Acts 1:12

Then they returned unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem about a Sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into the upper room, where they abode with Peter and James and John and Andrew and Philip and Thomas and Bartholomew and Matthew and James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the zealot and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brethren. (Acts 1:12-14)

When the Spirit had not yet fallen, the church waited together in one accord, in prayer—and that is still the pattern for us today.

A Unique Heart for Missions

Over the last several years I've had the opportunity to travel to many Calvary Chapels, both here in the States and throughout Europe. One of the things that strikes me is that Calvary Chapel Escondido is unique among them, especially as it relates to missions. The heart the Lord gave to Pat in this area, and what we have done over the last 25 years, is a pattern that many Calvaries are now beginning to follow. They are seeing the need to raise up missionaries from within their own church and send them out. It's an honor to be part of a fellowship like this, and I believe much of it has been stirred up by the very book we're studying—the book of Acts.

Waiting in Jerusalem

As we saw over the last couple of weeks, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. In verse 4 He said, "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." They asked if He would now restore the kingdom to Israel, and He answered, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons... but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts." The whole rest of this book testifies to that work.

So the disciples return to the city and gather in the upper room. We don't know exactly where it was—perhaps the same upper room of the Last Supper in John 13. It wasn't just the eleven, though. Some of the women who followed Jesus were there, along with at least a couple of other men, Mary the mother of Jesus, and some of Jesus' brothers. They were waiting, and they were "with one accord."

One Accord

This word accord doesn't mean they were driving a Honda 2,000 years ago—it means they were gathered together as one. It's used only twelve times in the New Testament, and ten of those are in Acts. It carries the picture of a symphony: people playing different notes, some high, some low, yet coming together as one to make a beautiful, glorious sound. The body of Christ was knit together like that.

It is the desire of our Lord that we share that same united focus. Paul told the church at Philippi to be like-minded, having the same love, of one accord, and then in verse 5 he said, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." We are to have the mind of Christ as the body of Christ—knit together as one, not striving against each other for vain glory or financial gain. "There is one body... one Lord... one God and Father who is in you all." Paul prayed the same for the church at Rome, that they would be like-minded toward one another, that with one mouth they might glorify God.

Why Unity Matters

Why is such agreement so important? First, like-mindedness helps our prayers. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus said, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father which is in heaven." When we come together in agreement, we have a promise that God will answer.

Second, like-mindedness enhances our witness. Division has devastated the witness of the church, and people rightly ask, "I thought you were supposed to be one in Christ." But within the local church we should be united, because Jesus said in John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another."

Third, like-mindedness invites His presence. In Matthew 18:20 Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them." That's why Paul tells us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And note this—it is something the enemy always wants to disrupt. He is very good at sowing discord. Paul warned the church at Colossae to beware that no one would come in through their philosophies to spoil their faith. So when anyone has something against another, we are to forgive them just as Christ has forgiven us.

The Difficulty of Waiting

While they were gathered in one accord, they were doing something so important. Jesus had told them to wait, and waiting is hard. How many of you get antsy when you have to wait? I do. I suspect Peter did too—remember in John 21, while waiting in Galilee, he said, "I'm going fishing." But Jesus said, wait here until you receive power from on high, because you cannot fulfill the ministry of witnessing without it.

There are great promises given to those who wait. Acts 1:4 promises the Spirit. Isaiah 40:31 says those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, mount up on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart."

But our flesh fights against waiting, especially in Southern California, where there is always something to do and somewhere to go. When I lived in Siegen, Germany, the sun came up at eight and set at 3:30, and there was nothing to do but wait. I'd sit in my apartment getting antsy—"Lord, what do you want me to do?"—and He'd answer, "How about we spend some time together?" Being still and waiting upon God is lost in our culture, yet there is such a great promise there. I know the last several months of waiting have been very difficult for Pastor Pat, especially during long hospital stays. Yet it is precisely in that attitude of waiting that the Lord ministers in a powerful way we find nowhere else.

What Prayer Really Is

So what do we do when we wait? The church here was "in prayer and supplication." Like so many things, prayer has been polluted by the philosophies of men. Today some pray "to the universe" for help, others to a saint or an ancestor, others lean on positive thinking, hoping things will simply turn out better. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that won't help you. The word for prayer here is clear: it is prayer to God. The one who created the universe is the one who has power to help.

The word also speaks of a set-aside time and place for prayer. Prayer doesn't just happen on a whim; we must be determined to take time to seek the Lord. And when we speak to Him, we bring supplication—seeking God for our needs. Our prayers can become so dominated by asking that it's all we do, or we can neglect asking entirely. There needs to be balance: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Some have no problem praying for others but feel it's unspiritual to bring their own needs. Not true. James 1:5 says if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally. Philippians 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." God is very wealthy—and rich to all who call upon Him. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for their daily bread. James 4:2 says, "You have not because you ask not." But the next verse warns, "You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, to spend it upon your pleasures." If I pray for a new Corvette in Jesus' name, He may not answer. But as we ask in keeping with His nature and character, I have seen God answer in powerful ways.

