Bold as a Lion: Living with Courageous Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Boldness: Rooted in Christ, Not Personality.

True boldness isn't a personality trait we're born with; it's an identity we receive in Christ. It flows from knowing who we are in Him, not from our natural temperament or outward confidence. When we understand our position as His children, we gain the assurance to live, speak, and obey with conviction. This confidence isn't prideful, but a humble assurance in God's power working through us. It transforms us from within, enabling us to stand firm in our faith. [13:55]

Proverbs 28:1 ESV
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ shift your perspective on what it means to live boldly in your daily life, especially in situations where you might naturally feel timid?

Day 2: Righteousness: Foundation for True Boldness.

Boldness begins with righteousness, both the righteousness freely given to us in Christ and the righteousness we actively pursue through our choices. When we are in right standing with God, our conscience is clear, and we are anchored by faith, not controlled by fear or guilt. Living a life of unconfessed sin can hinder our confidence and sense of worthiness to serve God. Embracing God's standards and making godly choices empowers us to stand firm and speak with conviction. [21:15]

1 Peter 3:15 ESV
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Reflection: In what area of your life might unconfessed sin or ungodly choices be hindering your confidence to live out your faith? What is one concrete step you can take toward greater righteousness this week to strengthen your boldness?

Day 3: Obedience: Responding to the Spirit's Nudges.

Boldness is demonstrated through our obedience to the Holy Spirit's nudges and leading. These divine prompts invite us to speak, move, give, serve, and step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable or unpopular. Delayed obedience often results in missed opportunities, as the Spirit's timing is perfect for His purposes. Cultivating a sensitive heart and a quick "yes" to God's voice allows us to participate in His work and experience breakthroughs. [45:41]

Acts 4:13 ESV
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled, and they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Reflection: Reflect on a recent time you sensed a nudge from the Holy Spirit to speak, act, or give. What was it, and what kept you from immediate obedience? What might be different if you chose to respond promptly next time?

Day 4: Impact: Living as Christ's Ambassador.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be His ambassadors in a foreign land, representing His kingdom and making a profound difference. Our lives are meant to shine, not for our own praise, but to glorify our Father in heaven. Bold faith and bold obedience naturally lead to a bold impact that advances God's purposes. Every aspect of our lives, including our jobs and relationships, becomes an opportunity to point others to Him. [49:17]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ESV
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Reflection: As an ambassador of Christ, where in your daily life—at work, home, or in your community—do you feel God is calling you to make a more profound difference for His kingdom, and what is one practical way you can step into that calling this week?

Day 5: Roar: Claiming God's Victory and Territory.

Like a lion's roar, our boldness is a declaration of territory already claimed and victory already decided in Christ. It doesn't ask permission from the enemy or wait to assess the size of the challenge; it flows from knowing who we are in God. This resolve, like David facing Goliath, speaks victory before the battle is even fully engaged. We are called to step into this year not timidly, but with a confident roar, knowing we are bold, courageous, and victorious in Him. [01:01:58]

Proverbs 28:1 ESV
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Reflection: When facing a significant challenge or spiritual opposition, how can you practically "roar" a declaration of God's victory and claimed territory in your own life, rather than waiting for permission or assessing the enemy's strength? What specific truth about God's victory can you declare over that situation?

Sermon Summary

Proclaiming a year-long vision rooted in Proverbs 28:1, the congregation is called into a posture of courageous, faith-shaped living. The emphasis moves beyond personality or motivational pep-rally bravado to an identity-anchored boldness that grows out of being right with God and living with ongoing, practical righteousness. That righteousness is not merely positional; it requires daily choices—confession, obedience to the Holy Spirit, disciplined spiritual habits like scripture reading, prayer, and fasting—that cultivate a confidence born of humility, not pride. Obedience is presented not as optional or merely emotional, but as the means by which faith produces tangible kingdom influence: timely obedience unlocks opportunities to lead others toward Christ and to advance gospel work in homes, workplaces, and the community.

