Old School Bold

Acts 4:13–22 ESV

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. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 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. 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.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 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, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Old School Bold

1 Kings 17:1-2

Deut 11:16-17

Define Old School:

Most say the words like they have a bad taste in their mouth - watch out for that brother or sister I hear they are super ‘old school’

All conviction, no compassion

All expectation, no grace

I’m not not talking about that, I think of ‘Old School’ in terms things being simpler with a clear path to follow. It’s old school, less complicated and little more straight forward.

And I think the old testament prophets especially the one who started it all, the prophet Elijah was like that.

James 5:17

What makes a man bold?

clarity

closeness to God

Conviction based on the word

Widow picking up sticks

Give me something to drink

Piece of Bread

Calls her to be hospitable

Challenges God when the widows son dies

1 Kings 17.19-22

  I thought if I did everything right bad things just wouldn’t happen.

But trouble comes my way!?!?

Cry sometimes!?!

Stay awake at night!?!  

Calls Obadiah to do dangerous things

Go to the king and tell him Elijah is here

you know that I have been looking for him and you didn’t attack him and bring him in

I will present myself to Ahab today!

Trouble

1 Kings 18:16-19

1 Kings 18:20-21

Clarity - v 21 Chose

Call - v 21 Follow

Trouble - v 21 - Nothing

1 Kings 18:22-24

Clear - Fire from Heaven

Call - Rid yourselves of these false prophets

Trouble - Jezebel is unmoved

1 Kings 19:

Clear - What are you doing here

Call - Go back the way you came

Trouble - the solution was/is Discipleship

For Us

Clear - Come follow me - Mark 1.17

Calling - And I will make you fishers of men - Mark 1.17

Trouble - Carry your Cross - Luke 9.23

Several years ago, an enormous financial crisis loomed in Europe. The very survival of the structure of the euro currency, if not the whole of Europe, was at stake. All eyes were on one man: the head of the European Central Bank. Financial markets and currencies plunged all through the morning, and the only question on anyone's lips was, "What will he say?" His words would either cause an implosion or the reversion of the volatility.

On the morning of July 26, 2012, he stood up, and when asked what he would do to protect the euro, he answered in three simple words. "Whatever it takes." At that moment, in human terms, he spoke for the might of the major industrial countries of Europe. As soon as he spoke those words, the markets rallied. The immediate crisis was over. The structure of the currency was secured.

There's a challenge here for us. When confronted with a world in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ, with a world crying out in pain, with a world riven by inequality, poverty, and need, how will we respond? Will we hunker down and ignore the outside world? Or will we be willing to say, "Whatever it takes"? Whatever it takes to see our communities restored, our workplaces transformed, our world healed? Whatever it takes to see justice and righteousness roll on like a river? Whatever it takes to see our friends, colleagues, and neighbors come to realize that they, too, are known, loved, and called by their Father in heaven?