Acts Chapter 1:16-26

If a man had looked around the triad to find somebody to start this Bible study to begin this fellowship and on I probably would not have been chosen else the goal stronger. There is no way out of interest. There's other people. It would've been Joseph but God chose me. I don't know. Okay, not knowing but understand God thinks differently than we think.

No one setting forth as God chose you to.

While most of the church. Well not seen huge features you distorted church but he chose you to serve him. He chose you to be forgiven. Even now is whispering in your ear that he wants to forgive you for said you've been forgiven of your sins. He's speaking he's whispering in your ear single to serve me see guys told us to go change the world. Every single one small bunch of people turn the world right side up. They believe God welcomes you cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina each have different ways of going through life different ways of about what is important to know that God's way of thinking is much different and much better than ours today favorable. Explain what this means is we continue the book of acts chapter 1 is David McGee with part two of his teaching commitment acts chapter 1 verse 16 men, and brother. This Scripture had to be to fill which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a God, to those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry. Now this man purchased the field with the wages of iniquity and falling headlong, a burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out verse 19 and it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so that field is called in their own language, that is field of blood for it is written in the book of Psalms let his dwelling place. Be desolate. Let no one live in it and let another take his office have your attention please.

This is interesting. It's interesting picture that the blood money used to betray Jesus was used by this field. The spotters field and end up using it as a burial ground is interesting picture in there and see because what did the Lord actually doing the cross he shed his blood for us, so that what so that are broken lives that up and cast aside even deemed useless to some, could be put back together so that we who were spiritually dead could be pulled out of their and made alive again. Look at verse 20 waivers 20 ends.

Let another take his office. Makes me wonder was Judas posted the I know he ended up betraying the Lord, but could've been so much better even Jesus to the last point there in the garden looked at Judas and said, friend, why have you come alive you come.

Jesus knew why he was there. What Jesus was saying this, why did you never get it. Why did you never join us in heart and mind wow are you a spectator all along. And then what happened well my to use this place because that's what happens in the kingdom of God. The Lord wants to do something really special in your life. I promise you, I guarantee you that God has blessed me so much and it's incredible.

Just this adventure of faith. God wants to put you on an adventure of faith.

But if you refuse to force you to find somebody else to do what he called you to do. Cannot refuse the call to start this Bible study God would've found somebody else. No doubt, I'm glad that I heard and I hope you hear God has a special plan for you is a special plan. It's interesting here. Here is quoting from the bottle. What was the revival at this point Sealtest Hebrew Scriptures and they were coming to know it more and more, we need to know the Hebrew Scriptures. I we need to know our problems you see and say this, but it's not an overstatement. We are in the most scripturally illiterate generation of Christians that is ever existed in the history of the church. We don't know our Bibles now part of that is because our problems are being taught from the pulpit.

Understand that part of that's on the pastor teacher that the life lesson here is we should know our Bibles, we should know our Bibles. Sometimes Romero called José Habel tell me about this to me about your use ministry or tell me about your children's ministry or tell me about this or tell me about that wills are all valid questions, but to me the number one criteria of a good healthy church is do they teach the Bible. They occasionally will teacher verse or occasionally teach out of it but do they have some sort of systematic approach where the people to go there can learn the Bible, so they knew the Bible we need to know the Bible was really need to do the Old Testament draw goal, we need to know the whole book we need to know the whole click second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. All Scripture, not just the New Testament got all Scripture in Matthew chapter 4 verse four says any answer is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Every word we need to know the Bible is saying the new is an old concealed the old is in the new revealed love that saying the new is in the old concealed meaning.

The New Testament is in the Old Testament, but it's concealed. The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed these things play off of each other and it's important, and not only should we know the word of God. But we should also know the God of the word. And if you want to know more about the Lord know more about the Bible disease given us a book.

Verse 21. Therefore, these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us. One of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. Now it's interesting the way the book of acts ties all the Gospels in to the book of acts he remembered. Matthew ends with the resurrection work with the ascension, Luke ends with the promise of the Holy Spirit and John ends with the second coming. All these things are covered. The first chapter of acts is a necessary link to the epistles. We just started with Romans you think will how do we get around. So here is this thread coming through their now they are setting down requirements of what this 12th disciple will be an interesting to me but that's what they're doing they are forming a committee if you will to choose this 12th disciple because Judas since he had committed suicide left to hold a thought. What will replace Ames probably good idea. I guess he Jesus never told him to do lists. So I have to wonder, but verse 23 and they propose to Joseph Joseph call or stop us, whose surname justice and Matthias.

They prayed and said you oh Lord, you know the hearts of all show which of these two you have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. This is interesting because you see what they're doing or circuit God they just two guys choose from a or B. On ARB with God and encourage you not to do that because you're assuming that you know what a and B are supposed to be a member back from school yet. You know, when you had the multiple-choice frequently. There was one out the bottom it said all of the above are none of the above.