The talk presses for readiness to be ambassadors who live differently so others can tell that they “have been with Jesus.” There is particular hope for young adults as an engine of revival, but the call is universal: the faithful will trade popularity for purpose and will choose courageous witness over comfortable anonymity. Using the image of a lion, boldness is reframed as a declaration that territory and purpose are already claimed in Christ—roaring before the battle in confident resolve, not arrogance. Practical implications run through the address: cultivate spiritual disciplines, respond promptly to the Holy Spirit’s nudges, be willing to take unpopular stands for biblical truth, give and serve faithfully, and expect God to use those habits to produce visible fruit and kingdom impact. The closing summons is a corporate prayer and altar invitation to receive a year defined by bold faith, courageous obedience, and victorious living for God’s glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Boldness is identity driven Boldness is not a personality trait to perform; it flows from knowing who one is in Christ. When identity is rooted in the finished work of Jesus, speech and action are governed by confidence that is humble and anchored in divine standing rather than self-promotion. This reorientation makes courage habitual: not invented on the spot but formed by repeated choices that embody that identity. [13:41]
2. Boldness begins with righteousness True boldness grows from righteous living—both the imputed righteousness received at conversion and the ongoing pursuit of holiness. Righteousness clears the conscience and removes the shame that silences witness, enabling a posture of clarity and moral authority that attracts others toward God. This is not legalism but a covenantal response: gratitude expressed through choices that reflect the character of the King. [21:26]
3. Bold obedience precedes kingdom impact Obedience to the Spirit—especially when prompt—creates openings for gospel advance; delayed obedience is often a missed kingdom opportunity. The pattern taught is practical: God nudges, the disciple moves, and lives are changed; repeat this rhythm and the church’s influence multiplies. Obedience shapes disposition and reputation, so that others can observe a life transformed by Christ rather than merely instructed by words. [49:17]
4. Roar before the fight The lion’s roar models declaration grounded in settled identity: it announces claimed territory before conflict unfolds. Speaking victory in advance reshapes one's posture and primes courage for action; it is a verbal alignment with truth that precedes visible change. This kind of declaration is not bravado but prophetic confidence—an embodied trust that the victory has already been secured in Christ. [55:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Opening & Celebrations
[01:29] - Disclosing the 2026 Vision
[02:22] - Year of Boldness Revealed
[07:36] - Key Verse: Proverbs 28:1
[13:41] - Boldness: Identity Not Personality
[21:26] - Boldness Begins With Righteousness
[45:41] - Obedience and Missed Opportunities
[55:52] - The Lion’s Roar: Declaration
[64:04] - Altar Call & Corporate Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

- Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Observation questions

In Proverbs 28:1, what clear contrast is drawn between “the wicked” and “the righteous,” and what does each group do?
What specific habits were named as pathways to confidence and boldness (for example: ways to grow in daily life with God)? [16:07]
What reason was given for why many believers hesitate to share their faith with others? [17:23]
What was said about a lion’s roar—when it happens and what it declares? [55:52]

Interpretation questions

If boldness is identity-driven rather than personality-driven, how does knowing one’s identity in Christ reshape the way a person speaks and obeys? [15:22]
Why does unconfessed sin so often drain boldness and shrink confidence, and how does confession restore clarity and courage? [19:40]
How does prompt obedience (versus delayed obedience) open doors for kingdom impact in everyday situations? [45:41]
What does it mean to “roar before the fight” in a way that is humble and faith-filled (not arrogant), and how is that tied to identity? [59:40]

Application questions

Where is your conscience not clear right now? What would humble confession and a concrete next step look like so boldness can rise again? [19:40]
Which private discipline will you lean into this month—Scripture, prayer, or fasting—and what specific plan will you follow (time, place, length) so you can build steady courage? [31:06]
Think about a recent nudge from the Holy Spirit that you delayed. What’s one step you can take this week to move from delay to obedience? [45:41]
Where might you need to take an unpopular stand for biblical truth—at home, work, school, or online? What would faithfulness (not popularity) look like there this week? [28:34]
What will it sound like for you to “roar before the fight”? Write a short declaration of faith (about your home, work, or a hard situation) and share how/when you’ll speak it this week. [57:55]
As an ambassador of Christ, who is one person you will serve, invite, or encourage this week—and what specific action will you take? [49:40]
What step of giving or serving is the Lord nudging you toward right now? How will you respond promptly and practically? [48:41]

Sermon Clips

Jesus, tell me who I am. Amen. Remind me who I am. Holy Spirit, tell me who I am. Remind me who I am. The word of God will tell you from Genesis to Revelation of who you are and what you what's happened to you when you gave your life to Christ. The bible says that you became a joint heir with him. Everything that's available to him is available to you. Every promise under heaven has been given to you. Every spiritual blessing. [00:18:04] (25 seconds) #IdentityInChrist

And we understand see, grace really should be a eye opening of, look what he saved me from. Man, if he died for me, I'm gonna live for him. Doc, well, I'm saved, and I heard what saved always say. I'm not gonna live the way Ross wants to live. No. The bible says I gave up that right. He bought my life with a price. That's right. I gave them that right. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. Hallelujah. See, it's no longer I who live. [00:23:42] (34 seconds) #ChristLivesInMe

And we understand see, grace really should be a eye opening of, look what he saved me from. Man, if he died for me, I'm gonna live for him. Doc, well, I'm saved, and I heard what saved always say. I'm not gonna live the way Ross wants to live. No. The bible says I gave up that right. He bought my life with a price. That's right. I gave them that right. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. Hallelujah. [00:23:42] (32 seconds)

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Bold as a Lion: Living with Courageous Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Boldness: Rooted in Christ, Not Personality.

Day 2: Righteousness: Foundation for True Boldness.

Day 3: Obedience: Responding to the Spirit's Nudges.

Day 4: Impact: Living as Christ's Ambassador.

Day 5: Roar: Claiming God's Victory and Territory.

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Bold as a Lion: Living with Courageous Faith

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