What makes a person bold?

There are two well-known Biblical illustrations of boldness.
First: Jesus had just been arrested by the temple guards and Romans. In the courtyard, the disciples ran for their lives.  Peter was hiding in the shadows, recognized and accused of being one of Jesus’ followers. Three times, out of fear, Peter denies even knowing Jesus.

Second: Peter and John boldly teach Jesus rose from the dead. Arrested and brought before a council, they were commanded to stop teaching. In response, Peter and John said they could not stop teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus Christ.

If we could discover what happened to them, and have the same thing happen to us and every Christian today, the world would be turned right-side up.

Today’s world could use Christians who are as bold as Peter and John. More and more often, people with “new” ideas boldly go where no one has gone before. It almost seems the more bizarre the idea, the bolder the proponent. Take for example, the homosexual lobby and agenda which is now being espoused as “normal” when throughout history, it has been abnormal. The proponents of homosexual rights are bolder than ever before, with quick accusations of homophobia and worse toward those who disagree.   With the recent court decision in California, it is imperative that as many as possible join in the signature gathering campaign of The Christian Civic League to turn back the homosexual advances in Maine.  Call the League office at 622-7634 ext.1 to volunteer.

The church is faced with increased secularism and tolerance. More and more people are hesitant to tell anyone their belief may be wrong. This is nothing new! In Judges 21:25, the Scripture tells us why there were so many problems during the period of the judges with these simple words - “everyone did as he saw fit” (NIV) or “so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (NLT)

It has been said that what the church needs is a good old-fashioned prayer meeting at the altar.  Others say we need a REVIVAL!  This is true if they mean a renewal of fervor for the Lord Jesus Christ!

What does a bold Christian look like? Do they carry big black Bibles, a pocket full of tracts, and quote Scripture like the apostle Paul? To get an accurate picture of Christian boldness, we should look at the disciples’ example and see the results of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

1. Boldness in TEACHING

Peter and John had been speaking to the people in the temple. Taught from childhood, they still worshipped at the temple and honored the Word of God. They upheld their rich tradition as God’s chosen people. But in the temple (after healing a crippled beggar), they were teaching about Jesus Christ.

Since the Jewish leaders were responsible for Jesus crucifixion, they were upset with Peter and John. The temple leadership, including the priests, were probably tired of hearing about the rebel named Jesus, who had caused quite an uproar in the traditions of the temple. Jesus had disturbed temple worship and now these two men were teaching contrary to accepted tradition.

Peter and John boldly taught that Jesus Christ was God, contrary to the Jewish teaching. They further taught the Jewish people to turn from their sinful ways. Even worse, these two disciples were proclaiming that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and was alive. Their boldness was unsettling to the priests and temple leaders. In fact, the word indicates the temple leaders were disturbed, worked up, and very upset. The next day, the Sanhedrin arrested them. This included the Pharisees who preserved tradition at all costs and were the seats of authority.  The Sadduccees were peace-at-all-costs type of people who could put up with Rome, but not with teaching about any resurrection.

It has often been said that one should NEVER "discuss religion or politics", because both have potential for tremendous disagreement among friends and family. But, when people boldly teach something as true and believe it with fervor and intensity, they are hard to stop. Just look at the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses and the resulting growth of their boldness. Their fervor is contagious and visible even though it is wrong.

Here are some questions to ponder: Can the Bible be taught without passion? Could it be that sometimes we may superficially teach the most powerful message in the world? Do we avoid subjects that may be confrontational? Could we be more concerned about feelings than faithfulness to the Gospel message?

Some people will not like the Gospel message. We need to be bold in our teaching of the cross of Jesus Christ and further remind people of what sin is! We need to remember that none of us is perfect and none of us qualifies as a messenger but the Word of God is perfect and demands boldness!

