Mission Preparation

Acts 1:12–26

We’re in week two of our series in Acts. Last week we saw Jesus’ promises: the Holy Spirit’s power, the call to be witnesses, and the assurance of His return. Today, we pick up with how the disciples prepared themselves for God’s supernatural work. Preparations matter! Just like we make careful plans for life’s big moments, the early church made spiritual preparations for God to move.

Acts 1:12–13 (ESV)

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.

Acts 1:14–26 (ESV)

The early church shows us four elements of preparation that positioned them to receive God’s power then—and should shape how we prepare for His power now.

1. The Church was unified (Acts 1:14a)

“All these with one accord…”

• Unity was the very first mark of preparation. Ten times in Acts we see the phrase “with one accord.”

• Unity doesn’t erase differences; it harmonizes them for God’s glory.

• This reflects God Himself: one God in three persons, perfectly unified.

Practical takeaways:

• Prioritize MISSION over METHOD.

• See the VALUE in the VARIETY of gifts and personalities.

2. The Church was devoted to prayer (Acts 1:14)

“…were devoting themselves to prayer…”

• Prayer wasn’t optional—it was constant.

• Everyone participated: apostles, women, Mary, and even Jesus’ brothers.

• Prayer prepared them for Pentecost; prayer prepares us for God’s movement today.

Practical takeaways:

• Pray honestly – God already knows; honesty is for us.

• Pray boldly – believing nothing is impossible with Him (Luke 1:37).

• Pray consistently – prayer is not the afterthought; it’s the starting point.

3. The Church was anchored on the Bible (Acts 1:15–16, 20)

• Peter explained Judas’ betrayal and their next steps by pointing to Scripture.

• The Psalms guided their decisions.

• God’s Word anchored the church then; it anchors the church now.

Practical takeaways:

• The Bible is our authority when culture shifts or leaders fail.

• We stand under it, stand on it, and cling to it daily.

4. The Church trusted God for direction (Acts 1:20–26)

• Casting lots may seem odd to us, but it was a way of entrusting decisions to God’s sovereignty.

• After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit guides directly—but the principle remains: trust God for direction.

Practical takeaway:

• Trust that God leads even when the method is unclear.

• Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and he will make straight your paths.”

Closing Questions

• Am I a unifier?

• Am I devoted to prayer?

• Am I anchored in Scripture?

• Am I trusting God for direction?

The early church prepared for a supernatural movement of God. Are we?