Acts Chapter 1:16-26

The world is kind of tired of followers of Jesus saying what we believe and not doing what we believe there looking for the stuff they're looking for the goods they're looking for action behind our faith. And so what we want to do is help people get engaged in action so in ISS. I think it was last week. I can remember what good is your Christianity doing people around that should be easy question to answer. If it's not been there may be questions about UBM fully engaged seat, we engage in Bible study here Bible teacher but that should be leading to Bible doing welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee.

David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina and at the bridge. He's raised up some associate pastors to help in the ministry. Today we have one of those DA Brown on the program with us. Welcome brother, Bob, this is an exciting book to being with pastor David. If you continue listening you're going to be blessed today. There is no doubt about it, will have questions about what Cianci really is and how Christianity affects us and those around us pass today's can answer those questions specifically. Today Bob.

I'm excited about hearing yesterday to teach on being a doer of the word in his teaching commitment. So let's listen what chapter 1 and we left off with the verse 16 but let's pick it up with verse 16 for context site acts chapter 1 verse 16 men, and brother. This Scripture have to be to fill which the Holy Spirit spoke before about the mouth of David concerning Judas became a God, to those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry is interesting. We get to in depth glimpses at two other disciples wheat we see some of them to a certain degree, but Peter and Judas is very interesting to compare and contrast the two in this chapter we see Peter standing up being involved in leadership course Judas at this point is Artie taken his own life. Now he was numbered with them. He had an official membership. I guess in theory apostles, but I don't think he was ever with them. If you understand my meaning. I mean, he was part of the ministry, but he wasn't part of the ministry. He was kind of a spectator. The things that went on and occasionally what would happen is a disagreement when, and you would really see where the heart of Judas lies in understand that's what happens to each and every person in our church experience. You see, this is not the perfect church appear for the first hate to burst the bubble, but this is not the perfect church that we are following the perfect God, but often times what happens in our church experience is there's a little hick up in the road there something that happens in a lot of times it reveals where somebody's heart is torturous ministry in there was such an event. One of such. Many probably put in John 12 verse four.

One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon son, who would betray him, said, why was this fragrant oil not sold for 300 and Marion given to the poor.

This he said not that he cared for the poor because he was a thief and had the money box and used to take what was put in now probably remember the story the woman with alabaster box, obviously worth a lot of money broken in worship of the Lord. We believe that it might've actually been her dowry for life savings if you will, and what Judas says in the beginning and it shares in the other gospels that you know he says will we give this money to the poor. Now that sounds really noble, sound good meat. Had you been sitting there, there is indication that some of the other disciples, got riled up and so good what's going on discussed it among themselves.

But that was not the reason Judas asked the question Judas as John points out, wanted the money in his money back. While because you want to rip it off when someone around you speaks against leadership, spiritual authority understand something, you may be in the presence of a Judas be careful guys. They may be saying the right things will get this to the poor. Be careful because I'm not saying there. Definitely a Judas type but you know happy. I'm sure of same. My share here so be careful with that. So Judas is, why don't I don't agree with you about this and what we see, if you follow the timeline in the Gospel of John. At that point. Judas then goes to betray him. Those his hands a lot to be part of this anymore, but was he ever really a part. I don't think so. It was a spectator and it's a dangerous place to be.

First John. John goes on to say this into 19 talking about people, even fellowships. He says these people after church because I never really belonged with us. Otherwise they would've stayed with us when they left us.

It proves that they do not belong with us numbered with us. It's a good concept obtained a part in this ministry will see three things throughout the book of action of this is your home church. These three things should be a part of it.

Number one is serving number two is giving number three is attending. Did you notice that percentage. 8% of all Christians.

Time.

I don't know that shot you not sure it should praise God we have a higher percentage of people here but it still would shock you to know how well it isn't in comparison to what it should be seeking to heart check with those three things, serving, giving, and attending.

In verse 18. Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity and falling headlong, a burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out schedules in some blanks about Judas, but it is a tragic end to a tragic life. Judas went. You may remember the story and through the money down in the temple make. He said I've betrayed innocent blood, and they said what is that to us now that they couldn't put the money back into the temple.

So what they did is they went in and bought this field for people to be buried in a tragic ending.

Now, especially when you consider that he was with Jesus for three and half years is just a mind blower in because we think a lot of times well unit had been with Jesus all men, no blood be on fire. If I could've actually set under the teaching of Jesus. Are you on fire now is if you've been here for very long. Guess what you've sat under the teaching of Jesus is we've gone to the Gospels, see a lot of times we think well I could've been there while your here now watching what the Lord is doing among us. Judas heard and he did not do.

It's an awesome thing to watch what God doesn't live here week in week out, we hear awesome stories and testimonies victories of people I sit up here and I pray over what I'm gonna say that I present what I'm going to say to hear that it's actually change in life what's in all something here. People come here. They don't know Jesus never been forgiven of their sins. I come to this place. They asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins talk about servant and they go okay well you know I'm I'm there's an expectation here. Christians are supposed to serve your following Jesus you're supposed follow him and the service that's what I want to do is so awesome to see that, but it's a heartbreaker. When people don't do those things. When people come in and they don't ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins are, you know, they come in and they asked for the forgiveness of their sins, but they refused to engage in service before long, a little hick up happens, hot air and that's a heartbreaker and in unit. Here's the thing. The hotel staff because we chip tears over some of these folks we pray for in his tone frequently may it always bother us care how many people come here, may that always touch your heart and break our hearts to hear that somebody has refused the counsel of God. The correction of God's word and bailed out.

