Message: Acts 1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The Ascension of the Lord Jesus
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Praying in One Accord
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us–one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Questions for Group Discussion
- At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord Jesus commanded disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” In Acts 1, which verse corresponds to this command? What request or supply did the Lord give to them here?
- Were you a witness of the Lord before? Please share your experience.
- What is the importance of praying in one accord in Acts 1? How can this help the church life today?
Message Next Week: Acts 2
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meetings
Chinese Speaking Young People: 23/4 Mon. 7:00pm, Richard Cui’s (w/ dinner)
@ Chatswood: 26/4 Thu. 8:00pm, Ming Pan’s
@ North Region: 28/4 Sat. 7:30pm, Bill & Christine’s
Gospel Group: 28/4 Mon. 7:00pm, Olsen & Likun’s
Pursuing of Uni Students:
24/4 Tue. 7:00pm, Yulin’s (w/ dinner)
Sisters Meeting: 25/4 Wed. 10:00am, Pauline’s
Prayer Meeting: 25/4 Wed. 7:45pm,
Yvonne’s (Chatswood), Olsen’s (Warrawee)
High Schooler Meeting: 27/4 Fri. 7:30pm, Yulin’s
Pursuing for Ministering: 27/4 Fri. 8:00pm, David Tan’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today. May God bless you and lead you into this family of God.
- Thanks to the Lord for His rich supply at the Collaroy conference. We also praise the Lord that two sisters, Kelie Wei and Li-Yuan Xu, were baptized into the Lord at the conference.
If any brother or sister did not pay the fees or is willing to offer more, please put your offering in the offering box or transfer to the bank account of the church. Please contact brother Thomas or sister Jessie for details.
If you are interested in purchasing the conference T-shirts, please also contact brother Thomas.
- Today we will enter into the book of Acts for the Lord’s Day message. We hope that the church can become the testimony of the gospel through the supply of His words. Please note that the small group after the message is rearranged.
- The dates of the US trip for the Cleveland training: 23-28/7 (1st week), 30/7-3/8 (2nd week). If you are willing to go, you can choose to go for the first week or join for the entire two weeks. Please fellowship with Brother Yulin Wang for details.
Intercession:
- May the Lord bless the gospel meeting next week and may the Spirit touch people, leading them to know how precious the Lord is and become willing to believe in Him.
- Pray for the new believers (4 brothers: Stephen, William, Yuan Liu and Yuan-Pei Zhao as well as 13 sisters: Vanessa Lu, Lili Chen, Jenny Zhu, Yun-Yue Lin, Li-Qin Wu, Yun Zhu, Joies, Ariel Chen, Lu Gan, Lan-Xiu Zhang, Li-Fang Ge, Kelie Wei and Li-Yuan Xu. May the Lord establish them in the church life and bless their growth in life.
- Pray for the brothers and sisters or their relatives who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them sufficient grace.
Serving This Week: (Apr. 22)
- Message: Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: Yulin Wang & Jason Wang
- Serving Bread and Cup: Patrick Li, Olsen Yu, Jason Wang & Peter Zhang
- Cleaning: Brett & Linda Family, Sean Dong & Wei Qiong Family, Jessie & Peter, Joseph & Lisa Family, Bill & Christine Family
- Kitchen: Susan & Anne
- Children: Supervisor – Joe
Singing & teaching – Esther
Serving Next Week: (Apr. 29)
- Message: Thomas Wu & Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: David Tan & Patrick Li
- Serving Bread and Cup: Richard Cui, Sam Li, Jason Wang & Sean Dong
- Cleaning: Brett & Linda Family, Sean Dong & Wei Qiong Family, Jessie & Peter, Joseph & Lisa Family, Bill & Christine Family
- Kitchen: Lisa Wei & Qiong Wei
- Children: Supervisor – Tina
Singing & teaching – Chris & Jono
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