Title: Eight Keys to Boldness in Evangelism Meta: What is boldness? Boldness is the Christian virtue of being able to speak about God and His gospel with frank, unashamed openness, unhindered by the fear of man (or what people will think). Boldness of speech is consistent with a variety of personalities, gifts, and callings, and is consistent with discretion, sensitivity and gentleness. Tags: boldness,evangelism,open air preaching 1 00:00:00,277 --> 00:00:02,422 I can tell you I have not ceased to pray 2 00:00:02,422 --> 00:00:03,937 for your church 3 00:00:03,937 --> 00:00:06,937 and for your elders in particular, 4 00:00:06,937 --> 00:00:08,951 and I'm so grateful to see 5 00:00:08,951 --> 00:00:11,102 what God is continuing to do. 6 00:00:11,102 --> 00:00:13,484 I have to say that your church has been, 7 00:00:13,484 --> 00:00:15,526 for the years since I've known you, 8 00:00:15,526 --> 00:00:20,215 a model of healthy church life in many areas. 9 00:00:20,215 --> 00:00:21,967 One area where I think you've been 10 00:00:21,967 --> 00:00:25,287 a good example to me and to others 11 00:00:25,287 --> 00:00:27,664 is the area of evangelism. 12 00:00:27,664 --> 00:00:29,968 And your numerical growth through these years 13 00:00:29,968 --> 00:00:34,488 is one of the evidences of that. 14 00:00:34,488 --> 00:00:36,581 And I want to buttress your commitment 15 00:00:36,581 --> 00:00:38,550 to evangelism this morning 16 00:00:38,550 --> 00:00:43,572 by speaking about one aspect of that subject. 17 00:00:43,572 --> 00:00:47,920 Let me begin by asking a rhetorical question. 18 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:51,098 That's a question you're not supposed to answer out loud. 19 00:00:51,098 --> 00:00:52,111 And that question is, 20 00:00:52,111 --> 00:00:54,583 what would you ask of God 21 00:00:54,583 --> 00:00:57,585 to give you concerning evangelism? 22 00:00:57,585 --> 00:00:59,570 I think some of would say, 23 00:00:59,570 --> 00:01:02,238 God, give me more love for the lost, 24 00:01:02,238 --> 00:01:04,197 more compassion for the lost. 25 00:01:04,197 --> 00:01:08,038 Who of us has enough love and compassion for the lost? 26 00:01:08,038 --> 00:01:11,547 Some of you might ask for more opportunities to witness. 27 00:01:11,547 --> 00:01:12,913 Some of you might say, 28 00:01:12,913 --> 00:01:14,655 Lord, I need more wisdom 29 00:01:14,655 --> 00:01:16,145 in answering the questions that 30 00:01:16,145 --> 00:01:18,097 unbelievers ask me, 31 00:01:18,097 --> 00:01:19,728 so I could give a better reason 32 00:01:19,728 --> 00:01:22,201 for the hope that is in me. 33 00:01:22,201 --> 00:01:23,900 But I dare say that many of us 34 00:01:23,900 --> 00:01:26,520 would also ask God for greater 35 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:31,916 holy boldness in evangelism. 36 00:01:31,916 --> 00:01:34,196 And so I want to speak to you this morning 37 00:01:34,196 --> 00:01:39,075 about holy boldness. 38 00:01:39,075 --> 00:01:41,234 It occurred to me, 39 00:01:41,234 --> 00:01:43,322 wait, this is two days before 40 00:01:43,322 --> 00:01:46,146 the literal 500th year anniversary 41 00:01:46,146 --> 00:01:48,036 of the Reformation. 42 00:01:48,036 --> 00:01:49,912 And rather than your pastor, 43 00:01:49,912 --> 00:01:51,673 I am in the pulpit. 44 00:01:51,673 --> 00:01:53,602 Should I have not chosen to speak about 45 00:01:53,602 --> 00:01:56,205 the five solas of the Reformation? 46 00:01:56,205 --> 00:01:58,543 Well, two things come from my conscience. 47 00:01:58,543 --> 00:02:01,369 Number one, I can invite you to a seminar 48 00:02:01,369 --> 00:02:04,678 at the Laredo church in about a week and a half 49 00:02:04,678 --> 00:02:08,697 where Phil Johnson will be coming from California 50 00:02:08,697 --> 00:02:11,704 and be speaking on the five solas. 51 00:02:11,704 --> 00:02:13,014 So, I urge you to go there. 52 00:02:13,014 --> 00:02:16,622 Phil Johnson is just an excellent expositor of the Word. 53 00:02:16,622 --> 00:02:19,147 My other comfort is this: 54 00:02:19,147 --> 00:02:20,990 What better way to commemorate 55 00:02:20,990 --> 00:02:23,785 the recovery of the biblical Gospel 56 00:02:23,785 --> 00:02:26,199 than to urge us to be bold 57 00:02:26,199 --> 00:02:28,835 in the proclamation of that Gospel? 58 00:02:28,835 --> 00:02:32,238 So, my conscience is eased. 59 00:02:32,238 --> 00:02:35,243 When we think of boldness in evangelism, 60 00:02:35,243 --> 00:02:37,587 as in so many areas of the Christian life, 61 00:02:37,587 --> 00:02:40,333 there's a need for balance. 62 00:02:40,333 --> 00:02:43,950 If holy boldness is in the middle of a continuum, 63 00:02:43,950 --> 00:02:46,170 what is on either side? 64 00:02:46,170 --> 00:02:51,907 On the one side, we might think of carnal brashness. 65 00:02:51,907 --> 00:02:54,274 Bluntness. 66 00:02:54,274 --> 00:02:57,460 Unloving, uncaring, uncompassionate, 67 00:02:57,460 --> 00:03:01,071 unkind directness. 68 00:03:01,071 --> 00:03:03,805 Using evangelism to put more notches 69 00:03:03,805 --> 00:03:06,803 on our evangelistic gun. 70 00:03:06,803 --> 00:03:08,531 On the other end of the spectrum 71 00:03:08,531 --> 00:03:10,427 would be the fear of man. 72 00:03:10,427 --> 00:03:13,038 Cowardice, selfishness, 73 00:03:13,038 --> 00:03:15,089 that keeps us from sharing the Gospel 74 00:03:15,089 --> 00:03:18,051 with those who desperately need it. 75 00:03:18,051 --> 00:03:20,633 So let me begin with some disclaimers 76 00:03:20,633 --> 00:03:22,749 as to what I, and I think God, 77 00:03:22,749 --> 00:03:26,070 does not mean by holy boldness. 78 00:03:26,070 --> 00:03:30,543 Boldness in evangelism is not brashness, 79 00:03:30,543 --> 00:03:34,498 rudeness, harshness, abrasiveness. 80 00:03:34,498 --> 00:03:37,319 It's not being argumentative, insensitive. 81 00:03:37,319 --> 00:03:40,205 It's not running over people's sensibilities. 82 00:03:40,205 --> 00:03:44,242 It's not being the proverbial bull in the china shop. 83 00:03:44,242 --> 00:03:46,323 Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:24, 84 00:03:46,323 --> 00:03:49,698 "The Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, 85 00:03:49,698 --> 00:03:51,871 but kind to all, 86 00:03:51,871 --> 00:03:53,119 with gentleness, 87 00:03:53,119 --> 00:03:56,391 correcting those who are in opposition." 88 00:03:56,391 --> 00:03:57,414 Our Lord Jesus said, 89 00:03:57,414 --> 00:03:59,022 "Come to Me and learn from Me, 90 00:03:59,022 --> 00:04:02,502 for I am meek and lowly in heart." 91 00:04:02,502 --> 00:04:06,509 And it says prophetically about our Lord Jesus, 92 00:04:06,509 --> 00:04:09,384 "He will not quarrel nor cry out, 93 00:04:09,384 --> 00:04:11,912 nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 94 00:04:11,912 --> 00:04:14,838 A battered reed He will not break off, 95 00:04:14,838 --> 00:04:17,726 and a smoldering wick He will not put out." 96 00:04:17,726 --> 00:04:20,443 To put it bluntly, Jesus did not come 97 00:04:20,443 --> 00:04:24,321 as an abrasive, obnoxious, loud-mouth. 98 00:04:24,321 --> 00:04:28,452 He did not come as a boisterous rabble rouser. 99 00:04:28,452 --> 00:04:32,410 So by boldness, we don't mean those things. 100 00:04:32,410 --> 00:04:34,479 Neither do we mean that boldness 101 00:04:34,479 --> 00:04:36,866 is the possession of certain people 102 00:04:36,866 --> 00:04:39,794 who have a certain personality or temperament. 103 00:04:39,794 --> 00:04:41,824 Those who are perhaps type A 104 00:04:41,824 --> 00:04:43,756 or are more aggressive personalities, 105 00:04:43,756 --> 00:04:46,407 or those who have the gift of gab. 106 00:04:46,407 --> 00:04:47,565 No. 107 00:04:47,565 --> 00:04:50,681 Boldness can characterize every Christian 108 00:04:50,681 --> 00:04:52,923 by the grace of God. 109 00:04:52,923 --> 00:04:55,401 And in calling us to have holy boldness, 110 00:04:55,401 --> 00:04:57,927 I am also recognizing that God gives 111 00:04:57,927 --> 00:05:00,072 various gifts to His people. 112 00:05:00,072 --> 00:05:01,892 Peter sums them up as 113 00:05:01,892 --> 00:05:04,618 serving gifts and speaking gifts. 114 00:05:04,618 --> 00:05:06,503 Not everybody has a speaking gift. 115 00:05:06,503 --> 00:05:08,882 By that I mean that not every Christian 116 00:05:08,882 --> 00:05:11,203 is called to verbalize the Gospel 117 00:05:11,203 --> 00:05:13,115 to the same degree. 118 00:05:13,115 --> 00:05:14,892 If you have a speaking gift, 119 00:05:14,892 --> 00:05:16,996 you're going to be doing more speaking 120 00:05:16,996 --> 00:05:18,982 than those who have a serving gift, 121 00:05:18,982 --> 00:05:22,406 but remember what Jesus says in Matthew 5:16: 122 00:05:22,406 --> 00:05:24,721 "Let your light so shine in front of men 123 00:05:24,721 --> 00:05:26,393 that they'll see your good works 124 00:05:26,393 --> 00:05:28,423 and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 125 00:05:28,423 --> 00:05:32,448 Even if you don't have a particular speaking gift, 126 00:05:32,448 --> 00:05:35,284 if God is going to be glorified by your good works, 127 00:05:35,284 --> 00:05:38,422 you somehow need to verbally identify with Jesus. 