Bold Faith: Living Empowered by God's Spirit
Summary
This morning, we gathered to lift our eyes to the majesty of God, whose glory fills the heavens and whose care for us is beyond comprehension. As we entered into worship and communion, we remembered that Jesus is supreme over all creation—He holds all things together, and through His sacrifice, we are reconciled, forgiven, and made holy. No matter what burdens or joys we bring, God is present, inviting us to receive His life and grace.
Reflecting on the early church in Acts 3 and 4, we see that the community of God is marked by three powerful traits: bold faith, big prayers, and courageous conversations. Peter and John, ordinary men transformed by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, encountered a lame man at the temple gate. Instead of offering what was expected, they offered what was needed: healing in the name of Jesus. Their faith was not tentative or half-hearted; it was bold, trusting that where their ability ended, God’s power began.
This boldness was not limited to miraculous acts but extended to their prayers. When faced with opposition and threats, the believers did not shrink back or pray for safety alone. Instead, they prayed for greater boldness, for God’s hand to move in healing and signs, and for the courage to proclaim Jesus. God responded by shaking their meeting place and filling them afresh with the Holy Spirit.
Courageous conversations followed. Peter and John spoke truth to power, declaring that it was Jesus—crucified and risen—who had healed the man. Their courage was not rooted in their own strength or training, but in having been with Jesus and being filled with His Spirit. This same Spirit is alive in us today, inviting us to step out in faith, to pray big prayers, and to speak hope and truth into the lives of those around us.
We are called not to a passive or safe faith, but to a living, expectant, and empowered life together. God is still at work, still listening, still moving. The invitation is to be a people who believe, pray, and speak with boldness, trusting that God will show up and bring His kingdom wherever we are planted.
Key Takeaways
- Bold faith is not about self-confidence, but about trusting that God’s power begins where our ability ends. The early church believed that what God said was true, and they acted on it—even when it meant stepping into the unknown or risking failure. This kind of faith is cultivated by walking closely with Jesus and being attentive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. [35:35]
- Big prayers are the heartbeat of a vibrant community of God. Rather than settling for safe, comfortable requests, we are invited to pray for God’s kingdom to break in—asking for healing, transformation, and boldness to proclaim Christ. God delights in answering prayers that align with His purposes, and He often waits for us to ask with expectation and faith. [48:48]
- Courageous conversations are empowered by the Holy Spirit, not by our eloquence or expertise. Whether speaking truth to those in authority or offering hope to a friend in need, we are called to be vessels of God’s grace and truth. The courage to speak comes from knowing we are sent and sustained by Jesus Himself. [53:54]
- The community of God is a place of belonging, being known, and being filled with the Spirit. We are not meant to live isolated or hidden lives, but to be fully present with one another—sharing our burdens, joys, and faith journeys. In this community, we find strength to believe, pray, and speak boldly together. [32:17]
- God’s invitation is to step out of a safe, shallow faith and into a life that is alive, expectant, and empowered. Each day presents opportunities to trust God for more, to gather with others in prayer, and to speak life into the world around us. As we do, we become participants in God’s ongoing work of redemption and restoration. [01:02:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Call to Worship: Psalm 8
[02:10] - Entering Communion
[10:18] - Christ’s Supremacy and Reconciliation
[15:30] - Invitation to Communion
[21:15] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[24:00] - Surrendering Burdens in Worship
[25:19] - Camp Story: Learning to Pray Boldly
[31:04] - God’s Presence in Community
[32:17] - The Invitation to Belong
[33:42] - Markers of the Community of God
[34:40] - Acts 3: Healing at the Beautiful Gate
[35:35] - Bold Faith in Action
[46:47] - Testimony: Big Prayers and God’s Response
[48:48] - Praying Beyond Puny Prayers
[50:21] - Praying for Boldness
[53:54] - Courageous Conversations
[01:01:07] - Praying for Boldness in Everyday Life
[01:02:18] - Closing Prayer and Sending
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Bold Faith, Big Prayers, and Courageous Conversations
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 3:1–11 – Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate.
- Acts 4:23–31 – The believers pray for boldness after Peter and John are released.
