1) After Jesus' ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and gathered in an upstairs room with about 120 people, including the remaining 11 apostles. 2) They devoted themselves to prayer along with Jesus' mother, brothers and other believers as they awaited the Holy Spirit. 3) Peter addressed the group and referenced scripture about Judas' betrayal and death, saying they must choose a new apostle to replace him. 4) They selected two men to potentially fill the role, Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias, and cast lots to determine God's choice, which fell to Matthias.

1. Acts 1:12-13
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill
called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk
from the city. 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.
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2. Acts 1:14-15
They all joined together constantly in prayer,
along with the women and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter
stood up among the believers (a group
numbering about a hundred and twenty)
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3. Acts 1:16-17
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—he was one of our number and shared in
this ministry.’
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4. Acts 1:18-19
(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.
Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they
called that field in their language Akeldama, that
is, Field of Blood.)
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5. Acts 1:20-21
‘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.’ 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,
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6. Acts 1:22-23
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.’ So they proposed two men:
Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus)
and Matthias.
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7. Acts 1:24-26
Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s
heart. Show us which of these two you have
chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which
Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they
cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was
added to the eleven apostles.
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8. God’s will:
1) Starts with faith in Jesus
2) Entails living in the master plan (loving and becoming
like Jesus)
3) Primarily is focused on walking faithfully in the present
4) Using our gifts to serve

9. If you want to know the will of God
then you need to learn to LISTEN
closely in prayer.
Prayer needs to become more a WAY Of LIFE
Do what you know until God says GO
Random thoughts are not always RANDOM (though need
tested )

10. Pray and listen for the VOICE of
God revealed in the Word of
God.
Just because you are reading the Word doesn’t mean you
are HEARING God’s voice.
The Word of God is living because God still speaks IN it
and THROUGH it.
Scripture reveals the mind and heart of God and through
the Spirit I can’t think of any better GUIDE for discerning
the will of God.

11. There comes a point where you
simply need to TRUST what God
is putting on your heart.
As long as you don’t stray in heart, God will help LEAD you
where He needs you.

12. Please take a moment to fill out your
Communication Card
My Next Step Today is to:
( ) Do the home life help (in bulletin)
( ) Evaluate what role my faith plays in how I make
decisions
( ) Examine my attitude toward prayer and my
understanding of prayer.
( ) Practice listening for the voice of God revealed in the
Word of God.
( ) Continue to be faithful in seeking God trusting that He
can lead me where He needs me.
( ) Other________________________