Faithfulness in the In-Between: Embracing Community and Prayer
Summary
Life is rarely a straight line. Often, we find ourselves in the “in between”—those seasons where the past is behind us, but the future hasn’t yet arrived. The disciples experienced this after Jesus’ ascension and before the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In that uncertain space, they didn’t know exactly what to do, but they did what they knew: they gathered together, united in prayer, forming a new kind of community that included men and women, longtime followers and new believers, even those who once doubted. This was not just a waiting room; it was the birthplace of a new people, shaped by unity, community, and prayer.
In our own lives, we all face these “in between” moments—waiting for healing, clarity, or the next step. The story in Acts 1 shows that faithfulness in these times isn’t about having all the answers or making perfect decisions. Instead, it’s about being present, honest, and dependent on God. The disciples’ response to Judas’ betrayal and death is a powerful reminder that even in pain and loss, God’s redemptive plan is still unfolding. Peter’s willingness to address the hard truth, and the community’s commitment to prayerful discernment, reveal a posture of humility and trust.
The process of replacing Judas wasn’t about filling a vacancy for its own sake, but about maintaining the witness of the resurrection—the very foundation of the church. The method they used, casting lots, may seem strange, but the heart behind it was dependence on God’s sovereignty rather than their own perfect performance. After the Holy Spirit’s arrival, this method disappears, replaced by the Spirit’s guidance, but the principles remain: unity, community, and prayer are essential for navigating the unknown.
We may never hear much about Matthias, the one chosen to replace Judas, but his story reminds us that significance in God’s kingdom isn’t about fame or recognition. It’s about faithful obedience, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes. In every season, especially the in between, God calls us to lean into community, pursue unity, and persist in prayer, trusting that his purposes will prevail. Our ultimate direction is clear: to join in God’s mission, making disciples and living as a spiritual family, anchored in the promise that Jesus is with us always.
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Key Takeaways
- Faithfulness in the “In Between”
Life is filled with seasons of waiting and uncertainty, where the next step isn’t clear. In these times, what matters most is not having all the answers, but doing what we know to do: being present, honest, and prayerful. God often shapes us most deeply in these in between spaces, teaching us to trust his timing and sovereignty rather than our own understanding. [05:26]
- The Power of United Prayer and Community
The early followers of Jesus didn’t just pray individually; they were united in prayer as a diverse community—men and women, doubters and believers alike. This unity wasn’t just a nice idea, but the foundation for God’s new people, a church on mission. True spiritual growth and resilience are found in shared rhythms of prayer and life together, not in isolation. [14:18]
- Redemption is Always Possible
The story of Judas and Peter reminds us that failure and betrayal are not the end of the story. While Judas was consumed by despair, Peter waited and received forgiveness and restoration. God’s character is defined by redemption and reconciliation for all who turn to him, no matter how far they have fallen. The story is never over until God says it’s over. [19:33]
- God’s Plan Doesn’t Depend on Our Perfection
The disciples’ method of casting lots to replace Judas shows that God’s purposes are not thwarted by imperfect processes or decisions. What matters is a posture of dependence, humility, and obedience. Our plans and efforts are real, but God’s sovereignty ultimately establishes what happens, inviting us to trust him even when outcomes are uncertain. [27:00]
- Significance is Found in Faithful Obedience, Not Recognition
Matthias, chosen to replace Judas, fades into obscurity, yet his role was essential. In God’s kingdom, there are no “great” or “small” parts—only faithfulness to the task God assigns. True joy and meaning come from embracing our part, however visible or hidden, and trusting that God uses every act of obedience for his greater mission. [33:25]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - The Ordinary “In Between”
[04:08] - Life’s Transitions and Waiting
[06:03] - Personal Story: Waiting in Uncertainty
[09:17] - Prayer and Presence in the Waiting
[11:10] - A New Kind of Community
[13:03] - The Significance of 120
[14:18] - United in Prayer
[16:15] - Addressing Judas’ Absence
[18:52] - Redemption and Despair: Judas vs. Peter
[21:29] - Criteria for Apostolic Witness
[22:40] - The Symbolism of Twelve
[23:57] - The Church’s Core Mission
[25:47] - Casting Lots and God’s Sovereignty
[30:20] - Unity, Community, and Prayer in Practice
[32:46] - Faithfulness Without Fame
[34:43] - The Great Commission: Our Ultimate Direction
[36:31] - Embracing Your Part in God’s Mission
[38:28] - Living with Conviction in the In Between
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Faithfulness in the In Between”
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:12–26 (The disciples gather, pray, and replace Judas)
- 1 John 1:9 (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”) [20:55]
- Matthew 28:18–20 (The Great Commission) [34:43]
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### Observation Questions
1. Who was present in the upper room after Jesus’ ascension, and what were they doing together? (Acts 1:12–14) [04:08]