128 00:05:38,422 --> 00:05:40,946 How are they going to know who to give the credit to? 129 00:05:40,946 --> 00:05:42,542 You don't want people coming away saying, 130 00:05:42,542 --> 00:05:44,263 oh, people aren't so bad after all. 131 00:05:44,263 --> 00:05:45,419 Yes, they are. 132 00:05:45,419 --> 00:05:47,166 And the only reason I'm good and different 133 00:05:47,166 --> 00:05:48,838 is because of what Christ has done. 134 00:05:48,838 --> 00:05:51,933 So everybody is called to verbalize the Gospel 135 00:05:51,933 --> 00:05:53,258 to some degree. 136 00:05:53,258 --> 00:05:55,286 Are you with me on that? 137 00:05:55,286 --> 00:05:56,802 So what is boldness? 138 00:05:56,802 --> 00:06:01,306 I'm going to give you a definition in a minute, 139 00:06:01,306 --> 00:06:03,659 but my study is based largely on 140 00:06:03,659 --> 00:06:06,077 the Greek word for "boldness" 141 00:06:06,077 --> 00:06:07,199 in the New Testament. 142 00:06:07,199 --> 00:06:09,256 It's the word parresia. 143 00:06:09,256 --> 00:06:12,062 And it literally comes from a combination of two words: 144 00:06:12,062 --> 00:06:14,181 "all" and "speech" 145 00:06:14,181 --> 00:06:15,843 Speaking all. 146 00:06:15,843 --> 00:06:17,458 And the lexicon would say that 147 00:06:17,458 --> 00:06:20,487 boldness is outspokenness, frankness, 148 00:06:20,487 --> 00:06:22,362 plainness of speech, 149 00:06:22,362 --> 00:06:24,276 concealing nothing, 150 00:06:24,276 --> 00:06:25,890 passing over nothing, 151 00:06:25,890 --> 00:06:28,122 free and fearless confidence, 152 00:06:28,122 --> 00:06:30,509 cheerful courage. 153 00:06:30,509 --> 00:06:34,153 It's all speech. 154 00:06:34,153 --> 00:06:37,138 Before I begin to give you some keys 155 00:06:37,138 --> 00:06:39,313 to boldness in evangelism, 156 00:06:39,313 --> 00:06:42,899 let me attempt a definition. 157 00:06:42,899 --> 00:06:44,701 Holy boldness in evangelism 158 00:06:44,701 --> 00:06:48,012 is the Christian virtue of being able to speak 159 00:06:48,012 --> 00:06:50,148 about God and His Gospel 160 00:06:50,148 --> 00:06:53,795 with frank, unashamed openness, 161 00:06:53,795 --> 00:06:56,620 unhindered by the fear of man 162 00:06:56,620 --> 00:06:59,449 or what other people will think. 163 00:06:59,449 --> 00:07:01,505 Boldness of speech is consistent 164 00:07:01,505 --> 00:07:03,793 with a variety of personalities, 165 00:07:03,793 --> 00:07:06,171 gifts, and callings, 166 00:07:06,171 --> 00:07:08,812 and is consistent with discretion, 167 00:07:08,812 --> 00:07:12,760 sensitivity, and gentleness. 168 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:15,246 I'm privileged to have in my life, 169 00:07:15,246 --> 00:07:17,063 as perhaps you have in yours, 170 00:07:17,063 --> 00:07:19,263 certain individuals who are examples to me 171 00:07:19,263 --> 00:07:22,200 when it comes to boldness in evangelism. 172 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,256 Men that I can imitate 173 00:07:24,256 --> 00:07:27,266 as they better imitate Christ than I do. 174 00:07:27,266 --> 00:07:30,812 One is an 85 year old ex-Amish man. 175 00:07:30,812 --> 00:07:33,449 Left the Amish in 1965. 176 00:07:33,449 --> 00:07:36,731 I tell him, "you're of the class of '65." 177 00:07:36,731 --> 00:07:38,882 And this man, 85 years old, 178 00:07:38,882 --> 00:07:39,972 sharp as a tack. 179 00:07:39,972 --> 00:07:42,557 I'm in a Bible study with him every Saturday morning. 180 00:07:42,557 --> 00:07:45,922 He's always got his pockets loaded down with tracts. 181 00:07:45,922 --> 00:07:47,565 He just witnesses freely. 182 00:07:47,565 --> 00:07:49,529 It's just wonderful to see. 183 00:07:49,529 --> 00:07:51,261 The other is a dear friend of mine 184 00:07:51,261 --> 00:07:52,797 and is in his early 70's, 185 00:07:52,797 --> 00:07:54,051 with whom I meet regularly 186 00:07:54,051 --> 00:07:55,332 who for more than 40 years 187 00:07:55,332 --> 00:07:56,845 has done prison ministry. 188 00:07:56,845 --> 00:07:58,422 He was an angry young man, 189 00:07:58,422 --> 00:08:01,298 incarcerated for armed robbery several times. 190 00:08:01,298 --> 00:08:04,323 And I do believe that there will be in heaven 191 00:08:04,323 --> 00:08:07,445 hundreds, if not thousands, of men 192 00:08:07,445 --> 00:08:10,360 who will be indebted to him 193 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:14,167 for sharing the Gospel with them in prison. 194 00:08:14,167 --> 00:08:15,866 I'm thankful for these men. 195 00:08:15,866 --> 00:08:17,731 This brother says he's got the gift 196 00:08:17,731 --> 00:08:19,571 of spiritual can opener. 197 00:08:19,571 --> 00:08:21,082 It's wonderful to watch him 198 00:08:21,082 --> 00:08:23,547 turn the conversation around in a very friendly way 199 00:08:23,547 --> 00:08:25,275 to the things of the Gospel. 200 00:08:25,275 --> 00:08:28,141 And I've learned a lot from him. 201 00:08:28,141 --> 00:08:31,571 Let me give you eight keys to boldness in evangelism. 202 00:08:31,571 --> 00:08:33,843 When I preach this sermon some years ago 203 00:08:33,843 --> 00:08:35,225 I had seven keys. 204 00:08:35,225 --> 00:08:37,085 I've added one and I hope I have time 205 00:08:37,085 --> 00:08:38,828 to bring that 8th one. 206 00:08:38,828 --> 00:08:43,294 What is the first key to holy boldness in evangelism? 207 00:08:43,294 --> 00:08:45,943 I'm saying it is conversion. 208 00:08:45,943 --> 00:08:50,293 Turn with me to Ephesians 3. 209 00:08:50,293 --> 00:08:51,791 And by the way, brethren, 210 00:08:51,791 --> 00:08:54,057 I'm always preaching topically when I'm here. 211 00:08:54,057 --> 00:08:56,980 I can preach in an expository way. 212 00:08:56,980 --> 00:09:01,400 I do that, but you're getting topical sermons when I'm here. 213 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:03,486 Ephesians 3 214 00:09:03,486 --> 00:09:06,844 And Paul is here talking about the mystery. 215 00:09:06,844 --> 00:09:08,920 Verse 4, "By referring to this, 216 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:11,311 when you read you can understand my insight 217 00:09:11,311 --> 00:09:13,774 into the mystery of Christ." 218 00:09:13,774 --> 00:09:17,203 Verse 9, "that he was called to bring to light 219 00:09:17,203 --> 00:09:19,304 what is the administration of the mystery 220 00:09:19,304 --> 00:09:21,668 which for ages has been hidden in God 221 00:09:21,668 --> 00:09:24,179 who created all things." 222 00:09:24,179 --> 00:09:26,554 Now the mystery has to do with 223 00:09:26,554 --> 00:09:29,726 that which previously was not revealed clearly, 224 00:09:29,726 --> 00:09:31,966 but now through the apostles is being revealed. 225 00:09:31,966 --> 00:09:33,671 In this context, it's the fact that 226 00:09:33,671 --> 00:09:36,169 Jew and Gentile are on equal footing 227 00:09:36,169 --> 00:09:37,434 in the body of Christ. 228 00:09:37,434 --> 00:09:39,108 But what I'm after is found 229 00:09:39,108 --> 00:09:40,972 in verses 11 and 12. 230 00:09:40,972 --> 00:09:45,375 "This mystery was in accordance with 231 00:09:45,375 --> 00:09:47,556 the eternal purpose which He carried out 232 00:09:47,556 --> 00:09:49,147 in Christ Jesus our Lord, 233 00:09:49,147 --> 00:09:50,939 in Whom (this is what I'm after), 234 00:09:50,939 --> 00:09:53,351 in Whom we have boldness 235 00:09:53,351 --> 00:09:56,213 and confident access through faith in Him." 236 00:09:56,213 --> 00:09:58,189 There's our word: boldness. 237 00:09:58,189 --> 00:09:59,893 "In Christ Jesus, 238 00:09:59,893 --> 00:10:02,934 we have boldness and confident access." 239 00:10:02,934 --> 00:10:05,332 Now, you ask, confident access to what? 240 00:10:05,332 --> 00:10:06,494 Or to whom? 241 00:10:06,494 --> 00:10:09,500 Look at chapter 2:17-18. 242 00:10:09,500 --> 00:10:11,571 "And He, Christ, came and preached peace 243 00:10:11,571 --> 00:10:13,227 to you who were far away, 244 00:10:13,227 --> 00:10:14,882 and peace to those who were near. 245 00:10:14,882 --> 00:10:17,671 For through Him we both have our access 246 00:10:17,671 --> 00:10:24,068 in one Spirit to the Father." 247 00:10:24,068 --> 00:10:28,078 We have bold access to the Father 248 00:10:28,078 --> 00:10:30,826 through Jesus Christ. 249 00:10:30,826 --> 00:10:32,847 And friends, what I'm saying to you 250 00:10:32,847 --> 00:10:37,584 is that boldness before men doesn't begin there. 251 00:10:37,584 --> 00:10:41,902 It begins with a vertical boldness with God 252 00:10:41,902 --> 00:10:44,297 through Jesus Christ. 253 00:10:44,297 --> 00:10:47,039 And if you looked up Hebrews 4:14-16, 254 00:10:47,039 --> 00:10:49,632 you would see that Jesus as our high priest 255 00:10:49,632 --> 00:10:51,959 gives us bold, confident access 256 00:10:51,959 --> 00:10:54,617 to the throne of God's grace. 