How to Move Forward with Faith and Purpose
1: Remember God’s Faithfulness in the Past
When you’re leading your church through uncertain times or standing at a crossroads, one of the most important things you can do is remember God’s faithfulness in the past. Acts 1:15-26 might seem like a strange passage for this topic, but it provides a powerful reminder of how God’s purposes prevail, even through challenging circumstances:
“In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ‘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. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ (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. 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.) ‘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.” So, one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.’ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:15-26 (ESV)
What’s going on here?
This passage is sandwiched in between the ascension of Jesus and Pentecost. Just prior to this, these disciples had experienced Jesus ascending with the great promise of the Holy Spirit. He had told them to wait until the Spirit came with power, and then he ascended into heaven demonstrating his power. Right after this passage in chapter 2 the Spirit is unleashed and 3000 people are added to the church. It was crazy. Fire, wind, foreign tongues, and accusations of boozing it up before noon.
Right in between the promise of the Spirit and the arrival of the Spirit is this little section of scripture that goes into more detail than we need about Judas and the choosing of his replacement. Under Peter’s leadership, one of the first things they did after praying was to restore their number to 12. This is an example of standing on the shoulders of the past. How so?
We need to look at Peter’s phrasing. In verse :16, Peter says “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled,” and then provides two different Psalms of David that point to this moment as they are dealing with the suicide of Judas and choosing his replacement. Peter says, the first fulfillment of, may his camp become desolate and let there be no one to dwell in it, was fulfilled when Judas purchased a field with his blood-money that became a desolate field. The second fulfillment was pointing to the work they were doing in choosing Matthias as his replacement. Way back in the Psalms David wrote, ‘let another take his office.”
I believe that God is reminding these first apostles and reminding us that His faithful purposes are invincible. When God says something, it will be fulfilled, even if it takes a thousand years.
Notice Peter said the scripture had to be fulfilled. How can he say, It “had to be”? It’s because the purposes of God are invincible—unconquerable, indomitable, supreme, omnipotent.
If you are at crossroads today, you need to see that his purpose for you is not crumbling. God is not worried; there is no panic in his face; but only the confidence of an invincible purpose. He has spoken and it has to be.
This is good and true but why on earth would Luke use the story of Judas to illustrate this truth? Why use this ugly, brutal, tragic story to illustrate the invincible purposes of the Holy Spirit? Why lift up this shady character to make his point? I think it’s because our tendency is to assume that when things go bad, when there is lying and mistrust, betrayal, and death, that’s when we need all the help we can get to believe that the purposes of God are invincible. What Acts 1 reminds us that not even Judas and Satan could undermine or deter the all-encompassing invincibility of God’s purpose.
So, one of the ways we can stand on the shoulders of the past is by remembering the faithfulness of God. Sometimes calling God’s faithfulness to mind does not come easily or naturally for us and God knows this. Which is why he’s been so diligent in encouraging us to discipline ourselves with reminders. That’s why he gave us the Lord’s Supper, and said do this regularly as a reminder of what I did for you on the cross. I know you’ll forget otherwise! That’s why there are so many feasts and festivals in the Old Testament. They’re all scheduled reminders of God’s faithfulness so the people wouldn’t forget.
It’s why the shema was to be bound to the hands and foreheads, it’s why manna was kept in the Ark of the Covenant, it’s why Joshua told 12 men to go into the middle of the miraculously dry riverbed select large stones to build a monument. Because we’re a forgetful people and we need reminders of God’s faithfulness.
So, church leader, when you’re at a Crossroads it’s critical to remember that God has been faithful to you in the past. It’s essential to cultivate this discipline of remembering. We must build markers in our personal and church life to remind us of His provision. Whether through reflective prayers, visual symbols, or shared stories, remembering God’s faithfulness strengthens us for the road ahead.
Practical Tip for Leaders: Start your team meetings or personal prayer times by thanking God for specific ways He’s shown His faithfulness. Consider creating a visual marker—a wall, altar, or display—that tells the story of God’s work in your church.
