Book of Acts Series - Part 5 | Always Bold — Jim Cymbala

The Early Church's Devotion to Apostolic Teaching

We started this series on the book of Acts and let me bring you to where we're at if you weren't here on Tuesday. We got a snapshot of the church the early church after the first sermon was preached in the Christian era by Peter.

And we learned that the church continued together in the Apostles doctrine. They kept studying the Word of God as it was taught by the Apostles. Remember no written New Testaments. No Bibles, no Old Testaments available to easily read and the New Testament hadn't been written yet.

So it was verbal teaching but they continued steadfastly in that. Thank God we have the Bible now. Can you imagine all the attacks on false doctrine that must have happened when there was no document to say no, this is the truth.

We learned that they continued steadfastly in that in fellowship sharing with one another breaking of bread which meant eating meals together and probably the Lord's Supper and in prayers they continued in prayer together and God was adding to the church daily those that were being saved after that.

Peter's Healing of the Lame Man in Acts 3

Momentous moment when it was kicked off in such sensational form. Chapter 3 in the book of Acts Tells us about an incident when Peter and John go to the temple at 3 o 'clock in the afternoon. For the hour of prayer and they see a crippled man laying there and then led by the Holy Spirit.

With some kind of supernatural faith imparted to them. They see the man staring at them and asking for something and something triggers in them the response. Look at us and he looked at them thinking he gets some alms some money and they said silver and gold.

We don't have but that which we have we're gonna give you. And this man who was lame crippled from birth. Suddenly is these words are spoken to him in the name of Jesus. Get up and grabbing him by the arm.

They lift him his legs are healed. He starts to jump make a commotion. It's miraculous. A crowd gathers because they know this guy has never walked. He's a he's a regular at the temple gate begging. So now a crowd gathers.

Every time at the beginning when a crowd gathered Peter would use it to preach another sermon. So in chapter 3 of Acts, we have the second sermon of the Christian era and it's focused on Jesus. Just like the first one that we studied last Sunday and he talks about.

I didn't do this by my own godliness. No, I didn't do this on my own power. No. It's faith in the name of Jesus and the faith that comes through his name that made this man whole and then he preaches Jesus crucified for the sins of the world and Resurrected on the third day the people are just looking and watching because there's a changed life right there in front of them.

The First Persecution of the Christian Church

This man who has been touched by the Lord. Well, we pick up now the story in chapter 4, which is the first persecution of the Christian Church. The church has undergone as we'll find out many persecutions over the centuries and right now pastor Park is an expert.

He will tell you around the world where Christians are being most persecuted. But this is the first persecution of the Christian Church. Jesus said it would happen and now it's going to happen. Now. The name of this message is always bold always Bold.

We're gonna get to that in a moment, but let's just get a snapshot of what happened. Peter preaching they're listening. Let's see what happens. 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. That's the sermon. I just told you about they were greatly disturbed. Why. 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. This is the first imprisonment of a Christian. But many who heard the message believed and the number of men grew to about 5 ,000.

So that's 2 ,000 more than happened the first sermon. They were 3 ,000 converted the next day after a night in the slammer the next day the rulers the elders and the 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 family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them by what power or by what name?

Did you do this? So I want you to get this picture and now we're going to follow what Peter and Peter says. But I want you to get this odd juxtaposition of this weird Picture that Luke is painting for us in the book of Acts.

Peter was effective in his sermon. People are turning to the Lord, but they're arrested. They're arrested by who by the same people that crucified Jesus about two or three months before. So you got to know there's a great temptation here for fear.

They're thrown in the prison overnight. And now the next day we see two sides ready to face off. On one side are all the religious leaders Annas Caiaphas the high priest the Sadducees all the experts in the law all the powers that be in the religious Establishment of the Jewish faith in Jerusalem.

And on the other side facing them are two fishermen Peter and John. No degrees high school dropouts. They had to go and fish to make a living. They've been with Jesus for three and a half years, but at the end when he was arrested.