Those are good to include multiple choice or begin to do that the God don't AB God because quite frequently God's got like see in mind. And when you ABM don't be surprised if he doesn't answer a or B as he did in this case that what they're doing is saying let you know storm committee. Let's get some I else to be a part of ministry something and again I think that we need to hear that we need to know that we need to play a part. An integral part in the local church. It maximizes if you will.

The effectiveness of your Christianity. This is the picture of the body of Christ. The Jesus intended so that was their intention. The fond somebody else to fill that 12 spot and that's a good thing. I don't think they waited long enough to be honest, I don't think they waited long in the next chapter really talk about the coming of the Holy Spirit can be great chapter lot across references and really explore what God's word has to say about the Holy Spirit, but I think they should wait until the Holy Spirit came and then shows the man why they end up will see in the next verse they chose Matthias. What's wrong with that will not a whole lot other than weight never hear of Matthias ever again in the Bible mean to say he was not very impactful with inappropriate statement. They should've waited on the Holy Spirit know some of you what what what what would he mean waiting on the Holy Spirit sounds weird. The Holy Spirit is not weird understand that now. I met people who are weird. I've met people who are weird about the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit is not weird we start talking about the gifts were to be talking about a lot of people get really what I call wiki freaked out.

There's no need to do that will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now.

Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown. We want to take just a couple minutes to pray for some cities in our listening audience.

Specifically, Inca high point Lexington Mount Olive Summerfield in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and also Dickinson, North Dakota Louis, thank you for everyone who lives in the cities.

We pray that your Holy Spirit would draw them, unto you, even right now that people would have the face to say yes with no boundaries on what you want to do in their life. We pray for the leaders in the cities that you will give them wisdom and discernment and that they would work together father that they would look to your word for answers supernaturally on how to lead where you've called them. We pray that people get plugged in the churches begin to serve with the gifts that you give them father that they will be a blessing to other people in the same way that you bless them low, we thank you for the cities were expecting you to do great things and it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse one of the less powerful expressions of the Holy Spirit that I've ever experienced in my life. We were out in Walmart parking lot and we were doing music and I was doing some music mentor was abandoned. We went back and forth played with them in different sucks. After a while it started to rain. We had all this gear out of the flatbed so it rains bad things, electronic equipment, so course and start packing everything up. You and my wife nor calls.

She says hey can you come here and you know my back is to unplugging cables and packing stuff up and think of me will know what but I turned around I saw the expression on her face and I saw that she was standing with God with a flat jacket that had been outside the tape never came in to the group. If you saw the look on his face Holy Spirit.

So you need to talk wasn't some booming thunderous voice from heaven. It wasn't some paralyzing fear that gripped me it was just a prompting to go speak to the sky rather than pack up the crime so I walked over and was going.

He looked at me said I don't go to hell.

This great we try to that unit right to the meat of the matter in man works is you know are already there as well take what is that in a way don't have to go to hell you know Jesus Christ died for your sins that you could be forgiven if you ask him to forgive you of your sins will be faithful and just to forgive you of your sentencing is no you don't understand your writer probably don't understand Jesus understand again. Still, small voice prompting, if you will know not me to the ground experience or anything, but the prompting of the Holy Spirit you need to share about Paul said have you ever heard of Paul Goss yeah you know the story of Tony as well. You wrote part of the Bible or something I simply wrote about two thirds of the New Testament using Paul as a Christian.

Yeah yeah they wrote part about you know what Paul was doing before he became Christian suppose persecuting other Christians for being Christians. In fact, he took part in at least one execution probably more list on people in jail because they were Christians. We think God forgave Paul and a switch flipped his is a God forgave Paul of being part of an execution involving Christmas again several of God can forgive Paul of those things can forgive you of whatever you've done and sometimes as you're laying out the gospel sharing the gospel in others know you don't see it at a recognition there's not a real emotional experience is not a real you know like shining things, but this guys face change in us and we pray with me said, you know, pray with you and prayed with him to ask the Lord to forgive him of the sense that we pray to principal unit.

We gotta get it's still raining we can keep the stuff loaded up and I'm going to do that and you know if you you you were going to go get some leave after this if you're welcome to go with this is okay great so we start loading the care I look over this guys gotta hear that it been in a spot check before about now. I didn't tell you are going during a more natural part of your problem. I didn't say anything like that before in appearance is pretty cool. I look over there again. Couple minutes later to get cigarettes.

Cigarettes are so you clip smoke go to heaven. You ginger ale make you smell like you been there but you know I didn't say you've heard all the I say any others I was just watching the Holy Spirit work on this.so after we go to we go to restaurant. The guys just he's good he's got radically safer in the middle of a sitdown restaurant and he's everything he does math feel good to know people like I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so overjoyed for this guy. I was just so technical you so after we finished the meal. I said that you can.

