Making Decisions

Making Decisions

Acts 1:15-26

Good morning,

I read a post on a question board the other day that said…

“I have come to a crossroads in my life involving several big decisions in regard to my dating relationship, career, and where I live.

Typical advice involves “going to God and asking him”, which I have done, but I am still just as lost as to where I should go and what I should do.

My question is, when we ask God for advice, how does He answer our questions?

One person answered, “I believe that God puts desires in our hearts and gifts us with things, and we are free to make decisions on what we want to do.

I have learned how to discern God‘s voice in my life over the years so I know when it’s Him and I know when it’s not.”

Please open your Bibles to Acts 1, as continue in that study.

Last week we learned that the Ascension of Jesus is important for many reasons including that it signified the completion of His earthly ministry.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance to the Christian faith because it proves Jesus’ supreme authority over His Church and creation.

As soon as the two men or angels were done speaking with the Disciples, they did what Jesus had told them to do, to wait for the promise from the Father, i/e., the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, the promise keeper, promised us He was going back to the Father to prepare a place for us. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit who would empower us, and that He would be with us.

We also learned when the Church members use their gifts, it causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Now today, we will learn how the Disciples wanted to find a replacement for Judas Iscariot as the 12th Apostle.

I. Fulfilled prophecy.

Read Acts 1:15-17

120 people were waiting in the upper room and Peter spoke.

Notice, “And in those days”. There were ten days between the Ascension of Christ and the Day of Pentecost when the 120 followers of Christ received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Peter began his plea to the other Apostles to choose a Twelfth Apostle, by proclaiming what Judas did, was actually known by the LORD, 1000 years before it happened.

Judas Iscariot was famously remembered for betraying Jesus.

Judas, as one of the original Apostles, lived with and ministered next to Jesus for the three years of His earthly ministry.

Do you remember the narrative of Mary wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair after she poured expensive perfume on them?

John 12:3 Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

John 12:4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said,

John 12:5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. NKJV

Money was important to Judas, and remember, he betrayed Jesus for “thirty silver coins”.

But Jesus knew what Judas Iscariot would do before he ever betrayed Him.

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"

John 6:71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. NKJV

During the Last Supper, we are told…

John 13:26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

John 13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." NKJV

Notice, “Became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”

After Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in John 17, we then read.

John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.

John 18:2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.

John 18:3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?"