- Colossians 1:13–23 – Christ’s supremacy, reconciliation, and our new identity in Him.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 3, what did Peter and John offer the lame man at the temple gate, and how did the man respond? (Acts 3:1–11)
2. When Peter and John were released from jail, what did the early church pray for, and what happened after they prayed? (Acts 4:23–31)
3. According to Colossians 1, what are some of the things Jesus has done for us? (Colossians 1:13–23)
4. The sermon described the early church as marked by “bold faith, big prayers, and courageous conversations.” What are some examples of each from the Acts passages? [[33:42]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter and John were able to act with such boldness when they encountered the lame man? What does this say about the source of their confidence? [[35:35]]
2. The believers prayed for boldness instead of safety after facing threats. What does this reveal about their priorities and understanding of God’s mission? [[48:48]]
3. The sermon said, “Bold faith is not about self-confidence, but about trusting that God’s power begins where our ability ends.” How does this challenge common ideas about faith and courage? [[35:35]]
4. How does being part of a community help people to pray bigger prayers and have courageous conversations, according to the sermon? [[32:17]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to move beyond “puny prayers” and ask God for big things. What is one area in your life or in our community where you feel led to pray a bold, specific prayer this week? What holds you back from praying this way? [[48:48]]
2. Peter and John offered what the lame man truly needed, not just what he expected. Is there someone in your life who needs more than what they are asking for? How can you offer them hope or help in Jesus’ name? [[35:35]]
3. The early church prayed for boldness in the face of opposition. Where do you need courage to speak truth or hope this week? Is there a conversation you’ve been avoiding that you sense God wants you to have? [[53:54]]
4. The sermon described the church as a place of belonging and being known. Are you living in community or hiding parts of your life? What is one step you can take to be more open or connected with others in this group? [[32:17]]
5. The pastor shared a story about praying boldly at camp and seeing God answer. Can you recall a time when you prayed a big prayer and saw God move? If not, what would it look like to start praying with more expectation? [[31:04]]
6. The sermon said, “God’s invitation is to step out of a safe, shallow faith and into a life that is alive, expectant, and empowered.” What is one “safe” area of your faith that you sense God is inviting you to step out of? [[01:02:18]]
7. The early church was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to act. What is one way you can invite the Holy Spirit to fill and lead you this week—in your work, family, or daily routines? [[24:00]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to give your group bold faith, big prayers, and courageous conversations this week.
Devotional
Day 1: The Majesty and Care of God in Creation
When we pause to consider the vastness of the heavens—the moon, the stars, and the beauty of all creation—we are reminded of the majesty of God and His personal care for each of us. The God who set the universe in motion is the same God who knows you, sees you, and cares deeply for your life. In the midst of our busy days and the wildness of the world, we are invited to worship and stand in awe, knowing that the Creator of all things is mindful of us and invites us into His presence. [07:40]
Psalm 8 (ESV):
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Reflection: As you go about your day, take a moment to look at the sky or the world around you. How does remembering God’s majesty and care for you change the way you approach your worries or joys today?
Day 2: Christ’s Supremacy and Our Reconciliation
Jesus Christ is supreme over all creation—He is the visible image of the invisible God, the One who holds all things together and who has rescued us from darkness into His kingdom. Through His sacrifice, we are forgiven, reconciled, and made holy, not by our own merit but by His grace. In every circumstance, whether burdened or joyful, we are invited to remember that Jesus is in charge, He sustains us, and He invites us to receive His life and presence anew. [10:18]
Colossians 1:13-23 (ESV):
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to remember that Christ is supreme and has already made a way for you? How can you rest in His sustaining presence today?
Day 3: Bold Faith—Trusting God to Do the Impossible
The community of God is marked by bold faith—ordinary people, filled with the Holy Spirit, who step out and trust God to do what seems impossible. Like Peter and John at the temple gate, we are called to believe that God can and will show up in powerful ways, even when our own resources fall short. Bold faith means acting on God’s promises, believing that where our faith ends, His power begins, and expecting Him to move in our lives and in the world around us. [35:35]
Acts 3:1-10 (ESV):
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step out in bold faith this week—perhaps in your family, workplace, or spiritual walk? What is one step you can take today to trust Him for what seems impossible?
Day 4: Big Prayers—Asking God for More Than the Ordinary
The early church was a people of big prayers, not settling for safe or comfortable requests but asking God for boldness, healing, and miraculous signs. God is still at work, waiting for His people to pray with expectation and faith, believing that He hears and responds. Instead of limiting our prayers to what feels manageable, we are invited to ask for what only God can do, trusting that He delights to move in power for His glory and our good. [50:21]
Acts 4:23-31 (ESV):
When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Reflection: What is one “big prayer” you can pray today—something that only God could accomplish? Will you dare to ask Him and wait in expectation for how He might answer?
Day 5: Courageous Conversations—Speaking Hope and Truth
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the early church was marked by courageous conversations—speaking the truth of Jesus with boldness, even in the face of opposition or uncertainty. This courage is not just for public platforms but for everyday moments: offering hope to the hurting, comfort to the grieving, and the message of Jesus to those who need it most. As God’s people, we are called to be present, to listen, and to speak words of life wherever He places us, trusting that He will give us the words and the courage we need. [53:54]
Acts 4:7-13, 31 (ESV):
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
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And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Reflection: Who is one person God is prompting you to encourage or speak hope to this week? How can you step out in courage and let the Holy Spirit guide your words and actions today?
