Embracing Boldness: The Early Church's Example
Summary
Today, I spoke on the theme of boldness, drawing from the early church's example as depicted in the book of Acts. We began by reflecting on the courage of Peter and John who, despite threats from religious leaders, proclaimed the gospel with unwavering boldness. This narrative set the stage for our discussion on the necessity of boldness in our Christian walk today.
I shared a personal anecdote about my recent trip to Ukraine, where I met church planters in a war-torn environment. Their resilience and commitment to the gospel amidst such adversity profoundly illustrated the kind of boldness we are called to embody. This led to a broader discussion on how the early church responded to persecution with prayer and unity, seeking not safety but further opportunities to be bold for Christ.
We delved into the theological underpinnings of boldness, emphasizing that it stems from a deep-seated confidence in the Holy Spirit's power. This confidence is not born out of naivety but a profound understanding that God is sovereign and in control of all circumstances. I highlighted how the early believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, prayed for greater boldness rather than deliverance from their challenges.
The sermon also touched on practical aspects of living out this boldness. I urged the congregation to not only pray for boldness but to plan for it actively. This involves being prepared to share the gospel in our daily interactions and to stand firm in our faith despite societal pressures or personal fears.
In conclusion, I called the church to embrace a lifestyle of boldness, marked by a reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel. This is not just for the sake of personal spiritual growth but for the transformation of our communities and beyond.
### Key Takeaways
1. Boldness in Witnessing: The early church's response to threats and persecution was not retreat but further boldness in proclaiming the gospel. Like Peter and John, we must prioritize obedience to God over compliance with human authorities when these stand in conflict. This requires a deep-rooted belief in the gospel's power and the ultimate authority of God over our lives. [49:50]
2. Unity and Support in the Church: When faced with external threats, the early Christians gathered to support one another and to pray. This unity is crucial for the church today. In times of trouble, we should draw closer together, leaning on one another for support and encouragement, and unitedly lifting our voices to God in prayer. [53:02]
3. Confidence in God's Sovereignty: Our boldness as Christians is fundamentally anchored in our understanding of God's sovereignty. Recognizing that God is in control allows us to act boldly, knowing that our actions align with His divine plan. This confidence frees us from fear, enabling us to face challenges with courage and determination. [55:48]
4. Prayer for Boldness: The early church did not pray for safety or an easy life; they prayed for boldness. We too should be bold in our prayers, asking God not just for comfort but for the courage to speak His word powerfully and effectively, regardless of the potential consequences. [01:00:14]
5. Planning for Boldness: It is not enough to pray for boldness; we must also plan for it. This means being intentional in our daily lives about opportunities to share the gospel. We should be prepared, both spiritually and practically, to make the most of every opportunity to testify about our faith. [01:10:39]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:04:44 - Introduction to Boldness
01:06:14 - The Power of a Unified Church
01:07:31 - Testimony of Big Oleg
01:08:54 - Lessons from Big Oleg's Faith
01:10:39 - Calls for Boldness and Prayer
44:06 - Experiencing Boldness in Ukraine
45:32 - Confidence in the Midst of Conflict
47:04 - Scripture Reading and Explanation
48:33 - Historical Context of Acts 4
49:50 - Peter and John's Example
51:31 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Boldness
53:02 - The Church's Response to Persecution
54:27 - The Importance of Community in Trials
55:48 - Sovereignty of God in Persecution
57:18 - Trusting God's Control
58:50 - Mission Focus Under Persecution
01:00:14 - Prayer for Boldness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing Boldness in Our Christian Walk
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 4:23-31: "When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of Peter and John after being released by the chief priests and elders? ([47:04])
2. How did the early church respond to the threats and persecution they faced? ([53:02])
3. What did the early believers pray for in the face of persecution? ([01:00:14])
4. What was the result of the early church's prayer for boldness? ([47:04])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Peter and John choose to report to their friends and the church after their release? What does this say about the importance of community in times of trial? ([54:27])
2. How does the early church's prayer reflect their understanding of God's sovereignty? ([55:48])
3. What does the early church's focus on boldness rather than safety reveal about their priorities and faith? ([01:00:14])
4. How does the story of Big Oleg illustrate the concept of boldness in the face of adversity? ([01:08:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge or threat because of your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from the early church's example of seeking boldness? ([49:50])
2. In what ways can you actively plan for boldness in your daily life? Consider specific actions you can take to share the gospel more courageously. ([01:03:00])
3. How can you foster a sense of unity and support within your small group or church community, especially during times of external pressure or persecution? ([54:27])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to deepen your confidence in God's sovereignty, thereby increasing your boldness in witnessing? ([55:48])
5. How can you incorporate prayers for boldness into your regular prayer life? What specific situations or people can you pray for boldness to engage with? ([01:00:14])
6. Think of a person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What is one specific way you can plan to share your faith with them this week? ([01:03:00])
7. How can the story of the church planters in Ukraine inspire you to live out your faith more boldly, even in less extreme circumstances? ([44:06])
By reflecting on these questions and discussing them within your small group, you can encourage one another to embrace a lifestyle of boldness, rooted in the confidence of the Holy Spirit and a commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Boldness in Witnessing
Boldness in witnessing is not merely about speaking louder but about a profound trust in the gospel's transformative power. The early church, exemplified by Peter and John, faced immense threats yet chose to speak God's truth with courage. This boldness was not born from human strength but from a deep-rooted belief in the ultimate authority of God over their lives. In contemporary times, this calls for a similar bravery, prioritizing obedience to God over compliance with societal or personal pressures. This kind of boldness challenges believers to step out of comfort zones, trusting that God's purposes will prevail. [49:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meuFMNe-D0k&t=2975s)
Acts 4:29-31 ESV: "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: How can you demonstrate boldness in your own context to speak about your faith, even when it might be met with opposition or indifference?
