Intro:
We are now on our 3rd week for our theme “I am Emboldened, I am Prepared for Eternity”. And last week we have heard from our dear Pastor Mildred the marks of an emboldened believer. We learned also that for us Christians we can be bold in our preaching, prayer, persuasion (or faith), persecution and partnership. Those marks were evident in the lives of early believers, disciples and apostles that we can read in the Book of Acts as we have our daily devotions.
But for many, we may ask if it still be the same as today with new technology, new environment, and considering the new normal that we are experiencing nowadays? Today’s message is a call for every believer to experience the same way as the early believers. We believe that the move of God will always be available for everyone who are willing to believe that it’s still possible to see signs, wonders and miracles done by the early apostles.
How many of us are willing to see and believe that God can still move just like the early church experience? What we need to experience all of this is to…
Be Bold for God! Maging Matapang para sa Dios!
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
ASND “Ngunit pagdating ng Banal na Espiritu sa inyo, bibigyan niya kayo ng kapangyarihan. At ipapahayag ninyo ang mga bagay tungkol sa akin, mula rito sa Jerusalem hanggang sa buong Judea at Samaria, at hanggang sa buong mundo.”
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free”
ASND “Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon, dahil pinili niya ako upang ipangaral sa mga dukha ang Magandang Balita. Sinugo niya ako upang ipahayag sa mga bihag na malaya na sila, at sa mga bulag na makakakita na sila. Sinugo rin niya ako upang palayain ang mga inaapi,
“One of the special marks of the Holy Ghost in the Apostolic Church was the spirit of boldness. - A. B. Simpson (a Canadian preacher, theologian, author, and founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance)
“Isa sa natatanging marka ng Banal na Espiritu sa Iglesia ng mga Apostol ay ang espiritu ng katapangan.”
This was the very reason why the early church was so successful and full of the signs, wonders and miracles, they were all bold to proclaim God’s kingdom here on earth. What characters can we see on them during these times?
What are the basic traits of being bold for God? Ano ang mga batayan ng katangian ng may katapangan para sa Dios?
1. We become Brave. Tayo ay nagiging matapang o mapangahas.
We will become brave as David.
1 Samuel 16:13 “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
Here we can see that as soon as David was anointed by Prophet Samuel, the Spirit of God became powerful in David’s life. Before, he was just the youngest son of Jesse but after that anointing God’s spirit was on his side.
And we know what happens to David after that anointing.
a. He defeated Goliath the Philistine Giant.
b. God protected David from King Saul.
c. He became the 1st king of Judah.
d. He united the 2 divided kingdom and became king both in Israel and Judah.
e. He planned to build the temple of God.
Though his life is not that perfect, yet to do all of these things was not for him to do it by himself. But all because God was with him and he was emboldened to become brave.
We become brave and bold because of His anointing through the power of the Spirit of God. We are able to face the Goliath of our lives and kill it because of His Words within us (sword). God’s protection is with us and He is able to protect us from Saul’s of our lives.
The life of the early disciples was full of bravery. We can see in our Bible readings in the book of Acts how the early church started out of persecutions and oppositions from the religious leaders at that time. But they were brave enough to be bold in proclaiming the gospel.
The Greek word translated for “bold” means to be courageous, daring, dauntless. It speaks of acting without fear of the consequences. – John MacArthur
To be bold is to be brave (courageous), daring and dauntless (walang pakialam) sa magiging resulta ng kanyang kilos.
These are the characters of the early believers because of the boldness they have, that even when they face opposition, they were able to continue the works of God through their lives.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 “We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.”
ASND “Alam n'yo ang mga paghihirap at pag-aalipusta na dinanas namin sa Filipos bago pa man kami dumating diyan sa inyo. Pero sa kabila nito, binigyan kami ng Dios ng lakas ng loob na ipangaral ang Magandang Balita sa inyo, kahit na maraming hadlang.”
(Example in UE while doing Bible Study, persecution within our family)
However, we will never be afraid of the bad things that surround us (including this pandemic) because we know that we have our God and that’s why we are bold in trusting Him.
Psalm 112:7 NLT “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.”
ASND “Hindi siya matatakot sa masamang balita, dahil matatag siya at buong pusong nagtitiwala sa Panginoon.”
