Bold Faith: Living Out the Gospel's Impact
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound impact of the gospel and the necessity of living a life that reflects our relationship with Jesus Christ. We began by addressing the current state of our nation and the church's role in it. The church has failed to preach righteousness and holiness consistently, leading to a moral decline. We must remember that our mission is to save souls from eternal damnation, not out of hatred, but out of love and a desire to see everyone united with God and their families.
We discussed the importance of discipleship and how the church has become like the Dead Sea, receiving but not giving. We are called to be vessels filled with the Holy Spirit, continuously pouring out into a dying world. The essence of discipleship is passing on what we have received from God, whether it be love, forgiveness, or wisdom. This is exemplified in the story of Peter and John, who, despite being unschooled and ordinary men, performed miracles and preached the resurrection of Christ, leading to the conversion of thousands.
The courage and faith of Peter and John were evident when they were brought before the religious leaders after healing a man who had been lame for 40 years. Despite being thrown in jail, their faith did not waver. They continued to preach boldly, demonstrating that true faith is visible and transformative. Their actions sent shockwaves through the religious establishment, showing that the power of Jesus' name could not be contained.
We also touched on the importance of boldness in our prayers and actions. We need to stop praying small, safe prayers and start praying for miracles, healings, and reconciliations. Boldness comes from spending time in God's presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us and transform us. This boldness was evident in Peter and John, who, despite threats and imprisonment, continued to preach the gospel with power and conviction.
The sermon concluded with a call to action. We must return to preaching Jesus and living lives that reflect our relationship with Him. The church in America has traded Jesus for programs and entertainment, but we need to get back to the basics of the gospel. We need to be like Peter and John, unschooled and ordinary, but filled with the Holy Spirit and bold in our faith. We must also break down denominational barriers and unite in our mission to spread the gospel.
In closing, we prayed for boldness, for the Holy Spirit to fill us, and for the courage to live out our faith in a way that is visible to the world. We were reminded that our relationship with Jesus is what changes us and gives us the power to change the world around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Church's Role in Society: The church has a significant role in shaping the moral fabric of society. When we fail to preach righteousness and holiness, we contribute to the moral decline around us. Our mission is to save souls from eternal damnation, driven by love and a desire for unity with God and others. This requires boldness and a willingness to stand against cultural pressures. [01:06:37]
2. Essence of Discipleship: Discipleship is about passing on what we have received from God. Whether it is love, forgiveness, or wisdom, we are called to share these gifts with others. This continuous filling and pouring out of the Holy Spirit in our lives is what makes us effective vessels for God's work. [48:06]
3. Visible Faith and Boldness: True faith is visible and transformative. The courage and faith of Peter and John, despite being unschooled and ordinary, led to miraculous healings and the conversion of thousands. Their boldness in the face of persecution is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through them. [01:09:42]
4. Bold Prayers and Actions: We need to stop praying small, safe prayers and start praying for miracles, healings, and reconciliations. Boldness in our prayers and actions comes from spending time in God's presence and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us. This boldness enables us to live out our faith in a way that is visible and impactful. [01:24:29]
5. Unity in the Body of Christ: We must break down denominational barriers and unite in our mission to spread the gospel. The power of Jesus' name transcends all human divisions, and our focus should be on serving Christ and spreading His message. This unity and focus on Jesus will lead to a transformative impact on our communities and the world. [01:35:16]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:36] - Prayer for Michelle
[43:01] - The Healing of the Lame Man
[44:54] - The Growth of the Early Church
[48:06] - The Essence of Discipleship
[51:00] - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
[56:47] - The Importance of a Changed Life
[01:03:02] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[01:09:42] - Visible Faith and Boldness
[01:13:51] - Spending Time with God
[01:18:02] - The Challenge of Preaching Jesus
[01:24:29] - Bold Prayers and Actions
[01:32:25] - Personal Testimony and Call to Action
[01:35:16] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[01:37:23] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 4:1-14 - The story of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - The essence of the gospel as preached by Paul.