They weren't very strong especially Peter who denied the Lord three times that just happened a few months before. So now we have on the attack these people the establishment. Trying to wipe out Christianity being used by the enemy to bring about the enemy's purpose.

The Conflict Over the Name of Jesus

Now on this side we have representing Jesus Christ to fishermen simple believers not educated. This is important. What is the goal? What is the motive of the people here on this side? What is riling them up?

What's bothering them because this has not changed for 2 ,000 years. What they're saying to him is by what power and by what name did you do this? Because the report they heard that sent the soldiers out to arrest Peter and John is that they're mentioning that name again.

We got a stamp out the mention of the name of Jesus. We crucified him, but these characters are now mentioning his name. Again, you got to understand this brothers and sisters if you're going to understand the meaning of always bold.

Later on after Something we're going to read Peter and John give them a response and answer which we're going to find out about. They tell Peter and John to all right get out of the room. We got to confer and talk about what we're going to do because the guy was healed.

There was a changed life. So notice what they say behind closed doors look but to stop this thing from spreading. Any further among the people we must warn these men Peter and John to speak no longer to anyone in this name.

Next verse then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. The battle going on then and going on today is there are Powers that are working through the media through people we know through the Board of Education.

Through political parties through government around the world stamp out that name they don't even mind if you say God or Lord or Creator if you want to make a half-hour argument that there must be a first cause and a creator that set this whole world in Motion, they don't even mind that just keep it God and creator or Lord.

Don't say the name Jesus. Take away the nativity scene it reminds us of Jesus. Get the cross out of there. It reminds us of Jesus. You go on a TV program, or you interviewed on the radio you can keep fairly politically correct.

If you know how to maneuver around that you know a supreme being a power. But just say the name of Jesus and all hell breaks loose. That has not changed. You have to understand that so when we feel these powers and forces and persecution or pressure.

You shouldn't say what's going on. It's always been this way. Jesus said it would be this way you'll be hated by all men for my name's sake. Why my name. There's something about the name of Jesus? It's either the sweetest name you've ever heard or you end up hating it.

How many love that name just lift up your hand? That's why we're here today. We love that name. We celebrate that name. In it's something that a carpenter Who grew up in Nazareth who never traveled 200 miles from where he was born.

Isn't it funny that 2 ,000 years later? His name is being used when a drug deal goes down and someone says for Christ's sake will you give me the money? Why would they use that name in vain if he's just an ordinary person who doesn't mean anything to anyone.

Why his name? To demean it. To make us callous toward that name. How many have ever heard someone take his name in vain, and it's like a sword when you hear his name. Now we get to the response as we study the book of Acts, and this is the lesson.

Boldness as Spiritual Courage

There was a man named Catiline who lived as a military leader who lived about 75 years before Jesus was born and He wrote these profound words in battle the greatest danger. Always threatens those who show the greatest fear in battle in warfare spiritual to.

The greatest danger always threatens those who show the greatest fear. Boldness is a place of safety. In battle the only one who wins is the one who's bold. To show weakness and fear to have timidity is to lose.

Napoleon the great French general and then Emperor whose Strategies in battle are still being studied today in military schools Napoleon said when You're confronting boldness. You must be bolder still when the enemy is bold you can't back down.

You have to be bolder than the boldness of the enemy. And a German historian who focused on military matters said Boldness is always the stamp of the hero. All Heroes are bold men or women women or men.

Heroes always have in some form some way boldness. In battle the greatest danger is to the one who has the greatest fear. Boldness is the place of safety. No boldness means risk. No boldness is safety because if you're not bold now, you're in trouble.

We don't think that way when confronting boldness. Napoleon said be bolder still in all sports the victory goes to the one who's bold. To the person who doubts and is timid whether it's basketball football or whatever.

