SERMON FOR STEWARDSHIP SABBATH
5th December 2015
“A Call to Boldness”
Introduction
We admire boldness whether it happens in the sport arena or in real life.
Boldness is the willingness of a person to take risk, to be confident and
courageous. In May 2015, Gift Kelehe (an athlete) was celebrated by the
sport community and by many others. He crossed the finishing line of the 90 th
edition of the worlds greatest ultra marathon, the “Comrades Marathon.” He
completed this ultimate human race, 87.7 km, in South Africa between
Pietermaritzburg and Durban, in 5 hours 38 minutes. He has gone beyond his
limits; he has demonstrated boldness and was acclaimed.
Have you heard of Victoria Soto, the 27 years old teacher in Connecticut,
USA? She died at the hands of gunman Adam Lanza on Dec. 14, 2012. As
Adam Lanza entered her classroom, she rushed her entire class into a closet
and then she threw her body in front of the killer. Her sacrifice saved her
students. She's remembered as a hero. She’s remembered for her boldness.
Christians are also called to be bold. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am
with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Joshua 1:6, 7, 9 “Be strong
and very courageous.” How do simple and ordinary people turn out to become
bold men and women of faith? How do we become bold in speech and giving?
Chapter 4 of the book of Acts will guide us on this journey to boldness.
Part One: Acts of Boldness
Chapter 4 of Acts, testifies about boldness. John and Peter were involved in a
bold enterprise that is summarized in Acts 4:2b, “The apostles were teaching
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the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” This short
sentence informs us about 3 manifestations of boldness:
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Firstly, they were men of little instruction who did not attend any
rabbinical school, Seminary or Universities of these days. They were
now teaching publicly.
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Secondly, the subject of their teaching was a man who was
condemned and who died as a criminal.
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Thirdly, they were preaching about resurrection through Jesus when
many (especially the Sadducees) did not even believe in the reality of
the resurrection.
You have to be bold to engage in these 3 actions!
The boldness of the 2 disciples continued to exist even when circumstances
became challenging. They were soon arrested. They had to face a powerful
coalition, v.5, “the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law.” These were
the people who detained power of death and their hatred for Jesus did not
have to be proven. Such an audience could have intimidated many but this
was not the case of the disciples. Listen to the words of Peter, the
spokesperson of the two accused, Acts 4:8-10, “Then Peter, filled with the
Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being
called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was
lame and are being asked how he was healed,
10 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.” Under arrest, yes, but no turning back, they demonstrated the same
boldness in witnessing about Jesus.
After deliberation, the judges summoned Peter and John “not to speak or
teach at all in the name of Jesus.” They were very fortunate. They escaped
the worst, imprisonment or even the death penalty. They received only a
warning. Was this severe warning a cold shower to their boldness? Let’s
listen to the response of Peter and John, both of them now talking, Acts 4:19-
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20, “But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you,
or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about
what we have seen and heard.” As carbon becomes diamond under pressure,
the boldness of the disciples had become outstanding under trials.
This chapter 4 shares also about the boldness of the first Christians in another
aspect of their life.
Acts 4:32
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of
their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
Acts 4: 34-35
“Those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the
sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who
had need.”
They were bold in liberality. They were bold in generosity. They were not
afraid to give and to share. These passages are not saying that they gave all
that they had; otherwise they would have become beggars. They neither sold
all their houses; otherwise they would have become homeless. "God does not
require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain.” (Steps to
Christ Chap. 5) However, they gave a significant amount of everything that
they had. They gave sacrificially. Boldness in words, boldness in acts of love!
E.G.White comments on the attitude of these members to giving in these
words: “…”
The same boldness and the same sacrificial spirit have characterized the
pioneers of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The story of the First Advent
Press testifies to it. There was a big conference held on March 12 to 15, 1852
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in New York. The major objective of the conference was to be united in the
truth. Hiram Edson was there. Among the other participants were Joseph
Bates and James and Ellen White. On March 12, 1852, the subject of printing
a paper came up for discussion. It was decided to purchase a press and type
and to set a printing office in Rochester where the Review would be
published. It was a monumental decision for this small group of believers with
limited resources; 600 $ was needed to purchase the press and type. Edson
made a statement: “We, no doubt, will have a power press (not a hand press)
before the close; maybe two or three.” Edson would himself be the instrument
to buy the first press: he sold his farm in Port Gibson and advanced 650$ to
purchase the press and type. He was to be paid back as donations came in
from other believers for the press. Hiram Edson was a man of vision. He
thought big and at the same time he was willing to be part of God’s solution.