Illustration:
Every Christian ought to be ready to stand up courageously and unashamedly for the Lord. How inconsistent that a person redeemed by the blood of Christ experiencing saving power should cower before an unbelieving world
On one occasion Frederick the Great (king of Prussia) invited some notable people to his royal table including his top-ranking generals. One of them by the name of Hans von Zieten declined the invitation because he wanted to partake of communion at his church.
Sometime later at another banquet Frederick and his guests mocked the general for his religious scruples and made jokes about the Lord’s Supper. In great peril of his life, the officer stood to his feet and said respectfully to the monarch, “My lord, there is a greater King than you, a King to whom I have sworn allegiance even unto death. I am a Christian man, and I cannot sit quietly as the Lord’s name is dishonored and his character belittled.”
The guests trembled in silence, knowing that von Zieten might be killed. But to their surprise, Frederick grasped the hand of this courageous man, asked his forgiveness, and requested that he remain. He promised that he would never again allow such a travesty to be made of sacred things. In ways like this, the gospel is passed from one to another.
How many among us are brave enough to stand for his faith just like Hans von Zieten? Sometimes our faith is being ridiculed, mocked but we are not doing something to defend it. Why? Because we need boldness in order to do so!
Church we need to be brave like David, like Hans von Zieten and stand up for Christ and the Gospel!
Another trait of being bold for God is that…
2. We become Outspoken for God. Tayo’y magiging tagapagsalita ng Dios.
“Outspoken” means being frank in stating one's opinions, especially if they are critical or controversial.
Pagiging pranka sa pagsasabi ng anumang opinion lalo na kung ito ay kritikal at kontrobersyal. We never allowed things not clear especially when it comes to our faith.
Once we become brave, we become outspoken and ready to speak for God just like Peter.
Acts 2
4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Look at Peter, who used to be proud, self-centered, and sensitive; when he was filled with the Holy Spirit together with the other disciples, stood up and raised his voice for the first time to address the crowd. This is the same Peter that denied Jesus yet he became outspoken for God! And we saw how effective he became as he preached the Good News of salvation, 3,000 were added to their group at that time.
How many of us are like Peter? That for the 1st time, we were able to speak for God and tell our testimonies about God’s grace and mercy towards us. Being bold for God develops confidence not in our own strength but in God’s awesome power. He will use everyone of us as His mouthpiece for others to hear.
One thing that we can speak of is our own testimonies of how we got Born Again. We are emboldened to be a witness for God. This is the very reason why He empowered us by His Spirit according to our theme verse in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2 Timothy 1:7-8 MSG “God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner.”
Jesus said, “Ang sinumang sa Aki’y magkahiya sa akin dito sa lupa ay ikahihiya ko din sa langit sa presensya ng aking Ama.” And we don’t want Jesus do that to us! All we need is to be bold in telling who He is to us.
Aside from our testimonies, we can speak for the Word of God within us, to share the power of God’s word with boldness within us. Despite there are opposition, we will never be afraid!
Look at the life of Stephen in Acts 6:8-10
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
Stephen is the 1st Christian martyr for God and we find him very outspoken for God even facing death! He was one of the seven servants of God who are tasked to help the Apostles and he is not only good in doing things for God but for being a humble servant of the Gospel of God.
Sabi nga sa kasabihan “we can’t put a good man down”. And that is true in the life of Stephen, no one can win over him with regards to his faith by defending it.
“When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful.” – Dwight Lyman Moody (an American evangelist in the 19th century)
“Kapag nakasumpong tayo ng isang taong nagdilidili sa Salita ng Dios, kaibigan, ang taong iyon ay puno ng katapangan at matagumpay!”
Josue 1:8 “Huwag mong kalimutang basahin ang Aklat ng Kautusan. Pagbulay-bulayan mo ito araw at gabi para malaman mo kung paano mo matutupad nang mabuti ang lahat ng nakasulat dito. Kung gagawin mo ito, uunlad ka at magtatagumpay.”
The lives of early believers were devoted in studying, meditating God’s Word, that’s why they were powerful and knowledgeable about it just like Stephen. He was so outspoken that nobody can win over him!