2. BOLDNESS in the HEALING power of Jesus’ Name 

Two fisherman caused an uproar in the temple by healing a lame beggar with the power of the name of Jesus. When that beggar walked and praised God, he caused quite an uproar at the Temple gate. It’s one thing to teach about Jesus, it was quite another to see someone personally changed through the name of Jesus. Peter and John boldly proclaimed it. They were not ashamed to be identified with the name of Jesus. 

Christianity is the major cause of many of the hospitals in the world today. Christian medical missionaries are welcomed in most of the countries of the world. Christians believe in healing and health!

3. A BOLDNESS in PREACHING (v12-13)

Some time ago in Moscow, there was a courageous Baptist pastor who served in one of the larger cities in the Soviet Union. Under unlikely circumstances, he planted twelve new Baptist congregations, each with well-established pastoral leadership and modest buildings. On one occasion, he told how he approached the minister of religious affairs for permission to build a Baptist church on an attractive piece of property. The Soviet official refused, saying, “As long as I am alive, there will never be a Baptist church on that location.” As the pastor was leaving his office, he replied, “Mr. Minister, I respect the fact that you serve as a minister of the Supreme Soviet State. But, I serve as minister of the Most High God and I will pray that God will spare you and not take your life so His church can be built on that piece of property.” The Soviet official was obviously shaken by his comments and replied, “You’re serious aren’t you?” and he called the Baptist preacher back into his office. That incident led to a series of conversations, which eventually resulted in the acquisition of the property and building of the church. The minister of religious affairs even came to the dedication service. All because of the preacher’s boldness!

Some people are bold in a crowd. Some people are bold when they talk behind your back but not in front of your face. But, Peter and John were bold even though they were in the minority of two! They boldly stated there is no salvation in any other name but Jesus! That’s quite a statement for someone raised as a Jew - believing in the Chosen Generation and Royal Priesthood. They were unapologetically stating that the people needed Jesus!

Non-Christians often have trouble with Jesus’ statement “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life…..”  Non-Christians are blind and have been deceived into believing that God’s love makes everyone acceptable to Him.  Bible believers know and understand that Jesus is very exclusive - either follow Him or you don’t get into heaven! That statement has a tendency to make some people uncomfortable and even angry, especially in a “tolerant” worldview.

Who is Jesus to say that He alone is the Way? Who is to say that Mohammed or Buddha didn’t have as much light as Jesus? What right do we have to tell religious people that God is not impressed with self-righteous efforts? Who are you to tell some good person that they are not going to heaven? What right do we have to tell someone any of these things?

If we really were convinced that without faith in Jesus Christ, a person would go to hell, we would be asking more and more people about their salvation experience and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A person’s goodness or church relationship does not qualify them for heaven, no matter what they may think. Peter and John said there is NO OTHER WAY! Not by giving thousands of dollars or by attending church or by being a deacon or Sunday School teacher or even a charter member.

What if Peter and John showed up in the average church across this country? What if they showed up at your church? Would their message of faith in Jesus Christ be welcomed? Could it be that we need a good old fashioned reminder of personal faith in Jesus Christ? And, a reminder of the urgency of sharing the good news with others?

Every Sunday, in almost every church, some people sit in the pews and hear the Gospel and walk away lost. Every Sunday, there are people who are sitting at home, thinking they are a church member and okay with God. Every Sunday, there are people in probably every church who need to be saved. A Spirit filled minister will boldly proclaim the Gospel. A Spirit filled Sunday School teacher will boldly and without apology present the Gospel. When someone asks, what about the pagan in Africa, the Spirit filled preacher won’t hesitate to say that there is no other way but through Jesus! But, why be concerned about the pagan in Africa unless they have witnessed to their lost neighbors and friends?

A new boldness is needed as America becomes more politically correct. New Age, psychic, Buddhist and Hindu influences are everywhere. Have Christians become so accustomed to hearing about these, so they are now acceptable? Do we believe that people without Jesus are lost and headed to an eternal separation from God in hell? Does our level of sharing the Good News reflect our belief in what it means to be saved? Or, subtly, gradually, and insidiously, has a modified “universalism” crept into our beliefs?

