What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do (Sun. A.M. 2-1-26)

The account from Acts 1 is used to show a clear, practical pathway for Christians who face seasons of uncertainty. After the ascension left the disciples without an immediate, visible leader, they did not panic; instead they returned to what Jesus had last commanded, gathered with the saints, searched the Scriptures, applied biblical standards to their situation, prayed for clarity, and ultimately trusted God’s sovereign guidance. The narrative underscores that God’s will is both specific and discovered through faithful means: obedience to previous commands, the corporate life of the church, careful biblical reflection, responsible application of truth to real circumstances, and humble prayer relinquishing the final outcome to God. When choices narrow to several biblically permissible options, the pattern is not to invent signs or abdicate responsibility, but to lean on Scripture, seek godly counsel, pray, and then wait on God to open and close doors.

This approach refuses easy pragmatism and easy spiritualism alike. It rejects the notion that God’s guidance is merely mystical or that personal preference is normative for discerning direction. Instead, it insists that the Spirit works through concrete channels—Word, worshiping community, wise counselors, and obedience—to form discernment. Casting lots in the narrative functions as an act of surrender to God’s sovereignty once the human work of discernment has been done; the community prays, relinquishes control, and trusts that God will determine the outcome. The sermon also reminds believers that today’s position is often shaped by obedience to yesterday’s command, and that indwelling presence of the Spirit in the church age only enhances, not replaces, these ordinary means of guidance. Ultimately, the text offers a pastoral, disciplined formation for decision-making: do what God last told you, stay among God’s people, read and apply Scripture, pray for direction, and rest in God’s sovereign leading until the path is clear.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Obey the last command heard Continuing in the last clear instruction from Christ prevents premature or anxious shifts of direction. Obedience to what God has already revealed anchors the soul and creates a posture of readiness for fresh guidance. This kind of fidelity cultivates trust that God will reveal the next step in due time. [12:02]
• 2. Keep assembling with God's people Corporate worship and measured fellowship are primary arenas where God speaks and where wise counsel is available. The assembly tests personal impressions and multiplies discernment through preaching and the insight of mature saints. Presence in the church protects against isolation and selfish decision-making. [13:13]
• 3. Consult Scripture for clear guidance The Bible contains principles that both explain past events and prescribe future action; it weeds out unfit options and frames the remaining choices. Thoughtful exegesis and Scripture-based reasoning bring clarity where personal opinion would flounder. Scripture is the first court of appeal. [26:45]
• 4. Apply Scripture to present circumstances Reading the Bible is not the end; it must be translated into concrete steps that fit the situation God has placed one in. That requires honest assessment of resources, relationships, and responsibilities so command becomes practice. Application tests whether understanding is genuine. [30:30]
• 5. Pray, then trust God's sovereignty After deliberate obedience, counsel, and scriptural application, prayer is the act of handing the outcome back to God and awaiting his direction. Trusting God’s sovereignty is not passive fatalism but a confident relinquishment that frees the believer to walk through the open door. [40:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Ascension and the Disciples' Limbo
• [03:14] - Gathering in the Upper Room
• [11:47] - Obey the Last Command
• [13:13] - Assemble with the Saints
• [26:45] - Consult Scripture for Answers
• [30:30] - Apply Scripture to Life
• [33:49] - Pray and Seek Clarification
• [39:06] - Cast Lots and Trust God
• [44:31] - Promise of the Indwelling Spirit

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary and transcript:

Bible Reading

Acts 1:12-26 (ESV)
> 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 brother of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
>
> 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the number of persons gathered was 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 was 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 in their own language they called that field Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
>
> 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
> ‘May his camp become desolate,
> and let no one 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 proposed 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 mankind, show which one of these two you choose 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell by transgression, to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

Observation questions

1. After Jesus ascended, what was the immediate action the disciples took as recorded in verse 12? [10:18]
2. According to verse 14, what were the disciples devoting themselves to?
3. Peter quotes Scripture in verses 16-20 to explain the situation with Judas. What does he say the Scripture foretold about Judas's fate and his office? [26:45]
4. What were the qualifications for the person who would take Judas's place as an apostle, as stated in verses 21-22?

Interpretation questions

1. The disciples were left without their immediate, visible leader after Jesus’ ascension. How does their response in Acts 1:12-14 demonstrate a practical pathway for Christians facing uncertainty? [11:47]
2. Peter uses Scripture to address the need to replace Judas. What does this suggest about the role of the Bible in discerning God's will, especially when faced with unexpected circumstances? [26:45]
3. The passage describes the disciples narrowing down the choice to two men and then praying for God's direction before casting lots. What does this process reveal about how God's will is discerned when multiple biblically permissible options exist? [34:59]
4. The sermon summary mentions that casting lots functions as an act of surrender to God’s sovereignty once the human work of discernment has been done. How does the disciples' action in verse 26 illustrate this concept? [39:06]

Application questions

1. When you face seasons of uncertainty or difficult decisions, what is your typical first reaction? How can you more intentionally return to Jesus' last commands and gather with God's people, as the disciples did? [11:47]
2. The sermon highlighted that consulting Scripture is a key step in discerning God's will. When you encounter a challenging situation, how do you currently approach the Bible for guidance? Are there ways you could be more diligent in consulting and reflecting on Scripture? [26:45]
3. The disciples applied biblical truth to their specific circumstances by identifying the qualifications for a new apostle. How can you better translate biblical principles into concrete actions that fit your current life situation? [30:30]
4. When faced with choices where multiple options seem biblically sound, the pattern is to pray and then trust God's sovereignty. How can you practice this kind of humble prayer and relinquishment of the outcome to God in your own decision-making? [43:27]
5. The sermon emphasized that obedience to yesterday's command often shapes today's position. Can you identify a past obedience that has led to a clear path or opportunity for you today? How does this encourage you to be faithful with the commands you have now? [12:02]
6. The importance of assembling with God's people for counsel and discernment was stressed. In what ways can you be more present and engaged when you gather with the church, so that you might receive the wise counsel and direction God intends? [13:13]
7. The indwelling presence of the Spirit today enhances our guidance. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit guiding or confirming decisions in your life? How can you be more attuned to His leading in your daily life? [44:31]