2. What criteria did Peter give for choosing someone to replace Judas as an apostle? (Acts 1:21–22) [21:29]
3. How did the disciples decide between the two candidates to replace Judas, and what was their attitude in making this decision? (Acts 1:23–26) [25:09]
4. According to the sermon, what was significant about the number of people (about 120) gathered together? [13:03]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The disciples responded to uncertainty by gathering in prayer and community. What does this reveal about their priorities and understanding of following Jesus in times of waiting? [14:18]
2. Peter openly addressed Judas’ betrayal and death. What does this teach about dealing with pain, loss, or failure within a faith community? [16:15]
3. The method of casting lots to choose Matthias seems unusual. What does this say about the disciples’ trust in God’s sovereignty versus their own ability to make perfect decisions? [25:47]
4. The sermon contrasts Judas and Peter’s responses to failure. What does this teach about God’s character and the possibility of redemption, even after serious mistakes? [19:33]
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### Application Questions
1. The “in between” seasons of life can feel confusing or discouraging. Can you share a time when you felt “in between”—waiting for clarity, healing, or direction? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [05:26]
2. The early church was united in prayer, including people from different backgrounds and even those who had doubted. How can you help create a more united and prayerful community in your small group or church? What practical steps could you take this month? [14:18]
3. When facing uncertainty, the disciples did what they knew: they prayed, stayed present, and leaned on each other. What is one simple, faithful action you can take this week in an area of your life where you feel uncertain? [09:17]
4. The story of Judas and Peter shows that failure is not the end if we turn to God. Is there an area in your life where you need to receive God’s forgiveness or offer it to someone else? What would it look like to take a step toward reconciliation? [19:33]
5. Matthias was chosen for a crucial role but is never mentioned again. Are you willing to serve faithfully even if your role is unseen or unrecognized? What “behind the scenes” opportunities might God be inviting you into right now? [33:25]
6. The sermon emphasized that God’s plan doesn’t depend on our perfect performance, but on our dependence, humility, and obedience. Is there something you’ve been putting off because you’re afraid of not doing it perfectly? What would it look like to trust God and take a step anyway? [27:00]
7. Jesus’ final command was to make disciples and live as a spiritual family. Who is one person you can intentionally encourage or disciple this week? How can you invite them into deeper community or prayer? [34:43]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, especially for those who feel “in between” right now. Ask God for unity, courage, and faithfulness as you wait on Him together.
Devotional
Day 1: Living Faithfully in the In-Between
Life is rarely a straight line; it is filled with seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and transition—those “in-between” times when the past is over but the future hasn’t yet arrived. In these moments, it’s easy to feel lost or anxious, wondering what God is doing or if He’s forgotten us. Yet, just as the disciples waited between Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, we are invited to trust God’s timing and presence in our own in-between seasons. These are not wasted times, but opportunities to lean into prayer, community, and dependence on God, knowing that He is at work even when we cannot see the outcome. [05:26]
Acts 1:12-14 (ESV)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 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. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel “in-between” right now, and how can you intentionally invite God into that space through prayer and community today?
Day 2: United in Prayer and Community
The early followers of Jesus were not just waiting passively; they were united in persistent, sincere prayer, gathering as a diverse community—men and women, longtime followers and new believers. This unity in prayer was not just an individual act but a corporate rhythm, forming the foundation for God’s work among them. In the same way, our spiritual growth and effectiveness as a church are deeply tied to our willingness to seek God together, to be present with one another, and to pursue unity and community as we wait for God’s direction. [14:18]
Acts 1:14-15 (ESV)
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said...
Reflection: Who in your church family or circle of friends can you reach out to today to pray with or for, strengthening the bonds of unity and community in your life?
Day 3: God’s Redemption Is Greater Than Our Failures
The story of Judas and Peter reminds us that even in moments of deep failure or betrayal, God’s story is one of redemption and reconciliation for those who turn to Him. While Judas was consumed by guilt and despair, Peter experienced forgiveness and restoration because he waited for the redemptive power of the resurrection. No matter how far we feel we have fallen, God’s character is to forgive and restore every time we confess and turn to Him. The story is never truly over until God says it’s over. [20:14]
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you feel weighed down by guilt or regret? Take a moment to confess it to God and receive His forgiveness and restoration today.