Part Two: The Causes of Boldness
What are the causes of boldness among God’s people? What are the factors
that make God’s people to be bold in speech and in giving? Acts 4 helps us to
identify some of the causes for the boldness of Peter, John and the Early
Church.
i.
They acknowledge the Sovereignty of God.
An extract of the prayer made by the Early Church provides us with the first
cause of boldness in speech and giving, Acts 4:24, “When they heard this,
they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said,
“you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”
These words convey the idea that for them, God is all-powerful and all-able.
Nothing can happen without His consent or approval. He is in control of
everything and of our life. Such a conviction removes fears and produces
boldness. The Sovereignty of God also implies that God is the creator-owner
of the heaven and earth. Everything belongs to Him and He is the One who
provides everything that we have. This belief incapacitates us to give freely
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and generously. King David shares his own experience, 1 Chronicles 29:14:
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as
generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only
what comes from your hand.” Boldness in speech and giving is produced
when we acknowledge God’s Sovereignty.
ii.
They have been with Jesus
Acts 4:13 provides a second factor to explain their boldness: “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.” “these men had been with Jesus” ”When you have been
with Jesus, you have experienced the deepest love, the greatest motivation to
move forward in all circumstances. When you have been with Jesus, you are
inspired by His boldness, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to
death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8. Boldness is built through
abiding in Jesus. Paul clearly identifies the source of boldness in Ephesians
3:12,”In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our
faith in him.” The proximity, connection and covenant with Jesus turn ordinary
people into monument of boldness.
iii.
They were praying for boldness
In the prayer of the Early Church, there is an explicit request, Acts 4: 29,
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your
word with great boldness.” They asked for “great boldness.” The text informs
us that God responded to their prayer is a specific way, Acts 4:31, “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.” The prayer for
boldness is answered through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to
the Holy Spirit in these words, 2 Timothy 1: 7 “For the Spirit God gave us does
not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” In Acts
chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, the believers received the Holy Spirit, one
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of the reported results of this outpouring was, Acts 2: 45, “They sold property
and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Boldness in giving!
Prayer, Prayer for Holy Spirit can make us bold in giving; can remove our
shyness and timidity to support God’s cause.
iv.
They had a thorough knowledge of biblical prophecies
There is a fourth factor to boldness that we can identify when we read the
prayer of the Early Church, Acts 4: 25, “You spoke by the Holy Spirit through
the mouth of your servant David: Why do the nations rage and the peoples
plot in vain?” Here, they are quoting the Scripture, more precisely with the
messianic prophecies. This demonstrates their familiarity with God’s Word
and with biblical prophecies. The knowledge of biblical prophecies helps
believers to consider their daily realities from a larger perspective. According
to Apostle Paul, it generates boldness in spiritual matters, 2 Corinthians: 3:12,
“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” When we have a clear picture
that the end of all things is near, that “the day of the Lord will come like a
thief”, that “the heavens will disappear with a roar”, that “ the elements will be
destroyed by fire,” that “the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare”,
are we not more inclined to pay attention to these words of Jesus? Matthew
6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and
vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But
store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Boldness flows out of our
knowledge and attachment to biblical prophecies.
Part Three: Results of Boldness
Boldness disturbs people. No one is indifferent to boldness, either you praise
it or you condemn it. When you choose to be bold, people will react to what
you do and to who you are. Listen again to what has happened to Peter and
John for being bolds, Acts 4:2-3b, “They were greatly disturbed because the
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apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of
the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put
them in jail until the next day.” If you choose to be bold as a Christian, do not
expect everyone to clap hands for you.
There is also a positive result to boldness, Acts 4:4, “But many who heard the
message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five
thousand.” The expansion of God’s kingdom is the direct result of boldness.
When boldness in speech is added to boldness in giving, a terrific power is
released, Acts 4: 33, “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Conclusion
Ordinary men and women of past generations are remembered for their
boldness. Boldness is forged through the daily acknowledgement of God’s
sovereignty, the permanent abiding in Jesus, the lively prayer life and the indepth study and meditation of the writings of the prophets. If the Church in this
generation wants to make a difference for the kingdom, there is a need for
more boldness in witnessing and giving. Today, there is a call for more
boldness among God’s people! What does it mean for you to be bold in
speech and giving today?
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Witnessing about your faith in all possible situations.
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Committing a portion of your scarce time to give a Bible lesson to
someone.
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Returning the tithe of God consistently.
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Making a special donation to someone or to a project.
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Increasing your regular offering.
What does God impress you to do? There is a call for more boldness, who will
be bold enough to respond to it?
Prayer of commitment by an Elder or Church Pastor.
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