Waiting for the Spirit

Waiting for the Spirit
Acts 1:1-26
Pastor Miles
Jan 13, 2013

1. Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Spirit.
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:3-5 NIV)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16, 17 NIV)

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7 NIV)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:6-8 NIV)

Acts 1:8 summarizes the entire book of Acts, but also our mission here on earth.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)

2. While waiting, the disciples turn to prayer.
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. (Acts 1:12-14 NIV)

Why?
Instinctive: Jesus taught and modeled prayer in His life
Out of desperation: they were apprehensive and overwhelmed about the mission laid out before them.
Praying together helps us stay in focus. Encourages us. Helps us persevere.

3. While waiting, the disciples have a problem to be solved.
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." "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." (Acts 1:15-17, 20-22 NIV)

They are missing a disciple.
They turn to scripture to help them understand about Judas' betrayal which was part of God's plan. They needed a complete team of 12 apostles with certain qualifications, including being an eye witness of Jesus' resurrection.

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. (Acts 1:23-26 NIV)

Should this (casting lots) be a model for choosing leaders? Is this normative or a single historical incident?
Not normative as we don't see this repeatedly.
What we see repeatedly is people praying for God's guidance - that is normative.

Disciples' prayer starts with "Lord, you know everyone's heart."
We should acknowledge that in our own prayer requests.


Lionel