Day 4: God’s Plan Is Not Dependent on Our Perfect Performance
The disciples did not have all the answers as they sought to replace Judas; they did the best they could, prayed, and trusted God’s sovereignty—even using casting lots, a method never used again after the Holy Spirit came. This shows us that God’s plan is not contingent on our flawless decision-making or perfect performance, but on our devoted dependence and willingness to align our hearts with His will. Our energy should be directed toward unity, community, and persistent prayer, trusting that God will establish our steps even when our plans are imperfect. [28:51]
Proverbs 16:3, 9 (ESV)
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. ... The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Reflection: Where are you hesitating to move forward because you fear making a mistake? What is one step you can take today to trust God with the outcome, even if you don’t have all the answers?
Day 5: Faithful Obedience in Every Role—Great or Small
Matthias, chosen to replace Judas, is never mentioned again in Scripture, yet his obedience was essential for the church’s mission. In God’s kingdom, there are no great or small parts—only faithfulness in the roles He assigns. Whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes, God calls each of us to play our part with humility and courage, knowing that significance comes from obedience, not recognition. In our in-between seasons, let us embrace the opportunities God gives us, trusting that He is working through us for His glory and the good of His people. [33:25]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Reflection: What is one “small” act of obedience or service you can offer today, trusting that God sees and values your faithfulness, even if no one else notices?
Quotes
if we're being honest about this passage here today this passage isn't one of those passages that makes you want to frame a verse on your wall or needle pointed on a pillow uh it sits quietly kind of between the dramatic ascension of Jesus remember we talked about this last week and the powerful arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost which we'll read a little bit later everybody loves Acts chapter 2 everybody loves Acts chapter 2 but this is this little moment in between like Jesus going up in the air and then the Holy Spirit coming down and so it kind of feels ordinary if you're reading it if you're kind of going through the book of Acts you're kind of like "Oh this feels kind of ordinary." Almost like a little footnote right a scene change maybe but if we pay attention what we'll see is something quietly profound that this passage is about how to live faithfully wait for it in the in between how do you live faithfully in the in between so let's walk through our text together starting at verse 12 in Acts chapter 1 [00:01:39]
life is not lived in like you go from point A to point B and everything makes sense and everything you set your mind to it goes where it needs to go life is rarely a straight line life is filled actually with moments of transition right moments of you're like I don't know what what's going on here you're like I didn't expect to be here it's maybe seasons of waiting you're like I'm ready i'm ready let's go okay God i'm ready i did what you told me to do i did it and go God and q-line God right it's like God's in a in this cosmic play and he's forgotten his lines and you're waiting for him to to to go ahead and say his line [00:04:34]
the in between is that space where the past is over but the future hasn't yet arrived it's the the job you lost without a new one it's the healing you prayed for that hasn't come it's the relationship that ended out that ended without clarity and and about what's next it's it's the awkward tension between promise and fulfillment between calling and wait for it clarity [00:05:26]
in 2020 I experienced one of these profound in between seasons firsthand it actually is what prefaced my own kind of season where I left everyone that I loved in an in between in 2022 in 2020 that was the year my father went under triple bypass surgery some of you remember that my sister and I traveled to California to be with him and I can tell you the moments between seeing my dad being wheeled down the hall towards the operating room and the moments where he was finally eating and breathing on his own were extremely difficult for me in fact it actually scared me for my own heart surgery that would end up happening two years later because I thought if that was the situation I'm in for an absolute doozy of a experience during this uh opportunity I found myself caught in a wrestling match between believing he would be okay and worrying about these precious moments that I had with him that might be my last [00:06:29]
and so in the middle of my in between I realized that knowing exactly what to do was less important than knowing exactly Listen this you can't miss this i know you're looking at the picture trying to read what my sister's saying in the in between I realized that knowing exactly what to do was less important than doing exactly what I only knew to do okay and what did I know to do there's a lot that I didn't know but there's things that I knew I should have done the first thing was I prayed i listened to my sister and stepmom express their fears and hopes and I expressed my own with transparency my sister and I had honest conversations over ramen about what life would maybe look like if and when our dad made it out of surgery and we prayed together a lot sincerely we prayed not only because I felt like our father's s uh situation desperately needed prayers but mostly we prayed because my anxious heart needed to be transparent about our sense of powerlessness and how desperate we were for God to be sovereign and to be good [00:08:38]
