Friday, April 22, 2016

Matthias and Justus

Spending time thinking about how I respond to God's placing His servants where He chooses. In Acts 1:12-26, Luke reported the events after the death of Judas and the ascension of Christ.  The apostles prayed He would show them who He would choose to replace Judas.

"23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
~Acts 1:23-26

First, they prayed.  "You, Lord, know the hearts of all..."
Second, they asked the Lord to show them His chosen one. 
   "...which one of these two you have chosen..."
Third, they desired to strengthen the work God gave them.
   "to take the place in this ministry and apostleship..."
Fourth, they were humbled about Judas.
  "from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."
Fifth, they submitted to the Lord using their method.
  "Matthias...was numbered with the eleven apostles."

I am preparing with our Faith Student Movement Serve missions team from Faith Baptist Church near Tiajuana, Mexico July 16-30.  We are using a Youthmark text by Brian Aaby to work through faith-building accounts from Acts.

One of the early studies is from this text in Acts 1.  Brian asked who the youth might choose from our church to participate in servant-leadership roles on a missions trip.  They are also asked who they and we would count on for help when we really need it.
He is asking if I might be one in our church family people would count on.


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