Empowered by the Spirit: Boldness in Ministry
Summary
In this gathering, I shared my journey and the profound impact of support and boldness in ministry. Reflecting on the early days of church planting, I recounted the fear and uncertainty I faced when I first felt called to start a church. My wife’s unwavering support was a pivotal moment, illustrating the power of having a partner who believes in your calling. This support is crucial not only for church planters but for anyone in ministry, as it can significantly influence the effectiveness and sustainability of their work.
I also emphasized the importance of unity and trust within church leadership. Drawing from personal experiences, I highlighted how prayer and fasting transformed a period of tension with my church elders into a deep bond of trust and friendship. This unity is essential for a thriving church community, as it reflects the early church's spirit in the book of Acts, where believers were known for their boldness and unity.
The sermon also challenged the notion that the church today cannot resemble the early church in Acts. I urged everyone to reconsider this belief, emphasizing that the same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles is available to us today. The lack of boldness in modern believers, despite their education, contrasts sharply with the uneducated yet bold apostles. This calls for a renewed prayer for boldness and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us.
Furthermore, I shared a personal struggle with insecurity and the tendency to compare oneself to others, which can lead to discouragement. However, the focus should be on the Holy Spirit's power rather than our abilities. The story of Elijah's boldness against the prophets of Baal serves as a reminder that God desires to astonish people through our faith and reliance on Him.
Finally, I encouraged those considering church planting to seek prayer and support from the community, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit's power is crucial for success. The call to action was clear: believe in the Holy Spirit's transformative power, pray for boldness, and trust that God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Support: Having a supportive partner or community can significantly impact one's ministry journey. My wife's belief in my calling gave me the courage to pursue church planting despite uncertainties. This support is vital for sustaining and thriving in ministry. [01:23]
- Unity in Leadership: Trust and unity among church leaders are crucial for a healthy church. Through prayer and fasting, tensions can be transformed into deep bonds of friendship and trust, reflecting the early church's spirit. [06:48]
- Boldness Through the Holy Spirit: The early church's boldness, despite their lack of formal education, challenges us to rely on the Holy Spirit for courage and strength. We must pray for boldness and believe that the same Spirit empowers us today. [13:16]
- Overcoming Insecurity: It's easy to fall into the trap of comparison and insecurity, but our focus should be on the Holy Spirit's power rather than our abilities. God desires to use the weak to shame the strong, and our reliance on Him is key. [18:42]
- The Call to Church Planting: Those considering church planting should seek prayer and support, believing in the Holy Spirit's power to guide and empower them. The community's role is to pray fervently for boldness and success in this endeavor. [52:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Church Planting
- [00:54] - The Role of Support in Ministry
- [02:22] - Marriage and Ministry Dynamics
- [04:12] - Trust and Unity in Church Leadership
- [06:48] - Power of Prayer and Fasting
- [08:31] - Reflecting on the Book of Acts
- [10:13] - Boldness in the Early Church
- [13:16] - Praying for Boldness
- [18:42] - Overcoming Insecurity
- [21:52] - The Importance of Exegesis
- [26:09] - Personal Reflections on Theology
- [30:07] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [35:00] - Redefining Church Community
- [52:27] - Call to Action for Church Planters
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 4:13 - "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."
2. James 5:17 - "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years."
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Observation Questions:
1. What role did the support of the pastor's wife play in his decision to start a church, and how did it impact his ministry journey? ([01:23])
2. How did the pastor describe the transformation of his relationship with the church elders through prayer and fasting? ([06:48])
3. What contrast does the pastor draw between the boldness of the early church and the modern church? ([10:13])
4. How does the pastor relate his personal struggle with insecurity to the story of Elijah's boldness? ([38:41])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the pastor suggest that the support of a partner or community can influence the effectiveness and sustainability of ministry work? ([01:23])
2. How does the pastor's experience with church leadership reflect the spirit of unity and trust found in the early church as described in Acts? ([06:48])
3. What does the pastor mean when he challenges the belief that the modern church cannot resemble the early church in Acts? How does he suggest believers can achieve this? ([08:31])
4. How does the pastor's personal story of insecurity and comparison relate to the biblical example of Elijah's boldness? What lesson does he draw from this? ([38:41])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt supported in your calling or ministry. How did that support impact your journey, and how can you offer similar support to others? ([01:23])
2. Consider the relationships within your church leadership or community. What steps can you take to foster unity and trust, similar to the pastor's experience with his elders? ([06:48])
3. The pastor emphasizes the need for boldness through the Holy Spirit. What specific areas in your life or ministry require more boldness, and how can you pray for this? ([13:16])
4. How do you handle feelings of insecurity or comparison in your spiritual journey? What practical steps can you take to focus more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your abilities? ([18:42])
5. If you are considering a new ministry endeavor, such as church planting, what support systems can you seek out, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and empowerment? ([52:27])
6. Reflect on the pastor's challenge to believe in the Holy Spirit's transformative power. How can you actively cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([29:32])
7. Think of a specific situation where you need to demonstrate boldness like Elijah. What steps can you take to prepare yourself spiritually and mentally for that challenge? ([38:41])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Support
In the journey of ministry, having a supportive partner or community can be transformative. This support can provide the courage needed to pursue one's calling, especially in the face of fear and uncertainty. The presence of someone who believes in your mission can significantly impact the effectiveness and sustainability of your work. This is not only true for church planters but for anyone involved in ministry. The encouragement and belief from others can help overcome doubts and propel you forward in your spiritual journey. [01:23]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your life provides you with unwavering support in your spiritual journey? How can you express gratitude to them today?