and the most significant and helpful thing I did during that time was to be actually fully present with the people that I was with and fully submitted to God's sovereignty in the waiting through prayer so while I can't claim to know exactly what it must have been like for the disciples and the other followers of Jesus to navigate their specific in between that season of their lives caught in between what they heard Jesus calling them to and actually fulfilling that call i do know what it's like to be in between in between what was and what you would hope to be have you ever been there have you ever been there and yet even in this season uncertain season luke tells us that the followers of Jesus were doing what they were united in prayer but there's more happening here than just a prayer meeting [00:09:57]
the names listed include both what men and women women and those who had followed Jesus here and here's here thing it's this is kind of this ticking down it says you look at here verse 14 they were all in prayer along with them women including Mary the mother of Jesus okay so far we have people that have believed this is you know adding women to the list in this time and age would seem kind of superolous but the disciples were setting a new expectation of what it means to be citizens of the kingdom of God no Greek no Jew right but then but then he says something that that should have put people going "Oh oh really?" And his brothers his brothers why is that why is that an issue why because remember in John chapter 7 you remember this this the story where Jesus's brothers come to him and they come talking to him like "Oh you should go and then and then it says this little phrase and and and they doubted that that he was who he was." Right so when we get to this list here Luke is saying "Look the disciples were there check the women were there." Well yeah i mean they were there you know Jesus's mother well if anyone believed that Jesus was God it was the one through whom the virgin birth was happening right and then his brothers oh his brothers but I thought they weren't they do you see what's happening here now this wasn't just a prayer circle it was the formation of a new community and that matters [00:11:10]
in Jewish terms the disciples were a body of sufficient size to form a new community." In other words Luke was saying remember they all scattered when Jesus died and then as he rose from the dead and began to appear guess what a community now is being formed a new community has rallied around this message of the way things are on the uprise we might be in between but guess what things are going as God planned it to be [00:13:23]
the most significant thing was that the people who were there were from all different backgrounds and experiences men and women longtime followers and new believers and they were practicing this everyday rhythm within the context of a community and so they were continually in prayer as Luke 14 Luke 1:14 tells us and that is the key phrase united in prayer this wasn't just individual devotion it was a corporate act of seeking God's will together [00:14:05]
a church though is that that's just kind of a gathering of Christians but a church a church living on mission is is made up of people living in unity community and is engaged in one another with prayer it's all of these things community unity prayer not just any one of these things this is one of the reasons why we have committed to studying the Bible together over the summer pursuing a gospel- centered life is just as much about a shared journey through the scripture and a collective pursuit of God's heart and mission as it is about personal disciplehip [00:15:24]
the difference between Judas and Peter was only a couple days a couple days the difference is that Judas was consumed by a kind of guilt and despair that kind of gave him well that did give him the emotional permission to be unwilling or at least feel unable to wait for the redemptive power of the resurrection and the offer of forgiveness that was offered even to Peter who denied him three times and to me this is a powerful reminder that in our in between times when despair threatens to overwhelm the story is never truly over until God says it's over [00:19:19]
the criteria for the disciples were clear the replacement had to be someone who was with them who had been with Jesus for really from the beginning of his public ministry all the way to his ascension now some of you might be asking like why does Judas need to be replacing well one of the most influential Bible you know couldn't they just do with 11 totally fine why have to replace right we don't need to replace him well one of the most influential Bible scholars and theologians of the second half of the 20th century wrote this in his highly regarded commentary the book of Acts in fact if you look at any book of Acts they'll quote him it's FF Bruce and he says this "The total of 12 was significant it actually corresponded to the number of the tribes of Israel." [00:22:01]
the main purpose of the disciples to be a witness which they should have known anyways because Acts 18 says this right wait you will re receive power and you will be my what witnesses right and so basically what Luke was communicating with the detail is that the disciples understood that Jesus had called them to be witnesses and that the actions within our text is there to show us their best efforts in making sure that they were a strong witness to the resurrection of Jesus and that the truth that he is the only way to God the father [00:23:50]
the most significant thing here to grasp is this and that's this that God's plan does not hinge on our perfect performance but on our devoted dependence on him like whether or not whether or not casting of lots was a thing to do or not the main point of it is not the fact that they used casting of lots so don't go from here and like honey where should we go for dinner i don't know the Bible says the disciples cast some lots so maybe we should cast some lots too like that's No that's not what I said that's not what I said use Yelp okay it's very helpful all right this is not what I'm saying what is really pointing to is the fact that they didn't know what to do they did the best they could but what was mainly important is that they devoted their dependent you oh Lord know our hearts do what you need to do god [00:26:06]
