{"id":47,"date":"2009-02-23T16:39:46","date_gmt":"2009-02-23T16:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=47"},"modified":"2009-02-23T16:39:46","modified_gmt":"2009-02-23T16:39:46","slug":"sunday-september-21-2008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=47","title":{"rendered":"Sunday, September 21, 2008"},"content":{"rendered":"

Holy Boldness for Jesus<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Acts 4<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction\u201d\u201d<\/em>Alexander Solzhenitsyn:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMust one point out that from ancient times a decline in courage has been considered the beginning of the end?\u201d (Swindoll, 120).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A few years ago, Barna did survey to see how many Christians have a Biblical worldview\u201d\u201ddefined as believing that absolute moral truths exist and that such truth is defined by the Bible, along with 6 specific views:\u00a0 <\/span>1)\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus lived a sinless life, 2) God is all-powerful and all-knowing Creator and still rules today, 3) Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned, 4) Satan is real, 5) A Christian has the responsibility to share their faith in Jesus with others, and 6) the Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.\u00a0 <\/span>The results of the survey of over 2,000 Christians showed that only 9 percent of born-again Christians hold a biblical worldview.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Holy boldness for Jesus.\u00a0 <\/span>It is clearly lacking in our land\u201d\u201dfor if only 9 percent of professing Christians in America believe the basics about Jesus and the Bible, it\u201d\u2122s no wonder the church is weak and diluted and ineffective.\u00a0 <\/span>We\u201d\u2122ll never stand up for something we don\u201d\u2122t believe in.\u00a0 <\/span>We\u201d\u2122ll never stick our necks out for Someone we don\u201d\u2122t truly know.\u00a0 <\/span>How bold are YOU?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acts 4–DON\u201d\u2122T READ <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

*Every believer CAN live with a holy boldness for Jesus.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By imitating the apostles, we can live with\u00a0 <\/span>. . . <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Boldness Concerning The Resurrection<\/span><\/strong> (1-4, Message)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Act 3:15\u201d\u201d\u201cYou no sooner killed the Author of Life than God raised him from the dead\u201d\u201dand we\u201d\u2122re the witnesses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection from the dead\u201d\u201dthey didn\u201d\u2122t believe that it could happen, period.\u00a0 <\/span>And they sure didn\u201d\u2122t believe that Jesus was the Risen Savior of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Not much different than our society today, is it?\u00a0 <\/span>Our world is so intelligent and sophisticated and scientific that it has figured out that there is no God and that those who believe there is do so from ignorance of science, using religious beliefs in God as a crutch to support their minds concerning things they can\u201d\u2122t understand.\u00a0 <\/span>So, clearly, from the world\u201d\u2122s perspective, supernatural, from-God resurrection of the dead can\u201d\u2122t happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How do we react to the world<\/em>?\u00a0 <\/span>Do we cower in front of their so-called intelligence and so-called scientific arguments against God and Jesus Christ and the power of God to raise the dead?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Or, are we bold enough to proclaim the supernatural truth that Jesus was raised from the dead as THE supernatural Savior of the world because we believe the Bible that God is and that He is, by definition, beyond our understanding and, being the Creator of science and our little pea brains, can and does alter the normal laws of nature in order to glorify Himself at will<\/em>?!?!<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It is the Risen Savior who saves!\u00a0 <\/span>And until we are bold enough to proclaim Jesus, Risen and Reigning, we won\u201d\u2122t see revival in our community or nation!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Boldness Concerning The ONE Way of Salvation<\/span><\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      (5-12, Message)<\/span><\/p>\n

      I preached on this text 5 years ago and made the statement that \u201cTHE major challenge in the next 5-10 years in America\u201d will be the exclusivity of the Gospel\u201d\u201dthat is, that Jesus is the ONLY Savior for the world.\u00a0 <\/span>It was true then and it has become increasingly true in the last 5 years.\u00a0 <\/span>In the name of tolerance, the Gospel has been watered down to the point that many professing Christians speak of Jesus as one of many options of religion, for fear of being labeled \u201cintolerant\u201d.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cJesus said, \u201d\u02dcI am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life.\u00a0 <\/span>No one gets to the Father apart from me\u201d\u2122\u201d (John 14:6, The Message).<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cFor there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time\u201d (1 Timothy 2:5-6).<\/span><\/p>\n

