This is week 2 of The Making of a Movement series. Last week Pastor Ben covered the first eleven verses of Acts, chapter 1. Today, I have the second half of chapter 1; which is longer – it’s fifteen verses. Now you would think, it’s a longer section, that there would be a lot of resources to study and glean from – or at least just as many as the first half of chapter 1. But NOPE. Many of my go-to resources that I use to study and prepare to teach a message just skipped over this section. Seriously. We have friends in New York who are slightly ahead of us and going through the book of Acts, too – they didn’t even cover today’s section. The N.T. Wright book Pastor Ben quoted from last week has a whole chapter on Acts 1, but only gives about two paragraphs to today’s verses. Even Tim Keller, my guy and who taught through most of the Bible (and definitely most of the New Testament), I couldn’t find one message that he preached on this passage. It’s like Pastor Ben said last week – it’s like they skipped over the boring parts to get to the good parts.

Now, can I break some news to you? Compared to the rest of Acts, this is a pretty boring part. There are no miracles, no speaking in tongues, no one's getting locked up – there’s no action. The disciples and about a hundred others are in an upper room so that people passing by can’t see who’s in there and what’s happening – they are basically hiding out. You have ten days condensed into fifteen verses; and for twelve out of those fifteen verses it’s all about one thing: them choosing Judas’ replacement – that’s the heading above this section in your Bible. Not a lot of fun here. (I know, this is all sounding promising, right?!)

But as I reflected on this, and I dug deeper into what this passage actually has to say, it hit me – and you all know this to be true – you can’t have the good parts without the boring parts. You can’t have the public impact without the private discipline. Just think about it. The people that you pay to go see, because they are at the top of their game (whether it’s in sports, music, whatever), what you are seeing and what you are wowed by is a result of countless boring, hidden, unseen, unflashy hours of effort, training, and practice. Am I right?!

Guys, the same is true for a movement of God. Movements are remembered for the good parts; but they are fueled and sustained by the boring parts. I probably shouldn’t call them boring, because there’s nothing boring about what we are going to talk about. But what they are are simply normal, everyday, and mostly hidden aspects of the spiritual life that are necessary to see a sustaining move of God in our lives, church, city and beyond. So let’s take a look to see what we can learn from this pretty uneventful section.

Acts 1:12-26

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

You’re probably wondering why I’m not focusing on Judas’ intestines spilling out – that’s some action, right?! But let me give you five things that are not as eye-catching, but essential to a move of God. I probably don’t have enough time to cover all five. So I’ll start with the ones we are less familiar with, and then I’ll summarize the last two that we hear about more often and will likely come up again in this series.

So let’s start with looking at verse 12(a): Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives.

Now, they went to Jerusalem; why? Simple answer: Because in Acts 1:4 Jesus tells them to go there and wait for the Holy Spirit to come.

So here’s my first point: 1) There is no movement of God without OBEDIENCE.

I know, this is not a popular or sexy point – again, maybe boring coming from a pastor. But in the spiritual life, or in a move of God, obedience is absolutely necessary. We need to be able to hear from God (‘Go to Jerusalem’) and do it. Simple. Can you imagine if the disciples decided not to go to Jerusalem because they thought it would be too dangerous, or for whatever reason? Things would not have turned out the way they did. But they heard from Jesus, and they acted.

Let me give you a few things I have personally learned about obedience. For starters, nothing slows the move of God faster than disobedience. Here’s a quote: “Disobedience is very draining and destructive. I know that in my own life deliberate sin leads to guilt and saps energy. Ultimately, we end up miserable.... [But] obedience brings the blessing of strength.” Obedience brings energy to our walk with God; to a community; to a movement. But disobedience will drain it of its power.

Jesus once said, "If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15) Jesus showed us his love by giving his life for us. We show God our love by giving our lives back to him in submission and obedience.

Now hear what I’m not saying – I’m not talking about perfection. None of us are perfect. So let’s not go to that extreme. But on the flip side, here’s the other thing I’ve learned: Obedience can’t just be an occasional event; it has to be a way of life. Here’s how the Prophet Samuel puts it: “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22 NLT) Do you know what he is saying there? Jesus wants your obedience more than he wants you occasionally lifting up your hands in worship; more than he wants you giving some money to the church here and there. Does he want our worship and generosity? Yes. But more THAN THAT he wants a heart that is truly seeking to listen and obey.

So, a question for us to consider: Are we seeking to hear God’s voice and obey? Are we seeking to know and understand what God has said and is saying? And once we have heard his voice, are we then seeking to live it out? James writes: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22) Obey.

So that’s point one – obedience. But let me show you something else connected to verse 12. Again, verse 12 tells us that they went to Jerusalem. But in his gospel, Luke tells about the manner in which they went to Jerusalem. Take a look. This is after Jesus ascended into heaven. It says, "Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with GREAT JOY." (Luke 24:52) Here’s what blows my mind: the fact that these guys had GREAT JOY despite the challenge and uncertainty that was ahead of them.

Just think about this. These disciples were young and unschooled. Their leader, Jesus, had just given them the biggest assignment imaginable – to be his witnesses in Jerusalem (in the city), and in all Judea and Samaria (in the nation), and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) And not only did he give them a tall task, HE LEFT. I don’t know about you, but I would be freaking out. I would be like, "Jesus, you want us to make disciples of ALL NATIONS; AND you’re not going with us?! Come on now!"