257 00:10:54,617 --> 00:10:57,304 That's where boldness begins. 258 00:10:57,304 --> 00:11:00,220 Boldness before God. 259 00:11:00,220 --> 00:11:02,464 And isn't it an amazing thing 260 00:11:02,464 --> 00:11:05,054 that we can have boldness before God! 261 00:11:05,054 --> 00:11:07,370 It's an amazing thing that we can even approach 262 00:11:07,370 --> 00:11:08,736 the all holy God, 263 00:11:08,736 --> 00:11:10,785 but as Wesley's hymn says, 264 00:11:10,785 --> 00:11:14,364 "Bold I approach the eternal throne, 265 00:11:14,364 --> 00:11:18,794 and claim the crown through Christ my own." 266 00:11:18,794 --> 00:11:21,618 With all that we know about the holiness of God, 267 00:11:21,618 --> 00:11:25,043 and all that we know about our own sinfulness, 268 00:11:25,043 --> 00:11:27,217 it is amazing that we can approach 269 00:11:27,217 --> 00:11:28,747 God's throne boldly. 270 00:11:28,747 --> 00:11:32,180 It is only because we have a great Christ 271 00:11:32,180 --> 00:11:34,049 that bridges the gap between 272 00:11:34,049 --> 00:11:35,843 holy God and sinful man. 273 00:11:35,843 --> 00:11:37,904 But it's reality. 274 00:11:37,904 --> 00:11:40,758 And boldness in evangelism begins 275 00:11:40,758 --> 00:11:42,815 with boldness before God. 276 00:11:42,815 --> 00:11:46,539 Now, it's possible for unsaved people 277 00:11:46,539 --> 00:11:50,354 to witness to Christ and even win people to Christ. 278 00:11:50,354 --> 00:11:52,613 I have a friend who decades ago 279 00:11:52,613 --> 00:11:56,039 was converted at the liberal Riverside Baptist Church 280 00:11:56,039 --> 00:11:57,441 in New York City. 281 00:11:57,441 --> 00:11:59,298 They didn't preach the Gospel, 282 00:11:59,298 --> 00:12:01,227 but somehow, something was said, 283 00:12:01,227 --> 00:12:03,766 and my friend said, "I was nailed to the pew." 284 00:12:03,766 --> 00:12:06,150 And he was converted. 285 00:12:06,150 --> 00:12:07,703 I know some of the young men 286 00:12:07,703 --> 00:12:09,500 that influenced me initially 287 00:12:09,500 --> 00:12:13,249 in the Christian life proved not to be converted. 288 00:12:13,249 --> 00:12:16,373 Someone may have witnessed to you, 289 00:12:16,373 --> 00:12:17,744 and you came to Christ, 290 00:12:17,744 --> 00:12:19,919 and that person later turned out 291 00:12:19,919 --> 00:12:22,523 to be unconverted him or herself. 292 00:12:22,523 --> 00:12:27,561 God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines, right? 293 00:12:27,561 --> 00:12:29,855 But generally speaking it's not so. 294 00:12:29,855 --> 00:12:31,825 Generally speaking, you're not motivated 295 00:12:31,825 --> 00:12:33,192 to tell the Good News unless 296 00:12:33,192 --> 00:12:36,078 it has become Good News to you. 297 00:12:36,078 --> 00:12:39,958 And so I say that the first key to evangelism 298 00:12:39,958 --> 00:12:41,372 is conversion. 299 00:12:41,372 --> 00:12:45,466 You need to taste and see that the Lord is good. 300 00:12:45,466 --> 00:12:47,256 And that He's a Savior 301 00:12:47,256 --> 00:12:49,774 before you're generally inclined to go out 302 00:12:49,774 --> 00:12:52,480 and spread that Good News. 303 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,261 But the second key to boldness in evangelism 304 00:12:55,261 --> 00:12:59,230 is confidence in the authority of the message. 305 00:12:59,230 --> 00:13:01,439 If your Bibles are open to Ephesians 3, 306 00:13:01,439 --> 00:13:08,351 flip over to Ephesians 6:19-20. 307 00:13:08,351 --> 00:13:11,559 And Paul says, "And pray on my behalf, 308 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,118 that utterance may be given to me 309 00:13:14,118 --> 00:13:16,065 in the opening of my mouth 310 00:13:16,065 --> 00:13:18,214 to make known with boldness 311 00:13:18,214 --> 00:13:19,399 (there's our word) 312 00:13:19,399 --> 00:13:21,370 the mystery of the Gospel 313 00:13:21,370 --> 00:13:24,382 for which I am an ambassador in chains, 314 00:13:24,382 --> 00:13:27,505 that in proclaiming it, I may speak boldly, 315 00:13:27,505 --> 00:13:29,010 (there it is as an adverb) 316 00:13:29,010 --> 00:13:31,724 as I ought to speak." 317 00:13:31,724 --> 00:13:33,778 And I'm picking up on that little phrase, 318 00:13:33,778 --> 00:13:35,436 "as I ought to speak." 319 00:13:35,436 --> 00:13:37,854 Pray that I would preach boldly 320 00:13:37,854 --> 00:13:40,041 as I ought to speak. 321 00:13:40,041 --> 00:13:43,194 That's a little Greek particle of necessity. 322 00:13:43,194 --> 00:13:44,649 It's the same word used when 323 00:13:44,649 --> 00:13:47,471 Jesus said, "I must go through Samaria." 324 00:13:47,471 --> 00:13:50,369 It is necessary that I go through Samaria 325 00:13:50,369 --> 00:13:52,598 where He converted that Samaritan woman. 326 00:13:52,598 --> 00:13:54,394 It's the word used in 1 Timothy 3, 327 00:13:54,394 --> 00:13:58,810 "an overseer must be..." 328 00:13:58,810 --> 00:14:01,044 Well, pray that I'd be bold 329 00:14:01,044 --> 00:14:03,008 as I ought to speak. 330 00:14:03,008 --> 00:14:05,759 Now, you say, why must Paul 331 00:14:05,759 --> 00:14:09,091 "ought to speak" the Gospel boldly? 332 00:14:09,091 --> 00:14:11,957 Why does the Gospel demand 333 00:14:11,957 --> 00:14:14,174 boldness in proclamation? 334 00:14:14,174 --> 00:14:16,014 Well, I submit to you, it's because 335 00:14:16,014 --> 00:14:19,486 of how Paul describes the Gospel in Romans 1:1, 336 00:14:19,486 --> 00:14:22,709 as the "Gospel of God." 337 00:14:22,709 --> 00:14:25,305 Because it is the Gospel of God, 338 00:14:25,305 --> 00:14:29,695 it demands authoritative boldness. 339 00:14:29,695 --> 00:14:31,897 It's the Gospel of God in that 340 00:14:31,897 --> 00:14:34,597 it originates from God, 341 00:14:34,597 --> 00:14:38,021 and because it is a message about God. 342 00:14:38,021 --> 00:14:41,287 One of the names for a preacher is "herald." 343 00:14:41,287 --> 00:14:43,309 And that speaks of the man who 344 00:14:43,309 --> 00:14:45,953 brings the message from the king. 345 00:14:45,953 --> 00:14:50,260 And when a herald came in ancient times or later, 346 00:14:50,260 --> 00:14:53,906 he didn't come to a crowd of people saying, 347 00:14:53,906 --> 00:14:56,860 "Excuse me, excuse me... 348 00:14:56,860 --> 00:14:58,995 I'd like to make a few suggestions to you 349 00:14:58,995 --> 00:15:01,963 from the king... excuse me..." 350 00:15:01,963 --> 00:15:05,058 He came in the name of the king 351 00:15:05,058 --> 00:15:07,846 and said "hear ye, hear ye!" 352 00:15:07,846 --> 00:15:09,232 The trumpet was blown. 353 00:15:09,232 --> 00:15:10,832 And people were silent. 354 00:15:10,832 --> 00:15:12,723 Because if they didn't give attention, 355 00:15:12,723 --> 00:15:14,807 they'd have to answer to the king. 356 00:15:14,807 --> 00:15:17,007 It has nothing to do with himself. 357 00:15:17,007 --> 00:15:20,123 There's no authority within his own person. 358 00:15:20,123 --> 00:15:21,919 It's not arrogance on his part. 359 00:15:21,919 --> 00:15:24,982 He's bringing a message from the king. 360 00:15:24,982 --> 00:15:27,302 And so, he didn't come tentatively 361 00:15:27,302 --> 00:15:28,698 with some suggestions. 362 00:15:28,698 --> 00:15:30,726 He came with authority. 363 00:15:30,726 --> 00:15:32,974 This is what the king says. 364 00:15:32,974 --> 00:15:34,625 If you don't like it, 365 00:15:34,625 --> 00:15:36,809 you're going to have to deal with the king. 366 00:15:36,809 --> 00:15:40,441 I'm only the king's messenger. 367 00:15:40,441 --> 00:15:43,905 And so, boldness comes from 368 00:15:43,905 --> 00:15:48,459 the fact that we have a message from God. 369 00:15:48,459 --> 00:15:51,981 The Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:1 says, 370 00:15:51,981 --> 00:15:55,048 "Paul, an apostle, not from men 371 00:15:55,048 --> 00:15:57,890 nor through the agency of man, 372 00:15:57,890 --> 00:16:00,601 but through Jesus Christ and God the Father 373 00:16:00,601 --> 00:16:03,746 who raised Him from the dead." 374 00:16:03,746 --> 00:16:06,557 I have been sent not by human authority, 375 00:16:06,557 --> 00:16:09,229 but by God and by Christ. 376 00:16:09,229 --> 00:16:12,904 And so he exercised that apostleship with authority. 377 00:16:12,904 --> 00:16:16,105 And if you understand that the message you are bringing 378 00:16:16,105 --> 00:16:18,084 is not your message; 379 00:16:18,084 --> 00:16:20,610 it wasn't hatched in your little brain; 380 00:16:20,610 --> 00:16:23,206 it is the Gospel of God; 381 00:16:23,206 --> 00:16:25,169 it's the message of God; 382 00:16:25,169 --> 00:16:28,431 you will speak it with authority. 383 00:16:28,431 --> 00:16:29,996 Let me give a weak illustration. 384 00:16:29,996 --> 00:16:31,856 If you're in a field of work 385 00:16:31,856 --> 00:16:34,664 where there's a recognized authority. 