Stephen’s life was so successful that it revealed and exposed the true person behind his death. And that person responsible is our next trait of being bold for God.
3. We will become Leaders for others. Tayo’y magiging gabay o tagapanguna para sa iba.
We will not only become brave, outspoken but we will be leaders to guide many people for God just like Paul.
Yes, Saul or later called Paul, was the one responsible for the death of many early believers including Stephen. Now we know that the conversion of Saul was totally different from the other disciples because He had the encounter with Jesus when He already ascended in heaven. He was the only disciple who met Jesus that way. On the road to the Damascus to persecute the believers that time, Jesus showed Himself strong that Saul became blind because of the light coming from Him. Then God commanded a certain man named Ananias to go to Saul so that the Holy Spirit could embolden him for His purpose.
Acts 9:17-19
“17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”
Saul was a natural leader. He led all the group that persecutes Christians that time and brought them to death because of their faith. He was not only well known to be a student of Gamaliel but a Scripture scholar as well. And because of these skills and talent, God was able to use him for His glory.
He was the only apostle of God to be used by God in bringing the Good News of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. And through that, His boldness to preach the Scripture to other nation started from him because of his boldness to lead others for Christ when he was filled by the Holy Spirit.
He once said in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Without God’s boldness running through him, he could not do it alone by himself. It is because of the power of God in his life.
Likewise, God can use our skills, talents, and resources in order to lead others for Christ. We let them see how God move through us by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to inspire them to follow us to become bold despite the bad situations we are facing.
Philippians 1:14 “And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
ASND “Dahil din sa pagkakabilanggo ko, lalo pang tumibay ang pananampalataya ng karamihan sa ating mga kapatid sa Panginoon at lalo rin silang tumapang sa pagpapahayag ng Magandang Balita.
Because of the strong leadership of Paul to his brethren, they were inspired more to put confidence in God and they became bolder to preach the Good News despite of the opposition!
If there is a kind of boldness that we can share to people, it is the boldness of our lives to be transparent so that others may see and follow our good examples.
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
ASND “Tumatakbo ang masama kahit walang humahabol, ngunit ang matuwid ay matapang tulad ng leon.”
We become bold as a lion (proud animal, king of the jungle) because we knew we are righteous in God’s sight. The lion knew his own strength and that can be seen by other animals. What it is showing to other animals it can easily do it.
Sometimes we have difficulty in showing our true character especially if we know that we are not right in God’s sight. We become afraid and ashamed because of it.
“His voice leads us not into timid discipleship but into bold witness.” - Charles Stanley (an American pastor)
“Ang tinig Nya ay hindi mag gagabay sa tin sa isang walang imik na pagiging isang disipulo sa halip tayo ay magiging isang matapang na saksi.”
If we are bold enough to lead others, then we must first lead ourselves to be righteous in His sight and be bold enough for others to see it. Like Paul, he knew his dark past, but that past did not limit him to be the kind of leader God wants him to be.
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Are we bold and transparent enough to be a servant leader of God ready for others to follow? Or are we like minister of God who were shy to show our true traits or even do our responsibility towards others?
A minister, without boldness, is like a smooth file, a knife without an edge, a sentinel that is afraid to let off his gun. If men will be bold in sin, ministers must be bold to reprove. – William Gurnall (an English author and Anglican clergyman who lived in 17th century)
“Ang isang lingkod ng Dios na walang tapang ay parang isang makinis na kikil, isang punyal na walang talim, isang bantay na hindi marunong bumunot ng kanyang baril. Kung ang tao ay mapangahas sa paggawa ng kasalanan, dapat ang mga lingkod ng Dios ay mapangahas din upang sila ay itama.”
We become a leader to be followed, a leader who is not ashamed to proclaim God’s kingdom here on earth.
Lastly, we become effective and bold leaders for God as…
4. We become Dedicated for God. Tayo’y nakatuon sa Dios.
It’s not only that we become brave, outspoken and can lead others, but to seal the boldness in us, we become dedicated just like Nehemiah.
Nehemiah had a bold advocacy. He wanted to leave his job as cupbearer to the king and rebuild the city of his people, who were living in exile. At the start of his story, Nehemiah hears news that those still living in the land of Judah are in great distress: The walls of Jerusalem are broken, and the city lies in ruins.
