Sermon for 8/22/2004
Boldness
Introduction:
A. The Six Shooter was a popular western, broadcast on NBC radio from 1953-54. Jimmy Stewart starred as Britt Ponsett, a Texas plainsman. On one broadcast, Britt called a bully’s bluff even though his gun was several feet away on a dresser. In typical Stewart style, Ponsett told the tough guy he could draw his gun anytime he wanted. The surprised crook said, “But you ain’t got your six-shooter.” Ponsett stepped toward the thug and said, “Things might no work out the way you think they will.” The Six Shooter’s bold confidence made the rascal turn and run.
How bold it would be for us to tell those who think they can go to heaven without Christ, “Things might not work out the way you think they will.” Only in this situation may the rascal not turn and run; instead may he come under conviction, drops to his knees, and obey the gospel.
Clearly there is a present need for more boldness among the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t die in order for us to become doormats for every godless person we encounter. Many of our brothers and sisters have become so fearful of the world and its demons that they have been fruitless in the battle for souls.
B. To be bold is to be confident, courageous, fearless and daring.
C. When the angel appeared to Mary, the angel said,(Luke 1:37 NIV) For nothing is impossible with God
D. (Phil 4:13 NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
E. Some churches and many Christians live as though these things are not true. We cannot do this, we cannot do that. Nothing works. We are powerless. The day we start listening to them is the day the church closes its doors.
Thesis: This morning I want to talk about 1) Where boldness comes from 2) IN what areas we are to be bold
For instances:
I. Boldness comes from:
A. Being born that way. Having an adventurous and fearless personality. No! No! B. Boldness comes from being sure of our salvation.
a. 2 Cor 3:12- Such a hope. What hope? Look at vs. 11- the glory that lasts. (1 Pet 5:1 NIV) To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
b. On that great day, if we know that we are going to be saved through Christ, we have nothing to fear. No matter how things turn out here we have a hope and a future. I’ve read the back of the book and we win.
d. I hope I’m going to heaven. I hope I’m saved. Plan of salvation.
C. Boldness comes from being with Jesus.
a. Acts 4:13
b. How can we be with Jesus?
1) Come to salvation. The gift of the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. Called the Spirit of Christ. There are certain things when you are in a foreign country that you can’t bring back into the United States. Adrian Rogers tells of a time when he was coming back into this country and he was going thru security. There was a man in front of Adrian Rogers who had some gourmet cheese. The inspector said, “I’m sorry sir, you cannot bring this cheese into this country.” The man and the inspector argued for a few minutes, until finally the man said, ‘oh yes, I am going to bring it into this country you just watch.” Walked to the back of the line and ate the cheese then walked right on thru. They may say we can’t take Jesus here or there but as long as He is in us we’re taking Him everywhere we go.
2) Spend time with Christ through reading his word (the gospels) and prayer. Be filled with the Spirit.
Transition:
A. WE need to be bold but it must be biblical boldness.
B. (2 Pet 2:10 NIV) This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;
C. WE need to be bold for the faith.
D. Also, there is a big difference between faith and foolishness. One man appeared before the pearly gates. “Have you ever done anything of particular merit?” St. Peter asks. “Well, I can think of one thing,” the man answers. “Once I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn’t listen. So I approached the largest and most muscled biker. I smacked him on the head, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring and threw it on the ground, and told him, ‘Leave her alone now or you’ll answer to me.” St. Peter was impressed. “When did this happen?” “A couple minutes ago.”
II. IN what areas we are to be bold, Biblical boldness.
1. Bold in prayer.
A. WE have already said that prayer to Jesus and with Jesus will make us bold. After Peter and John were released in Acts 4, they prayed for boldness and the Lord granted their request. We need to ask for boldness in our lives for good of the Kingdom.
B. (Psa 138:3 NIV) When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
C. This is good, but it not what I am talking about. We can be bold in our requests from God in prayer. John Knox- Give me Scotland or I die.
D. We see Abraham, a man of great faith, being bold with the Lord when the Lord told him he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18. The Lord granted him his request.
E. Jesus gives this story right after the Model Prayer in Luke 11:5-10.
F. (Heb 4:16 NIV) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
G. How can we approach with confidence? Know that we are saved, confess sins.
H. (James 5:16 NIV) The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
I. I heard of a traveler going through China who visited a temple where the people were making paper mud balls, wadding them up, and throwing them at an idol they were worshiping. If the mud ball stuck to the idol it meant that the idol would answer their prayers. If the mud ball didn’t stick it meant that their prayers weren’t answered.
