Boldness
Acts 1:3-4, 8
Introduction:
The early Church was commanded not to depart from Jerusalem, and
to wait for the power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for
Christ.
Notice that they spent the time in prayer!
Acts 1:14, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication”
-120 people
-Almost three months
Acts 2:1, ON the day of Pentecost
Still in one accord , still in one place, still praying
Holy Spirit empowerment in vs. 4
Remember-other tongues, languages (Vs 6,8,11)
Peter preached and the result 3000 saved vs. 41
NOTICE Formula
** 120 for 120 days 10 hours of prayer, 1 hour per soul**
Acts 3, Peter and John in the Temple, vs1-6
After healing the beggar, Peter again PREACHED
Result 4:4, 5000 saved (DO math 8000+)
WE DON”T PRAY IN ONE ACCORD!
Acts 4:2-3, OPPOSITION! They were arrested
Overnight spent in jail
Vs 18-21 before counsel and threatened
Result vs. 23-31 This Is Their Prayer
Vs 31, the place was shaken,
SPAKE the Word of God with boldness!!
NO tongues here! Imagine THAT!
To be Bold means that you are confidence and assured
Notice 4 things about boldness
I. The Source of Boldness
*The Nile River is a mighty river, yet it has a source,
Lake Victoria
Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
A. The Source Is Not In SELF
-Unlearned and Ignorant men!
-Not like the refinement of the Pharisees, etc
-just plain old ordinary fishermen
B. The Source Is In The SAVIOR
-They had been with Jesus!
-They were confident of the person and work of Christ
II. The Supply of Boldness
*Although Lake Victoria is the source, there are other lakes and rivers that feed the Nile along the way. Otherwise, it would dry up before reaching it’s destination.
We too will need to be resupplied to withstand the onslaught
Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
A. The Supply And The Source, Same Start
-Just as rain fills the Lake, so also along the way!
-In accord praying AND waiting on God!
B. The Supply And The Source, Same Spirit
-ONLY Water can resupply the lake or river
-Filling of the Holy Spirit can be the believers only
power
C. The Supply And The Source, Same Scriptures
-Spake the Word of God, WITH BOLDNESS
III. The Service of Boldness
*The water of the Nile River gives life along the way through East and Northern Africa. As a matter of fact, it takes 4 months for the waters of Lake Victoria to reach the Mediterranean Sea. It is commonly known of the irrigation of Egypt and the false worship of this river.
Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
A. The Service of the Savior
-Gospel
-Luke 19:10, Romans 5:6-9; II Cor 5:17-21
B. The Service of the Spirit
-Empower
-Convicts of Sin
-Regenerates the lost
-ONLY He can work on the heart
C. The Service of the Scriptures
-Quickening, Hebrews 4:12
-Romans 10:17
A. The Service of the Saints
-Pray
-Testimony of being with Jesus?
-Filled with the Spirit
-Faithful with the Word and Witness
IV. The Seat of Boldness
I John 4:17, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
2 Cor 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Conclusion:
The early church was NOT concerned about itself. It’s leadership, or it’s programs. It was concerned about obedience to the Savior, the Scriptures, and the Spirit of God. Therefore they had great boldness
DO YOU AND I HAVE THAT BOLDNESS?
Jerrold Myers
South Africa