FILLING THE GAPS
Acts 1:15-26
INTRODUCTION:
A. How many of you can remember seeing a revolutionary war movie?
1. One of the most recent is the Patriot with Mel Gibson
2. I’m not a fan about the way they used to do battle
3. Line upon line of red coats on one side of the field and line upon line of revolutionary soldiers on the other side of the field
4. The order would be given to fire and many on the first line would fall
5. Then those who were in the rear ranks would move up to fill any gaps that had been created by the volley.
B. As I think about that type of confrontation it had to of taken quite a bit of courage to step up into a vacant spot of a former comrade
1. But it had to be done, if you were going to win the battle
2. Vacancies had to be filled.
C. Now I said that because we, as the church, are in a spiritual battle and often times vacancies occur within our ranks also
1. If the spiritual battle is to continue there must be rank upon rank of others who can step forward and fill the gaps left by those who have departed.
2. So this mornings message is entitled “Filling the Gaps.”
D. Our Scripture passage for this morning is Acts 1:15-26.
1. It was the passage you heard at the beginning of the service, so rather than reading it again let me give you our outline and then we will begin.
2. As a church we must realize
a. Gaps in the Ministry Will Come
b. Some Will Be Able to Fill The Gaps
c. God Will Chose Who Will Fill the Gaps
3. The ministry of FBCM needs Christian soldiers who are willing to step forward and fill the gaps.
PRAY
As you and I serve the Lord it is inevitable that
I. GAPS IN THE MINISTRY WILL COME, Acts 1:15-20 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) [16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. [17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. [18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. [19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. [20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
A. The Context in Connection With Judas
1. In the very early stages of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry He chose twelve disciples who would be known as Apostles.
a. The word apostle means “messenger” or “one sent forth”
b. Matthew 10:2-4 tells us who the first 12 were: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; [3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; [4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
2. When Jesus chose them He knew who would betray Him for John recorded these words of the Savior in John 6:70-71 Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? [71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
3. And all that took place concerning the betrayer did so because God said it would
a. The action spoken about was written a little over 1000 years before
1) Psalm 55 clearly depicts Christ’s betrayal
2) Psalm 69:25 predicted Judas’removal from his office
3) Psalm 109:8 promises Judas’replacement
4. We must understand that all of what took place did so under the direction and watchful eye of God in accordance with His divine will!
B. And so it is today within the church, many vacancies happen as a part of God’s divine plan.
1. There are many God ordained ways in which gaps come in a ministry.
a. People die – leaving a gap
b. People move – leaving a gap or gaps
c. Unfortunate and unexpected things happen in the lives of individuals creating a gap or gaps
2. And then there are other ways, not necessarily God ordained but none the less they create gaps.
a. People get preoccupied with the world, thus leave the service of God
- 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
b. People get mad at other people and quit serving or leave church
c. People get mad at a pastor or other minister and quit serving or leave.
3. In regards to this message, it really does not matter how or why the gaps come about, the fact is they will come!
C. Do you see any gaps?
But you know, gaps that come about in the church and its ministry do not take the Lord by surprise for God knows
II. SOME WILL BE ABLE TO FILL THE GAPS, Acts 1:21-25 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. [23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
A. In Judas’ Case
1. There were not just 12 people who had been with Jesus since the beginning of His public ministry, His baptism by John the Baptist, through His resurrection.
2. God was preparing others to take up places of responsibilities within the ministries – in this case as an apostle – from those who were following Him.
3. Just as a side note the prerequisite for being an apostles is listed here
- Hence there is no longer a place for Apostles as used here in the N.T.
- From 150 A.D., lets say, none have been able to meet this requirement
B. Folks, God still works this way today.
1. He still prepares those who will step into the gaps right in the ministry of the local church.
2. Each of you is a possible “Gap Filler.”
3. The question is not: “Am I a gap filler?” but rather, “What gap am I going to fill?”
C. Paul gave a wonderful example of this in Romans 12:4-8: For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
1. God has saved you and place you into this body for a reason.
2. I can’t specifically tell you what it is, but I can tell you what it is not
a. It is not so you can simply say I’m a member of FBCM
b. It is not so you can simply sit in a pew for 1-3 services a week
c. It is not so you can make yourself feel good because you blessed God with your presence on a particular Sunday.
3. And though I can’t tell you specifically what God wants for you I can tell you in general
a. He wants you to be a witness for Him
b. He wants you faithful to His church and plan
c. He wants you active in the service of His church.
D. Do you see a gap that needs to be filled? Are you willing to fill the gap God has for you to fill?
Gaps will come, but God is faithfully preparing someone to fill these gaps, however, more importantly in the long run
III. SOME WILL BE CALLED TO FILL THE GAPS, Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
A. I want to make something very clear up front
1. It is not the stature of the gap that counts – that is how important someone sees the position to be
2. In a manner of speaking it is not the person that really counts either
3. The major qualifier in this thing is God’s will and His glory.
4. Evidentially, there were quite a few who were qualified for the position
a. That was narrowed down to two, Justus and Matthias, and I think from the context we can presume they were both quite suited to the task
b. But the important factor was, who did God want - in this case it was Matthais.
5. And it did not bother Justus, for we read just a little further in Acts that they were all of one mind and fellowshipping with one another.
6. This ministry position was not a turf to be defended at all cost but a place of service that would cost all to administer
B. Folks, God has a place and calling for each of us in this church
1. The body needs each of us and God wants us to serve!
2. Not with lip service or eye service but with soul service!
3. We are to serve the greater good of the body in general and the interests of Christ, specifically!
4. There is no room for competition, jealousy, or personal pride!
5. Years from now when we are all gone there is only one thing that will matter, and it is the only thing that matters now GOD’S GLORY!
C. When God’s lot falls on you will you serve – will you fill the gap?
1. The time of idle side line watching is over
2. The ministry has gaps
3. Will you serve?
4. Will you stand with Isaiah who after seeing the glory of God and upon hearing the question “Who will go for us?” said: “Here am I Lord send me!”
CONCLUSION:
A. As I close I ask you “Will you be one who is filling the gaps or creating the gaps
1. If we serve Christ with personal gain and profit as motive we will eventually stand with Judas one day - He destroyed himself by seeking His own desires
2. If we serve the Lord with His glory a our motive, He will one day crown us with that glory
B. The nominating committee has places of service open as well as the prayer ministry
C. Will you have the courage to step up on the front line and be one who is “Filling the Gaps?”
