How Do We Decide? (PM Lesson Outlines)
GIST: Trust in God’s sovereignty and seek His direction.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:12-26
Tonight we’re going to look at Acts 1:12-26. This passage is one I’ve wrestled with the past few weeks. When I first thought about how we’d cover it, I felt pretty sure about a direction. Then, after closer study, I realized I might have been majoring in a minor and missing the bigger picture application for us.
Jesus had told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized by the Holy Spirit and then be His witnesses to the world. It’s in this waiting context that the following occurs→
“12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
Upon first observation, this passage might seem like the lull between the ascension and Pentecost. However, we need to remember Scripture wasn’t inspired haphazardly. In my personal study this week, I’m indebted to Kevin DeYoung for reminding me of that. Since that is the case, that means this passage is here for a specific purpose. But what is that?
Think about the overall context here. This group of 120 has been following Jesus for the past three years. But just a little more than a month ago, they saw Him brutally killed. What led to this murder? He was betrayed by one of them. One of the 12. The 12 apostles who were supposed to represent the new Israel, God’s people following God’s purpose. But, this purpose seemed to have been thwarted...and when that happened, they had all fled. Now, they’ve just spent an incredible 40 days being taught by the risen Jesus. They had seen His ascension, and probably still had His commission ringing in their ears. Nonetheless, Judas’ betrayal and their own cowardice were still fresh on their minds. So, they come back together...and pray. And it’s in that context that Peter stands up and this decision to replace Judas is made.
What is this showing us? The gist for tonight is: trust in God’s sovereignty and seek His direction.
I. TRUST IN GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
The first observation to note is that is points us to the sovereignty of God. We talked about this this morning. When we go out to share the gospel, we don’t go in our own strength. The gospel is spread because He is working through us. Period. Let’s just take two quick observations here.
1-His Plans Will Be Accomplished, Even When We Can’t See How! Judas’ betrayal did not come as a surprise to Jesus. Nor did it take anything away from His plan and purpose. Still, as the apostles went back to Jerusalem, his name was evidently omitted from their numbers. This wouldn’t have been overlooked. That wound would have still been fresh. So, Peter stands up and addresses this, “16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” Though Judas was responsible for his own actions, this had been part of God’s plan all along. Rather than disrupt Jesus’ purposes, this betrayal was used to further them.
This is still true today. No matter how dire our situation may seem, Jesus has never lost control. He is sovereign and will accomplish exactly what He has set out to accomplish! So→
2-We Must Take Him Seriously. After Peter brings up Judas, Luke makes “an aside” to Theophilus about the nature of Judas’ death. Look at verses 18-20. “18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.” Let’s answer two questions here.
1. Is this a Biblical contradiction? This account is often cited by skeptics as an example of a Biblical contradiction because it seems to be different from what is recorded in Matthew’s account. Therefore, I wanted to make sure and address this, at least briefly, this evening. Let’s look at Matthew 27:1-10, and then we’ll talk about the points of contention. "1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. 3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”
Really, there are two objections posed. First, who bought the field, Judas or the priests? The answer is one and the same. Since the money used to buy the field was technically Judas’, the purchase would have been made in his name, and therefore attributed to him. No contradiction here. The second question raised is how did Judas die? Did he hang himself, or did he fall and explode? Again, we have two sides of the same picture here. The common consensus is that he did hang himself, then the rope broke causing the result Luke describes in Acts 1. Scripture is trustworthy.
2. Why was Judas punished like this? He was punished...because he deserved it. This is an uncomfortable truth for us. We love to talk about God’s mercy and grace, but sometimes forget that these words mean getting what we don’t deserve. One of the best books, apart from the Bible, I have ever read is R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God. In this book, he illustrates this with a great example. He talks about his first time teaching at a seminary. When the class’s first paper was due, 25 students came to him begging for an extension, so he granted it, but warned them not to make the same mistake next time. Of course, they promised not to. However, when the next paper rolled around, 50 students were late. Again, they begged him for mercy, and he granted it, but gave the same warning...and they loved him for it. Well, when the last paper came around, 75 were late. The begging started up again, but this time, he would not allow them to turn them in late. They were outraged! Why? Because they expected mercy and had forgotten that he was perfectly justified in not giving it because they had broken the rules.
God is sovereign. He deserves our worship and wholehearted devotion. Ultimately, sin will be punished, and we must not be shocked when it is. This is why we should be so diligent is pointing others to His amazing gift of grace!
So, first, trust in His sovereignty. God is in control! Second→
II. SEEK HIS DIRECTION
I want to look at this under two headings really quickly, as well. What should we and what should we not take away from what the apostles do here. First→
What Can We Not Take Away From This? Everything recorded in Scripture is inspired by God. However, not everything is prescriptive. That is, not every account is an example of what we should do. We have to be careful about that. In fact, my favorite example of this is when you hear people say they’re going to “put out a fleece” about something, referring to what Gideon did when God called him to lead the Israelites. However, that account demonstrates Gideon’s lack of faith. He had been told directly what to do, but kept doubting. So instead of being something we should follow, it’s illustrating Gideon’s doubt. So...if you say you’re putting out a fleece...☺️
There could be some of that in this passage, as well. However, it’s not the focal point of the passage, or even of what the disciples did, so I don’t want to over emphasize it. However, I don’t want to ignore it either. There are two points we should be cautious not to take as examples of how we should make decisions in the church. That does not mean that these were wrong for them to do here, but simply that they do not function as a model for us.
1. Putting forth extra criteria. When Peter said that someone needed to replace Judas, he also provide specific criteria for who that man would have to be. Again, I don’t want to come down too hard on this because the disciples made this decision after devoting themselves to prayer. However, at the very least, we know that later when Jesus appointed the last apostle, Paul, He definitely went away from what the remaining apostles would have expected. Therefore, we need to be careful not to set expectations not set by Jesus in His Word. Again, I am not saying that what they did here was wrong, just that it is not an example for us to follow.
2. Casting lots. Likewise, they cast lots to make this decision, and truthfully, we do not even know exactly what that involved, nor do we see it done in any other New Testament decision, so this is not prescriptive for us either.
That being said, there is plenty that is→
What Then Should We Take From This? This is the bigger picture here. While their methodology was not prescriptive for us, their attitudes and devotions to God and His Word are most definitely prescriptive. The difference? This is exactly what Jesus tells us to do throughout all of Scripture!
1. Remember we’re not sovereign. They knew this decision had to be made by God. They were aware of their dependence upon Him.
2. Be in one accord...because our hearts are devoted to prayer and God’s Word. Here’s the real key. They came together devoted to prayer and focused on the study and application of God’s Word. When Peter stands up, he doesn’t give his opinion, he quotes Scripture. Specifically, Psalms 69 and 109 both of which are about the suffering servant. He wasn’t just twisting words to his purposes, but had just spent 40 days having Jesus explain how the Scriptures were about Him. They didn’t intend to fix things themselves, but devoted themselves to the one who could.
3. Accept His leading. If following God takes you a direction you weren’t expecting, don’t go back and get your fleece! Go. They trusted God to make this decision and once it was made they didn’t doubt it.
TAKEAWAYS
1. Trust that God is sovereign. And remember… you’re not.
2. Seek His Direction personally. Pray and devour His Word.
3. Seek His Direction… together. As we pray and devour His Word...together!
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