They're gonna lose. It's the one who's bold audacious in your face. In fact, you try to break the will of the opposing team right at the very beginning of the contest. Whatever the sport is why you want to break their will you want to take away any idea that they will be bold?

You're bold. They're afraid that has to be established. It's amazing that how these fishermen answer. This tribunal that is set against them with power with some military force behind them. Educated to the nth degree and now over here.

You got two fishermen with no money no connections to political power. Nothing nada the word Christianity is not even known that much and notice how Peter answers them and how Peter answers them in terms of inspiration.

Look then Peter. After he's asked what power what name do you do this in. Then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit. Filled with the Holy Spirit. Why would Luke write that. Because he wants to tell us because he's filled with the Holy Spirit.

He answers this way. No one trained him to answer this way. He was the biggest coward two months before but now Peter controlled. Filled means controlled. By another person now by God himself the Holy Spirit.

He said to them rulers and elders of the people if we're being called to account Today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed. Look stop there for a second. He's asking is this what you're trying for us.

You're putting us on trial because we help someone. Oh, that's really rich. We help someone now you're putting us on trial. What wisdom God gave him. Then know this you and all the people of Israel it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Whom you crucify that you don't go there. I don't believe you went there. He not only says the name that they hate he tells them and you crucified him now by any law of speaking and psychology. This is not a way to win friends and influence people.

You do not tell people that they crucify the Son of the Living God. But you can when you're full of the Holy Spirit. Think how wishy-washy Church has become and preaching has become in so many places.

If we heard a man like Peter He would frighten us. Wouldn't he. No no you want to know how we did it. I know the name you want to stamp out. It's by that name the name of Jesus. I say it to your face.

Whom you crucify, but whom God raised from the dead. Notice the emphasis is more on the resurrection than on the cross. The telltale sign of the early church was not just the cross and what it meant, but resurrection power.

He's alive. We don't have just a doctrinal position. He's alive. We just don't meet and say his name. He's alive. It's through that that this man stands before you healed. He is the stone you builders rejected you religious leaders who are building your your your your Sanctimonious monument.

You rejected that stone, but he's become the capstone the cornerstone now. Here is this verse. Salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Can we all say amen to that? Moses. And Moses will not save you and they were disciples of Moses. Moses will not save you. I'll go further. Buddha won't save you. Muhammad can't save you. Someone says well, that's very narrow.

It's as narrow as the Bible. It's as narrow as the Bible. There is no other name given among what men whereby we must be saved. The ministers who say well. All roads lead to God. It doesn't matter which way you go.

That is that is false according to the scripture. Peter says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There is no other name through which you can be saved. You can't be saved by living a good life. You can't be saved by going to church.

You can't be a Baptist and be saved or a charismatic. You can't believe in another God or another leader. You have to believe and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Can we all say a loud? Amen. Come on, let's clap our hand.

Refusing Shame and Political Correctness

Look at the boldness of that what crust one chutzpah what? Courage are you kidding me? These are the people who killed your leader and that's how you talk to them. We would have been well, you know. We believed but you know, we're.

I don't you're happy to see the guy can walk. No. God has not given us a spirit of fear. The Bible says this is one of the problems with a lot of our lives. Here's the point. I want to make Kriya. Christianity cannot be successfully lived unless you're all out bold.

Listen again, one of the problems with a lot of us here in this room and across the street the only way Christianity works Victoriously and successfully and God does his plan in your life. You have to be crazy for Jesus.

No, it's just wait. Wait, wait. Wait, it's proven by the Bible. This is insane their answer put yourself historically back in that picture. They want to wipe out that name. They speak that name right to their face.

Yeah, but what if they kill him? They got the soldiers. They just crucified it doesn't matter. They're bold. No hemming no hawing. No, no trying to figure out. What do they want to hear? I go to I speak in pastors conferences and this is a current trend now over the last 15 20 years, especially and it's Corresponded with a great decline in in church attendance in America decline in Christianity.

