Embracing Courage: Proclaiming Hope in Challenging Times
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of clarity, conviction, confidence, and courage in the lives of believers. Drawing from the story in Acts 4, the pastor highlights the courage of Peter and John who, despite being threatened, prayed for boldness in preaching God's word. The pastor then addresses the increasing courage required to be a disciple of Jesus in the current times, given the rising risk of mistreatment and persecution. He encourages the congregation to adopt a posture of courage, similar to Peter and John's response in the face of opposition.
The pastor then addresses the current state of the world, highlighting the increasing anger, violence, and despair. He urges the congregation to be ambassadors of good news and to proclaim the way to peace and true freedom. The pastor emphasizes the importance of courage and clarity in sharing the message of Jesus, comparing it to our own passion and excitement about something that naturally comes out in conversation. He believes that God wants to stir up fresh conviction in the church to boldly share the message of Jesus with others.
The pastor then addresses the importance of being prepared to give an account for the reason we have hope in Jesus. He uses the example of Peter, who confidently stepped up to explain his faith when questioned. The pastor emphasizes that every believer should be ready to engage in conversations about their faith. He also addresses the issue of false gospels that are being perpetuated within the church, emphasizing the importance of discerning the truth from the lies and being able to identify counterfeit teachings.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of courage in being a Christian, acknowledging that there will be people in the world who reject and hate Christians, but also highlights the multitude of people who are desperate for what Christians have to offer. He urges the Church to stir up new confidence in the good news and to be ambassadors and heralds of a better story. The pastor concludes by discussing the favor and notoriety that the early church, particularly Peter and John, experienced because of the Kingdom coming.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of clarity, conviction, confidence, and courage in the lives of believers cannot be overstated. These qualities are essential for believers to stand firm in their faith and boldly proclaim the Gospel, even in the face of opposition and persecution ([12:45]).
- In the current state of the world, marked by increasing anger, violence, and despair, the church is called to be ambassadors of good news and to proclaim the way to peace and true freedom. This requires courage and clarity in sharing the message of Jesus ([24:30]).
- Every believer should be prepared to give an account for the reason they have hope in Jesus. This involves being ready to engage in conversations about their faith and having a clear understanding of the Gospel ([36:15]).
- The church must be vigilant against false gospels and counterfeit teachings. Believers need to discern the truth from the lies and not be swayed by teachings that deviate from the Gospel of Jesus ([48:20]).
- Despite the rejection and hatred that Christians may face in the world, there are many people who are desperate for what Christians have to offer. The church is urged to stir up new confidence in the good news and to be ambassadors and heralds of a better story ([59:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 4:1-22: "The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand...Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'"
2. 2 Timothy 4:2-5: "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of the religious leaders to Peter and John's teaching in Acts 4:1-22?
2. How did Peter and John respond to the command not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus?
3. What instructions does 2 Timothy 4:2-5 give to believers in the face of false teachings?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Peter and John's response to the religious leaders' command reveal about their conviction and courage?
2. How does 2 Timothy 4:2-5 guide believers in responding to false teachings and maintaining the truth of the Gospel?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or criticism for your faith. How did you respond and what could you have done differently?
2. What is one way you can prepare yourself to give an account for the hope you have in Jesus this week?
3. Can you identify any false teachings or counterfeit gospels in your environment? How can you discern the truth from these lies?
4. Think of someone in your life who is yet to hear the good news of Jesus. How can you courageously and clearly share the message of Jesus with them this week?
5. In what specific ways can you be an ambassador of good news in your community, especially in the face of increasing anger, violence, and despair?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Four Pillars of Faith
The four pillars of faith - clarity, conviction, confidence, and courage - are essential for believers to stand firm in their faith and boldly proclaim the Gospel, even in the face of opposition and persecution ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZguhDTasSU&t=750s)). These qualities, exemplified by Peter and John in Acts 4, are not just desirable but necessary for every believer in these challenging times.
1 Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."
Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. How have clarity, conviction, confidence, and courage played a role in your walk with Christ? Can you identify a situation where you could have exhibited these qualities more strongly?
Day 2: Ambassadors of Good News
In a world marked by increasing anger, violence, and despair, believers are called to be ambassadors of good news and to proclaim the way to peace and true freedom ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZguhDTasSU&t=1455s)). This requires courage and clarity in sharing the message of Jesus, a task that should be undertaken with passion and excitement.
2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you be an ambassador of good news in your daily life? Identify one specific way you can share the message of Jesus with someone today.
Day 3: Prepared to Give an Account
Every believer should be prepared to give an account for the reason they have hope in Jesus ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZguhDTasSU&t=2160s)). This involves being ready to engage in conversations about their faith and having a clear understanding of the Gospel.
1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: How would you explain your hope in Jesus to someone who asked? Practice articulating your faith story and the reason for your hope.
Day 4: Discerning Truth from Lies
Believers must be vigilant against false gospels and counterfeit teachings ([48:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZguhDTasSU&t=2885s)). It is crucial to discern the truth from the lies and not be swayed by teachings that deviate from the Gospel of Jesus.
1 John 4:1 - "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: How do you discern truth from lies in your spiritual journey? Identify a time when you had to discern between a false teaching and the true Gospel.
Day 5: Heralds of a Better Story
Despite the rejection and hatred that Christians may face in the world, there are many people who are desperate for what Christians have to offer ([59:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZguhDTasSU&t=3535s)). Believers are urged to stir up new confidence in the good news and to be ambassadors and heralds of a better story.
Romans 10:15 - "And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
Reflection: How can you be a herald of the better story that is the Gospel? Identify one person in your life who is desperate for the hope and peace that comes from knowing Jesus.
Quotes
"We are living in a time that it takes increasing courage to follow Jesus...you cannot follow Jesus and lack courage." [20:25]
"There will be people in the world that reject us, but there is a multitude of people that are desperate for what we have. The lie of the enemy is to convince you that they don't want or need it, but what you saw in the early church was a societal tipping point where multitudes were saying, 'I want that, me too, I want that.'" [37:19]
"We have to always be ready to give an account for the reason that we have hope." [05:34]
"Do you actually live a life that's congruent with what you say you believe? How can we say it's good news but we won't tell our face or tell someone else?" [32:49]
"The devil's scheme is to get your vision of God and your version of The Gospel wrong so that you are giving a false account." [14:24]
"When was the last time that you were so convinced and convicted by the truth of the Gospel that you just involuntarily...just like yeah let me tell you about Jesus yeah but Jesus this is what I think God wants to do in Us in this moment." [34:00]
"Being put on the spot is a measure of how prepared you were for the question. When we're put on the spot, it really comes down to how ready we were to give an answer." [03:08]
"We have got to get our gospel straight...we cannot allow our explanation of the Gospel to be muddy or muddled...we have got to be crystal clear." #!!12:56!!#
"We are in a time right now where the Devil Himself is working over time to destroy the world by corrupting the gospel the church believes...if the enemy can pervert Our Gospel then we have been hamstr on the very hope that God has for the whole world." #!!13:40!!#
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