      Are we boldly stating the truth that Jesus is the ONLY way to God?<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

      If we\u201d\u2122ve not been accused of being \u201cintolerant\u201d, then we\u201d\u2122ve probably not been bold enough with the truth that Jesus is the ONE way of salvation!<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Boldness for Civil Disobedience<\/span><\/strong> (14-20, Message)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        We need to start with God\u201d\u2122s basic thoughts on government.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

        Romans 13:1-2\u201d\u201d\u201cLet every soul be subject to the governing authorities.\u00a0 <\/span>For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.\u00a0 <\/span>Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        So when is civil disobedience right and necessary?<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

        Acts 4:19-20 [READ]<\/span><\/p>\n

        Acts 5:29\u201d\u201d\u201cBut Peter and the other apostles answered and said:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201d\u02dcWe ought to obey God rather than men\u201d\u2122.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        Only when government forbids us to do what God has required, OR requires us to do what God forbids is civil disobedience right and necessary!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

        But rest assured:\u00a0 <\/span>concerning telling others that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead as the only Savior for the world, the governments of the world have, and will, from time to time, and often with great firmness, forbid such talk.\u00a0 <\/span>And then we\u201d\u2122ll be faced with a decision:\u00a0 <\/span>will we be bold enough to remain obedient to God, and disobey the government,\u00a0 <\/span>and still tell others about our Savior?\u00a0 <\/span>Or will we obey the government in disobedience to God and keep quiet<\/em>?<\/span><\/p>\n

        \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Boldness in Prayer for Boldness<\/span><\/strong> (21-31, Message)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          a)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>Corporate<\/em> (23-24)<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

          b)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>God-Focused<\/em> (24-28)<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

          c)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>Evangelistic <\/em>(29-30)<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

          d)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>Faith-filled <\/em>(29-30)<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

          e)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>Fruit-bearing <\/em>(31)<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

          THAT <\/em>is what our Prayer Services ought to look like!\u00a0 <\/span>Do we really want to be bold for Jesus, as a church and as individuals?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Then we\u201d\u2122ll make time to join together as the Body of Christ to pray\u201d\u201dand we\u201d\u2122ll ask God to make us bold for Jesus!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Boldness in Love<\/span><\/strong> (32-37, Message)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            God empowered the early church to be bold in love\u201d\u201dlove for one another (which was in the form of service and practical ministry to each other\u201d\u2122s daily needs) and love for the world (which was in the form of boldly telling others about the Risen Savior).<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

            And notice\u201d\u201dwhen we get bold enough to truly love, both one another and our world, it\u201d\u2122s evidence that \u201cgreat grace was upon them all\u201d (verse 33).<\/span><\/p>\n

            \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            Conclusion\u201d\u201d<\/em>What was the secret to their boldness?\u00a0 <\/span>We just read it was \u201cgreat grace\u201d being lavished on them by God.\u00a0 <\/span>But how did they get it?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            Acts 4:13\u201d\u201d\u201cNow when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.\u00a0 <\/span>And they realized that they had been with Jesus<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

            THAT was their secret!\u00a0 <\/span>Have you, have I spent enough time with Jesus that folks realize it by the way we boldly live for Him?<\/span><\/p>\n

            We\u201d\u2122ll never stick our necks out for Someone we don\u201d\u2122t truly know<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            Do you spend enough time with Jesus every day to know Him, to know His thoughts (as found in the Bible), to know His passion (as found in the Bible)?\u00a0 <\/span>So, practically, how do we get to know Him?\u00a0 <\/span>I mean, Jesus is not physically here.\u00a0 <\/span>I\u201d\u2122ve given you a hint 2X in the last two sentences.\u00a0 <\/span>Through daily time with Jesus through reading\/thinking about God\u201d\u2122s Word and praying to the God of the Word.\u00a0 <\/span>You want to be bold like the apostles and the early church?\u00a0 <\/span>Get to know Jesus through the Bible!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Holy Boldness for Jesus Acts 4 \u00a0 Introduction\u201d\u201dAlexander Solzhenitsyn:\u00a0 \u201cMust one point out that from ancient times a decline in courage has been considered the beginning of the end?\u201d (Swindoll, 120).\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A few years ago, Barna did survey to … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-messages"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47\/revisions\/48"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}