386 00:16:34,664 --> 00:16:37,571 Some of you are in certain fields of work 387 00:16:37,571 --> 00:16:38,810 and there are certain men 388 00:16:38,810 --> 00:16:41,314 who are recognized experts in that field. 389 00:16:41,314 --> 00:16:42,969 And maybe they've written a book. 390 00:16:42,969 --> 00:16:45,222 And you're having a discussion with your colleagues 391 00:16:45,222 --> 00:16:46,519 about a matter, 392 00:16:46,519 --> 00:16:48,641 and you happen to have read the book 393 00:16:48,641 --> 00:16:51,158 of the recognized expert in the field. 394 00:16:51,158 --> 00:16:53,621 And so, all of a sudden, you speak up and you say, 395 00:16:53,621 --> 00:16:56,075 "Well, so and so says..." 396 00:16:56,075 --> 00:16:57,880 And all of a sudden there's a hush. 397 00:16:57,880 --> 00:16:59,410 Oh, he does? 398 00:16:59,410 --> 00:17:00,971 That comes with authority, 399 00:17:00,971 --> 00:17:02,638 because he's the recognized expert 400 00:17:02,638 --> 00:17:03,895 to whom everybody looks. 401 00:17:03,895 --> 00:17:05,393 You don't speak tentatively. 402 00:17:05,393 --> 00:17:06,712 You speak with confidence. 403 00:17:06,712 --> 00:17:08,782 I happen to know what the recognized expert 404 00:17:08,782 --> 00:17:10,025 in the field says. 405 00:17:10,025 --> 00:17:13,265 Well, we're speaking from the expert in the field: 406 00:17:13,265 --> 00:17:14,844 Almighty God. 407 00:17:14,844 --> 00:17:15,922 It's His message. 408 00:17:15,922 --> 00:17:18,369 And so boldness springs from confidence 409 00:17:18,369 --> 00:17:22,951 in the authority of the message. 410 00:17:22,951 --> 00:17:25,884 But a third source of confidence: 411 00:17:25,884 --> 00:17:27,700 Boldness comes from confidence 412 00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:30,100 in the power of the message. 413 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:32,298 You know how Romans 1:16 says, 414 00:17:32,298 --> 00:17:35,275 "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, 415 00:17:35,275 --> 00:17:38,415 for it is the power of God unto salvation 416 00:17:38,415 --> 00:17:39,744 to everyone who believes, 417 00:17:39,744 --> 00:17:41,635 to the Jew first and then the Greek." 418 00:17:41,635 --> 00:17:45,615 It is the dunamis - the dynamite of God - unto salvation. 419 00:17:45,615 --> 00:17:48,252 We know that the Gospel message 420 00:17:48,252 --> 00:17:50,282 has inherent power. 421 00:17:50,282 --> 00:17:53,093 Romans 10:17, "Faith comes by hearing, 422 00:17:53,093 --> 00:17:55,645 and hearing by the Word of God." 423 00:17:55,645 --> 00:17:57,742 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul says, 424 00:17:57,742 --> 00:18:01,237 "For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, 425 00:18:01,237 --> 00:18:03,088 but also in power 426 00:18:03,088 --> 00:18:04,467 and in the Holy Spirit 427 00:18:04,467 --> 00:18:07,432 and with full conviction." 428 00:18:07,432 --> 00:18:11,178 And knowing that, Paul could say in 2:2, 429 00:18:11,178 --> 00:18:13,245 "But after we had already suffered 430 00:18:13,245 --> 00:18:15,469 and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, 431 00:18:15,469 --> 00:18:17,752 we had the boldness in our God 432 00:18:17,752 --> 00:18:20,633 to speak to you in the Gospel of God 433 00:18:20,633 --> 00:18:21,885 amid much opposition." 434 00:18:21,885 --> 00:18:23,834 What fueled his boldness there? 435 00:18:23,834 --> 00:18:27,539 He knew that God was able to own the message 436 00:18:27,539 --> 00:18:29,949 and accompany it with His power. 437 00:18:29,949 --> 00:18:32,115 And that fueled his boldness. 438 00:18:32,115 --> 00:18:34,670 Not only is there confidence in the authority 439 00:18:34,670 --> 00:18:36,052 or source of the message, 440 00:18:36,052 --> 00:18:38,889 but there's inherent power in the message itself 441 00:18:38,889 --> 00:18:41,919 when God chooses to own it. 442 00:18:41,919 --> 00:18:43,195 Let me ask you, 443 00:18:43,195 --> 00:18:44,474 when you speak the Gospel, 444 00:18:44,474 --> 00:18:47,077 where is your confidence? 445 00:18:47,077 --> 00:18:49,695 Is it in the person you're talking to? 446 00:18:49,695 --> 00:18:51,149 Their free will? 447 00:18:51,149 --> 00:18:53,911 And their ability to respond? 448 00:18:53,911 --> 00:18:55,365 I hope not. 449 00:18:55,365 --> 00:18:57,171 You know what the Bible says about 450 00:18:57,171 --> 00:18:59,521 man in his natural condition. 451 00:18:59,521 --> 00:19:01,982 2 Corinthians 4, "If our Gospel is hid, 452 00:19:01,982 --> 00:19:03,594 it's hidden to those who are lost 453 00:19:03,594 --> 00:19:05,155 in whom the god of this world 454 00:19:05,155 --> 00:19:06,752 has blinded the minds of those 455 00:19:06,752 --> 00:19:08,487 who don't believe." 456 00:19:08,487 --> 00:19:09,413 Ephesians 2 says, 457 00:19:09,413 --> 00:19:13,655 "You were dead in your trespasses and sins." 458 00:19:13,655 --> 00:19:15,266 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, 459 00:19:15,266 --> 00:19:17,393 "The natural man does not understand 460 00:19:17,393 --> 00:19:19,096 the things of the Spirit of God. 461 00:19:19,096 --> 00:19:20,723 They are foolishness to him, 462 00:19:20,723 --> 00:19:21,959 neither can he know them 463 00:19:21,959 --> 00:19:24,914 because they are spiritually discerned." 464 00:19:24,914 --> 00:19:28,545 D. James Kennedy, of Evangelism Explosion fame, 465 00:19:28,545 --> 00:19:30,567 used to say, 466 00:19:30,567 --> 00:19:34,725 "Everyone we talk to has a slight impediment. 467 00:19:34,725 --> 00:19:39,046 He is blind, deaf, and dead in his sins." 468 00:19:39,046 --> 00:19:40,793 A slight impediment. 469 00:19:40,793 --> 00:19:44,674 Your confidence can't be in the person receiving the message. 470 00:19:44,674 --> 00:19:47,217 Is your confidence in yourself? 471 00:19:47,217 --> 00:19:49,511 You may be a very persuasive person; 472 00:19:49,511 --> 00:19:50,783 a very eloquent person. 473 00:19:50,783 --> 00:19:53,433 But can you by the power of your words 474 00:19:53,433 --> 00:19:57,339 open blind eyes and give life to dead sinners? 475 00:19:57,339 --> 00:19:58,744 No. 476 00:19:58,744 --> 00:20:02,899 Our confidence is not in the power of the person to believe. 477 00:20:02,899 --> 00:20:06,926 It is not in ourselves and our ability to persuade. 478 00:20:06,926 --> 00:20:08,506 But thanks be to God, 479 00:20:08,506 --> 00:20:09,859 when God chooses, 480 00:20:09,859 --> 00:20:11,562 when you give that message, 481 00:20:11,562 --> 00:20:12,850 it will come with power. 482 00:20:12,850 --> 00:20:14,478 And He will do what we can't do. 483 00:20:14,478 --> 00:20:16,844 That's why in 2 Corinthians 4, 484 00:20:16,844 --> 00:20:19,264 after saying Satan has blinded the minds, 485 00:20:19,264 --> 00:20:20,400 he goes on to say, 486 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:23,386 "For God Who said light shall shine 487 00:20:23,386 --> 00:20:24,337 out of darkness 488 00:20:24,337 --> 00:20:26,662 is the One Who has shown in our hearts 489 00:20:26,662 --> 00:20:28,281 to give the light of the knowledge 490 00:20:28,281 --> 00:20:30,382 of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 491 00:20:30,382 --> 00:20:31,460 Praise be to God 492 00:20:31,460 --> 00:20:33,256 that the same power 493 00:20:33,256 --> 00:20:35,930 that said, "Let there be light," 494 00:20:35,930 --> 00:20:37,744 in the beginning of creation, 495 00:20:37,744 --> 00:20:39,424 is the God Who is pleased to say 496 00:20:39,424 --> 00:20:41,062 to some sin-darkened souls, 497 00:20:41,062 --> 00:20:42,291 "Let there be light!" 498 00:20:42,291 --> 00:20:44,348 And all of a sudden, the scales fall away, 499 00:20:44,348 --> 00:20:45,499 their eyes are opened, 500 00:20:45,499 --> 00:20:47,205 they see themselves as sinners 501 00:20:47,205 --> 00:20:49,579 and they believe in Jesus Christ. 502 00:20:49,579 --> 00:20:51,732 So our confidence or our boldness 503 00:20:51,732 --> 00:20:54,886 comes from confidence, not only in the authority 504 00:20:54,886 --> 00:20:56,056 of the message, 505 00:20:56,056 --> 00:20:58,056 but in the power of the message 506 00:20:58,056 --> 00:21:00,242 to open men's hearts. 507 00:21:00,242 --> 00:21:03,790 Here's a fourth key to boldness: 508 00:21:03,790 --> 00:21:07,521 Communion with Jesus Christ 509 00:21:07,521 --> 00:21:12,155 that is present and vital. 510 00:21:12,155 --> 00:21:13,889 Acts 4:13 511 00:21:13,889 --> 00:21:17,081 You may turn there or just listen. 512 00:21:17,081 --> 00:21:19,653 Acts 4:13 says, 513 00:21:19,653 --> 00:21:22,007 "Now as they observed the confidence..." 514 00:21:22,007 --> 00:21:24,351 (the boldness, the parresia) 515 00:21:24,351 --> 00:21:27,756 "of Peter and John, 516 00:21:27,756 --> 00:21:31,109 and understood that they were uneducated 517 00:21:31,109 --> 00:21:33,775 and untrained men, 518 00:21:33,775 --> 00:21:35,825 they were amazed 519 00:21:35,825 --> 00:21:38,069 and began to recognize them 520 00:21:38,069 --> 00:21:42,154 as having been with Jesus." 