Acts 1:12-26, God’s Kingdom brought by Prayer

Acts 1:12-26, God’s Kingdom brought by Prayer

12-26, 12.Then they 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, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus -- 17.he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." 18.(With the reward he got 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 went in and out 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 proposed 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.

<Sermon summary>

  Jesus and the Holy Spirit came for the kingdom of God. Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, taught, and ministered for healing. He died on the cross, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. He told his disciples, “Go, teach and make disciples.” ‘Wait for the Holy Spirit.’ Jn. 14:26, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. The Holy Spirit comes and causes us to bear nine fruits internally and gives us gifts externally for ministry.
  We must pray for the kingdom of God to come (Mt. 6:10). “Please, let your kingdom, that is, the kingdom of God, come.”

  After Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostles gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem and prayed, including women, Jesus' younger brothers, and followers, 120 of them in total (13,14). “They were of one mind and devoted themselves to prayer.”
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
 120 (12 tribes, It means a new community). They prayed earnestly with one mind (14) and formed the early church. Prayer comes first in our religious life. They prayed sincerely, earnestly, and unitedly.

  1 Kings 17, Prophet Elijah prayed earnestly and did God’s work.
1 Samuel 1, Hannah prayed earnestly with all her heart and got a son Samuel for God’s kingdom.
 They “devoted themselves to prayer.” We prayed together sincerely. It is important to pray together.

Jesus said. “If we pray together, we will make it happen.” Mt. 18:19,20, 19.  "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.“

Acts 12:5, So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  When Peter, who was preaching the gospel, was imprisoned and about to die, they united in prayer. The Lord allowed Peter to be released.

  When two or three people join together in prayer, God accomplishes great works. Joint prayer has great power, like a burning wood fire.

  When the 120 people prayed together, Peter stood up and spoke his message. He quotes the Bible and talks about the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot and the need to fill the apostle's vacancy (15-20, Ps. 69:25, 109:8).
 시 69:25, May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 시109:8, May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.

 He talks about the conditions and mission of apostolic candidates (21-22, 21.Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out 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.").
 1) Qualification : A person who participated in the ministry of Jesus,
 2) Mission : A person who will testify of the resurrected Lord.
 The community of the Lord is those who meet Jesus personally and confess and preach the Lord of resurrection.

  They select Matthias through prayer and drawing lots among the famous Joseph (Justus, Barsabbas) and the obscure Matthias (23-26). They earnestly prayed to ‘God who knows the hearts of men.’ Prov. 16:9, In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 16:33, The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD
  The church, an image of the kingdom of God, is a holy community. At the center is Jesus Christ.

    Let us all join together and seek the kingdom of God through earnest and sincere prayer. I bless you to be guided by the Word, get to know Jesus together, experience resurrection, and become blessed workers who build the kingdom of God. Amen.