Day 2: Unity in Leadership
Unity and trust within church leadership are essential for a thriving church community. When leaders come together in prayer and fasting, tensions can be transformed into deep bonds of friendship and trust. This unity reflects the spirit of the early church, where believers were known for their boldness and unity. A church that embodies these qualities can create a strong foundation for growth and impact. It is through this unity that the church can effectively serve its community and fulfill its mission. [06:48]
Ephesians 4:3-4 (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."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to fostering unity and trust within your church community today?
Day 3: Boldness Through the Holy Spirit
The early church's boldness, despite their lack of formal education, challenges modern believers to rely on the Holy Spirit for courage and strength. The same Spirit that empowered the apostles is available to us today, urging us to pray for boldness and to trust in His power. This reliance on the Holy Spirit can lead to extraordinary acts of faith and service, demonstrating that God can work through anyone, regardless of their background or abilities. [13:16]
Acts 4:31 (ESV): "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 area in your life where you need to pray for boldness? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area today?
Day 4: Overcoming Insecurity
Insecurity and the tendency to compare oneself to others can lead to discouragement. However, the focus should be on the Holy Spirit's power rather than our abilities. God desires to use the weak to shame the strong, and our reliance on Him is key. By shifting our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power, we can overcome feelings of inadequacy and embrace the unique calling He has for each of us. [18:42]
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: What insecurities are holding you back from fully embracing your calling? How can you shift your focus to God's power today?
Day 5: The Call to Church Planting
For those considering church planting, seeking prayer and support from the community is crucial. Believing in the Holy Spirit's power to guide and empower is essential for success. The community's role is to pray fervently for boldness and success in this endeavor, trusting that God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people. This call to action encourages believers to step out in faith, knowing that they are not alone in their mission. [52:27]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Are you feeling called to a new ministry or mission? How can you seek support and prayer from your community to pursue this calling?
Quotes
"I remember just being scared to death, you know, starting the church and I was married for maybe a month when I came up with the idea and looked at my wife and said, Derek oh honey I know we never talked about this but I got an idea and um I go you know I think God's wanting me to start my own church." [00:00:13]
"For my bride of a few weeks to look me in the eyes at that point and say honey I married you because I believe that God called you to lead our family and if you believe this is what God's calling you to do you need to know I'm a hundred percent behind you." [00:01:19]
"I praise God for my elders at my church and I know that's not something that's spoken a whole lot by senior pastors you know it's usually yeah my stupid Elders you know and they're slowing me down there's a man I have the greatest greatest group of Elders these are my closest friends they are my family." [00:04:16]
"After that meeting I said let's just have a let's just pray let's call the whole church to pray and we had a week of prayer and fasting and everything changed. We didn't even talk it through we didn't figure it out whatever and now like I said these are my best friends I trust them." [00:06:43]
"I've always had a lack of peace with the book of Acts because I go that is so different and all my life it's just like oh I wish I lived back then I wish I could have been a part of that man that seems so exciting but this is a different time a different Culture." [00:07:48]
"When they saw the boldness of Peter and John they were astonished when's the last time you were astonished by someone's boldness in your church when's the last time you were just like I've never met anyone that bold but they're not even educated they don't even have their patient they didn't even go to Seminary." [00:10:13]
"I sometimes just come before God and go you ever do this you ever kind of waver back and forth like one moment I am a prophet of God filled with the spirit I'm going to change the world and then it's like oh I'm stupid I can't do this you know and you just I just go back." [00:14:24]
"God wants he wants to astonish people he wants to use the weak to shame the strong he wants to use the foolish things of the world to shame the the wise he wants to use the ordinary he says you know they were astonished because they were uneducated common men and yet there was a boldness about them." [00:18:44]
"I wish I had started with more boldness you know sometimes when you start there's like an arrogance you know and I'm not talking about that because you can start with that and go yeah everyone's stupid I got the right way and and you know and pretty soon you just turn people off." [00:19:22]
"I believe again that I had it out with you know my teenage daughter my oldest but I just headed out with God about nine months ago going God I asked for one thing selfishly I said I said don't even have my kids be born if they're not going to love you." [00:44:12]
"Without one factor and I can't control that on my knees and I was you know 4 30 in the morning just bawling going God just to speak to a bunch of Youth pastors right now and I don't know six months ago the Holy Spirit came to my daughter." [00:46:55]
"I believe 100 part of the Holy Spirit and it is all about him we need to believe in him again I'm going to have the band come up and and I'm also going to have some of the leaders come forward to the front here that that have some anointing oil and just they just want to pray over you." [00:49:39]
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