How To Know God's Will In Minstry Or Establish A Ministry Series

HOW TO KNOW GOD’S WILL IN MINISTRY OR ESTABLISH A MINISTRY

Acts 1:12-14

INTRODUCTION:

A. Today we have so many programs to “establish” ministries

1. In Evangelism: GROW, Faith, Share Jesus Without Fear

2. Sunday School: The Winning Spirit

3. Stewardship: Encouraging the Heart

4. Missions: WMU

5. Youth: It

6. Children: Team Kid, AWANA

B. Folks, I have not even begun to scratch the surface of “Programs” that are available

1. I often have thought, “What did the first century church do without programs?”

2. I ask this question when things don’t seem to be going anywhere and I give myself a very sarcastic answer – “MINISTRY!”

3. But folks, programs are not the problem or answers – they are tools.

4. It is first and foremost about the heart!

C. Ministries should begin, not because of a new fangled program that has hit the market, but rather because they have been born out of a heart set on the Lord.

1. As we read our passage for this morning I am glad that Jesus did not give the disciples of the early church a “program” packaged, sealed, and ready.

a. He did give them a commission found in Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

b. He gave this to them before He ascended back to His heavenly Father.

2. But he gave them something else to do in the intervening days between His ascension and the beginning of their ministries.

D. Look at our passage Acts 1:12-14 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. [13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. [14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

1. As we think about what the Lord would have us to do we would do well to follow the disciples actions. Notice three things from our text

a. They Waited on the Lord

b. They Had Unity in the Lord

c. They Prayed to the Lord

2. This action provided the perfect soil for the seed of ministry that would be planted in just 10 days following Christ’s ascension. May we learn from their example.

PRAY

As we seek to know God’s will, for instance land, or in starting a ministry we should purpose in our hearts that we will not move ahead of the Lord but be willing to

I. WAIT ON THE LORD, Acts 1:12-13a Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. [13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room,…

A. The Setting

1. Jesus has just ascended back to His heavenly Father (v. 9)

2. Jesus is no longer present with them

3. All they presently have concerning Jesus are memories and words – words that He had spoken to them, many of which they still did not understand at this point.

4. So after the awe of Christ ascension had worn off a little bit they headed back to Jerusalem, a walk of about ½ to ¾ of a mile and went to an upper room.

B. Just before the Lord left them He had given them a command: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. Acts 1:4

1. It is interesting to me that the Lord did not tell them to “Get out there and do something!”

- You should know that God is not interested in us getting out there and doing Something.” (hold that thought)

2. In context the Lord had told them to wait for the Holy Spirit because the Spirit would empower them to do the ministry God had for them – in other words the Spirit would lead them in what the Lord wanted them to do!

3. As I bring this message to you I want us to understand that we must wait on the Holy Spirit to speak to us, direct us and guide us.

- We don’t just need to do something, we need to do the Lord’s will!

4. This was the purpose of the disciples waiting on and at the Lords commands!