Hear me, these guys had no clue what was ahead – what was coming – yet they had great joy. Their leader had just left, yet they had great joy. He just gave them the biggest assignment of their life, yet…

Here’s the point: 2) People that are a part of God’s movement are marked by JOY – not because of their circumstances, but because of their focus.

Now, if I’m being honest, I’m not always marked by joy. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure whether to add this point because it wasn’t clearly in the passage. But honestly, I added it for me. I added it because I saw something in the disciples that I’m craving more of for myself. And seeing the disciples have joy under these circumstances helped me see what the biggest thief of joy for me is. It’s when I’m distracted by so many other things and I’m not keeping my eyes on Jesus.

But you and I have to learn from the disciples. Why did the disciples have joy?

Because they knew they weren’t alone. Not only did they have each other, but Jesus said, “I will be with you; always.” Why did they have joy?

Because they weren’t relying on their own abilities. They knew that the Holy Spirit would empower them beyond their capacity. Why did they have joy?

Because they knew that God was sovereign over all things. And that he would lead them and guide them and work all things out for their good.

Let me ask you, are you able to have great joy when there’s uncertainty ahead of you? Are you able to have great joy when the assignment is bigger than you? When the assignment is bigger than what you are capable of achieving in your own strength? If not, consider what your focus is.

Bea and I have been talking about this verse found in Proverbs 31. It’s a chapter that focuses on the qualities of a woman of God. Look at what it says: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." (Proverbs 31:25) I don’t want to fear or be anxious about the future. I want to have great joy in the moment and be able to laugh at the days to come. I want that for you, too. So let’s focus on him.

We’ve talked about obedience and joy. Here’s the next one. In verse 14 we see this phrase: ‘They all joined together constantly…’ Now that means more than the fact that ‘they spent a lot of time together.’ What it translates to is that they were in ‘one accord’... – they were unified; there was unity.

Now, you see that unity playout in a number of ways. For starters, it wasn’t just a boys club. Verse 15 tells us that you have Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women invited to the table – invited to play a vital part in the mission and movement of God. I mentioned at the start that there weren’t any miracles in this section. But in a patriarchal society, like first century Jerusalem, having women at the table is an absolute miracle. But on the other hand, it shouldn’t surprise us because it’s the way of Jesus. Jesus always valued and honored women. In Christ there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28). Meaning, there is no division or hierarchy between the two. But the two are one – they are unified.

You see that unity also at play when they are choosing Judas’ replacement. And you see it in so many other examples that I can give you. But primarily, their unity comes from their shared purpose and vision. Which was what? Which was to be witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. That’s what unified them. They made sacrifices and put their own personal preferences to the side for the sake of the mission. Unity is everyone pulling in the same direction. There’s no sideways energy.

Unity is also spiritual. You know, that expression – ‘in one accord’ – is used eleven times in Acts. The Early Church was unified through and through. And this is not me trying to oversell it, but I truly believe that unity is one of the major driving forces of a movement. Here’s why I believe that. Psalm 133 says this: "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" (And then the author makes this comparison. Unity..) It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. (Psalm 133:1-2) My wife doesn’t like when I have food in my beard. (And it’s not that I like it; I just can’t see it.) So jokingly, I could see her thinking this is gross. But it’s actually a beautiful picture of what happens when unity is present.

You have two things coming together here. You have Aaron, who was a priest (the first High Priest, in fact). And a priest is one who stands between God and the people. He represents the people to God; and he also represents God to the people. The work of a priest is to bring God and the people together.

So you have that – you have Aaron. But you also have this oil that is poured on his head. And one of the purposes of anointing someone with oil is – hear this – for divine empowerment. Look at 1 Samuel 16:13: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David." You know what this is saying? You don’t have a move of God without UNITY. Because unity is what creates empowered witnesses. Unity is what allows a regular group of people to receive the divine calling and power that they need to help others come to know and follow Jesus. Unity is us doing our part to ensure that we are pulling in the same direction. That is what brings the anointing and power.

Now, I knew it – I don’t have enough time to cover the last two; which are prayer and Scripture. But let me say this. The Early Church was deeply committed to these two practices. Regarding Scripture, in today’s passage we saw Peter’s reasoning for choosing a replacement for Judas was based on the Word of God. In Acts 2, as you’ll see in the coming weeks, he’s quoting Scripture again. It’s like they were carefully combing through the Scriptures in order to discern what God was currently doing and what he was leading them into. We were talking earlier about the importance of hearing the voice of God. One of the key ways that we hear the voice of God is through his Word. The Early Church was listening – reading – intently.

And regarding prayer, prayer consumed the early church movement. Again, verse 14 says that ‘They all joined together constantly….’ To do what? To pray! Prayer is mentioned 31 times in the book of Acts; and it is found in 21 of its 28 chapters. Prayer is not just one of the things that we do as a church; it is one of the most important things that we do as a church.

So I want you to think about your own personal rhythms of opening up the Scriptures and prayer. (What is your rhythm of hearing and speaking to God?) But also, starting next Sunday, we are kicking off a time of prayer before our gatherings – from 8:15 to 8:45am. Join us for that.

Let me close with this. We all want to experience and be a part of the move of God. But I sense God asking us, are we willing to do the boring, everyday, hidden parts for the sake of being caught up by His Spirit? All of this ‘boring stuff’ – obedience, focus for the sake of joy, unity, prayer, scripture – it’s what preceded the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God is inviting you to be a part. Will you say, "Here I am; use me?"