Praying With Mary, Not To Her

Before we move on, notice that the people gathered together with Mary, the mother of Jesus. The disciples were not praying to Mary—they were praying with her. And Jesus' brothers were there, men who had previously been unbelieving and disrespectful to Jesus. Now a transformation had taken place.

Choosing Matthias

Verse 15 says Peter stood up among about 120 people and said, "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke concerning Judas." As they studied the Scriptures together, they recognized that the Psalms spoke of Judas's betrayal and death—he purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst asunder. (That's a favorite verse for junior highers.) The field was called Akeldama, the field of blood. From Psalm 109, "Let his habitation be desolate... and his bishopric let another take."

Peter said they should ordain someone to fill Judas's place, so that there be not eleven but twelve. The candidate had to be one who accompanied them the whole time, from John's baptism until the ascension. We often think Jesus' followers were only the twelve, but there were many more—at least these two, Matthias and Justus, who had witnessed it all. So they prayed, "Lord, you know the hearts of all men. Show whether of these two you have chosen." We do not know the hearts of others—or even the depths of our own. Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is desperately wicked; who can know it? But verse 10 says God searches the heart. They cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias.

Why We No Longer Cast Lots

Casting lots was normal in the Old Testament. Proverbs says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." It was essentially flipping a coin, trusting God to direct the outcome. People ask me why we don't do it anymore—wouldn't it take the doubt out of decisions?

First, do you have enough faith to do that? Scott, maybe the Lord is calling you to Iran—heads you go, tails you don't. It's heads. Best two out of three? When I met Andrea, if I'd flipped a coin and it came up tails, I'd have wanted best three out of five. We don't really trust it. And what if there are more than two options?

But this is the only time we see lots cast in the New Testament. Why? Because the great event of Acts 2 had not yet taken place—they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the Spirit, "He will guide you into all truth." We don't need an inanimate object anymore; we have a personal, living Holy Spirit who directs us. The peace of God that passes understanding guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4); we let the peace of God rule like an umpire calling safe or out (Colossians 3:15).

In Acts 13, as the church at Antioch fasted and ministered, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate unto me Saul and Barnabas," and they laid hands on them and sent them out. In Acts 16, the Holy Spirit forbade Paul from going into Asia. They could have flipped a coin, but the Spirit's direction would have been the same. This casts great importance on walking closely with the Lord, constantly asking, "Lord, what do you want me to do?"

New Pages of Acts

I've spent many hours with Pat over the last couple of years, and that is exactly how he has been seeking the Lord—"What's next? What do you want me to do?" All the pastors here, and many of you, are asking the same thing. We're not flipping a coin; we're saying, "God, speak to us by your word and your Spirit." And now we see the Lord opening doors for new ministry for Pastor Pat. He listed off 24 countries, and I have no doubt his passport will get pretty full as he travels and ministers among the churches like the Apostle Paul did—encouraging and strengthening the body of Christ. The Lord has an awesome way of giving us the desires of our heart, and of moving us by His Spirit into new directions. It's not an inanimate flip of a coin; it's the living Holy Spirit saying, "Separate unto me this one for the work I've called him to."

So that's what we're going to do this morning. Just as the church has done for 2,000 years, and as we've done every time we've sent out missionaries from this fellowship, we'll gather around Pastor Pat, lay hands on him, pray for him, and send him out rejoicing at what God is doing. What's happening here today is exactly what has happened in the church for the last 2,000 years—and to me, it's exciting.

Commissioning and Sending

Father, we are in great anticipation of what You're going to do. We see in part; we don't always fully know the next step, but we know You are the one leading, guiding, and directing each of us. We are thankful for the great and effective doors of ministry You are opening for Pat. This ministry, Shepherd's Staff—though You used Jeff to birth it—was ultimately a heart and desire You imparted to Jeff through Pat. I see this as the next logical step of the work You are doing through him.

We already hear from people Pat has ministered to of what an encouragement and strength he has been. Over the last 34-plus years of ministry You have given him so many experiences to strengthen the body of Christ, and there's no way You're finished with him. As Caleb and Joshua went out to fight great battles in their later years, much remains to be done. Strengthen his hands and his feet. Touch and completely heal all the medical things he's dealt with this year. As Paul told the church at Philippi to note those who walk as good patterns, we look at Pat and see an example of faith—a man who imitates Christ. We commit him into Your hands, knowing You will keep him, strengthen him, and provide for every need, financial, spiritual, and emotional. We praise You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. For 2,000 years the church has marched forward, and here we are seeing new pages of the book of Acts written in our midst. I believe that in the coming years—maybe even next year—God will raise up from this fellowship, maybe you, to go out to the uttermost parts. It starts in our own Jerusalem and Judea, but God moves us out. Some of you are already praying about China or Africa, or you're signed up for Belize in a couple of weeks. But I believe others here will go to the uttermost parts long-term. You may say, "That'll never be me." It's probably you.

May the Lord empower you by His Spirit to rejoice in Him, even in difficult times, and to proclaim His name wherever you go. May the Lord bless you. God bless you, and have a wonderful week.