Read Acts 1:15-26
Acts 1:26
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Jesus was gone from among them. The 11 disciples were waiting for the filling of the Holy Spirit. However, they also had to make sense of the situation before them.
Judas Iscariot was one of them. He had relationships with them. They ate with him, walked with him for more than three years. They were buddies. They were intimate for they were “The Twelve”. And now they were the eleven.
How does one make sense of a senseless situation? How does one wrap his/her mind around things that had happened but shouldn’t have and doesn’t make any sense?
The disciples did 2 things: they went to the Word of God and they prayed. Through these two means, they found a sense of peace and saw what they must do to move forward. Judas’ betrayal and death was not out of God’s control even though it was tragic. God showed them the next step: another person was needed to take the place of Judas.
The disciples knew what to do next to pick up the broken pieces. The qualification criteria for an apostle were drafted. Two men were nominated: one Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Both were equally qualified for the selection. They drew lots and Matthias was chosen. Justus was no less qualified but Matthias was chosen.
Yet how many of us read about Matthias in the Bible after this? Not much; nothing in fact. In fact, James, the brother of Jesus surpassed many of the apostles in terms of mentioning in the Bible. But James (the author of James in the Bible) did not even fit the criteria for an apostle because he only believed after the resurrected Jesus appeared to him (I Cor 15:7 and John 7:5).
Justus, Matthias, James and the apostles – all these lives teach us one great important truth: that each of us has a role to play in God’s kingdom. It is not how big or small a role one plays, it is that humble obedience to play the role well that counts in God’s eyes. Be it a visual and big role or quiet and small role, what God demands is that of complete obedience and submission.
Ultimately, God decides our role. Our call is to be faithful to the roles that He has called us.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
New Power
Read Acts 1:6-8
Acts 1:8
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.
God left us a job to do on earth. God's kingdom is not a pie in the sky - heaven is not just 'up there'. God's kingdom will come when He brings about a union of the new heaven and new earth in a new way (Read Rev 21 and Eph 1). Jesus new resurrected body functions kind of illustrates this 'newness".
The disciples were told not to worry about the time when the kingdom 'would be restored' but they were told to be faithful to the commission Jesus gave them.
Jesus has all the 'authority' as the Resurrected Savior in verse 7. We are told one day 'every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10,11) This gives us tremendous comfort: no earthly authority is vested without the permission of God; no earthly organisation and person has absolute authority except Jesus. It gives us boldness and courage to appeal to the absolute authority on earth and in heaven, Jesus. He is the just and loving One who holds the full authority.
Notice too that we are given 'power'. The word 'power' used here is 'dynamis', where the word 'dynamite' is derived from. This is the promise given to us who seeks to do God's will and fulfil his Great Commission to testify of who Jesus is. We will receive 'dynamite' or power to do so. How? By waiting to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5)
My cell phone is an amazing tool for me to connect with my friends and loved ones but if i don't take time to charge it every now and then, it becomes a useless piece of technology junk. It fulfils it function only when i remember to charge its battery and that takes time.
Take time to charge your 'power' and then you can be witnesses for Christ in a dynamic way.
Acts 1:8
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.
God left us a job to do on earth. God's kingdom is not a pie in the sky - heaven is not just 'up there'. God's kingdom will come when He brings about a union of the new heaven and new earth in a new way (Read Rev 21 and Eph 1). Jesus new resurrected body functions kind of illustrates this 'newness".
The disciples were told not to worry about the time when the kingdom 'would be restored' but they were told to be faithful to the commission Jesus gave them.
Jesus has all the 'authority' as the Resurrected Savior in verse 7. We are told one day 'every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10,11) This gives us tremendous comfort: no earthly authority is vested without the permission of God; no earthly organisation and person has absolute authority except Jesus. It gives us boldness and courage to appeal to the absolute authority on earth and in heaven, Jesus. He is the just and loving One who holds the full authority.
Notice too that we are given 'power'. The word 'power' used here is 'dynamis', where the word 'dynamite' is derived from. This is the promise given to us who seeks to do God's will and fulfil his Great Commission to testify of who Jesus is. We will receive 'dynamite' or power to do so. How? By waiting to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5)
My cell phone is an amazing tool for me to connect with my friends and loved ones but if i don't take time to charge it every now and then, it becomes a useless piece of technology junk. It fulfils it function only when i remember to charge its battery and that takes time.
Take time to charge your 'power' and then you can be witnesses for Christ in a dynamic way.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Read Acts 1:1-5
Acts 1:4,5
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[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
The book of Acts is a sequel to Christ's continuing work via the Holy Spirit. It records the exciting beginning of the Christian Church: of Jews and Gentiles coming to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Jesus told the disciples to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit before venturing out to serve. How important is the waiting.
Many of God's servants are eager to dash out and serve without waiting upon the Holy Spirit anointing and filling. The filling of the Holy Spirit is an important step that should not be skipped if we are to be fruitful in God's vineyard.
Imagine a combat soldier rushing off to fight the enemies without his weapons or instructions from his commander. That is how it is for one who does not have the filling of the Holy Spirit rushing out to serve God. This is blind zeal and unprepared service.
The Holy Spirit is the Person that guides, leads and instructs us as to how to serve God. The Holy Spirit is also our Power, the Energizer who gives us the Power to stay when service gets tough.
Make it a practice to wait for the Lord in some quiet, giving the Holy Spirit to fill and use us for His glory today. Make this a habit daily upon waking and see if your day takes on a God-dimension then.
Acts 1:4,5
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[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
The book of Acts is a sequel to Christ's continuing work via the Holy Spirit. It records the exciting beginning of the Christian Church: of Jews and Gentiles coming to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Jesus told the disciples to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit before venturing out to serve. How important is the waiting.
Many of God's servants are eager to dash out and serve without waiting upon the Holy Spirit anointing and filling. The filling of the Holy Spirit is an important step that should not be skipped if we are to be fruitful in God's vineyard.
Imagine a combat soldier rushing off to fight the enemies without his weapons or instructions from his commander. That is how it is for one who does not have the filling of the Holy Spirit rushing out to serve God. This is blind zeal and unprepared service.
The Holy Spirit is the Person that guides, leads and instructs us as to how to serve God. The Holy Spirit is also our Power, the Energizer who gives us the Power to stay when service gets tough.
Make it a practice to wait for the Lord in some quiet, giving the Holy Spirit to fill and use us for His glory today. Make this a habit daily upon waking and see if your day takes on a God-dimension then.
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