A RENEWED PASSION FOR THE CHURCH
Message Date: 4/23/23
Speaker: Pastor Renee Hidalgo

The Resurrection of Jesus leads to the birth of the Church.

The Early Church Leaders have to ‘figure it out’ as they go!

Acts 1:8

” …You will receive

when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my

Reveal Answer

, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:12-13

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the

room of the house where they were staying.

1. They stayed together.
2. They went to the upstairs room (where they had been with Jesus).

Acts 1:13-14

Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James).

They all met together and were constantly united in

, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

Prayer is a recurring theme in the Early Church.

Acts 1:15-17

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

“Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning

, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and

Reveal Answer

in the ministry with us.”

Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.

Acts 1:18-19

(Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. The news of his

spread to all the people of Jerusalem…)

1. The disciples’ calling came during the most overwhelming of times.
2. Two Keys: Prayer & Scripture

Acts 1:20

Peter continued, “This was written in the book of

, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’

Acts 1:21-22

“So now we must choose a

for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”

Acts 1:23

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas… and Matthias. Then they all

, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry…

1. They made a proposal…
2. Then they prayed…
3. Then they made a decision!

Acts 1:26

Then they cast lots, and Matthias was

to become an apostle with the other eleven.

Birth stories are always messy!

The Church is alive and well 2000 years later!

1. Renewed Passion for The Church
2. Renewed Commitment to Prayer & Scripture

Would you read the Bible Plan, Acts: Gospel Mission Then and Now, with us?
https://bible.com/p/58094725/80b564cc22590af11d9ac303bcfda398