as we navigate our inbetween seasons our focus shouldn't be paralyzed by the fear of making a wrong step is God going to be with me or by striving for a perfect performance instead our energy should be directed towards aligning ourselves with God's will through an active pursuit here's the thing three things again unity deep engagement in community and persistent sincere prayer it's about the direction of our hearts and lives more than the flawless execution of every single decision does that make sense [00:29:53]
so here's the point unity community and prayer are essential in navigating the in between seasons of life you don't have these things you are dead in the water it's the combination of all three that a local church made up of individual followers of Jesus who choose to live life as family on mission together with God does in the in between it's not enough just to say we need more prayer or maybe that we need more community that'll fix it we got to be friends if your church is not friends with each other how can you work together that's you need more that or that we need more unity we just need to be we all need y'all need to listen to my vision you all need to listen to my way you need just get in line just do what I say we need all these things we need it all working when I say all these things not do what I say it's like oh Phil's man really revealing himself today no we need unity right unity not conformity unity [00:30:44]
part of Christian obedience right from the beginning was the call to play great parts without pride and small parts without shame there are of course no passengers in the kingdom of God and actually no great and small parts either the different task and roles to which God's assigns us are his business not ours i don't like Tom Wright very much i want to be great i want to do good i want people to like me and think that I'm significant and this is a profound application for us especially as we live out the Bible together to seek out following God's call god calls us to be faithful in obedience in the roles he gives us whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes matias's inclusion wasn't about fame it was about completing the apostolic witness essential for the launch of the church's global mission [00:33:19]
so at the end of the day it's no secret that we live in a world that often feels fragile with many unanswered questions the good news is that we have an anchor and it's what Jesus said to his disciples as he commissioned them and it's what I believe he says to us as we as we uh we live committed lives in following Jesus and this verse this is going to come up all through this series what is it matthew 28 jesus came near to them and said "All authority has been given to me in heaven on earth go therefore and what make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the father son and the holy spirit teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you and remember I am with you always to the end of the age." [00:34:43]
the great commission is our ultimate direction phil why do you always talk about this why do you always talk about it because listen I know you cuz I know me every single day Monday through Saturday there's always a great temptation to think that other things are more important why because my bills come in and that's really really important my kid calls me and says "Hey can you take me to That's really really important i got to make dinner i got to have right everything is begging for me to understand the importance of of of its importance." But who is going to remind you that our life's purpose is to be part of God's grand design which is to reach more and more people to build a spiritual family and if that's the role that I play in your lives and you're sick and tired of it then I feel like I've done my job but this is this is it this is it people the great commission our task is to join this mission of sharing the gospel working community and seeking in prayer this just isn't for a select few it's for all of us who follow Jesus [00:35:19]
what are you doing in the in between it might be a great part it might be a small part but it's your part are you actively engaging in prayer like literally have you prayed recently the food doesn't count you've gone before the Lord and you're like "Oh Lord I need you i need you to intervene lord you are and then are you worshiping are you Lord you are holy not because he needs it but because sometimes our heart needs to be redirected with the realities of who God is in light of who we are and sometimes we just got to do that thing are you leaning in a community are you seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance are you letting God's direction for your life outweigh any perceived need for perfect performance oh I know God wants me to do this but the conditions aren't just right oh I know God wants me to do this but you know I I want to do it right i want to do it perfect i I just I can't I can't I can't do it go do the thing that you know God has told you to do pursue it and guess what god will be with you cuz it's him anyways and if it doesn't work out how you thought well guess what it probably worked out how God wanted it to and be okay with that too cuz sometimes God wants to do things through you but many times he's actually looking to do something in you [00:36:49]
let us live with that conviction embracing in between seasons as opportunities for deep deep reliance on him for greater unity with other brothers and sisters of Christ and for the courageous obedience to his ongoing mission to make disciples and baptize people teaching them to obey everything that Jesus taught to the glory of God the Father amen [00:38:21]
