Boldness in Christ

The Believer's Prayer

Acts 4:23-31   NKJV

"And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders have said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: 'Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,' who by the mouth of David have said: 'why did the nations rage and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.' 'For truly against Your Holy Servant Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and people of Israel, were gathered together' to do whatever You hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 'Now, Lord, look on their treats, and grant to Your servants that will all boldness they may speak your Word, 'by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.' and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness."

BOLDNESS IN CHRIST

Have we ever experience of having a very strong conviction of certain things or standing strong about something, and was tested in face of trials? Even to the point of death?

In the following verses above, we can see that Peter and John were empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ even at the face of death.

At times we are tested in our faith, in our beliefs and in our conviction. How can we, like the apostles, stand boldly and strongly proclaim our faith? There will come a time , at some point in our lives, that we are tested and challenge with regards to our faith. And like the apostles we too can stand and not faced by these challenges, Even at the face of death we too can proudly defend and continue on believing, if we understand the following ideas.

Living with the Word of God

"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 have been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13; NKJV)

Praying in the Word of God

"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.: (Acts 4:31; NKJV)

Sharing by the Word of God

"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common, Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold." (Acts 4:32 & 34; NKJV)

Boldness in Christ

PERSONAL APPLICATION

For us to personally experience boldness in Christ, here are some action steps on how we can live this on our lives:

1. Live in Gods' Word Daily - develop a habit of reading, meditating and living the word of God day and night and be careful to follow its instruction, so we can enjoy the blessing of God. (Joshua 1:8)

2. Learn Scripture Praying and Claim its promise - Select a particular verse in the Word of God and develop a prayer around it. In the same reference (Joshua 1:8) we can develop a prayer around it like this. "Lord God, enable me to read you Word day and night and guide me as I meditate on it and apply it in my personal life, and lead me as I carefully follow its instruction so I can receive and enjoy the Blessings of a successful and prosperous life you have promised. In Jesus Name, Amen.

3. Know what areas in your life that you can joyfully share - In our text references, the early Christians are evidently generous and willing to share all their possessions. While we may not have the same capacity of complete surrender and generosity, we can start small by identifying what areas in our life that we can joyfully start sharing with our brethren? And little by little we come closer in giving the whole in us to other people, for God.