Find out what people want to hear and tell them that because then they might come back do not. Go where you shouldn't go avoid hot-button topics. Keep it neutral. Keep it bland. Keep it vanilla. That is not the message of the Bible these men told them.

No, you want to know how the man seal you want to ask you ask that what name I will tell you the name. Jesus is the name. Jesus is the name Jesus is the name and you crucify them. I mean, why would you say that?

Just that you know, he died. We're not sure who really did it. But no you did it. You did it. But God raised them from the dead the Sadducees taught there was no resurrection of the dead. He goes right at them in love filled with the Holy Spirit.

And we want to tell you one last thing there's no other name Whereby you can be saved except the name of Jesus and that includes you religious leaders. I mean, where do you get that bolus? Brothers and sisters, let's be real.

Let's do real talk. Isn't it true a lot of us hem and haw. It's we have a hard time just standing in the office for Jesus. We let people take his name and vein in front of us when some certain search Situations we should say I prefer if you're not used that you know.

There's all kinds of politically incorrect words that that you should you shouldn't use in Society all kinds of racial epithets epithets and their words that should not ever be used. But isn't it funny?

No one ever says why don't we stop using Jesus because it offends Christians. You think they're ever gonna do that? No, no for all other peoples and races and sexual preferences. You don't use those names and we shouldn't use those names.

We shouldn't offend anyone. But do you see any groundswell for let's stop saying ah for Christ's sake add Jesus Christ. Let's stop saying that that hurts Christian. You think there I think anyone's gonna do that.

No one will do that. No one will ever do that, but we have to counter them with more boldness not bull in a china shop. Not not insultingly. Abrupt with people not condemning them to hell to their face.

But standing firm and saying we believe in Jesus. Jesus has changed my life. I'm really not interested if you want to hear about it or you don't want to hear about it. I have this opportunity to tell you the truth.

Jesus is the Savior of the world. He died 2 ,000 years ago and he was raised from the dead people saw him they gave their life for him. That's how sure they were he was alive. And that's what Christianity is about if you choose not to believe.

God bless you. I pray for you, but you will not make me back up. I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. I meet people who are quicker to defend the Democratic Party or the Republican Party or President Obama or President Bush no matter what decisions they make which are wrong.

I've watched over the years. Or President Clinton. They'll rush to their defense, but Jesus he gets thrown under the bus. Am I right or wrong. Of course I am right. Just mentioned hit a taut button topic, and you'll see people react say something about their island.

What'd you say about Jamaica? What did you just say? But Jesus. I Want to stand for Jesus? How about you, I want to stand for Jesus and the only way you'll stand for him is you have to be bold and Once you say that for some of you here one of our weaknesses in our lives is we're not audaciously bold and We're in a warfare.

A lack of boldness only means weakness fear timidity wondering what people are going to think and how they react. Someone said to me recently well, you know could this. I Forgot what the event was. Well you can't sing that song because it mentioned Jesus, then we won't sing.

We'd like you to do that radio interview, but you can't do you can't mention Jesus, then I won't do the radio interview. No, but this will give you publicity for your book. I'm not doing the interview if I can't mention Jesus.

That's what am I gonna. Do go by your your set of standards. We're Christians. We're Christians. What are they gonna? Do kill us if they do we go to heaven. I mean am I right or wrong. Come on. Let's say amen to that we need an injection of boldness.

The Testimony of Those Who Have Been with Jesus

So now listen watch on their release. When they answered that way and said there's no other name given it says that the leaders looked at them. And they marveled at their courage and their boldness and they saw they were simple Uneducated dropout type of people and they could tell that they had been with Jesus.

The leader said he ho what is this about? They talk right back to us with such boldness, but they're under control. They're not mean-spirited, but they're so firm that don't they know who we are they do.

But they still say what they say and they took note of them. They saw their courage. Where do you find men this bold? Oh, they've been with that Jesus. Oh. They've been with that Jesus. Wouldn't that be a great testimony for us.

