From Boredom and Blandness to Boldness in Christ

Introduction

If being a Christian, what evidence would the find to convict you

Why is it we find it so difficult to talk about what we believe and act on the convictions we hold dearly but never express daringly

We are called by Christ to express his power and communicate his grace

The Christian life is not bland or boring; it’s a life of boldness

Two Groups of God’s People

Acts 4:1–7 NIV84

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Every church is represented by this 2 groups of God’s people or more

Here was 2 groups of God’s People: the Early Church and the Sanhedrin

Both believed they were being faithful to God

One was protective and defensive, the other was powerful and dynamic

One believed it was appointed to conserve the past, keep the peace, and conserve the status quo. The other believed it was called to communicate the love of God, witness to a miraculous intervention of his power, and to live in the resources of his persistent presence.

One was maintained for preservation, the other was maintained by prayer.

One was based on what God had given long before: the other was based on what God was doing right then.

One was symbolized by blandness and boredom: the other by boldness,

The Sanhedrin was made up of 2 groups: The Pharisee and the Saducees

The Pharisees

They were vigilant, nationalistic leaders who felt deeply the responsibility for preservation of the Law, the tradition of the Hebrew people, and the most minute detail of the regulations, the possibility of spirits, accepted the idea of resurrection, and carefully defined presuppositions.

Most of the had arisen from the trade class and were known for impeccable ligalism

The Sadducees were the landed gentry of the time

They controlled the wealth, owned most of the land, and wielded immense power.

Collaboration with foreign conquerors was a necessary evil for their material position

They wanted peace at any price, and the price became exorbitantly high under Roman domination

They wanted no disturbance of the balance of power, the detente they had carefully worked out with the Roman government

Theologically, they were guided by clearly defined convictions which were often in direct opposition to those of the Pharisees

They did not believe in the resurrection, a life beyond the grave, or the spirit realm of either angels or devils.

They did not anxiously await, long for, or anticipate the messianic kingdom, for very specific political reasons.

The Sadducees hated the early Church

They preached the resurrection

They proclaimed Jesus as a living Lord

They lived by a spiritual power through the Holy Spirit

They performed miracles which were undeniable proof of their power through the Holy Spirit.

On the other side is Peter & John

Acts 4:8–17 NIV84

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

It was the the quality of boldness in Peter and John which confounded them.

Amazingly articulate, forceful, and daring, Peter and John knew what they believed and were able to state it impellingly, using familiar Scripture and profound theological formulations.

They sounded like Jesus of Nazareth

Where did they get this learning which in some ways exceeded the most learned expression

What was the reason for such Boldness

First, the Resurrection made courageous people out of cowards

Second, was their experience of the risen Christ

Third was this tangible miracle which had been performed

Fourth was the objective standard the Scripture, they quoted scriptures

When we are founded on Scripture, on something more than our own subjective ideas and feelings,we are able to move forward with unlimited audacity

Fifth was they were filled the the HOly Spirit

Sixth comes from special need and opportunity of ministry and witness with people and in the world. Jesus Saves and only Jesus Saves

Now for the Early Church

Acts 4:23–31 NIV84

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

It is great comfort to know God’s people have always been in trouble

It is a sure sign we are obeying God and not men

They prayed for boldness and more miracles to take place

Conclusion

Which group do we represent

What are do we need Boldness in