Sermon Notes for 11/18/2012 (Acts 1:12-26)
From Judas to Matthias
A. How do we understand Judas? (12-22)
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:“‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (12-22)
1) Where did Judas go?
2) Hints for the Church today
B. Matthias becomes an apostle (23-26)
So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (23-26)
1) Not by an election, but by casting lots
2) Chosen to continue the wor
Summary
One of Jesus' disciples had a big role to play in his death. Today, we tend to look at Judas with disgust, regarding him as the sole betrayer among the disciples, but the other disciples also betrayed Jesus in their own way. If we had been at the scene, we may have responded similarly. Within God's family, there are times when people lose faith and drift away. Some of us have come to this church after drifting away from another. When someone who was once close, is no longer near us, it can be a lonely experience. We are grieved and at times we are tempted to become bitter. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the 11 remaining disciples remained positive and forward-thinking. They tried their best to continue Jesus' work and showed humility and a reverence for God as they chose Judas' replacement. Deciding that there needed to be one more apostle to replace Judas and to testify about the resurrection, they went as far as choosing two qualified candidates, but then cast lots prayerfully, desiring God's will to be done.
For Discussion
1) Why did the apostles decide that they needed Judas' replacement before the church even started?
2) What is the most important lesson you learned from this passage?
From Judas to Matthias
A. How do we understand Judas? (12-22)
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:“‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (12-22)
1) Where did Judas go?
2) Hints for the Church today
B. Matthias becomes an apostle (23-26)
So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (23-26)
1) Not by an election, but by casting lots
2) Chosen to continue the wor
Summary
One of Jesus' disciples had a big role to play in his death. Today, we tend to look at Judas with disgust, regarding him as the sole betrayer among the disciples, but the other disciples also betrayed Jesus in their own way. If we had been at the scene, we may have responded similarly. Within God's family, there are times when people lose faith and drift away. Some of us have come to this church after drifting away from another. When someone who was once close, is no longer near us, it can be a lonely experience. We are grieved and at times we are tempted to become bitter. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the 11 remaining disciples remained positive and forward-thinking. They tried their best to continue Jesus' work and showed humility and a reverence for God as they chose Judas' replacement. Deciding that there needed to be one more apostle to replace Judas and to testify about the resurrection, they went as far as choosing two qualified candidates, but then cast lots prayerfully, desiring God's will to be done.
For Discussion
1) Why did the apostles decide that they needed Judas' replacement before the church even started?
2) What is the most important lesson you learned from this passage?