Finding Boldness in the Spirit

Introduction:

We have gathered here today because God showed us his love and mercy by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins.

God then extended us grace by saving our souls and adopting us into his family.

We have gathered on Sunday because this is the day of the week that God raised Jesus from the dead, securing our everlasting hope of redemption and salvation.

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

We now live and move and have our being in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with 2.6 billion people, all based on one simple fact. Jesus Christ rose from the dead in April of 30 A.D.

The Proclamation of the Resurrection

Acts 4:1–4 ESV

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

The resurrection is an annoyance to the world.

Denial of a situation is never a solution.

1 Corinthians 15:12–15 ESV

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

Lee Strobel was a lawyer that set out to prove that the resurrection of Christ never took place. But to his surprise, his findings showed the undeniable fact of the resurrection and became a follower of Jesus.

"The central claim of Christianity is that Jesus was resurrected bodily from the dead, and if that's true, then it changes everything." - Lee Strobel

Lee published his findings in his best-selling book, “The Case for Christ.”

Dealing with the facts is the first step to a solution.

1 Corinthians 15:3–6 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

The resurrection is our hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:16–18 ESV

16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

1 Corinthians 15:20–21 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

Jesus has conquered death and the grave.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

The Power in the Name of Jesus

Acts 4:7–10 ESV

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

The Holy Spirit magnifies the Lord.

The Holy Spirit in you wants to testify of the Lord.

When we let the Holy Spirit speak, he speaks of Jesus.

Jesus is omnipotent: all-powerful.

Matthew 28:18 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Jesus can heal the sick, bring sight to the blind, and raise the dead.

Jesus is the only one with the power to save you from your sin.

Romans 7:24–25 ESV

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Jesus alone can save.

Acts 4:11–12 ESV

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Prayer for Boldness

Acts 4:13 ESV

13 Now 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.

Boldness grabs the attention of the World.

“I don’t know if I believe what you believe, but I believe you believe it.”

Our boldness is suppressed by the world.

The last thing that Satan wants is for you to find boldness in the name of Jesus. Satan knows that bold Christians turn the world upside down with the gospel.

Acts 4:16–18 ESV

16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

We are told not to speak the name of Jesus at work.

We can’t speak the name of Jesus at school.

The world is dying because we are complying. We must pray for boldness.

Acts 4:19–20 ESV

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Boldness unleashes the power of Christ.

When we get bold in our faith, people find Jesus.

When we get bold in our faith, people find healing.

When we get bold in our faith, people find hope.

Boldness is unlocked through prayer.

Acts 4:29–31 ESV

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 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.

God shows up when his people get bold.

The power of the Holy Spirit fills your mouth with boldness to speak.

Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

R-Group Questions:

How has the hope of the resurrection changed your life?

Would you consider yourself bold in your faith? If so, how do people see your boldness?

Are you praying for boldness in the Holy Spirit to speak as you ought to speak?

Take a moment and pray for each other in the group that God would give you boldness this week to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus our Lord.