Seen by God: The Power of Ordinary Acts of Faithfulness
Acts 1-2
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Here we have the beginning of the history of the church according to the records of Luke. He's writing these accounts to Theophilus, likely a Gentile believer or a person of particular significance, connecting this book to his Gospel (Luke 1:3). And Luke describes his writing as a telling of what Jesus has begun to do. This isn't a complete history of the church because Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit continues even today. So, what Luke records is the work of the Holy Spirit among the apostles. This is a snapshot of the church’s foundation.
That foundation is built upon these acts of the apostles, focusing on the Holy Spirit’s role among the apostles and its relevance. Acts 1 opens with the apostles in a season of waiting, a critical moment that sets the stage for the explosive events of Pentecost in Acts 2. This period of waiting, though brief, is rich with significance for their preparation.
Jesus commands the apostles not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for "the promise of the Father" (the Holy Spirit). He promises they will receive power to be His witnesses.
Acts 1:6-8
So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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."
This waiting is not passive but purposeful, rooted in obedience to Jesus’ instruction. They devote themselves to prayer, joined by Mary, Jesus’ mother, other women, and His brothers. During this time, Peter leads the group (about 120 believers in all) to address Judas’ betrayal and death. They pray and cast lots to choose Matthias as the twelfth apostle, ensuring the apostolic witness is complete for the mission ahead.
So the first church family consists of the eleven apostles (Acts 1:13: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James), and other close followers, such as the women who supported Jesus’ ministry (e.g., Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna; see Luke 8:1-3), and many others unnamed.
The apostles ask [Jesus],
"Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).
Rooted in Jewish hope, this reveals their lingering expectation of a political or national restoration of Israel's sovereignty.
Jesus redirects their focus:
"It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority" (Acts 1:7).
Shifting their attention from speculation to the mission at hand, Jesus emphasizes that God’s timeline is not their concern. Instead he focuses them upon the mission of the Holy Spirit. This is thematic heartbeat of the book of Acts.
Though the power of Pentecost has not yet come, they employed prayer and the Spirit's power in choosing Matthias’ to replace Judas. The choice is seen as divinely ordained, equipping the apostles for their role as witnesses (Acts 1:8). Matthias’ inclusion restores the twelve apostles, symbolizing continuity with Israel and the church’s role as God’s renewed people. This parallels Jesus’ promise that the apostles would "sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28).
Matthias represents the many faithful disciples who followed Jesus without prominence. His selection shows that God honors quiet faithfulness, choosing ordinary believers for significant roles in His mission. And let's not forget that Joseph (called Barsabbas or Justus) was among the choices and therefore he was thought well of by these men. Joseph’s story teaches us that being "unchosen" for a specific role doesn’t lessen one’s value or calling. Like Matthias, he represents the many faithful disciples who serve God wholeheartedly, trusting His plan even when it differs from their expectations. It's not always about being a frontman in the church. His example, while unheard by us, is seen by The Lord.
Matthias was an ordinary believer among the 120, yet God chose him for an apostolic role, paralleling how the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Matthias was a disciple who followed Jesus from John the Baptist’s ministry through the ascension (Acts 1:21-22), making him a witness to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. His obscurity until Acts 1:26 highlights his quiet faithfulness, a trait shared by many in the 120 believers. Matthias’ story shows that God sees and values those who serve without seeking recognition. His years of unheralded discipleship qualified him for a pivotal role, reminding us that faithfulness in small things prepares us for God’s greater purposes (Luke 16:10). Matthias’ inclusion ensures the apostolic witness is complete, enabling the church to grow from 120 to over 3,000 at Pentecost (Acts 2:41).
Matthias represents the many disciples who followed Jesus without prominence and rose in his position. Joseph, though "unchosen" for that role, exemplifies steadfast faithfulness despite remaining in the background. Both were part of the 120 believers, the “first church family,” who waited purposefully in Acts 1, preparing for the Spirit’s empowerment at Pentecost (Acts 2).
It should not go unnoticed that ordinary faithfulness is consistent devotion to God through daily obedience, prayer, and service, without seeking recognition or reward. Being faithful to God in the little things is trusting God to use these "little things" for His greater purpose (Luke 16:10). This shows that God values every act of service, whether recognized or not.
God Sees the Unseen:
Matthias and Joseph served without fanfare, yet God saw their hearts. And the others, (120 in all), get little notice as well, but...
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Write this verse on your heart and know in your spirit that God sees you. He loves you. And He is always with you. Your ordinary faithfulness is seen in the daily, consistent devotion to God through small acts of obedience, prayer, and service, done without seeking recognition.
Remember:
"Your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:4).
God notices and values acts done with a pure heart, even if hidden from others. Picture God watching your daily acts of faithfulness; praying, serving, or obeying in small ways. How does His intimate attention encourage you to keep going, even when no one else notices?
Thank Him for seeing you, perhaps praying, "Father, thank You for seeing my heart and valuing my little things."
Conclusion:
Joseph and the 120’s rewards, though less visible, were equally significant in God’s economy, perhaps in spiritual growth, community impact, or eternal inheritance.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Freedom from performance or perfectionism, serving for God alone. What "little thing" can you do today in secret, trusting your Father sees it?