Bold Witness

Acts 4:23–31 ESV

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 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.

Straight away we find the disciples in the Temple sharing the Good News of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead,

an opportunity given to them because a lame man was healed in the name of Jesus,

and instead of thanking God, instead of realising that God was at work, instead of marvelling at what had happened, the leaders arrested them!

The persecution of Christians has happened from the get-go, is still happening today, and for no logic whatsoever. Even when things are plain and obvious people just want to shut us up. They really prefer darkness over light.

But despite the best efforts of the opposition people still come to faith in Jesus and the church grows. What an interesting thing that is!

Later on when Peter and John were brought to answer for their preaching before the leaders, they said:

Acts 4:20 ESV

20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Is that true of us? We went out yesterday to share the Gospel with people outside Greenford Road shops. Those of us who went, what did we speak about? It wasn’t the weather was it? I want us all to get this zeal for God. But you must also know that opposition comes and strikes often without warning.

What if opposition does come; what would be our response?

We’d say we have a right to free speech. We’d get lawyers involved. We’d moan about how we are unfairly treated. We’d say Muslims don’t have this issue.

Yes, we are in the midst of warfare, that’s for sure in our own society, but not what you think. It is spiritual in nature.

97% of people do not believe. That makes for huge opposition. The god of this world has blinded people. This is obvious when we speak with people.

It makes it all the more amazing the response of these disciples for they act in a way that, I think, we wouldn’t. And pray a prayer we wouldn’t. For us, it is surprising what was not prayed for.

For instance:

They didn't ask God to remove their troubles or make their lives easier. Instead, they prayed for boldness to continue proclaiming Jesus in the face of opposition.

Let’s look at this passage we heard read:

23-24a

When things go wrong at home, at work, at Church, where do we go? To whom do we share these issues?

We talk a lot about the church being a community and when we read about the early church it was always together, for each person was valuable. But for that to happen we must meet, together in community.

When things go wrong it may seem to be instinctive to draw up the bridge, stay home, and say, well, no one visits me! We go for isolation because it seems more comfortable. British culture has much to answer for. The stiff upper lip is still our motto though we think it is not.

But when trouble comes we do not share it with the church. We stay alone and say what an awful life it is!

Yet how often do I say that the motto of the church should be Acts 2:42?

Acts 2:42 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Devoted. Devoted. Devoted. Devoted.

What happened when Peter and John were released from custody? What are we told in Acts 4:23? The ESV says they went to their friends. Quite literally in Greek is says: They went to their own people.

Was Peter married? Well, yes he was. But where did he go? He went to the Church, those who shared their faith, their mission and their commitment to Jesus. Maybe his wife was there. Going to our own people should be the natural thing to do, even more so when it relates to the Church.

And even more so when there is opposition to the Gospel. The Great Commission was given not to isolated individuals but to the church collectively. When we face opposition for our faith, our natural response should be to seek the fellowship and prayer support of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The principle is that we should go for help rather than expect help to come to us.

What did the disciples, Peter and John, say?

Complain bitterly about their treatment?

Say, it was nothing, everything is OK?

Well, no.

We know for we heard - they shared what happened accurately and factually. They spoke of the opposition they faced, the specific threats made against them, and the pressure to cease preaching in Jesus' name.

We need to be open about the difficulties of Christian life. To be honest about how hard it is to witness. Too often, we present the Christian life as perpetually victorious, failing to acknowledge that there is trouble and opposition.

24-26

Then in verses 24-26 together they raised a prayer with one voice to the One who had sovereign control over circumstances, who made Heaven and earth and everything in them. No authority can reign over God. This gives us confidence rather than fear.

Indeed, they quote Scripture to God. I love this. Our prayers ought to be peppered with Scripture because God is a promise-keeping God. They raised with God the ridiculous opposition that has no basis in logic except their arrogancy to think they can throw off the reign of God.

"Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed."

When I look at the world there is nothing new here.

27-28

The opposition was not new. After all, Jews and Gentiles took part in Jesus’ crucifixion.

But God was not caught unawares. It was God’s plan brought about deliberately to bring salvation to us.

Persecution was not the end. Jesus did not stay dead but He rose from the grave. We preach a living Saviour.

Could the troubles that come our way be, in a roundabout way, from God? Job said; should we not accept evil from God as well as good?

29

So, how did they pray?

They asked God to strike down the opposition,

to restrict their power,

to make things easier.

No. That’s not what they prayed is it?

Instead of praying against persecution they pray for more boldness and freedom to publicly declare the name of Jesus. This is not something that is about Dutch-courage but to be empowered by God to witness regardless of the consequences.

We have to have a changed mindset. These disciples knew that the goal of the Christian life is not personal comfort or safety but faithful proclamation of Christ.

The Church exists to witness.

Can we pray such a prayer? With the ‘name it and claim crowd’ and prosperity gospel, I wonder. What would we make of Jesus call to sell all that we have and give to the poor?

Are we that comfortable to drift along in the Christian life? We are called to radical discipleship for a God who was radical in sending His own Son to die, to give His life for a rebellious creation, whilst we were still enemies. We put our hand to the plough and not look back. Is that not what we sing: I will follow Jesus, no turning back?

Or are we going to carry on being enemies of God through worldly living? Through the desire for worldly goods? Are we that numb to what God has done for us?

How is it that Muslims are radical enough to pray and mention Mohammad’s name 10,000 times in a year and we are meek and mild about a Saviour like Jesus?

30

We also, need to be like the disciples who prayed that signs and wonders would follow the bold declaration of His Word. There should be an expectancy that God is going to speak and do things. And we need to be ready to go with the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

God still authenticates His word through divine power. He still answers prayer!

And what happened next?

31

God's response to their prayer was immediate and dramatic. The physical shaking of the building confirmed that their prayer had been heard and answered. More significantly, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit"—receiving fresh empowerment for their mission.

The result was exactly what they had requested—"they continued to speak the word of God with boldness." They didn't merely continue preaching; they preached with supernatural boldness. They became courageous in the face of opposition.

So what?

We are not an ordinary community of people. God created the church for us to be devoted to one another.

We must take things to the Church, whatever it is. The church is our safety net, where we go for pastoral care, where we are encouraged, where we get the tools to live for Christ, where we are moulded, where we pray and where we are equipped for the work God has for us.

And we don’t compromise, dumb down or withdraw our message that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and was raised again. He lives and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold for Him.

If we are faithful to our calling there will be opposition.

Jesus warned His disciples, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18). Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you" (1 Peter 4:12).

Persecution is very interesting to me. It serves God’s purpose just as it did when it was against Jesus. It purifies the church removing those whose commitment is superficial while strengthening the faith of genuine believers. And it seems to me, the church grows.

We have power from God if we but ask for it. Not for ourselves but for the work of God. The Christian life is not a natural life. We are a set-apart people.

We live in a society that thinks that truth is relative and that there are many paths to God. This is not so. Jesus is inclusive, in that all can come to Him, but exclusive in that He is the only way, the only truth, the only life.

Are we comfortable as Christians happy with the life of ease or are we willing to step up and follow Jesus in the mission, God’s mission, to save the world? Time is drawing to a close, Jesus return is near. If we think it is in a distant future then we will lose our fervour. But there is an immediate urgency. It is an emergency.

The world desperately needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. People around us are perishing without knowledge of salvation through faith in Christ alone. Yet many remain silent, afraid of how others might respond to our witness. The early church was not ashamed and were even more purposeful and deliberate afterwards.

If we stand with God surely a great harvest will come. As the labourers are few, according to Jesus (Matthew 9:37), let us not be the slackers and get up to the work.

Just as farmers don't gather crops by staying indoors, we can't expect a spiritual harvest without bold witness. The early church's prayer for boldness led to thousands being added to their number. Their courage in the face of threats became the seed that produced an abundant harvest of believers.

The harvest is ready - are we?

We need to pray as per the disciples

“grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness."

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Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You as those early disciples did - acknowledging that You are sovereign Lord who made heaven and earth and everything in them. We thank You for the physical harvest You've provided this year, for Your faithful provision in every season of our lives.

But Lord, we also see the spiritual harvest field around us - our neighbours, our colleagues, our families who don't yet know Jesus. Like those first believers, we confess that too often we've been more concerned with our comfort than with Your commission, more worried about opposition than obedience to Your call.

Forgive us, Lord, for our timidity when You've called us to boldness. Forgive us for staying silent when You've given us the greatest news the world has ever heard.

And now, Lord, look upon the opposition we face - the mockery, the indifference, the hostility to Your gospel in our day. We don't ask You to remove the challenges, but like those early believers, we ask You to grant to Your servants boldness to speak Your word without compromise.

Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Give us courage to share the gospel with our neighbours, wisdom to answer those who question us, and love for those who oppose us.

Use us, Lord, as instruments in Your harvest. May many come to know Jesus through our faithful witness, for His glory and their salvation.

In the mighty name of Jesus, our risen Saviour, we pray. Amen.

Song: Be bold

Benediction

Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Communion Service

As we prepare to share in communion together, we're reminded that our bold witness flows from what Christ has already accomplished for us. The early church in Acts 4 prayed with such confidence because they knew their Saviour had triumphed over sin and death.

When Jesus took bread and broke it, saying 'This is my body given for you,' He was preparing to face the ultimate opposition - the cross itself. When He took the cup, saying 'This is my blood of the new covenant,' He was sealing the greatest rescue mission in history.

Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel all gathered against God's Anointed - but their opposition served God's eternal plan. Through Christ's broken body and shed blood, salvation was accomplished. Through His resurrection, death was defeated.

This is why we can be bold. This is why we can face opposition without fear. This is why the gospel is too precious to be hidden. Christ has already won the victory.

So as we break bread together, let us remember not only what Christ has done for us, but what He has called us to do for others. And as we drink from the cup, let us be filled afresh with His Spirit for the bold witness He's placed before us.

Let us examine our hearts before the Lord...

Prayer for the bread and wine (Cornel)

Communion (Irena)

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Prayer for the fellowship (Supposed to be David)