521 00:21:42,154 --> 00:21:43,922 Do you see the connection 522 00:21:43,922 --> 00:21:47,093 between the boldness with which they spoke 523 00:21:47,093 --> 00:21:50,671 and the fact that they had been with Jesus? 524 00:21:50,671 --> 00:21:52,417 Here is the Sanhedrin. 525 00:21:52,417 --> 00:21:54,262 And they're hearing these fisherman. 526 00:21:54,262 --> 00:21:55,844 You're not supposed to know about 527 00:21:55,844 --> 00:21:57,202 God and religion. 528 00:21:57,202 --> 00:22:00,066 All you know is about how to catch fish. 529 00:22:00,066 --> 00:22:01,679 But they're speaking boldly 530 00:22:01,679 --> 00:22:03,509 about the things of God 531 00:22:03,509 --> 00:22:06,482 to the recognized religious leaders of the day. 532 00:22:06,482 --> 00:22:08,496 And they were doing it without apology, 533 00:22:08,496 --> 00:22:09,602 without tentativeness. 534 00:22:09,602 --> 00:22:11,512 They were declaring boldly. 535 00:22:11,512 --> 00:22:13,838 And they saw that boldness, 536 00:22:13,838 --> 00:22:16,177 and they said, this is deja vu. 537 00:22:16,177 --> 00:22:17,805 We have seen this before. 538 00:22:17,805 --> 00:22:24,670 Ah yes, we saw it in that brazen rabbi from Nazareth. 539 00:22:24,670 --> 00:22:27,230 These men have been with Jesus. 540 00:22:27,230 --> 00:22:30,471 That's why they're speaking with such boldness. 541 00:22:30,471 --> 00:22:33,947 Because they've been with Jesus. 542 00:22:33,947 --> 00:22:35,419 And brothers and sisters, 543 00:22:35,419 --> 00:22:37,639 we are not with Jesus in the flesh 544 00:22:37,639 --> 00:22:39,241 because He is in heaven, 545 00:22:39,241 --> 00:22:42,603 but we do commune with Jesus. 546 00:22:42,603 --> 00:22:45,169 We commune with Him in His Word 547 00:22:45,169 --> 00:22:47,131 and through prayer. 548 00:22:47,131 --> 00:22:50,787 And it is as we commune with Him personally 549 00:22:50,787 --> 00:22:55,938 that we will take on His characteristics. 550 00:22:55,938 --> 00:22:59,544 Jesus chose men to be with Him. 551 00:22:59,544 --> 00:23:00,885 And a disciple, He said, 552 00:23:00,885 --> 00:23:02,292 when He is fully trained, 553 00:23:02,292 --> 00:23:04,760 will be like His teacher. 554 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:06,894 And as we are trained by Jesus, 555 00:23:06,894 --> 00:23:08,274 by communing with Him 556 00:23:08,274 --> 00:23:10,010 in His Word and in prayer, 557 00:23:10,010 --> 00:23:12,526 something of Jesus rubs off on us. 558 00:23:12,526 --> 00:23:14,259 And remember what it said of Jesus 559 00:23:14,259 --> 00:23:16,351 at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. 560 00:23:16,351 --> 00:23:18,766 He spoke as One Who had authority, 561 00:23:18,766 --> 00:23:21,639 and not as their scribes. 562 00:23:21,639 --> 00:23:23,511 So the more we behold Him, 563 00:23:23,511 --> 00:23:25,414 we become like Him, 564 00:23:25,414 --> 00:23:27,937 and we become bold like Him, 565 00:23:27,937 --> 00:23:32,068 and we speak with authority as He spoke. 566 00:23:32,068 --> 00:23:35,271 And the more we commune with the Lord, 567 00:23:35,271 --> 00:23:38,074 the more we come to know Him, 568 00:23:38,074 --> 00:23:40,764 the more we see Him working in us, 569 00:23:40,764 --> 00:23:42,585 working through us, 570 00:23:42,585 --> 00:23:45,613 answering our prayers, 571 00:23:45,613 --> 00:23:47,107 don't you become more convinced 572 00:23:47,107 --> 00:23:50,111 of the reality of the Lord? 573 00:23:50,111 --> 00:23:51,687 Like He really is. 574 00:23:51,687 --> 00:23:53,376 And He really is alive. 575 00:23:53,376 --> 00:23:55,490 Oh, He was real to me when He converted me. 576 00:23:55,490 --> 00:23:57,919 I can't account for my life except that 577 00:23:57,919 --> 00:24:00,703 He's alive and He turned me from death to life. 578 00:24:00,703 --> 00:24:03,203 But that reality grows as you commune with Him 579 00:24:03,203 --> 00:24:04,765 and you see more of His reality, 580 00:24:04,765 --> 00:24:06,718 more of the truthfulness of His Word, 581 00:24:06,718 --> 00:24:08,430 more of Him working in your life, 582 00:24:08,430 --> 00:24:10,014 and working in the lives of your brothers and sisters, 583 00:24:10,014 --> 00:24:11,427 and working through you. 584 00:24:11,427 --> 00:24:13,099 And you're more and more convinced 585 00:24:13,099 --> 00:24:15,927 that Jesus is alive. 586 00:24:15,927 --> 00:24:19,674 And that communion with Him fuels your boldness. 587 00:24:19,674 --> 00:24:23,783 Remember in Acts 4 a little later 588 00:24:23,783 --> 00:24:25,695 when the disciples Peter and John 589 00:24:25,695 --> 00:24:26,937 are called on the carpet, 590 00:24:26,937 --> 00:24:28,143 and they say look, 591 00:24:28,143 --> 00:24:29,480 essentially, to paraphrase, 592 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:31,056 do to us what you must. 593 00:24:31,056 --> 00:24:33,682 We can't stop speaking the things 594 00:24:33,682 --> 00:24:35,779 we have seen and heard. 595 00:24:35,779 --> 00:24:37,005 We've seen too much. 596 00:24:37,005 --> 00:24:38,279 We've heard too much. 597 00:24:38,279 --> 00:24:40,975 We know too much about the reality of this Christ. 598 00:24:40,975 --> 00:24:42,354 Do to us what you will. 599 00:24:42,354 --> 00:24:44,452 We can't stop speaking. 600 00:24:44,452 --> 00:24:46,257 Because He's real to us. 601 00:24:46,257 --> 00:24:48,444 And we're trying to make Him real to others. 602 00:24:48,444 --> 00:24:53,183 And so, another thing that will give you boldness, 603 00:24:53,183 --> 00:24:59,646 is the cultivation of your communion with Jesus. 604 00:24:59,646 --> 00:25:02,226 Are you meeting with Him daily? 605 00:25:02,226 --> 00:25:06,410 In His Word, reading, studying, meditating, 606 00:25:06,410 --> 00:25:08,011 calling upon Him, 607 00:25:08,011 --> 00:25:09,538 pouring out your heart to Him, 608 00:25:09,538 --> 00:25:10,691 repenting of your sins, 609 00:25:10,691 --> 00:25:11,787 confessing your sins, 610 00:25:11,787 --> 00:25:14,020 asking Him to work in you, 611 00:25:14,020 --> 00:25:15,727 asking Him to work through you, 612 00:25:15,727 --> 00:25:18,554 asking Him to work in your brothers and sisters? 613 00:25:18,554 --> 00:25:20,225 By those means of grace, 614 00:25:20,225 --> 00:25:22,733 you will see His reality in your life. 615 00:25:22,733 --> 00:25:28,085 And it can't help but increase your boldness. 616 00:25:28,085 --> 00:25:33,271 Here's a fifth reason or key to boldness 617 00:25:33,271 --> 00:25:35,214 in the Christian life; 618 00:25:35,214 --> 00:25:36,835 boldness in evangelism: 619 00:25:36,835 --> 00:25:39,327 I'm calling it corporate prayer 620 00:25:39,327 --> 00:25:42,494 and the community of the saints. 621 00:25:42,494 --> 00:25:44,812 I'm in Acts 4 still. 622 00:25:44,812 --> 00:25:49,969 After Peter and John are called to account, 623 00:25:49,969 --> 00:25:52,485 they are threatened by the authorities 624 00:25:52,485 --> 00:25:54,443 in Acts 4:18. 625 00:25:54,443 --> 00:25:57,145 "And when they had summoned them, 626 00:25:57,145 --> 00:26:00,802 they commanded them not to speak or teach 627 00:26:00,802 --> 00:26:03,557 at all in the name of Jesus." 628 00:26:03,557 --> 00:26:06,512 Quit teaching about Jesus. 629 00:26:06,512 --> 00:26:08,605 "And then Peter and John answered, 630 00:26:08,605 --> 00:26:10,753 'Whether it is right in the sight of God 631 00:26:10,753 --> 00:26:14,253 to give heed to you rather than to God, 632 00:26:14,253 --> 00:26:15,565 you be the judge. 633 00:26:15,565 --> 00:26:16,882 We cannot stop speaking 634 00:26:16,882 --> 00:26:19,439 about the things we've seen and heard.'" 635 00:26:19,439 --> 00:26:21,861 But then, it says in verse 23, 636 00:26:21,861 --> 00:26:23,683 "But when they had been released, 637 00:26:23,683 --> 00:26:26,141 they went to their own, 638 00:26:26,141 --> 00:26:28,167 and reported all that the chief priest 639 00:26:28,167 --> 00:26:30,534 and the elders had said to them." 640 00:26:30,534 --> 00:26:32,842 And they called upon the body of Christ 641 00:26:32,842 --> 00:26:34,941 to pray. 642 00:26:34,941 --> 00:26:36,825 And they prayed this amazing prayer. 643 00:26:36,825 --> 00:26:38,963 Verse 24, "When they heard this, 644 00:26:38,963 --> 00:26:41,444 they lifted their voices to God with one accord, 645 00:26:41,444 --> 00:26:44,476 and said, 'Oh, Lord, it is You Who made the heavens 646 00:26:44,476 --> 00:26:45,760 and the earth and the sea 647 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:47,027 and all that is in them.'" 648 00:26:47,027 --> 00:26:50,377 Essentially, they were pulling rank on the authorities. 649 00:26:50,377 --> 00:26:52,186 We're threatened by the authorities. 650 00:26:52,186 --> 00:26:53,739 They have power over us. 651 00:26:53,739 --> 00:26:55,283 But, we're appealing to God 652 00:26:55,283 --> 00:26:57,162 as the One Who has power over them. 653 00:26:57,162 --> 00:26:58,800 God, You're the sovereign God. 654 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:01,005 You have the heart of the king in your hands. 