Believers’ Prayer for Boldness
First given in 2001, Sterling C. Franklin
Translation used in this sermon: NIV
Brief Outline --
Believers’ Prayer for Boldness
Acts 4:23-33
(Broader Context: Acts 3 & 4)
I. God Showed a Sign (Acts 3)
II. They Prayed with Unity (4:24)
III. They Asked for Boldness (4:29-30)
IV. God Showed a Sign (4:31)
V. The People Were Unified… (4:32)
VI. …As they spoke with Boldness (4:31-33)
---
Background:
(1) Healing of a Beggar at the Temple Gate called ’Beautiful’ (Acts 3)
Acts 3:1-8
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer-- at three in the afternoon.
2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"
5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Note: People saw him and wondered.
Peter explained that it was by faith in Jesus that the beggar was able to walk.
(2) Reproof from the authorities for speaking in Jesus’ Name (Acts 4)
Acts 4:1-4
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.
2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
Note: Peter also witnessed to these rulers. They were not educated scholars standing before the Sanhedrin, but they were boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ, and the Lord had granted the power of the Holy Spirit to back it up. They stated that it was more important to obey God rather than men, and they were beaten and sent away.
Now we come to our text.
Text:
Acts 4:23-33
23 And when they had been released, they went to their own companions, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is Thou who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Thy servant, didst say, ’Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things?
26 ’The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord, and against His Christ.’
27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
28 to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur.
29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence,
30 while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Thy holy servant Jesus."
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
In the midst of pressure, the Apostles were faithful in following God over men.
Hopefully authority goes hand-in-hand, but when reign is wicked, it becomes less common.
They were preaching about His Death & Resurrection -- as we celebrate and commemorate this week, let our hearts be introspective as well as joyful.
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed are you when...
In Acts 4, after being questioned by rulers and scribes about their ’power source’ for the healing of a lame man (couldn’t walk), Peter and John went back to their cohorts (fellow disciples) and prayed a wonderful prayer...
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all
that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and all that in them is:
Here, they give Praise to God for who He is and for what He has done -
that’s a good definition of Worship.
This is a prayer acknowleding the Creative aspects of God -- He is our Creator. Just thinking about Creation is enough to put us into a deep sense of awe -- He has made all things. Think of how intricate the human body is, and how complex its operations are. The LORD is truly an intelligent designer.
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen
rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered
together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed,
both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of
Israel, were gathered together,
The believers recount a pertinent prophecy from the Psalms, given through David
(comes from Psalm 2 in your local Bible), and in verse 28, acknowledge
an attribute of God’s Sovereign Will:
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be
done.
Right now, they are also worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth. God
is a Spirit, and we must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
(But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such
to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth. - John 4:23-24)
They had a pure and right heart in True Praise and were in agreement
(in one accord -- unity of the Body). They also Praised Him even with His Word and knowledge
of it through the Holy Spirit. You can ’stand on the Word’ in a sort,
in praying verses from the Bible. Just don’t do anything artificially
out of your own heart! Don’t be like a Pharisee and yell on a street
corner how great your works are just to get approval from men. As Paul
said, ’am I trying to win approval of men, or of God?’
Here comes the biggie that we should all consider to some extent in
our own daily prayers. We ALL need the Boldness from the Holy Ghost and
should acknowledge that and ask for it. ’Ye have not because ye ask
not.’ Also, ’if a father, though being evil, gives good gifts to his
children, how much more shall the Father give the Holy Spirit to those
who ask!’ Matthew 7:7 says, ’ask and receive, knock and the door shall
be opened unto you.’ Amen, and here’s the prayer:
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders
may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Now THAT is a pretty awesome request, huh? Not just boldness, but for
applied faith in healing in Jesus’ Name, and miracles in His Name (the
Name above ALL other names), too!
Purpose: In His Name (or by His Authority) -- attribution: for His Glory.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
they spake the word of God with boldness.
The place was SHAKEN after they prayed. I highly doubt this was an ordinary ’earthquake’. What about the Mighty Rushing Wind in Acts 2? That was certainly NO coincidence (they ended up with the Holy Ghost and Speaking in the tongues [languages] of different people in the streets around the Upper Room!). God shook the place and granted their prayer. What about Elijah’s prayer for rain to cease in the land?
Was that just a natural coincidence, as well?
No!
So if God answers prayers miraculously, do you believe He will grant the same for YOU?
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Unified prayer led to unity in the Body as a response.
