Bible ReadingActs 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath's day journey away. 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. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “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. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (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. 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.) “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.’” So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
[49:54]Luke 22:28-30 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
[01:16:20]Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
[01:18:40]2 Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
[01:32:21]Observation questions- In Acts 1:12-14, who is gathered in Jerusalem, and what are they doing together while they wait? [49:59]
- In Acts 1:15-26, what reasons does Peter give for replacing Judas, and what qualifications are given for the man who would take his place? [01:02:04]
- What steps do the apostles take before Matthias is numbered with the eleven, and how do Scripture, prayer, and God’s choice each show up in the process? [01:06:34]
- In Luke 22:28-30 and Revelation 21:14, what details are given about the number twelve and the apostles’ place in the kingdom? [01:18:40]
Interpretation questions- The apostles pray even though Jesus had already promised the Holy Spirit. What does that suggest about what prayer is doing here besides asking for something uncertain? [51:32]
- Peter treats Judas’s betrayal and downfall as the fulfillment of Scripture. How does that shape the way suffering, betrayal, and even church disorder are understood in light of God’s rule? [01:04:34]
- Matthias is chosen for honor, but also for danger. What does his place among the apostles show about the kind of calling that often comes with serving Christ closely? [01:10:42]
- 2 Peter 3 says the day of the Lord will surely come and asks what sort of people believers ought to be. How does the certainty of Christ’s coming kingdom change the meaning of holiness, priorities, and faithfulness right now? [01:34:22]
Application questions- Prayer prepares the heart for promised power. Where is there a tendency to wait for God to work without really seeking him in prayer, and what might devoted prayer look like in that area this week? [01:01:05]
- The Spirit’s power is not meant to leave Christ’s people “unplugged” from dependence on God. When does it become easiest to try to serve, lead, or endure in personal strength instead of staying connected through prayer? [58:49]
- Jesus is King, and his kingdom is coming with certainty. What parts of life right now—plans, spending, ambitions, entertainment, family goals, fears—most clearly show what kingdom is being lived for? [01:22:22]
- Matthias stepped into a place of witness that would likely bring suffering. Where might faithfulness to Christ put someone in the line of fire today—at home, at work, with friends, or in public witness—and what makes that costly? [01:21:07]
- The world can lull the heart to sleep through comfort and distraction. What comforts or routines most easily dull spiritual seriousness, and how can watchfulness be strengthened without becoming anxious or gloomy? [01:35:18]
- Peter says that since all these things will be dissolved, believers should live in holiness and godliness. What is one concrete area where repentance, obedience, or renewed seriousness is needed in light of Christ’s return? [01:32:42]
- Many people still need to be reconciled to the coming King. Who comes to mind right now as someone who needs a faithful, loving witness, and what would a simple next step of courage look like? [01:35:33]