People don't have to agree with us, but at least they'll see that we have courage and boldness. They laugh at it, what does it matter they laugh. When we're Christ returns, no one's gonna be laughing except us.

We're gonna be rejoicing and praising God. Now is the time to get the word out and to share Christ and to be bold. I Found out that in counseling and prayer in faith. The only people that succeed are bold.

You have to be bold in your faith when you pray you got to pray bold prayers. God forgive us. Let's pray bold prayers this Tuesday come up with some Incredible needs bring them on Tuesday. We'll pray bold prayers bold faith bold love.

You got to be bold you got to be aggressive. Because we're involved in a spiritual battle and timidity and and fear gets you nothing boldness wins the day. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but love power sound mind and a boldness it also said.

Praying for Boldness in the Face of Threats

So now as we close off this little snapshot into church history. The Bible says they threatened them again, and they said all right get out of here they didn't know what to do with them because the guy had been healed so they kicked Peter and John out of the the the precincts of the leaders.

And where do you think they go? They weren't like wow we got out of that one. No, you know where they went they went to a prayer meeting. They went to a prayer meeting they saw what was happening. The first persecution of the Christian Church was going down.

So look what they did on their release. Peter and John went back to their own people. I loved that. Their own people who were their own people the Christians. I wonder who your own people are. I love that phrase.

You know who my own people are. I'm half Ukrainian half Polish. But you know my own people are you. I don't identify with Ukrainians or Polish. Identify with you and with all Christians around the world, that's my people.

Because heaven is not for Ukrainians or Polish people only but heaven is for Christians only they went back to their own people and Reported all that the chief priests and elders has said to them and when they heard this they raised their voices to God together in prayer to God.

By the way if for some of you who don't like the idea of everyone lifting their voices in prayer like we're doing. It's very biblical. You see what it says in the New Testament. They all lifted their voices together, but that sounds rather chaotic.

Don't worry. God is sorting out the whole thing. There's a time where one person prays with their sometimes where we going all like Tuesday night. Bring your bring the miracle that you need. We're gonna flat-out call on God.

We lift our voices together. We're gonna Be praying the week after that for the a country that needs God desperately. We're gonna call on God for our children to Tuesday's that the God will protect them for the summer.

We're all gonna lift our voices together. It's not a Charismatic or Pentecostal or Baptist? It's biblical. They all lifted their voices together in prayer. Here's the end of their prayer now Lord. Consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

Now it's not Peter and John now it's all the believers they realize oh the attack is on. They want to stamp out that name now Lord. We lift up our voices to you God. Help us grant us Holy Spirit the power to be able to speak your word with boldness.

Speak what your word? What's the word the good news of Jesus? Help us to speak the good news of Jesus. Even though we don't we know that people do not want to hear it. These guys are trying to stamp it out help us to speak it with boldness.

Not just speak it speak it with boldness not just speak boldly. Speak the word boldly. Not the word only the word boldly not just boldly speak the word boldly and while we're doing it stretch out your hand to heal.

And perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant Jesus. In other words while we're doing that Lord. Would you please work with us? Do something. Stretch out your hand. We don't tell telling you what to do, but work with us as we speak your word boldly.

I Tell all of you now in the name of the Lord you begin to speak God's Word boldly. Begin to tell people about Jesus, and you'll see the Holy Spirit start to do things that you've never imagined. Live in a closet and just hang out with Christians.

You're not going to see what God can do. Begin to speak the Word of God boldly. Pray for people. Call people. Obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Tell people Jesus is alive and as you do it the Holy Spirit will begin to work.

Can we say amen to that? Let's say amen to that after they prayed. After they played the place where they were meeting was shaken. Oh Wood to God and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and notice and they spoke the Word of God what.

Boldly boldly boldly. Whatever you're gonna. Do be audacious. Nothing worse than a half-baked Christian isn't there that's for all of us now. I'm speaking to myself am I right? What did Jesus say to one church?