We dropped off some work we take you somewhere because now I actually have a driver that's assigned to me really. Susanna got like a locator device will have to do is like take some money and he pulled back the flak jacket and he had this electronic thing and on it it's a lieutenant commander Navy SEALs. I had no idea who was talking to. I had no idea that this man's obstacle to receiving the gospel was that he had taken over people's lives. But the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit said tell about Paul sure about Paul with when I did the light switch went on. See that's the way the Holy Spirit works in you know I desire that kind of empowerment I desire for the Holy Spirit to work through me to minister to other people. That's what the Holy Spirit does and he's willing to do it in each and every one of our lives. It's not just the God anointed me in that special way that he's not willing to anoint anybody else know he's willing to anoint and empower you in such a way question is are you willing are you willing were going to get more and more into the Holy Spirit as we go on next week, but the ministry of the Holy Spirit is a powerful, powerful thing in my thoughts are that they probably should've waited know hindsight is 2020, but we see in verse 26 and they cast their lots in the lot fell on Matthias and he was numbered with the 11 apostles again, this is the last time we see Matthias now. Who do I think the 12 apostles should've been thinking should've been Paul. I think it should have been Paul but the eight be God wills it appears it be I guess God with a but they really didn't allow the Lord to work think they picked the wrong guy now amassed a question at this point Paul is about to begin his persecution of the church.

Do you think they would've been ready and willing to hear God's choice was, you know, even as a God who is it easy enough ready for this yet.

It is the goddess going to go around and and and kill some of you which one heart, but that's what God has scripturally there's a lot of reasons I think it was Paul all run through several real quick first Corinthians chapter 1 verse one says Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.

And so Stockton is our brother. Second Corinthians 1. One says Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother into the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints, which are in all Acadia. Galatians 116 Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the father raised from the dead. Ephesians 11 Paul and apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the saints, which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Colossians 11 Paul and apostle by the will of God, and Timothy is our brother. First Timothy 11 Paul and apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope in first Corinthians 15 says this and last of all he was seen by me. Also, as by one born out of due time, for I am the least of the apostles. I'm not worthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God. The timing thing. I think that's who God chose it wasn't time to choose him. Sometimes you really have to wait on the Lord for something and can you imagine if he told who his choice was see that here's here's the thing, and this is not life lesson God thinks differently than we think. God thinks differently than we think we we have to understand that we a lot of times won't understand things and that's okay if you're following God. God understands all things, God will lead you there is peace and there is comfort in if a man had looked around the triad to find somebody to start this Bible study to begin this fellowship.

You know what, I probably would not have been chosen else make a little stronger.

There's no way out of been chosen. There's other people live would've been chosen, but God chose me. Don't know and I'm okay not knowing. But understand, God thinks differently than we think. Nowise are important because God chose you to will not start the church when I'm not saying he he chose you to start a church, but he chose you to serve him. He chose you to be forgiven. Even now he's whispering in your ear that he wants to forgive you of your sins.

You've been forgiven of your sins. He's speaking he's whispering in your ear say won't you serve me to God has told us to go change the world and Shannon every single one of us. Matthew chapter 28 says therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I've given you, and be sure this I am with you always, even to the end of the age small bunch of people turn the world right side up. They believe God they form that link may begin the servant here we see Judah's tragic life ends in tragedy he never was a doer of the word and we see Peter both messed up. Judas betrayed the Lord.

Peter denied the Lord what happened after makes all the difference is interesting is Scripture in the Hebrew Scriptures in the Old Testament. This is the righteous man, though we fall seven times will get back up again.

We look at actually meaningful fall seven times what in the world calling righteously talk about them falling but notice he gets back is the difference the Judas get back up, no, he wallowed in the self-pity feeling sorry for himself that his plans are donor certainly a choice that Peter could have made. But that's not the choice that Peter made Peterson you know what I messed up and own up to it. Whatever happens, and perhaps going in the John chapter 21 Peter fully expected Jesus to stop blasting with both barrels and so your done great plan for you can't use you now, that's not what he did is you want to be a Peter you want to be a juice.

The choice is up to you. All I can do is present the choices and if I could make the decision for you, but I can't. All I can do is encourage you to make the right choice to receive the grace of God I know you've done wrong things I've done wrong and here stands God willing and ready able to forgive you of everything that you've ever done on and see what the Lord is rather than risking the life of the Judas and in and on the rocks friend. You know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible. You've been forgiven you've been born again, congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make.

God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio through the Internet and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use so if you'd like to support this ministry. Please go to cross the bridge.com. Click on the donate button and ask God how much you would have you give either on a one-time basis or continuing basis each month to help ensure that the teaching of God's word continues to go out through cross the bridge.

Thank you so much ODA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider daily reading plan and thought to meditate on throughout your day.

From the heart. David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today@crossthebridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the book of acts