How many times have you looked at your life and thought, ‘I didn’t think it would be like this’:
- ‘I thought things would be easier than this’
- ‘I thought I’d be more successful than this’
- ‘I thought I’d be married by now’
- ‘I thought our marriage would be good by now’
- ‘I thought our kids would be okay by now’
- ‘I thought the church would be better by now’
- ‘I thought they’d have got what they deserve by now!’
This passage is a surprising one. Last time, we saw how Jesus went up into heaven and told His disciples that not many days later, they would be clothed with power from on high when God poured out the promised Holy Spirit (v8).
Yeah, they were told to wait in Jerusalem, so we read about them going back there (v12), but why don’t we go straight to chapter 2, when the Spirit comes?
Well, there’s that uncomfortable truth as they gather in someone’s upper room that only 11 of the Apostles are there. It’s not the way things were going to be. Does that mean God made a mistake?
When things don’t turn out how we expect in life and family and church, has God made a mistake? Have we ruined God’s plan?
Well, we need to remember God’s message to us here in Acts 1:12-26: God’s plan is indestructible.
We see this in 3 ways:
- The Wicked Will Be Judged (v12-20)
- The Scriptures Will Be Fulfilled (v16-20)
- Jesus Will Have His Witnesses (v21-26)
Sunday 13th May 2018
Review questions:
- God’s plan is _____________________
- What did the disciples do (v14)?
- While you wait (v14-17),
O__________
G_____________________________
P__________
M_____________________________ - Inspired means ______________________(v16)
- We’re too _______________
- Why did Jesus choose 12 disciples (v17, Mtt 19:28)?
- Are God’s ways like ours (Is 55:9)? Y/N
- What are the 4 qualifications for an Apostle (v21-22, 26)?
- Can there be Apostles today? Yes/No
- Who chose Matthias (v23-25)?
- Does God change His plans? Yes/No
- A question I have:
- A truth to share:
- How I should live:
- Prayer:
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