October 21, 2022

“Empowered to Boldly Witness”

Clergyman Phillip Brooks once said, “Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God.” As I think about the will of God, I know this to be true – He wants His redeemed people to boldly witness for Him wherever they are and wherever they go.

One of the first tests the early church encountered was combating evil forces that were trying to squelch their evangelistic efforts. Here’s a portion of that story found in Acts 4:23-31.

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— ²⁵ you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? ²⁶ The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ ²⁷ “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. ²⁸ But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. ²⁹ And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Like the early church, we are under God’s command to boldly proclaim the Gospel and make disciples in a culture that is increasingly secular and materialistic, a culture that is suspicious or even hostile to believers who openly share their faith, and a culture that is convinced it doesn’t need God or the Son He has sent to save them.

I hope you can join us this coming Sunday, either in person or online, to find out more about the boldness the Holy Spirit wants to give you so you can be a bold witness for Jesus wherever you are and wherever you go!

With excitement,

pastor jamie