4. BOLDNESS in LIFESTYLE

What does it take for a church to grow? If we were to ask Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, or Rick Warren, Saddleback Community Church in California, or a country preacher in a rural area, we would get different answers concerning church growth. During the last 30 years, many methods have been promoted including Sunday School, personal soul-winning, bus ministry, door to door visitation, friendship evangelism, even Revivals. But, Peter and John knew nothing about the church growth movement. When they were arrested, brought before the Council, and commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, Peter and John said they could NOT stop speaking about what they have seen and heard. Their boldness in speech and lifestyle was so convincing, the Council let them go. They prayed for more boldness and courage and were filled with the Spirit and spoke with boldness.

Peter and John knew they had a mission and would not and could not stop speaking about what they had heard and seen. They were confident of their responsibility and accountability to God that nothing else mattered. God was first priority in their lives. They were solely responsible to Him and not responsible to any man.

This is not the attitude of some rebellious and unfocused childish adults. This is the attitude of men focused on the mission given to them by Almighty God. We need to ask ourselves some hard questions. Am I solely accountable to Him? Is every word I speak uttered with an awareness of His mission in my life? Is every dollar spent in awareness of His pleasure or displeasure with my spending? Do I plan my time based upon what people want or upon what God wants from me? Is it easier to go along with the culture than go against it?

These unschooled, uneducated men were spiritually attuned enough to realize that the most important person to please is the Lord Jesus Christ! They were convinced that if no one but Jesus was pleased with them, that was okay! Their lifestyle of faith spoke volumes to people around them. But, they lived what they spoke, "Jesus is the only way"!!!!

What about us? We need to take an honest look at ourselves. Are we bold enough to take a stand for Jesus whether or not anyone else does? Is our heart so set on following the Lord Jesus that nothing else matters? Nothing else - Not family, not finances, not future ministry, not job, not how it looks in the community, not how it appears to other family members or church members, but that the number one desire of our heart is to please God!

When a person is Spirit-filled, there will be a new boldness in teaching, praying for ministering in the Name of Jesus.  It will also affect our preaching and witnessing. People are attracted to people who are genuine and bold for Jesus Christ.

Charles Colson tells a story about Telemachus, a 4th century Christian who lived in a remote village, who tended his garden and spent much time in prayer. One day, he thought he heard the voice of God telling him to go to Rome, so he obeyed, setting out on foot. Some weeks later, weary from the journey, he arrived in Rome about the time of a great festival. The little monk followed the crowd surging down the streets into the Colosseum. He saw the gladiators stand before the Emperor and say, “We who are about to die salute you.” Then he realized these men were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd. The crowd cheered, but Telemachus cried out loudly “In the name of Christ, STOP!!!!” As the games began, he pushed his way through the crowd, climbed over the wall and dropped onto the floor of the arena. The crowd saw this tiny man rushing to the gladiators, saying, “In the name of Christ, STOP!!!” they thought it was part of the show and began laughing. In a few moments, they realized it was not part of the show and the crowd became angry. Standing pleading with the gladiators to stop their bloody show, one of the gladiators plunged a sword into Telemachus’ body. He fell to the sand. As he was dying, his last words were, “In the name of Christ, STOP!!!!”

Then a strange thing happened. The gladiators stood there looking at the tiny monk lying there dead. A hush fell over the Colosseum. Way up in the upper rows, a man stood and made his way to the exit. Others followed. In dead silence, one by one, everyone left the Colosseum. The year was 391 and that was the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Colosseum. Never again in the great stadium did men kill each other for the entertainment of the crowd - all because of that one voice that could hardly be heard. One voice - one life - that spoke the truth BOLDLY in God’s name.

Joshua 1:9  "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

What if God’s children were bold in today’s world?

Please join the League as we gather signatures to preserve the family in Maine. Please call (207) 622-7634 ext. # 1.  Free material is available to assist you.

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