministry was afforded him ‘by lot’ or choice aside from merit!

*You will never sense the BURDEN if you don’t feel the VACUUM!

Argumentation:

1Cor. 12:24-27—“....But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, & members individually.”

Heb. 10:23-25—“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love & good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, & so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

1Sam. 3:1—“Then the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

Lam. 2:9—“Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed & broken her bars. Her king & her princes are among the nations; The Law is no more, And her prophets find no vision from the LORD.”

Amos 8:11-13—““Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to & fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it. “In that day the fair virgins And strong young men Shall faint from thirst.”