655 00:27:01,005 --> 00:27:03,664 They were taking refuge in the higher authority 656 00:27:03,664 --> 00:27:06,499 than the authorities that were threatening them. 657 00:27:06,499 --> 00:27:08,805 They also made as the basis of their prayer 658 00:27:08,805 --> 00:27:10,376 the purpose of God. 659 00:27:10,376 --> 00:27:11,305 Verse 28 660 00:27:11,305 --> 00:27:18,149 "You anointed your holy Servant Jesus, 661 00:27:18,149 --> 00:27:21,003 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose 662 00:27:21,003 --> 00:27:22,512 predestined to occur." 663 00:27:22,512 --> 00:27:24,667 Appealing to the power of God. 664 00:27:24,667 --> 00:27:27,458 Appealing to the purpose of God. 665 00:27:27,458 --> 00:27:29,548 We are carrying out your purpose 666 00:27:29,548 --> 00:27:32,468 in preaching Jesus Christ. 667 00:27:32,468 --> 00:27:35,219 And notice what they pray for in verse 29. 668 00:27:35,219 --> 00:27:37,664 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats. 669 00:27:37,664 --> 00:27:40,316 And grant that your bond servants may speak 670 00:27:40,316 --> 00:27:42,473 Your Word with all confidence." 671 00:27:42,473 --> 00:27:43,489 Boldness. 672 00:27:43,489 --> 00:27:44,752 Parresia 673 00:27:44,752 --> 00:27:46,820 They didn't even pray for safety. 674 00:27:46,820 --> 00:27:50,226 They prayed for greater boldness. 675 00:27:50,226 --> 00:27:52,584 We often know the efficacy of a prayer 676 00:27:52,584 --> 00:27:54,772 by the way it's answered. 677 00:27:54,772 --> 00:27:57,458 How did that register in heaven? 678 00:27:57,458 --> 00:27:58,957 Verse 30. 679 00:27:58,957 --> 00:28:00,640 "While You extend Your hand to heal 680 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:02,925 and signs and wonders take place 681 00:28:02,925 --> 00:28:04,787 through Your name, the name of 682 00:28:04,787 --> 00:28:06,023 Your holy Servant Jesus. 683 00:28:06,023 --> 00:28:07,293 And when they had prayed, 684 00:28:07,293 --> 00:28:09,723 the place where they had gathered together was shaken, 685 00:28:09,723 --> 00:28:11,919 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 686 00:28:11,919 --> 00:28:13,546 and began to speak the Word of God 687 00:28:13,546 --> 00:28:14,448 with boldness." 688 00:28:14,448 --> 00:28:16,405 God was pleased with that prayer. 689 00:28:16,405 --> 00:28:17,252 He honored it. 690 00:28:17,252 --> 00:28:19,601 And He gave them the thing for which they asked. 691 00:28:19,601 --> 00:28:20,546 The boldness. 692 00:28:20,546 --> 00:28:21,642 And they began to speak 693 00:28:21,642 --> 00:28:23,745 the Word of God with boldness. 694 00:28:23,745 --> 00:28:26,681 Now what do we learn from this passage? 695 00:28:26,681 --> 00:28:29,495 First of all, if we need boldness - and we do - 696 00:28:29,495 --> 00:28:31,936 let's ask God. 697 00:28:31,936 --> 00:28:34,612 You don't have because you don't ask. 698 00:28:34,612 --> 00:28:36,921 God, I need more courage. I need more boldness. 699 00:28:36,921 --> 00:28:38,185 Ask God! 700 00:28:38,185 --> 00:28:39,299 That's where we start. 701 00:28:39,299 --> 00:28:40,674 But in this context, 702 00:28:40,674 --> 00:28:42,157 not only ask God individually, 703 00:28:42,157 --> 00:28:44,450 but ask God corporately. 704 00:28:44,450 --> 00:28:46,700 Ask God in the gathered church. 705 00:28:46,700 --> 00:28:49,283 God is pleased when we pray to Him 706 00:28:49,283 --> 00:28:52,690 in concert with one another. 707 00:28:52,690 --> 00:28:53,998 And verse 32 says, 708 00:28:53,998 --> 00:28:56,273 "And the congregation of those who believed 709 00:28:56,273 --> 00:28:58,655 were of one heart and soul, 710 00:28:58,655 --> 00:29:00,693 and not one of them claimed that anything 711 00:29:00,693 --> 00:29:02,537 belonging to him was his own, 712 00:29:02,537 --> 00:29:05,800 but all things were common property to them." 713 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:08,922 The prayer for boldness that God honored 714 00:29:08,922 --> 00:29:12,164 was a prayer made in concert with the body of Christ, 715 00:29:12,164 --> 00:29:15,555 but it was a body of Christ that was in unity. 716 00:29:15,555 --> 00:29:18,423 They were in community together. 717 00:29:18,423 --> 00:29:20,224 They were of one heart and one soul. 718 00:29:20,224 --> 00:29:22,215 And they were sharing with one another. 719 00:29:22,215 --> 00:29:23,528 They were not divided. 720 00:29:23,528 --> 00:29:27,099 They were not factious. 721 00:29:27,099 --> 00:29:29,945 And so, would we have boldness in evangelism? 722 00:29:29,945 --> 00:29:31,194 Let's ask God in prayer, 723 00:29:31,194 --> 00:29:33,000 but let's ask God together, 724 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,038 as a corporate community 725 00:29:35,038 --> 00:29:39,240 with one heart and one soul. 726 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:41,742 Another key to boldness in evangelism 727 00:29:41,742 --> 00:29:44,745 is a conscience that is clear. 728 00:29:44,745 --> 00:29:53,116 Turn to 1 Thessalonians 2, 729 00:29:53,116 --> 00:29:55,816 and track with me as I read 730 00:29:55,816 --> 00:29:59,234 the first several verses of that chapter. 731 00:29:59,234 --> 00:30:02,078 Paul says, "For you yourselves know, brethren, 732 00:30:02,078 --> 00:30:05,579 that our coming to you was not in vain. 733 00:30:05,579 --> 00:30:07,324 But after we had already suffered 734 00:30:07,324 --> 00:30:09,194 and been mistreated in Philippi, 735 00:30:09,194 --> 00:30:10,499 as you know, 736 00:30:10,499 --> 00:30:13,073 we had the boldness in our God 737 00:30:13,073 --> 00:30:15,149 (there it is - there's our word: parresia) 738 00:30:15,149 --> 00:30:18,105 to speak to you the Gospel of God 739 00:30:18,105 --> 00:30:20,374 amid much opposition." 740 00:30:20,374 --> 00:30:22,062 We were bold. 741 00:30:22,062 --> 00:30:25,564 What fueled his boldness here? 742 00:30:25,564 --> 00:30:26,646 Verse 3, 743 00:30:26,646 --> 00:30:30,421 "For our exhortation does not come 744 00:30:30,421 --> 00:30:34,611 from error or impurity or by way of deceit, 745 00:30:34,611 --> 00:30:38,951 but just as we have been approved by God 746 00:30:38,951 --> 00:30:40,742 to be entrusted with the Gospel, 747 00:30:40,742 --> 00:30:42,983 so we speak - not as pleasing men, 748 00:30:42,983 --> 00:30:45,801 but God Who examines our hearts. 749 00:30:45,801 --> 00:30:48,033 For we never came with flattering speech 750 00:30:48,033 --> 00:30:49,242 as you know, 751 00:30:49,242 --> 00:30:51,382 nor with the pretext for greed, 752 00:30:51,382 --> 00:30:52,669 God as witness, 753 00:30:52,669 --> 00:30:54,740 nor did we seek glory from men, 754 00:30:54,740 --> 00:30:56,528 either from you or from others, 755 00:30:56,528 --> 00:30:58,250 even though as apostles of Christ 756 00:30:58,250 --> 00:31:00,258 we might have asserted our authority." 757 00:31:00,258 --> 00:31:02,333 Do you see where his boldness comes from? 758 00:31:02,333 --> 00:31:03,616 It comes from the fact 759 00:31:03,616 --> 00:31:05,173 that he has a good conscience. 760 00:31:05,173 --> 00:31:07,445 I know why I came to you. 761 00:31:07,445 --> 00:31:10,523 It wasn't to be praised by men. 762 00:31:10,523 --> 00:31:12,681 It wasn't to get something from you 763 00:31:12,681 --> 00:31:13,739 out of greedy motives. 764 00:31:13,739 --> 00:31:15,279 Now, there were false teachers 765 00:31:15,279 --> 00:31:17,038 who had all kinds of false motives, 766 00:31:17,038 --> 00:31:18,383 but Paul said, not so us, 767 00:31:18,383 --> 00:31:19,767 by the grace of God. 768 00:31:19,767 --> 00:31:22,358 We didn't have false motives. 769 00:31:22,358 --> 00:31:23,871 God knows our hearts. 770 00:31:23,871 --> 00:31:26,889 And you know how we conducted ourselves. 771 00:31:26,889 --> 00:31:32,304 And so, his boldness was born of a good conscience. 772 00:31:32,304 --> 00:31:35,602 And there are other places that affirm that. 773 00:31:35,602 --> 00:31:39,379 In Acts 24:15-16, 774 00:31:39,379 --> 00:31:41,881 Paul also points us to the value 775 00:31:41,881 --> 00:31:45,875 of a good conscience in evangelism. 776 00:31:45,875 --> 00:31:48,057 He's testifying before the Jews, 777 00:31:48,057 --> 00:31:48,965 and he says, 778 00:31:48,965 --> 00:31:50,383 "Having a hope in God, 779 00:31:50,383 --> 00:31:52,203 which these men cherish themselves, 780 00:31:52,203 --> 00:31:54,484 that there shall certainly be a resurrection 781 00:31:54,484 --> 00:31:56,974 of both the righteous and the wicked." 782 00:31:56,974 --> 00:32:00,999 In view of this - in view of this coming resurrection, 783 00:32:00,999 --> 00:32:06,238 and in view of the eternal destiny of man, 784 00:32:06,238 --> 00:32:09,538 "In view of this, I also do my best 785 00:32:09,538 --> 00:32:12,794 to maintain always a blameless conscience 786 00:32:12,794 --> 00:32:18,160 both before God and before men." 787 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:21,403 In another place in 1 Peter 3:15, 788 00:32:21,403 --> 00:32:27,819 he talks about the value of a good conscience in witnessing. 