It's a sad thing is this what happened. Judas now how do you keep from being a Judas it's a good question. Remember at the Last Supper, when Jesus said somebody's going to betray me. The disciples did. Gord broke. Oh, other than Peter to visit me in my going to do this is a good question.

While here's the thing. How you keep from being a Judas by being a doer of the word, not a hearer only as a first life lesson we should do the word and not just hear the word see I can make sure that you hear the word I can guarantee your word and I continue to go verse by verse. All you know and if you read the Bible. At no other time in your week. I will read the Bible to the promise of the I can't get you to engage. I can't make you engage and begin to be a doer other than encouraging you to begin to serve the Lord and that's what I did want to encourage you to circle her because then you're doing the word you're doing it see the world is kind of tired of followers of Jesus saying what we believe and not doing what we believe there looking for the stuff they're looking for the goods they're looking for action behind their faith. And so what we want to do is help people get engaged in action so and I asked this. I think it was last week.

I can remember, but what good is your Christianity doing people around you.

What how is it benefiting other people on the road with you right now. The person seated behind you. The person seated in front of you that should be an easy question to answer. If it's not been there may be questions about you being fully engaged seat we engage in Bible study here, Bible teaching, but that should be leading to Bible doing it just leads to more knowledge you know what that was something that Jesus was against just getting the head knowledge and not doing the things that God was talking about people and see the real deal. This world is looking for the reality of what we say we believe so. There's a lot of ways that we can show them and in that we can make sure that we don't end up Judas but see I know there's folks in here are Larry goes about servant. I want to serve, do it not going to do it man breaks my heart because you've taken one step closer to being a Judas. Whether you want to hear that, or even like hearing that I something I have to say because there's a responsibility on my part to encourage you to do the word see if I just sit around and in and just encourage everybody here to be a consumer, I'm not doing anything for the kingdom of God. As I encourage you to begin serving the Lord then were beginning to build the kingdom of God 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 all of 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 your life.

We pray for the leaders in the cities that you 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 him.

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 is in Jesus name we pray. Amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse the first 19 story of Judas continues 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 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 it been 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. He redeemed us from the hopelessness in the bondage of sin. Jesus has redeemed us or purchase us who were spiritually dead and now we been made spiritually alive. Look at verse 20 the way verse 20 ends. Let another take his office.

Makes me wonder what was Judah supposed to do. 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 so I took Judas's 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 faith. God wants to put you on an adventure of faith. But if you refuse not 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 place. It's interesting Peter here is quoting from the what was there Bible 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 has 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 so they knew the Bible we need to know the Bible was real need to know the Old Testament electoral 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 of the story. We went through Joshua. We learned that the angel of the Lord came in, knock down the walls of Jericho and the angel of the Lord. Maybe you know this. Maybe you don't was what we call a Christophe Finney.

In other words, it was Jesus appearing to Joshua how we know that what Joshua worshiped him, and he accepted the worship of angels don't accept the worship of people not getting back into that teaching, but this pastor comes to church and he thinks well you know Manas can make sure they know this stuff pops into the Sunday school because cast tore down the walls of Jericho. Now, looked at each other. I do it thank Johnny did it Johnny so I didn't do it to the pastor. It's really just resting and he he waits Dr. classes every Sunday school teacher goes*it's how you know who broke down the walls of Jericho and and and you know in that one. Johnny said he didn't do it.

The teacher said well you know his family. He said he didn't do it. It didn't do all my codices. People don't know the Bible said the next elders meeting.

He goes in is really distressing to the guys you walked in the school class asked him who tore down the walls of Jericho and they said they didn't know and this one that he didn't do it.

Little Johnny and Mike and I just was shocked, and when the other civil you know, again, I know Johnny's family and their good family and if he said he didn't do it. He didn't do it and then another elder said well you know what, let's not bother about who tore the wall down.

Let's just allocate the funding and get it fixed.

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 because he's given us a book in 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 epistle since we just started with Romans you think will how do we get around.

So here's 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 Judah since he had committed suicide left to hold a thought.

What will replace Ames probably good idea.

I guess it Jesus never told him to do lists 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 sick. And God these are 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 ANB are supposed to be a member back from school yet you know when you have the multiple choice frequently.

There was one. No doubt the bottom it said all of the above none of the above, there's a good to include multiple choice if you're going to do that the God don't AB God because quite frequently God's got like see in mind 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 eye else to be a part of ministry something and it can. I think that we need to hear that we need to know that we need to play up heart an integral part in the local church. It maximizes if you will. The effectiveness of your Christianity. 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 well 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 to say he was not very impactful with inappropriate statement, but we see 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.

I think it should've been Paul but the AB 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 a master 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 of you know, even as a God who is it easy you know ready for this yet. It is the goddess going to go around and and and kill some of which one more. I think that's what God chose it wasn't time that you sometimes you really have to wait on the Lord for something 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.

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 can have a new life not done wrong things I have sinned, 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 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 he 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.

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Thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the book of acts