Day 2: Fostering Unity and Support Within the Church
The early Christians' response to external threats was to come together, supporting one another and collectively seeking God's guidance through prayer. This unity was crucial not only for their spiritual strength but also for their physical and emotional resilience. Today, the church must mirror this example by fostering a community where believers can lean on each other, share burdens, and encourage one another in their walk with Christ. This unity is vital in times of both peace and persecution, as it reinforces the collective commitment to God's mission. [53:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meuFMNe-D0k&t=3167s)
Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV: "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to strengthening the bonds of unity within your church community this week?
Day 3: Anchoring Boldness in God's Sovereignty
Understanding and embracing God's sovereignty fuels the believer's boldness. This confidence is not a denial of the challenges or dangers present but a profound acknowledgment that God is in control of all circumstances. Such a perspective frees believers from the grip of fear, enabling them to face adversities with courage and determination. Recognizing God's sovereignty means trusting that every action taken in faith aligns with His divine plan, even when outcomes are uncertain. [55:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meuFMNe-D0k&t=3333s)
Daniel 3:17-18 ESV: "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust more deeply in God's sovereignty? How can you actively demonstrate that trust?
Day 4: The Power of Praying for Boldness
The early church did not pray for safety or comfort but for boldness to continue God's work amidst persecution. This teaches us that our prayers should not be centered on avoiding difficulties but on seeking the strength and courage to face them while fulfilling our mission. Praying for boldness is an act of faith, acknowledging our dependence on God to work through us, enabling us to speak and act in ways that can influence lives and advance the Kingdom. [01:00:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meuFMNe-D0k&t=3599s)
Acts 4:29 ESV: "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness."
Reflection: What specific part of your life or ministry do you need to pray for boldness in right now? How can you make this prayer a regular part of your spiritual discipline?
Day 5: Planning for Boldness in Daily Life
Praying for boldness must be coupled with intentional planning on how to live out that boldness daily. This involves being prepared to share the gospel and stand firm in faith through strategic, thoughtful actions. Planning for boldness means setting practical steps to seize opportunities to testify about Christ, whether in planned or spontaneous interactions. It's about moving from passive faith to active discipleship. [01:10:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meuFMNe-D0k&t=4224s)
Colossians 4:5-6 ESV: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: What is one actionable step you can take this week to prepare for an opportunity to share your faith boldly?
Quotes
"Church, the early church was praying for boldness and planning to be bold. And if we fail to plan, what do we do, church? We plan to fail. Amen to my one person who knows that. We fail to plan, we plan to fail. So we not only need to plan to be bold, pray to be bold, we need to plan to be bold. Why? Because this is the most important message ever, period." [01:04:44]
"Now, the full number, full number, meaning tens of thousands of people who call Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, who believed were of one heart and one soul, my friends, my people. And no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." [01:06:14]
"Big Oleg, said, this is not the worst war I've been through. Pastor Nate, recognizing that, says, oh, that's right, 2014. And Big Oleg says, no, that's not the greatest war I've been through. He goes, the greatest war I've ever been through was when I was at war with God." [01:08:54]
"Peter and John answered them in unison whether is right in the sight of god to listen to you rather than to god... for we cannot but speak of what we've seen and heard... we are going to be bold church. I want boldness. I want to be a church of bold people that no matter the circumstance we will not go silent." [49:50]
"Confidence stems from knowing that god is in control if we know god is in control if we know that he's running the show we can be confident so the church in the middle of persecution they see peter and john the two leaders two of the leaders of the church show up to these thousands of people." [53:02]
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