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Episode Overview

Imagine a group of spiritually minded individuals huddled together in a room, trying to discern the will of God. How do we determine the will of God? Ephesians 5:17 commands us to “understand the will of the Lord,” indicating its importance. In Acts 1, the apostles seem to use a method akin to flipping a coin, raising questions about their discernment process. In this episode, we explore Acts 1:12-26 to uncover how the apostles discerned God's will and what we can learn from their process.

Key Points Discussed

1. The Gathering in Prayer (Acts 1:12-14):
   • After Jesus' ascension, the apostles return to Jerusalem and gather in an upper room, devoted to prayer.
   • This prayerful gathering includes the apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, His brothers, and other believers.
2. The Need for Replacement (Acts 1:15-20):
   • Peter addresses the need to replace Judas Iscariot, quoting Psalms to justify this action.
   • Emphasis on choosing someone who was with Jesus from His baptism to His ascension.
3. The Selection Process (Acts 1:21-26):
   • Two candidates are nominated: Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias.
   • After praying for God's guidance, they cast lots, and Matthias is chosen.
4. Lessons on Discerning God's Will:
   • Prayer: The apostles were devoted to prayer, seeking divine direction before making decisions.
   • Scripture: Peter referenced the Psalms, showing the importance of grounding decisions in the Word of God.
   • Community: The decision involved the entire community of believers, emphasizing the value of collective discernment.
   • Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Casting lots was an expression of trust in God's control over the outcome.
5. Application for Today:
   • Pray Earnestly: Seek God’s guidance in all decisions.
   • Consult Scripture: Let the Bible inform and direct your choices.
   • Involve the Community: Seek counsel from spiritually mature believers.
   • Trust God: Place confidence in His sovereignty over the outcomes.

Reflection Questions

1. How does understanding the apostles' method of discerning God’s will impact your approach to decision-making?
2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer, Scripture, community, and trust in God’s sovereignty into your daily life?
3. How can you create opportunities for group prayer and collective discernment within your community?

Practical Applications

• Pray for Wisdom: Regularly ask God to guide your decisions.
• Study Scripture: Make Bible study a daily habit to understand God’s principles.
• Seek Counsel: Discuss decisions with trusted, mature Christians.
• Trust in God: Have faith that God will guide your steps according to His will.

Conclusion

Determining God's will can be challenging, but by following the principles of prayer, Scripture, community, and trust, we can discern His direction in our lives. The apostles' example in Acts 1 provides a timeless model for seeking God's guidance.

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Welcome:

Episode Overview

In today's episode, we address a fundamental question: What is Jesus doing today? We know from Scripture that during His time on earth, Jesus taught, preached, healed, and performed miracles. But now, having been resurrected and ascended to heaven, what is His role and activity in our world? We'll explore this question through the lens of Acts 1:1-11, which offers insights into Jesus' ongoing work through the Holy Spirit and His followers. This passage breaks down into three main sections:

• The Prologue (Acts 1:1-5):
  • Luke's introduction and reference to his previous book (the Gospel of Luke).
  • Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and instructions to His apostles.
• The Great Commission (Acts 1:6-8):
  • The apostles' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel.
  • Jesus' response, emphasizing the importance of their mission to be His witnesses.
• The Ascension (Acts 1:9-11):
  • Jesus' ascension and the promise of His return.
  • The angels' message to the apostles, redirecting their focus to their present mission.

Key Points Discussed

• Jesus' Continuing Work:
  • Acts is the continuation of Jesus' actions through the Holy Spirit.
  • The importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
• The Role of the Holy Spirit:
  • The Holy Spirit as the driving force behind the apostles' witness.
  • The spiritual power available to believers through the Holy Spirit.
• Our Commission:
  • The ongoing mission to witness and spread the Gospel.
  • The necessity of focusing on the present mission rather than past or future speculations.
• Witnessing in Our Lives:
  • Sharing personal experiences and encounters with Jesus.
  • Encouragement to pray for opportunities to witness.
• The Power of Availability:
  • God uses ordinary people who are willing to serve.
  • The importance of being available and open to God's call.

Reflection Questions

• How does understanding Jesus' current role through the Holy Spirit impact your daily life and faith?
• In what ways can you be more available to witness and share the Gospel with those around you?
• How can you cultivate a habit of praying for opportunities to talk about your faith?

Practical Applications

• Pray for Boldness: Ask God to give you courage to share your faith.
• Seek Opportunities: Look for everyday moments where you can talk about Jesus.
• Be a Witness: Remember, being a witness is simply sharing what you have seen and heard in your own life with Christ.

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• Website: Thebibleproject@buzzsprout'com
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Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with others who mi

Support the show

Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | Patreon

Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

For an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere at;
patreon.com/JeremyMcCandless

Subscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.
Episode Title: The Death of Moses

Series Title: Acts - The Book of the Spread of Christianity

Introduction:

Welcome to our new podcast series, where work our way through the Book of Acts, a pivotal narrative in the New Testament that chronicles the early Church's growth and the spread of Christianity. Often considered one of the most important books in the New Testament, Acts bridges the life of Christ with the establishment of the Church through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Episode Title: Acts - The Book of the Spread of Christianity

Introduction:

Acts is a crucial book for understanding the early Church, detailing its growth from a small group of believers in Jerusalem to a vast community spanning the Roman Empire.

Key Points:

1. The Historical Importance of Acts:
   • Acts offers invaluable insights into the early Church, complementing the letters of Paul and other New Testament writings.
   • Luke's narrative style captures pivotal moments and personalities, providing a comprehensive view of the Church's expansion.
2. The Title and Focus of Acts:
   • Traditionally called 'The Acts of the Apostles,' the book primarily highlights the actions of a few key figures, especially Peter and Paul.
   • The correct title could be "Acts of Apostolic Men," emphasizing typical exploits of important early Christian leaders.
3. Luke's Dual Purpose:
   • Acts is a continuation of Luke's Gospel, focusing on the transition from Jesus' life to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit through the Church.
   • The book is considered unfinished, reflecting the continuing story of Christianity's spread.
4. The Writer - Luke:
   • Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, is identified as the author through internal evidence and early Church tradition.
   • His medical background is evident in his precise use of medical terminology and interest in healing.
5. The Recipient - Theophilus:
   • Acts is addressed to Theophilus, likely a high-ranking Roman official and a Christian.
   • The name Theophilus means 'lover of God,' which might indicate a broader audience of God-fearing individuals.
6. The Message of Acts:
   • The primary theme is the continuing work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, spreading from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
   • Luke aims to show that Christianity is a universal faith, meant for all people, regardless of their background.
7. Structure of Acts:
   • The narrative is divided into sections based on geographical expansion and key figures, tracing the Church's growth from Jerusalem to Rome.
   • The book highlights the transition from Jewish roots to a broader Gentile mission.

Conclusion:

Acts is more than a historical account; it is a theological narrative demonstrating the unstoppable spread of the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we journey through this book, we will uncover the foundations of the early C

Support the show

Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | Patreon

Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com