IMPORTANT PREPARATIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Part 2
Acts 1:12-14
Over the last couple of weeks we have examined certain precautions that we must take concerning our future Christian ministry. Along with these precautions, there are some preparations that we must make as well. I would like to look to Acts 1:12-14 and consider “Some Important Preparations for Christian Ministry”. These verses show us that:
1. We Must Be Obedient
2. We Must Be Unified
3. We Must Be Prayerful
4. We Must Be Steadfast
- If we will do these things then we can be successful in our efforts concerning Christian ministry. Let’s begin with the fact that:
I. WE MUST BE OBEDIENT
v12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
The Disciples had received a clear command from the Savior; there was no doubt as to what He would have them do with the rest of their lives. These men were obedient to His command and the Church has been blessed as a result. The Apostles journeyed about 1/2 of a mile from the Mount of Olives, through the Kidron Valley back to Jerusalem. Luke says that this was “a Sabbath day’s journey”. This does not mean that it took the entire Sabbath to make this trip; it refers to the fact that this was the greatest distance a Jew would travel on the Sabbath day.
In verse 4, Jesus commanded the Disciples “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father”. That is exactly what they did; they returned to Jerusalem and remained there until the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost. As they waited, they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication”
The Apostles were faithful and obedient and God used them to accomplish great things for His glory. If we want to be ready for our future ministry, we must be obedient to the direction that Jesus has given us in His Word.
- Not only were the Disciples obedient they were unified. This is vital to the success of any church, ours included. This leads us to the fact that:
II. WE MUST BE UNIFIED
v13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son 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 brothers.
When the followers of Christ arrived in Jerusalem, they returned to the upper room where they were staying. Gathered in the upper room was Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the less, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. Along with them were Mary and the half-brothers of the Lord Jesus. This assembly likely included Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, the sisters Mary and Martha, and Salome and possibly some of the apostles’ wives. It is interesting to note who was there and who was not present. This is the fourth (and final) time that the Lord’s Disciples are listed. On this occasion there is one notable omission, Judas Iscariot was not there. As the Disciples gathered waiting on the arrival of the Holy Spirit, Judas was in Hell! This reminds us that just because someone is numbered with the Disciples that doesn’t mean that they are genuine followers of Christ.
There are also some interesting additions to the congregation of Christ followers; Luke tells us that the brothers of the Lord were present. Mark 6:3 identifies these men as James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. Before the Resurrection, the half-brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him. (John 7:5). We are not given the details but something convinced these men that Jesus was the Messiah and they came to believe in Him. In fact, James eventually became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. This shows us that there is hope of salvation for those who do not currently belong to the Lord. Luke declares that as these believers were gathered together in “one accord”.
This phrase, which is found 11 times in the Book of Acts, is made up of two words that mean “same” and “mind.” The phrase speaks of people sharing the same mind or thinking like-mindedly. It does not refer to people who all think and feel the same way about everything, but to people who set aside personal feelings and commit themselves to one task—in this case witnessing to others about the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color (p. 6722). Thomas Nelson.)
Unity was an important part of the success of the early church and it is vital to the success of the church today. We are blessed to experience great unity within our assembly. This is pleasing to God and it is something that He expects from His people. Jesus said to the Disciples “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
If we are to be successful in our future ministry, we must possess love and unity. Moreover, we cannot take for granted the unity that we possess; for this is something that the Enemy will seek to destroy if given the chance. If Satan can sow seeds of discord within this assembly, He certainly will. Therefore, we must never let our guard down. If we are to be successful in our future ministry, we must possess love and unity.
- Like the early church, we must be obedient, we must be unified and:
III. WE MUST BE PRAYERFUL
v14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
These faithful followers of Christ spent their time waiting on the Holy Spirit in constant prayer. This was not just something they did to pass the time waiting on the Holy Spirit. Prayer was a key element of the early church. All throughout this book you will see great things happening when God’s people pray together.
In Acts 1:24 the church prayed before choosing leaders.
In Acts 4:29 after facing persecution the Apostles prayed for boldness.
This prayer was answered - Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
In Acts 6-7 the Church prayed before choosing leaders and their prayer was answered and the church grew daily.
In Acts 12 the Church prayed for Peter (who was facing a death sentence) and he was miraculously released from prison.
In Acts 13 the Church prayed before setting aside Paul & Barnabas as missionaries and church planters and God answered that prayer and the church grew as a result.
In Acts 16 Paul & Silas prayed at midnight in prison and God did amazing work that resulted in the conversion of their prison guard and his entire household.
Throughout Acts there are many other examples of the power of a praying church.
If we truly want to be prepared for our future ministry for the Lord, then we must spend time together in prayer, seek God will and His blessing, and be in constant communication with Him. We can be assured that if we will pray He will answer. If we pray in unity, He will fill us with His spirit and move in a mighty way. If we will be obedient, unified and fervent in prayer then God can use us to influence this world for Christ. Amazing things will happen when God’s people pray together.
On the other hand, when we fail to pray, we are telling God that we don’t need Him. We are essentially saying we can do this on our own. When we have this mindset, trouble is imminent! The unity, obedience and prayer of the early church was a prelude to Pentecost. If we will be obedient, unified and prayerful, it may be the prelude to revival in this assembly!
- Along with obedience, unity and prayer, the early church was steadfast; they were committed and consistent. This leads us to the fact that:
IV. WE MUST BE STEADFAST
v14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
The actions of those in the early church were not temporary, they continued to be obedient, they continued to be unified and they continued in prayer. These Believers did not know how long it would be before the Holy Spirit would come upon them. Regardless, they returned to Jerusalem and waited in prayer until that promise was fulfilled.
I am excited about the future of this church, I feel like God is preparing us for something great; but it may not happen next week, next month or even next year. God’s timeline rarely lines up with our own, but we can be assured that His plan will be accomplished in His chosen timeframe. We must surrender to Him and remain faithful until the time that He sees fit to move. We must also realize that God is currently working among us in ways that we cannot see or understand. Therefore, we must be patient, devoted and steadfast until that time. We should be faithful to focus on the Kingdom, share the Gospel with the lost, disciple those that we have, and trust God to bring the increase!
- God has a plan for the future ministry of this church, and this plan involves some precautions:
1. We Must Not Be Distracted By The Unknown
2. We Must Not Forget The Source Of Our Power
3. We Must Not Neglect Our Responsibility
4. We Must Not Lose Our Focus
- For us to be the church that God would have us to be there are not only some precautions, there are also some important preparations.
1. We Must Be Obedient
2. We Must Be Unified
3. We Must Be Prayerful
4. We Must Be Steadfast
The Holy Spirit that moved in the lives of the Christians in the early church is still moving today. He has not lost His power. If we will take the proper precautions and make the proper preparations we can have an impact in the world today. I pray that you are willing to do this; I pray that we will do what is necessary concerning these “Important Preparations For Christian Ministry”.
0111723
