Notes

Introduction

As believers, one of the most important questions we regularly ask is:

How do I know God’s will?
What is God’s will for my life?
Does God want me to do this or that?

In a self-driven world that encourages us to follow our own hearts, scripture calls us to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and trust God’s direction for our lives.

The Will of God

God has a perfect will for our lives and for the world. However, He also allows a permissive will, shaped through human free will and our decisions either to obey Him or to go our own way. See: 1 Samuel 8:6–9, 19–22, Psalms 106:13–15, Romans 1:24–26, Acts  7:42

“The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God, or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.”
— Elisabeth Elliot

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
— Hudson Taylor

The Situation — What Should I Do in the Meantime? (Acts 1:15–26)

What do we do between the prayer and the answer?

What do we do between the promise and the fulfilment of that promise?

This was a completely new experience for the apostles.

• Jesus had ascended back to Heaven, and the Holy Spirit had not yet come.

• The apostles were left with clear instructions from Jesus:
• Do not leave Jerusalem.
• Wait for the promised Holy Spirit.
  (Acts 1:4)

Application

Like the apostles, we sometimes struggle to follow instructions and can become distracted by other things that may not be God’s will for our lives.

Sometimes Jesus simply wants us to wait for His promise to be fulfilled.

Are you prepared to trust God while waiting for the promise?

The Problem — Self-Inspired or God-Inspired Decision Making? (Acts 1:15–26)

“In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)…”
— Acts 1:15

– There is much debate surrounding Peter’s timing and decision to lead the apostles in replacing Judas.

– Some scholars believe the apostles were acting within the will of God and fulfilling Old Testament prophecy by replacing Judas.

– Others argue that the apostles acted too quickly and made a decision in haste, noting that Matthias is never mentioned again in Scripture.

– Some even suggest that Paul was ultimately God’s chosen replacement for Judas.

Interestingly, Jesus gave the apostles two direct commands:

1. Do not leave Jerusalem.
2. Wait for the promised Holy Spirit.
   (Acts 1:4) Replacing Judas was never specifically mentioned.

Application

It is possible to have the right intentions and motives to do something for God and still be outside of His perfect will.

An idea may seem good, practical, and even helpful — but have we truly sought whether God is leading us to do it?

The Solution & Celebration — God-Inspired Decisions Produce Fruit (Acts 2:14–21 & 37–39)

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”
— Acts 2:37

– Whether Peter’s decision to replace Judas with Matthias was part of God’s perfect will or His permissive will remains debated.

– However, there is no ambiguity about this: on the Day of Pentecost, God powerfully used Peter to preach a Holy Spirit-empowered message that led many people to repentance and salvation.

(See Peter’s full message in Acts 2:14–41.)

Application

God’s will is the best place to be because it carries His blessing and approval. The power of the Holy Spirit is not only about supernatural gifts, speaking in other languages, or miracles. The Holy Spirit also leads us into repentance, obedience, wisdom, and alignment with God’s will.

Questions

1. When have you faced a decision where you deeply needed God’s direction?
2. What makes waiting on God difficult?
3. How can we tell the difference between faithful waiting and fear-based hesitation?
4. Have you ever seen God work during a season of waiting?
5. How can we become more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit?
6. How can the Christian community help confirm or clarify God’s direction?

Bonus Discussion

Join the debate regarding the replacement of Judas in Acts chapter 1.

Do you believe replacing Judas while waiting for the Holy Spirit was done in God’s timing and will? Why or why not?