3. Philippians 2:9-11 - The exaltation of Jesus and the power of His name.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the religious leaders to Peter and John's preaching about Jesus and the resurrection? ([43:55])
2. How did Peter and John respond when questioned about the power or name by which they healed the lame man? ([51:00])
3. What was the result of Peter and John's bold preaching in terms of the growth of the early church? ([44:54])
4. According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, what are the key elements of the gospel that Paul emphasizes?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the religious leaders were so disturbed by the message of Jesus' resurrection? ([43:55])
2. How does the story of Peter and John illustrate the concept of visible faith and boldness? ([01:09:42])
3. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how did this filling impact Peter and John's actions and words? ([59:39])
4. How does Philippians 2:9-11 emphasize the importance of Jesus' name in the context of the sermon?
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon mentioned that the church has failed to preach righteousness and holiness consistently, leading to a moral decline. How can you personally contribute to reversing this trend in your community? ([01:06:37])
2. Discipleship involves passing on what we have received from God. What is one specific gift or revelation you have received from God that you can share with someone this week? ([48:06])
3. Peter and John demonstrated boldness in their faith despite persecution. What is one area in your life where you need to show more boldness in your faith? ([01:09:42])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of bold prayers. What is one bold prayer you can start praying today for a miracle, healing, or reconciliation in your life or someone else's life? ([01:24:29])
5. The call to break down denominational barriers and unite in spreading the gospel was highlighted. How can you actively work towards unity in the body of Christ in your local context? ([01:35:16])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. How did it change your actions or perspective, and how can you seek more of the Holy Spirit's filling in your daily life? ([59:39])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to live lives that reflect our relationship with Jesus. What is one practical step you can take this week to make your faith more visible to those around you? ([01:36:22])
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Role in Society
The church has a significant role in shaping the moral fabric of society. When we fail to preach righteousness and holiness, we contribute to the moral decline around us. Our mission is to save souls from eternal damnation, driven by love and a desire for unity with God and others. This requires boldness and a willingness to stand against cultural pressures. [01:06:37]
Isaiah 58:1 (ESV): "Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins."
Reflection: In what ways can you be a voice for righteousness and holiness in your community today? How can you lovingly stand against cultural pressures that contradict God's Word?
Day 2: The Essence of Discipleship
Discipleship is about passing on what we have received from God. Whether it is love, forgiveness, or wisdom, we are called to share these gifts with others. This continuous filling and pouring out of the Holy Spirit in our lives is what makes us effective vessels for God's work. [48:06]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally disciple by sharing the love, forgiveness, or wisdom you have received from God? How can you start this process today?
Day 3: Visible Faith and Boldness
True faith is visible and transformative. The courage and faith of Peter and John, despite being unschooled and ordinary, led to miraculous healings and the conversion of thousands. Their boldness in the face of persecution is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through them. [01:09:42]
Acts 4:13 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate visible faith and boldness in your daily life? What specific action can you take today to show the transformative power of your faith?
Day 4: Bold Prayers and Actions
We need to stop praying small, safe prayers and start praying for miracles, healings, and reconciliations. Boldness in our prayers and actions comes from spending time in God's presence and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us. This boldness enables us to live out our faith in a way that is visible and impactful. [01:24:29]
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."
Reflection: What bold prayer can you pray today that goes beyond your usual requests? How can you step out in faith to act on that prayer?
