Last night, Cyndi and I went back to Staples Mill Road Baptist Church for their Sunday Evening Service. On Sunday Evenings, the interm pastor is going through the book of Acts. Last night, he brought a message on boldness. His text?
I will sumarize:
* Peter and John are going to the temple
* They see a beggar
* Peter had no money to give the man
* God healed the beggar
* Peter and John preached a great sermon to the people
* Religious leaders didn't like it
* Peter and John were arrested
* Peter hand John were told not to preach any more
* Peter and John said they could only tell what they had witnessed
* The disciples prayed for boldness
As Christians, we are going to be put in hard situations. All around the world, Christians are persecuted for what they believe. Here in the US, we are intimidated. Our reaction should be to pray for boldness! We shouldn't back down! Continue going forward! We shouldn't go looking for trouble: we shouldn't walk up and punch someone in the face. However, when trouble finds us–someone says quit speaking about Jesus or I'll punch you in the face– we should be bold and continue to speak!
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
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.