789 00:32:27,819 --> 00:32:32,844 1 Peter 3:15 790 00:32:32,844 --> 00:32:36,422 "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, 791 00:32:36,422 --> 00:32:39,193 always being ready to make a defense 792 00:32:39,193 --> 00:32:41,598 to everyone who asks you to give an account 793 00:32:41,598 --> 00:32:43,043 for the hope that is in you, 794 00:32:43,043 --> 00:32:45,104 yet with gentleness and reverence, 795 00:32:45,104 --> 00:32:47,401 and keep a good conscience, 796 00:32:47,401 --> 00:32:49,717 so that the thing in which you are slandered, 797 00:32:49,717 --> 00:32:52,050 those who revile your good behavior in Christ 798 00:32:52,050 --> 00:32:53,746 will be put to shame. 799 00:32:53,746 --> 00:32:55,846 Again, in the context of evangelism, 800 00:32:55,846 --> 00:32:58,752 maintain a good conscience. 801 00:32:58,752 --> 00:33:01,541 And one more text from the Old Testament. 802 00:33:01,541 --> 00:33:05,035 Proverbs 28:1 803 00:33:05,035 --> 00:33:08,655 "The wicked flee when no man is pursuing, 804 00:33:08,655 --> 00:33:11,886 but the righteous are bold as a lion." 805 00:33:11,886 --> 00:33:13,805 Matthew Henry comments, 806 00:33:13,805 --> 00:33:17,037 "Guilt makes cowards of us all." 807 00:33:17,037 --> 00:33:19,407 The righteous are bold as a lion. 808 00:33:19,407 --> 00:33:22,172 Now, we are righteous with the righteousness of Christ. 809 00:33:22,172 --> 00:33:23,172 Yes. 810 00:33:23,172 --> 00:33:25,826 But we are also called to walk righteously 811 00:33:25,826 --> 00:33:29,025 and to walk with a blameless conscience. 812 00:33:29,025 --> 00:33:30,529 And brothers and sisters, 813 00:33:30,529 --> 00:33:32,515 isn't it your testimony, 814 00:33:32,515 --> 00:33:34,824 that you are more likely to be bold 815 00:33:34,824 --> 00:33:36,618 in telling other people the Gospel, 816 00:33:36,618 --> 00:33:40,076 when you're walking before God with a good conscience? 817 00:33:40,076 --> 00:33:42,671 If you have bloodied your conscience with sin, 818 00:33:42,671 --> 00:33:44,498 and you've not repented of it, 819 00:33:44,498 --> 00:33:47,320 that's not the key to opening your mouth in boldness. 820 00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:48,515 You're shrinking back. 821 00:33:48,515 --> 00:33:50,578 You're feeling a sense of shame and guilt. 822 00:33:50,578 --> 00:33:52,439 Now, we have to be careful of the devil 823 00:33:52,439 --> 00:33:54,107 and his accusations. 824 00:33:54,107 --> 00:33:56,597 Sometimes when we have sinned, 825 00:33:56,597 --> 00:33:58,195 and we have confessed, 826 00:33:58,195 --> 00:34:00,000 the devil will still accuse us 827 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:02,513 and make us feel guilty and try to silence us. 828 00:34:02,513 --> 00:34:03,905 We must not allow that. 829 00:34:03,905 --> 00:34:05,287 We must say, wait a minute, 830 00:34:05,287 --> 00:34:07,311 I have sinned. I have repented. 831 00:34:07,311 --> 00:34:08,272 I have confessed. 832 00:34:08,272 --> 00:34:09,719 I am cleansed. 833 00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:12,360 And there's no reason why I can't speak the Gospel. 834 00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:13,968 Satan, be gone! 835 00:34:13,968 --> 00:34:15,709 Jesus' blood covers me. 836 00:34:15,709 --> 00:34:17,758 So don't fall prey to the lies of the devil 837 00:34:17,758 --> 00:34:19,443 who will make you feel guilty 838 00:34:19,443 --> 00:34:21,366 or want to make you feel guilty 839 00:34:21,366 --> 00:34:23,146 when you're not guilty. 840 00:34:23,146 --> 00:34:24,464 But on the other hand, 841 00:34:24,464 --> 00:34:26,863 let's be like Paul who takes pains 842 00:34:26,863 --> 00:34:29,227 to maintain a good conscience toward God 843 00:34:29,227 --> 00:34:30,705 and toward men. 844 00:34:30,705 --> 00:34:32,586 Maintain short accounts. 845 00:34:32,586 --> 00:34:35,145 As soon as you sin in thought, word, or deed, 846 00:34:35,145 --> 00:34:36,802 confess it; repent of it. 847 00:34:36,802 --> 00:34:39,012 Keep your conscience clear. 848 00:34:39,012 --> 00:34:41,747 A good conscience is a powerful weapon 849 00:34:41,747 --> 00:34:46,371 in the Christian life for evangelism. 850 00:34:46,371 --> 00:34:51,011 Well, the seventh of eight keys to boldness 851 00:34:51,011 --> 00:34:53,351 is what I'm calling confidential knowledge 852 00:34:53,351 --> 00:34:56,624 that you have about people. 853 00:34:56,624 --> 00:35:01,574 Turn with me to Acts 26. 854 00:35:01,574 --> 00:35:03,951 Confidential knowledge. 855 00:35:03,951 --> 00:35:06,020 Insider information 856 00:35:06,020 --> 00:35:09,487 that you have about people. 857 00:35:09,487 --> 00:35:10,798 Acts 26 858 00:35:10,798 --> 00:35:16,065 Paul is testifying before a couple of Roman officials. 859 00:35:16,065 --> 00:35:20,376 There's Agrippa and there's Festus. 860 00:35:20,376 --> 00:35:23,322 Begin with me at verse 19. 861 00:35:23,322 --> 00:35:26,944 "So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient 862 00:35:26,944 --> 00:35:28,912 to the heavenly vision, 863 00:35:28,912 --> 00:35:33,273 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first 864 00:35:33,273 --> 00:35:34,732 and also at Jerusalem, 865 00:35:34,732 --> 00:35:37,093 and then throughout all the region of Judea 866 00:35:37,093 --> 00:35:38,278 and even to the Gentiles 867 00:35:38,278 --> 00:35:41,101 that they should repent and turn to God 868 00:35:41,101 --> 00:35:43,662 performing deeds appropriate to repentance." 869 00:35:43,662 --> 00:35:46,954 Paul's giving a travelogue of his ministry. 870 00:35:46,954 --> 00:35:49,097 "For this reason, some Jews seized me 871 00:35:49,097 --> 00:35:51,981 in the temple and tried to put me to death. 872 00:35:51,981 --> 00:35:54,602 So, having obtained help from God, 873 00:35:54,602 --> 00:35:58,337 I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, 874 00:35:58,337 --> 00:36:01,057 stating nothing but what the prophets and Moses 875 00:36:01,057 --> 00:36:03,861 said was going to take place. 876 00:36:03,861 --> 00:36:05,998 That the Christ was to suffer, 877 00:36:05,998 --> 00:36:08,558 and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead 878 00:36:08,558 --> 00:36:10,455 He would be the first to proclaim light 879 00:36:10,455 --> 00:36:11,755 both to the Jewish people 880 00:36:11,755 --> 00:36:13,861 and to the Gentiles." 881 00:36:13,861 --> 00:36:15,086 Then, he's interrupted. 882 00:36:15,086 --> 00:36:17,384 While Paul was saying this in his defense. 883 00:36:17,384 --> 00:36:19,402 Festus, another Roman official said, 884 00:36:19,402 --> 00:36:20,484 in a loud voice, 885 00:36:20,484 --> 00:36:22,085 "'Paul, you're out of your mind! 886 00:36:22,085 --> 00:36:25,837 Your great learning is driving you mad.' 887 00:36:25,837 --> 00:36:28,609 But Paul said, 'I am not out of my mind, 888 00:36:28,609 --> 00:36:30,303 most excellent Festus, 889 00:36:30,303 --> 00:36:33,189 but I utter words of sober truth. 890 00:36:33,189 --> 00:36:34,312 For the king..." 891 00:36:34,312 --> 00:36:39,198 King Agrippa, who was a follower of Jehovah, 892 00:36:39,198 --> 00:36:41,734 and the Jewish religion - 893 00:36:41,734 --> 00:36:44,182 "For the king knows about these matters, 894 00:36:44,182 --> 00:36:46,851 and I speak to him also with confidence." 895 00:36:46,851 --> 00:36:48,054 Boldness. 896 00:36:48,054 --> 00:36:50,837 "'Since I am persuaded that none of these things 897 00:36:50,837 --> 00:36:52,443 escape his notice, 898 00:36:52,443 --> 00:36:55,543 for this has not been done in a corner. 899 00:36:55,543 --> 00:36:57,600 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? 900 00:36:57,600 --> 00:36:59,171 I know that you do.' 901 00:36:59,171 --> 00:37:00,683 Agrippa replied to Paul, 902 00:37:00,683 --> 00:37:02,533 'In a short time, you will persuade me 903 00:37:02,533 --> 00:37:04,456 to become a Christian.'" 904 00:37:04,456 --> 00:37:08,496 Now, what gave Paul special boldness 905 00:37:08,496 --> 00:37:10,314 before King Agrippa? 906 00:37:10,314 --> 00:37:15,474 Because Paul knew what Agrippa knew. 907 00:37:15,474 --> 00:37:17,228 He was a convert to Judaism. 908 00:37:17,228 --> 00:37:20,998 He believed the Old Testament prophets. 909 00:37:20,998 --> 00:37:23,058 Those prophets prophesied about 910 00:37:23,058 --> 00:37:24,983 the coming Christ. 911 00:37:24,983 --> 00:37:28,973 Paul knew that Agrippa knew the prophets 912 00:37:28,973 --> 00:37:32,756 and knew that the prophets prophesied about Jesus. 913 00:37:32,756 --> 00:37:35,807 He also knew that Agrippa was aware 914 00:37:35,807 --> 00:37:38,419 of the circumstances that had taken place 915 00:37:38,419 --> 00:37:40,930 surrounding Jesus of Nazareth. 