“Moving Forward”
Acts 1:12-14
We are at a moment in time where the Disciples have spent time with Jesus and witnessed His ascension into the heavens.
What do they do now?
Wayne Logan (a preacher friend) said to me once, “I’m going to do what I know to do until I know what to do.”
There are times in our lives when traumatic events have taken place and there are many things that run through our minds.
I will just give up and quit!
No one expects for me to keep going.
I will sell my house and run away where no one knows me.
I will cash in all my investments and start this new life.
Larry Burkett said many years ago, “When a major event happens you should not make a moving or investing change for one (1) year. This gives time for healing to take place and the Lord to direct your path.”
I have personally witnessed when this advice was ignored and great disruption occurred.
What Did Jesus tell His Disciples?
Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
1. The promise comes from obedience of the Lord.
2. Stay where I told you until the promise (Jerusalem).
Tarry - to make to sit down, sedentary, firm, immovable, steadfast
3 Stay “until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Endued - to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one’s self
Power - strength, ability
Vs. 12 “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.”
Looks like the Disciples are listening to the instruction given.
From the mount called Olivet; which was on the east side of Jerusalem, a mountain Christ much frequented, and from whence he ascended to heaven. This is the hill which in
1 Kings 11:7 is said to be "before Jerusalem"
Zechariah 14:4 “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”
One day Jesus will return in the same manner (place) as ye have seen him go into heaven Vs. 11 tells us.
Which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey -
This is a term that describes a distance away from town, in this case it was described; “As far as one might lawfully travele by a Jew on the Sabbath. This was 2,000 paces or cubits, or seven furlongs and a half - not quite one mile.”
Vs. 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.”
“upper room,” occurs only three (3) times in the New Testament: Or “upper chamber” five(5) times.
All were used to describe a place where it was used for special occasions such as meeting for meditation or meeting to mourn those who have died.
In this we see that there was a meeting place for meditation.
Since we do not know whose house this was we will not make speculation into doctrine.
Some believe this to be a home that was used frequently by Jesus and others believe it could be “an upper room” found in the Temple.
I do not take serious note as to the order of names but would point out that the first three (3) were often mentioned being around Jesus, closer, more than others that were mentioned.
I do not believe that Jesus had favorites toward the men but it does mention these three (3) often.
I believe that Jesus loves each and every one of those who follow Him and I have come to believe that Jesus loves me in a very special way.
His Omni-presents makes it possible to show that same love to each and every one of you as well.
As one preacher has said, “It’s like I am His only concern.”
As to those who were present we see that there were eleven (11) missing Judas Iscariot as we know from Matthew 27:3-5 “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”
Vs. 14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Continued - to exist, to be present
The word “continued” denotes “persevering and constant attention.”
The main business was devotion. Acts 6:4, “we will give ourselves continually to the ministry of the word.”
Romans 12:12, “continuing instant in prayer”;
Romans 13:6, “Attending continually upon this very thing.”
Continuing is their main and constant effort.
It ought to be the goal of every believer to continue in the Lord’s work, even when things don’t seem to go our way.
One accord - with one mind, with one passion
“A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community.
One accord homothumadon (hom-oth-oo-mad-on’) is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison", “with one mind.”
The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone.
As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church.”
With the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren – This is a note that there were more than just the eleven (11) Disciples but many others including women and it looks like Jesus’ other siblings as well.
Conclusion:
A few observations:
In order to walk in obedience we must DO that which the Lord has directed.
In this case they were to remain until the Power from God had been given to them.
With one accord gives to us the idea that even when we are not on the same note we do harmonize or compliment what others are doing.
Continuing in prayer is a call to all Christians, to keep praying even when you are not sure what your next step is or will be.
It is a great benefit to be united in God’s family and that can only be possible IF you have a relationship with the Father (salvation).
With the women – we do not look down at women as if they are inferior, but we realize that each person is to serve the Lord as they are called within the bounds of the Word Of God.
Pray:
