Becoming A Confident Christian (YBS-1901)

Intro

Text -

Acts 4:13 NKJV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Title - Becoming A Confident Christian

Background

Boldness - means confidence, freedom of speech, absence of fear in speaking what one believes.

Greek PARRESIA

the trait of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech even if it involves risk and danger

the early Christians were marked by such boldness

they spoke openly about their faith in Christ

they were not afraid of the risk of being arrested by the authorities

The Main Point

Boldness or confidence is a significant factor in witnessing for Christ, because it involves risk and danger.

Only the “confident Christian” can witness for Christ in public

Questions

What makes a Christian confident, bold?

How can we nourish this trait in us o we can be effective in witnessing?

Sermon Points

Biblical confidence is not the same as secular confidence

Secular education teaches us to have “self-confidence” and “self-esteem”.

self-esteem - is how you feel about your self, often is the result of one’s experiences;

self-confidence - is how you feel about your abilities

self-confidence is good as far earthly responsibilities are concerned

Self-esteem is good to a certain point.

It is good to have a positive view of one’s self.

It is not good when it leads to pride and prejudice of others

Biblical education teaches us differently.

Self-esteem - the Bible does not focus on the “self”, except in our needs and deficiencies.

- esteem others better than us

- he who does not hate his own life/self, cannot become a disciple

Self-confidence - biblically, this is the same as confidence in the flesh

- better to put our trust in the Lord

- we have no confidence in the flesh

The Sources of Real Confidence

Relationship with God

- I suffer…but I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed…

- in the fear of the Lord

Experience in the working of God

- through faith in Christ we have boldness and access

- He who began a good work in you will continue…

- I can do all things through Christ…

Time Spent with God

- they had been with Jesus

- faith in the work of Christ give us confidence in drawing near to God

- drawing near to God gives us confidence in proclaiming the word of God

Conclusion

The early Christians demonstrated boldness because -

they had genuine relationship with God

they had experience in the supernatural works of God

they spent time with God

Therefore, the same is true today. Without these 3 things,

the same is true today

we cannot become confident Christians

we cannot preach, teach with boldness

we cannot lead as Emcee or Song Leader with confidence

without these 3 things, we cannot become confident Christians

we cannot sing and worship with confidence