Boldness in the Lord
Introduction
We are going to begin a new series this morning. I have noticed that the world has become more bold in promoting values and ideas that are opposed to christian beliefs. I have also noticed that very few Christians are willing to say or do anything about it. Christians today lack boldness. We have heard so many times that Christians should be meek and we interpret that as weak. Meekness is not weakness! Meekness is power under control. Meek Christians can be bold Christians. To be bold does not mean being loud, obnoxious, and unruly. The word bold simply means courageous. Are you courageous in Christ? Do you stand up for what you believe?
Over the next several weeks we are going to look at the A-Z of boldness. We will see different people through out biblical history that were bold.
Today we will begin with just an introduction of being bold in Christ.
We will also learn how and why the modern christian must be bold.
We are going to look at the book of Acts chapter 4 and see an example of being bold in Christ.
In acts 4 we find Peter and John being brought before the Sanhedrin for healing a man born lame and for telling of Jesus.
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
They are being questioned by the religious leaders of the Jews. It would be very easy to be intimidated in this circumstance, but listen to what happens. Keep in mind this is the same Peter who during Jesus' trial hid among the people, the same Peter who denied even knowing Jesus, the same Peter who cursed to try to prove he didn't know Him this is the same Peter standing before the Sanhedrin.
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
I would like to address two matters this morning considering Boldness.
First, where does it come from?
What was different about Peter now than before? I think the key is in verse 8 " Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost,". He was bold because he was filled with the Holy Ghost. He was not bold in the flesh, he was not bold in his ability or knowledge, but because he was filled with the Holy Ghost. He had something that every believer is empowered with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-39 "37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. " When we become believers we receive Gods Holy spirit. We have the same power that Peter was given and yet we are not bold in our faith, why?
The Holy Spirit provides us with the Courage or Boldness we need. We have it within us by God's Holy Spirit. The question is how do we unleash it or use it. In verses 29-31 we see the disciples praying and asking God to give them boldness. "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. 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. " Let me read part of that again for you "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." You have already been filled with God's Holy Ghost but have you asked God for Boldness?
That brings us to our second idea..
Why do we need to be Bold ?
Look at what t says in verses 15-18 "15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
Two thousand years ago they wanted to stop the message of Christ. I believe that that has not changed. There are those today that desire to put an end to Christianity. They are boldly standing up against God and shaking their fist in His face and we as Christians are doing nothing.
Think about some things going on in our society today. There are those who are attempting to redefine what marriage is. God has ordained marriage to be between one man and one woman. The world with their declining values and morality are promoting an acceptance of new definition, same sex unions. What as a Bible believing christian are you doing about it? The world is petitioning and rallying all those who will to accept this idea. we need to be Bold and stand up for our beliefs instead of hoping some one else will do it for us. Does this mean that we should go out and create violence against gays? No! But we should as Peter did speak truth into their sin. We should stand together against evil and unrighteousness. Last week I shared a quote with you that said "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" I will revise that for you "All it takes for evil to triumph is for the christian to do nothing" we no longer have prayer in our schools because Christians did nothing. We have removed the ten commandments from the courthouse because Christians did nothing. There is now talk of removing "one nation under God" from our currency and it may pass if Christians do nothing. California is already allowing same sex marriages because Christians have done nothing. It's coming up on our ballot in November as to whether or not to allow same sex unions in Florida. Will you do nothing? When you stand against sin you are standing up for the name of Jesus. Are you going to be intimidated or are you going to be bold in Christ? The world says we don't want to hear about Jesus and your beliefs. Don't be a hater! I tell you, be a hater of sin and of evil! Tell people what you believe. Tell people what the Bible says. Homosexuality is an abomination before the Lord. It is sin it is not a life style choice. "19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. " Whom will you serve or hearken to, the world or to God? The world is filled with sin and they are bold in their sinfulness. we as Christians must be even more Bold in Christ to overcome evil.
Boldness in Christ does not come from our selves. It does not come from our knowledge, it comes from Gods Holy Spirit empowering us. We have the Holy Spirit, let us ask as the disciples did, That God would give us Boldness to speak the word.
We need to be bold because evil is bold in the world. every where you look you can find evil permeating our society. Those that promote evil are bold in doing so. we must be twice as bold in promoting the Word and truth.
Next week we will begin our A-Z of Boldness. We will see Boldness in Action...