His heart is broken, and he asks God for an opportunity to help. He first advocates directly to God when he confesses that his people have indeed sinned, but then he reminds God of everything God has already done for them. Finally, he asks God to give him favor with the king.
When Nehemiah’s opportunity comes, he tells the king what’s happened in Jerusalem, why it matters to him, and what the king can do to help. (Clear, direct, and actionable!) The king grants Nehemiah’s request to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall and gives him the supplies and permissions he needs to get the job done.
Because of Nehemiah’s dedication, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt, exiles return to a secured city, and the people recommit to God’s law.
Nehemiah 6:15-16
15So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
ASND “Natapos ang pader noong ika-25 araw ng ikaanim na buwan, na siyang buwan ng Elul. Natapos ito sa loob ng 52 araw. Nang mabalitaan ito ng aming mga kalaban sa kalapit na mga bansa, natakot sila at napahiya. Napag-isip-isip nila na natapos ang gawaing iyon sa pamamagitan ng tulong ng Dios.”
All this started with Nehemiah’s heart being broken. His strategy was to ask God for an opportunity to help put things right, and God granted his request. Nehemiah’s prayer and request were bold. God blessed that boldness and used Nehemiah as a witness to the surrounding nations.
Similarly, we need to be dedicated and committed to the task given to us by God just like Nehemiah. God will give us His power and wisdom in order to finish the purpose given to us. To rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is an impossible mission and task. But because Nehemiah was empowered and emboldened by God, those impossibility became possible because of God’s strength on him.
Likewise, He will give us boldness to continue God’s work in us we only need to be dedicated regardless of the time we spent!
Look at Paul again in…
Acts 19:8 “Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.”
ASND “Sa loob ng tatlong buwan, patuloy ang pagpunta ni Pablo sa sambahan ng mga Judio. Hindi siya natatakot magsalita sa mga tao. Nakipagdiskusyon siya at ipinaliwanag sa kanila ang tungkol sa paghahari ng Dios.
Acts 14:3 “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.”
ASND “Nagtagal sina Pablo at Bernabe sa Iconium. Hindi sila natakot magsalita tungkol sa Panginoon. Ipinakita ng Panginoon na totoo ang kanilang itinuturo tungkol sa kanyang biyaya, dahil binigyan niya sila ng kapangyarihang gumawa ng mga himala at mga kamangha-manghang bagay.”
Here we can see how dedicated Paul and Barnabas were in order to share the word of God boldly to the people. They spent more time so they can share the Gospel to them and as a result, signs, wonders and miracles were shown to the people.
Our dedication and commitment will result that God will show His power towards us.
Conclusion:
“There is a false boldness for Christ that only comes from pride. A man may rashly expose himself to the world’s dislike and even deliberately provoke its displeasure, and yet do so out of pride… True boldness for Christ transcends all; it is indifferent to the displeasure of either friends or foes. Boldness enables Christians to forsake all rather than Christ, and to prefer to offend all rather than to offend Him.” – Jonathan Edwards
Mayroong huwad na katapangan para kay Kristo na dulot ng kapalaluan. Kaya ng isang tao na ipakita nya na kaya nyang ayawan ang mundo at ang mga magagandang bagay nito, subalit ito ay bunga lamang ng kanyang kayabangan o kapalaluan. Ang totoo at dalisay na katapangan para kay Kristo ay hinihigitan pa ito, hindi nito iniinda ang anumang sama ng loob ng anumang kaibigan o kalaban. Bagkus ang tunay na katapangan ay nagbibigay-daan sa mga Kristiyano na talikuran ang lahat para kay Kristo, at mas gusto na masaktan ang lahat kaysa masaktan Siya.
What are the basic traits of being bold for God? We become…
B-rave as David
O-utspoken as Peter
L-eaders as Paul
D-edicated as Nehemiah
Are we ready to be BOLD for God from now on? Let us acknowledge that we can’t do it alone. We need the empowerment and be emboldened by God today. Do we need courage, wisdom to speak, be leaders to guide others for God, and lastly dedication and commitment?
