Matthias' Lot Series

MATTHIAS’ LOT

INFO: In keeping with our lesson on the role of church, this message will teach about the choosing of an apostle as the eleven choose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve.

INTRO: Let me read you a story straight off the KMOV presses….

Man steals girlfriend's engagement ring, runs away as a magic trick

KMOV.com, Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:12 PM, Updated today at 3:12 PM

HIGH RIDGE, Mo. (KMOV) -- Police are searching for a man who is wanted for stealing an engagement ring that he gave to his girlfriend in High Ridge, Missouri on January 11. Police say the suspect asked his girlfriend to hand him the engagement ring, a 1-2 karat diamond ring valued at $5000, to show her a magic trick. The suspect then ran out of the residence and down the street to an unknown location. The suspect has not been located at this time.

TRANSITION: Obviously, choosing the correct person to marry is very, very important business. Also, choosing the correct APOSTLE is just as important. So in keeping with our church series in Acts 2, I would like to venture off the road a bit and explain the qualifications of being chosen.

BIBLE VERSE: 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.

*Notes: This is for leaders only so please don’t bother bringing this up with the youth. But when it comes to the issue of the selection of Matthias there are differentiating opinions. For example, some people believe that there is supposed to be a line of succession, and they even believe that that succession continues to this day (I refute that, but please don’t make it an issue with this lesson). Also, there is some discussion that the selection of Matthias was actually a mistake and the apostles later corrected in by replacing him with Paul. I don’t have an opinion on that, but you’d be free to do your own research. Either way, I just wanted to give you more background on this topic as I tend to do. On a third issue, some theologians actually go as far as to say the gift of apostleship is an old gift that has gone a way. I don’t know where that comes from nor have I researched it well enough to provide for you a solid answer. Having said that, nothing in this lesson makes a clear enough distinction about apostleship for that to be an issue

THINGS TO DO FOR THOSE WHO ARE CHOSEN:

1. PRAY & WAIT:

Look back at Acts 1, verse 14 shows that they were men of prayer. Also, these were men wiling to wait on the Lord, which is something that I believe to be somewhat uncommon now.