Quotes
He invites each one of us to find a home in Christ and among his people. Thanks be to the Lord, right? We have found our home in him and in his church. We're exploring what it is to have the invitation of God to not only belong in the community of God, but to be known, to be fully known and to be fully loved, to not live a life of isolation, a life hidden and withdrawn, but to live fully in the community of God that he invites us to. [00:32:33] (37 seconds)
That we are also invited to not only belong, not only to be known, but also to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to have Christ in you, the hope of glory. And so today we're looking at a scripture, a story that spans two chapters, and we're going to see the boldness, the power of the Spirit of God that filled these everyday, ordinary kind of believers within the community of God. But I want us to have this understanding first, is that the community of God is a people of bold faith, a people of big prayers, and a people of courageous conversations. [00:33:11] (46 seconds)
The community of God, it is a people of bold faith, marked by bold faith, big prayers, and courageous conversations. So let's explore the markers here, and Acts chapter 3 is where we will begin, and we'll get to Acts chapter 4 here in just a bit. If you have your Bible, turn with me to Acts chapter 3. If you don't have a Bible with you, there's one in the seat rack in front of you, and you can find Acts chapter 3 on page 907. We read these words beginning in Acts chapter 3, 1 through 11. [00:33:57] (33 seconds)
So we did, and I began. I said, look, there's nothing special about this oil. It smells good, but it is a sign of God's presence and his power and his anointing in your life. And so we anointed them, and then the group of about 10 of us gathered around this person, and we asked God to deliver this individual from these dreams and nightmares. We asked God to protect their mind and their heart. We asked that anything that was working to come against their peace that they had in Christ would be confronted with the love and the power and the presence of God. [00:46:56] (39 seconds)
I think God, at times, is waiting for the church to wake up and to pray big prayers. I think God is waiting for the church to stop praying what I was calling and convicted with this week in my own life of puny prayers. You know, the prayers that, Lord, keep me safe. Lord, keep me cozy and comfortable. Lord, please don't let my retirement tank, right? Lord, please just make sure everything's okay in my life. And don't let anything bad come to me. And those aren't bad prayers. I'm not criticizing you if those are the prayers that you pray. I pray them too. But I was convicted as I was writing this sermon of some puny prayers that I pray. Some pretty powerless prayers. [00:48:58] (60 seconds)
You see, the early church, the community of God, it is marked, it is stained by people who pray big prayers. Did you catch the prayer of the disciples there? Did you catch the prayer of the disciples there? You know, after they got thrown into prison, got taken to the principal's office, taken to the principal's office again, told, don't be doing that. Quit healing people. Quit talking about Jesus, right? Do you know what their prayer was? God, give us boldness. God, bring healing and miraculous wonders in your name through us, Lord. Oh, man, what if that was our prayer as a church? [00:50:07] (44 seconds)
Give us boldness to proclaim Jesus. Give us boldness to shine his light. Give us boldness to be people of hope in a hopeless world. Give us boldness to be people of faith who say, you know what you're looking for? It's not silver and gold, but it's Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It's him. Give us boldness to be people who herald the gospel, not only who speak it. I want you to speak it, but people who live it, people who embody it, who are saints on Sundays and you're saints on Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays and you're rejuvenated as saints on Sundays to go back out on Mondays to be saints, to be people of hope. Bold faith and big prayers. [00:50:55] (57 seconds)
That God's kingdom would come by way of you as his follower of Jesus planted and placed right where you are, in your mess, in your brokenness. Oh, because in Acts chapter 3 and 4, God showed up to some lame man. He showed up. And you know, I'd be willing to bet, this is not my notes, I'd be willing to bet this morning, there is not necessarily a lameness of our bodies today as followers of Jesus, but there is a lameness of the soul that needs a touch and a healing from the very power and presence of Jesus. Jesus, to be bold people of faith, to be people who pray big prayers. Okay. [00:52:19] (43 seconds)
One translation says, seize the opportunity and address the crowd. People of Israel, he said, what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we made this man walk by our own power or godliness? He goes on, they brought in the two disciples and demanded, by what power did you do this? Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we've done a good deed for a crippled man? [00:53:23] (32 seconds)
powerful that it has the power of God that this is a people who belong to one another in Christ who are known and known by each other who are filled with God's Holy Spirit for bold living and the same Spirit who filled the Apostles Peter and John to bring healing and to speak boldness and to pray big prayers it is the same spirit that is alive in you as you trust in Jesus so let us not settle for a safe or shallow version of faith or church but let us be people who are awakened to the Spirit of God attuned listening being molded and transformed and then let us be people who are empowered and expected that God is going to do something that he's gonna show up because it takes the church it takes you it takes me to step out and to bring the kingdom of God to this place to this world to our peace of the earth so as the worship team comes forward to lead us out this morning ask God this week where is he calling you to step out in bold faith [00:57:31] (83 seconds)
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