Aren’t you glad we have a God who says that we can know we have our petitions answered? God will answer your prayer. In fact God will answer every prayer you ask.
2. Bold in speech.
A. It takes boldness to get up and deliver a sermon. Some need to do this, but this is not necessarily what I am talking about.
B. We need to be like Paul in Acts 28:31.
C. While in prison, he even talked to his guards about Christ. He was a witness to Caesar. (Phil 4:22 NIV) All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
D. Steven Clark Goad - There was a young lady in DeSoto, Texas who, as valedictorian of her high school graduating class, testified for Jesus Christ? At first the principal flat out said, No. Only a law suit changed that. Then she was asked to rewrite her speech and tone it down. She did not. The speech was given as she had originally planned. This clearly demonstrates that Christianity is under attack. She could have quoted Buddha, Confucius, or Shirley MacClaine, but not Jesus Christ! Others have free speech. Christian’s don’t! The media shout “Courage” when the abortionists, homosexuals, radical feminists, etc., “shove it in our faces.” But they whine when a Christian girl discusses her faith and priorities. The world is not listening to the church because the church is not talking. Should not someone rattle our cages? Everything we believe in is offensive. God is offensive. Jesus is offensive. Truth is offensive. Preaching is offensive. The Bible is offensive. We cannot settle for life-support Christianity. What has become of the Great Commission? Thank God for the girl in DeSoto, Texas!
3. Bold in persecution.
A. When Stephen was under persecution, we would think he would have toned down his speech. However, he did not.
B. When Paul was going through persecution for the faith, he didn’t tone down anything. (Acts 13:45 NIV) When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.(Acts 13:46 NIV) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
C. Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail; when Paul went to his trials, he was always witnessing of what the Lord had done. Acts 24:24-25.
D. He even was trying to get King Agrippa to accept the Christian faith. (Acts 26:27 NIV) King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."(Acts 26:28 NIV) Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"(Acts 26:29 NIV) Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
E. An elderly lady was well-known in the community for her faith and for her boldness in talking about it. She would stand on her front porch and shout
"PRAISE THE LORD!" Next door to her lived an atheist and he would get so angry at her proclamations he would shout, "There ain’t no Lord!!" Hard times set in on the lady, and so she prayed for GOD to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted "PRAISE THE LORD. GOD I NEED FOOD!! I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. PLEASE LORD, SEND ME SOME GROCERIES!!" The next morning the lady went out on her porch and found a large bag of groceries, she shouted, "PRAISE THE LORD." The neighbor jumped from behind a bush and said, "Aha! I told you there was no Lord. I bought those groceries, God didn’t." The lady started jumping up and down and clapping her hands and said, "PRAISE THE LORD. He not only sent me groceries, but He made the devil pay for them. "
4. Bold in service
A. (Mark 15:43 NIV) Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.
B. Some time ago in Moscow, there was a courageous pastor who served in one of the larger cities in the Soviet Union. Under unlikely circumstances, he planted 12 new congregations, each with well-established leadership and modest buildings. On 1 occasion, he told how he approached the minister of religious affairs for permission to build a church on an attractive piece of property. The Soviet official refused, saying, “As long as I am alive, there will never be a church on that location.” As the pastor was leaving his office, he replied, “Mr. Minister, I respect the fact that you serve as a minister of the Supreme Soviet State. But, I serve as minister of the Most High God and I will pray that God will spare you and not take your life so His church can be built on that piece of property.” The Soviet official was obviously shaken by his comments and replied, “You’re serious aren’t you?” and he called the preacher back into his office. That incident led to a series of conversations, which eventually resulted in the acquisition of the property and building of the church. The minister of religious affairs even came to the dedication service. All because of the preacher’s boldness!!!!
C. John 14:12
Conclusion:
A. The Path- If money were no object, what would you be doing with your life?
B. What would you do if you were ten times bolder?
1. With your spouse (or girlfriend, boyfriend)?
2. In your work setting?
3. In your community?
4. In your family?
5. In your church?
C. Too scary. Fear is what holds most of us back. What are we to fear? Fear the Lord God. If we fear something else, these are idols.
D. 1 John 4:16-18