Day 5: Unity in the Body of Christ
We must break down denominational barriers and unite in our mission to spread the gospel. The power of Jesus' name transcends all human divisions, and our focus should be on serving Christ and spreading His message. This unity and focus on Jesus will lead to a transformative impact on our communities and the world. [01:35:16]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within the body of Christ today? What steps can you take to break down barriers and focus on the mission of spreading the gospel?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "How cool would it be to go through what you're going through and just have Christ with you if nothing else? Because you can't do it alone. It's impossible to live the Christian life by yourself. Look at the results. Look at the results. This is so incredible. Acts 4, 13. When they saw the courage of Peter and John, do you know that your faith is visible? Do you know that? That people can tell if you have faith or you don't have faith. Well, how's that? One of the ways they tell by how you talk. Is your words filled with faith and life and hope and love? Or is it all doom and gloom and despair?" [01:09:42]
2. "What's wrong with America? We're not desperate for Christ. We're not desperate to know him. We're not desperate for his love and forgiveness. We're too okay. We're too good with our own resources. We're too good with our own abilities." [01:11:26]
3. "It's not because I hate you I proclaim the gospel. It's because I'm desperately in love with you. Then I don't want to see you separated from not only God but I don't want you to be separated from your other brothers and sisters or your family. I don't want you to be separated at that. People say, sometimes, Pastor, you get angry. Yeah, I am mad at sin. I'm angry. I'm furious with the devil. I look at what he does to people and I just want to punch him in the face." [01:07:07]
4. "If you've got Christ, you're going to have hope in the midst of unspeakable tragedy and circumstances. Because when you go into that, and listen, I understand pain. I understand it. I don't like it. There's never a day in my life that I've gotten up and said, God, I just want you to put me on my knees in pain today. I've never done that. I don't think you would have to be a fool to want that. But here's the thing, pain is an inseparable part of this life. And without Christ, it's unbearable. But with Christ, you can get through anything." [57:27]
5. "Do you know him? And if anything comes out of somebody's mouth, other than yes, they don't know him. I used to. I'm not talking about used to. I'm talking about right now. Do you know Christ right now? Is he the Lord and Savior of your life? Is he everything to you? Is he your source and your hope and your joy and your peace and all that? Is that him?" [01:32:25]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Does your life say you've been with Jesus? If somebody looks at you and go, well, I know that's the way they are because they've been with Christ. I know they react that way because they've been with Jesus. I know that Jesus is in their life in such a way, it's visible. Verse 14, but since they could see the man who was healed standing there with them, I love that. They're trying to tell them, you can't talk about the resurrection of the dead and this power in the name of Jesus, but the man healed standing there. So what do you do with that church?" [01:10:13]
2. "You want to change your life? Get in the presence of God. You want more power in your life? Spend some time tarrying and allowing the Holy Spirit to take anything that's in you that's not right out of you. Pray the prayer that David prayed. Renew a right spirit within me, God. Fill me, God. Take out all of the trash. God, and fill me again with your love and your mercy and forgiveness. God, give me the wisdom that I need to live this life. God, give me the boldness I need to live this life. These unschooled, ordinary men are changing the world. They've been with Jesus." [01:13:51]
3. "That's a testimony. That's a testimony. To struggle with something for 40 years. And God set you free. See when they came to this point and they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized and that Peter full of the Holy Spirit begins to preach this is the result of what happens. It's boldness and it's courage and it's strength and it's determination and it's power and it's miracles and it's wisdom and it's freedom and it's compassion and it's understanding and it's grace and it's mercy and it's faith and it's hope and it's love. That's what begins to happen in the name of Jesus. Begins to unleash that power of the Holy Spirit in your life." [01:23:19]
4. "If you want to know if you've been filled with the Holy Spirit take a cruise through Galatians 5.22 and 24. That will tell you whether you've been filled with God's Spirit or not. Not what comes out of your mouth in a tongue that we can't understand. And we have hung our hat on tongues as the initial physical evidence. Tongues is that's all fine and good and all that and I'm not going to beat that up. Other than to say it's been misused a lot. But I can tell you this without a doubt. When I run into somebody that claims to be a Christian that says they are living a Spirit filled life I can look at love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness gentleness and self control and I can see that evident in working in their life. I know I'm dealing with a Spirit filled person." [01:27:09]
5. "And they are preaching this message of the resurrection. Which the religious people of the day are not good with it. They seized Peter and John because it was evening. They put them in jail to the next day. But many, listen to this, but many who heard the message believed. Many who heard the message believed. And the number of men grew to about 5,000. The church exploded in growth because of the message. And listen. This does not count the women and children that could have heard the message. It was way much, it was a way bigger response. But in that time we only counted men. And so 5,000 people respond to Peter's preaching the message." [44:54]
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