You're neither hot nor cold, but what are you and? Because of that I'm gonna vomit you out of my mouth. I can't take it. He laid down his life, and now we're not going to be bold. He took a spear in the side.

He wore a crown of thorns. He shed his blood for us, and now we're gonna be embarrassed because of what people might think. I was sitting behind someone Who obviously wanted to buy something at a newspaper store, which is selling more than newspapers near where I live down here town here.

And the lady walked in and just said to this Indian dude behind the counter. She said you sell weed here, don't you. And he just looked at her and like you're not supposed to say that. She just he just looked at her.

She's no. No. I just want to know you sell that right. So he went just like that, and then she went up. She put some money. He reached under and all of that just it is what it is. I Thought of how bold people are and how lonely women must be.

I'm walking on Smith Street here last Saturday night. Have you ever heard a worse come on than this by a guy and have you ever heard a weaker comeback than a woman? I'm walking behind this Attractive 30-something year old woman and she's walking by and the guys leaning against there.

And he jumps up and he just comes right next to her and he goes you know I love you, baby. So she says to him. I'm walking right there behind him. She goes. How can you love me? You don't even know me.

So he goes that's right, but I could get to know you and she goes. Yeah, that's right. So what's your name again? Look at me look at me. Well, what if we were that bold for Jesus? Have you noticed that sinners and sin and practices that are against God are getting bolder by the day.

Am I right or wrong? Just bolder. It's like we don't care what you think. I don't care what you think. We don't care what you think. We're gonna be bold in what we believe. We need the Holy Spirit to make us bold.

I want to be bolder. I want to preach bolder in love. I Want to be biblical, but I want to be bold. How many just have a yearning in you from reading this story. Lift your hand up. Close your eyes. Jesus we want to represent you better.

We want to be bolder for you. Please fill us and control us by your Holy Spirit. Take away fear take away timidity. Take away fear of the face of man being rejected by even family members. Don't let us hide our light under a bushel.

But help us to put it on a stand so everybody can see it. Help no one in this room to be ashamed of you because you said in your word. Anyone who's ashamed of you you will be ashamed of them when you come in your glory.

You know where we all struggle, you know the situations we live in you know the students here from that school in Kansas. You know what they face. You know what Karen and Esther and James face behind me.

God I pray that you'll grant me boldness all of us boldness the boldness of the Holy Spirit. We pray with the early disciples Lord. Help us that we might speak your word with boldness. Help us not to speak other words but your word to people and Lord as we speak your word this week even today as We obey your promptings to pray for someone minister.

Counsel them. However, you lead us help us not to be Frightened wallflowers afraid to step out and obey you but as we do obey you and we speak boldly. God, would you please stretch out your hand? Stretch out your hand and do things that only you can do so the people will know that Jesus is not dead, but he's alive.

We we speak but you have to give the amen the affirmation the confirmation. Take away fear. Insecurity timidity help the people who think they don't know enough Bible to talk for you. Take that away. Lord, I'm thinking back to that day as a little boy when they took me out on a street corner for a street meeting and I.

It's probably nine years old and they said get up on the box Jimmy and say something for Jesus. And Lord when I looked out at those strangers watching. You know the fear that struck me. How am I going to speak your word?

Take that fear away from all of us Lord make us bold to speak about Jesus. Give us courage. Let let the people say of us like they did of Peter and John. They took knowledge of them that they were so courageous and bold and they were unlearned.

They weren't schooled. They weren't trained. Who were these guys? They had been with Jesus as We spend time with you in church and alone. Grant us that boldness that we can represent you Father. I thank you for that person who's coming back to you today that while I was speaking They realized they have drifted away from you and they're coming back home to you today.

I thank you and For others Lord who don't have a personal relationship with you. Oh God I thank you that you've opened their heart to the good news of Jesus. Help them now to just turn confess their sin turn to you put their trust in you Jesus.

For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We thank you. It's that simple.