916 00:37:40,930 --> 00:37:44,126 He was aware of the life and ministry 917 00:37:44,126 --> 00:37:48,319 and death and burial and proclaimed resurrection 918 00:37:48,319 --> 00:37:50,374 of Jesus. 919 00:37:50,374 --> 00:37:54,278 So, Paul knew what Agrippa knew. 920 00:37:54,278 --> 00:37:56,267 He knew he knew those things. 921 00:37:56,267 --> 00:37:59,113 And based on that knowledge, 922 00:37:59,113 --> 00:38:01,580 he was bold to say to Agrippa, 923 00:38:01,580 --> 00:38:03,113 "Do you believe the prophets? 924 00:38:03,113 --> 00:38:04,675 I know that you do." 925 00:38:04,675 --> 00:38:07,605 And Agrippa was impacted by it. 926 00:38:07,605 --> 00:38:11,405 Almost persuaded to be a Christian. 927 00:38:11,405 --> 00:38:13,804 Now how does that relate to us? 928 00:38:13,804 --> 00:38:16,773 How will that fuel our boldness? 929 00:38:16,773 --> 00:38:19,041 In this way: 930 00:38:19,041 --> 00:38:21,276 When you're talking to an unbeliever, 931 00:38:21,276 --> 00:38:25,446 you know what he or she knows, 932 00:38:25,446 --> 00:38:28,836 whether they're willing to acknowledge it or not. 933 00:38:28,836 --> 00:38:32,451 What do all unbelievers know? 934 00:38:32,451 --> 00:38:34,883 They know there is a God. 935 00:38:34,883 --> 00:38:38,906 Romans 1:21, "Even when they knew God..." 936 00:38:38,906 --> 00:38:43,078 Not savingly, but they knew by His divine power, 937 00:38:43,078 --> 00:38:44,705 by what they'd seen in creation, 938 00:38:44,705 --> 00:38:47,167 they know there's a Creator God. 939 00:38:47,167 --> 00:38:48,573 Even when they knew God, 940 00:38:48,573 --> 00:38:50,058 they did not honor Him as God. 941 00:38:50,058 --> 00:38:54,356 All men know innately that there is a Creator God. 942 00:38:54,356 --> 00:38:57,752 Because God put that knowledge within them. 943 00:38:57,752 --> 00:38:59,715 What else do they know? 944 00:38:59,715 --> 00:39:02,052 They know that there's an eternity. 945 00:39:02,052 --> 00:39:04,257 Because Ecclesiastes 3:11 says 946 00:39:04,257 --> 00:39:07,851 that God has put eternity in their hearts. 947 00:39:07,851 --> 00:39:10,783 Animals don't have that sense of eternity. 948 00:39:10,783 --> 00:39:13,146 They eat, they drink, they sleep. 949 00:39:13,146 --> 00:39:15,472 They mate, they play, they die. 950 00:39:15,472 --> 00:39:17,467 Eat, drink, sleep, mate, play, die. 951 00:39:17,467 --> 00:39:18,854 That's an animal existence. 952 00:39:18,854 --> 00:39:20,135 Not so man. 953 00:39:20,135 --> 00:39:21,678 You go anywhere on planet Earth 954 00:39:21,678 --> 00:39:23,482 and people have a sense of eternity. 955 00:39:23,482 --> 00:39:25,448 That's why religion is so universal. 956 00:39:25,448 --> 00:39:28,220 There's a deity that needs to be placated, 957 00:39:28,220 --> 00:39:30,656 because we know that we're going to give account. 958 00:39:30,656 --> 00:39:33,957 They know innately that this life is not all there is. 959 00:39:33,957 --> 00:39:37,301 Eternity has been put in their hearts. 960 00:39:37,301 --> 00:39:39,049 What else do they know? 961 00:39:39,049 --> 00:39:42,513 They have a basic sense of morality. 962 00:39:42,513 --> 00:39:43,658 Right from wrong. 963 00:39:43,658 --> 00:39:44,374 Why? 964 00:39:44,374 --> 00:39:48,011 Romans 2:14 says what the Law requires 965 00:39:48,011 --> 00:39:50,501 has been put on the heart of every man 966 00:39:50,501 --> 00:39:53,175 since the creation. 967 00:39:53,175 --> 00:39:55,464 What else do they know? 968 00:39:55,464 --> 00:39:57,979 They know that there's a coming judgment. 969 00:39:57,979 --> 00:40:00,650 Because Romans 1:32 tells us, 970 00:40:00,650 --> 00:40:03,092 after a catalog of sins, 971 00:40:03,092 --> 00:40:06,923 Paul says, "although they know the ordinance of God, 972 00:40:06,923 --> 00:40:09,043 that those who practice such things 973 00:40:09,043 --> 00:40:10,889 are worthy of death, 974 00:40:10,889 --> 00:40:12,190 they not only do the same, 975 00:40:12,190 --> 00:40:15,434 but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." 976 00:40:15,434 --> 00:40:17,629 They know there's a coming judgment. 977 00:40:17,629 --> 00:40:19,599 And I'm saying, brothers and sisters, 978 00:40:19,599 --> 00:40:23,281 this should be a great source of boldness to us. 979 00:40:23,281 --> 00:40:27,512 We have insider information about the unbeliever. 980 00:40:27,512 --> 00:40:29,490 He may deny it. She may deny it. 981 00:40:29,490 --> 00:40:30,931 She may not acknowledge it. 982 00:40:30,931 --> 00:40:34,415 But we know it's true. 983 00:40:34,415 --> 00:40:36,315 You can come to any unbeliever 984 00:40:36,315 --> 00:40:39,274 and know that they know there's a God, 985 00:40:39,274 --> 00:40:41,105 they know there's eternity, 986 00:40:41,105 --> 00:40:42,439 a life after this one; 987 00:40:42,439 --> 00:40:44,843 they have a sense of right and wrong, 988 00:40:44,843 --> 00:40:46,446 and they know they've done wrong 989 00:40:46,446 --> 00:40:49,870 and that they're going to face judgment. 990 00:40:49,870 --> 00:40:51,831 Doesn't that give you confidence 991 00:40:51,831 --> 00:40:53,774 to declare the Gospel boldly? 992 00:40:53,774 --> 00:40:55,961 You've got an ally inside of them. 993 00:40:55,961 --> 00:40:57,801 They may not like that ally. 994 00:40:57,801 --> 00:40:59,319 They may try to push down 995 00:40:59,319 --> 00:41:00,727 and push away that ally. 996 00:41:00,727 --> 00:41:03,190 That ally, unless their conscience is utterly seared 997 00:41:03,190 --> 00:41:04,588 as with a branding iron, 998 00:41:04,588 --> 00:41:07,754 that ally is speaking and affirming what you're saying 999 00:41:07,754 --> 00:41:10,091 on the inside. 1000 00:41:10,091 --> 00:41:15,053 That is another source of boldness in evangelism. 1001 00:41:15,053 --> 00:41:17,378 Now previously, when I've preached this message 1002 00:41:17,378 --> 00:41:19,279 years ago, I only had seven. 1003 00:41:19,279 --> 00:41:23,254 But just in the last week, I've added an eighth. 1004 00:41:23,254 --> 00:41:25,254 And we'll close with that. 1005 00:41:25,254 --> 00:41:26,671 It is this: 1006 00:41:26,671 --> 00:41:29,246 What will fuel your boldness in evangelism? 1007 00:41:29,246 --> 00:41:32,801 What ought to perhaps more than any other? 1008 00:41:32,801 --> 00:41:37,427 Contemplation of the terror of the judgment. 1009 00:41:37,427 --> 00:41:39,338 Turn to 2 Corinthians 5, 1010 00:41:39,338 --> 00:41:43,724 and brother, I'm glad you read that passage. 1011 00:41:43,724 --> 00:41:46,438 Because I want to end with that. 1012 00:41:46,438 --> 00:41:51,531 2nd Corinthians 5, as was read in the early verses, 1013 00:41:51,531 --> 00:41:54,619 he's talking about our ultimate state. 1014 00:41:54,619 --> 00:41:56,202 Putting off this earthly tent. 1015 00:41:56,202 --> 00:41:58,747 Pitching this tent for another body 1016 00:41:58,747 --> 00:42:00,696 in the resurrection. 1017 00:42:00,696 --> 00:42:02,835 But picking up at verse 9, 1018 00:42:02,835 --> 00:42:06,070 he says, given the fact that 1019 00:42:06,070 --> 00:42:08,503 we're going to stand before the Lord, 1020 00:42:08,503 --> 00:42:10,433 "Therefore, we also have as our ambition 1021 00:42:10,433 --> 00:42:12,019 whether at home or absent 1022 00:42:12,019 --> 00:42:14,130 to be pleasing to Him. 1023 00:42:14,130 --> 00:42:16,338 For we must all appear before 1024 00:42:16,338 --> 00:42:19,275 the judgment seat of Christ." 1025 00:42:19,275 --> 00:42:21,053 The bema seat of Christ. 1026 00:42:21,053 --> 00:42:23,270 "So that each one may be recompensed," 1027 00:42:23,270 --> 00:42:24,400 Rewarded. 1028 00:42:24,400 --> 00:42:26,387 "For his deeds in the body 1029 00:42:26,387 --> 00:42:28,094 according to what he has done 1030 00:42:28,094 --> 00:42:30,121 whether good or bad. 1031 00:42:30,121 --> 00:42:33,996 Therefore, in light of the coming judgment, 1032 00:42:33,996 --> 00:42:37,533 knowing the fear of the Lord, 1033 00:42:37,533 --> 00:42:40,225 we persuade men. 1034 00:42:40,225 --> 00:42:42,098 But we are made manifest to God 1035 00:42:42,098 --> 00:42:43,990 and I hope that we are made manifest 1036 00:42:43,990 --> 00:42:46,138 also in your consciences." 1037 00:42:46,138 --> 00:42:47,942 Now let me take a couple of minutes 1038 00:42:47,942 --> 00:42:50,428 to explain my understanding of this, 1039 00:42:50,428 --> 00:42:51,986 because commentators differ 1040 00:42:51,986 --> 00:42:53,388 in their interpretation. 1041 00:42:53,388 --> 00:42:55,710 Some would say that when he says, 1042 00:42:55,710 --> 00:42:57,224 knowing the fear of the Lord, 1043 00:42:57,224 --> 00:42:59,126 we persuade men, 1044 00:42:59,126 --> 00:43:01,254 that Paul's only concern 1045 00:43:01,254 --> 00:43:06,997 is to persuade his detractors of his sincerity and integrity. 1046 00:43:06,997 --> 00:43:09,812 Now to be sure, if you study 2 Corinthians, 1047 00:43:09,812 --> 00:43:13,369 he is defending himself against accusations 1048 00:43:13,369 --> 00:43:15,434 by the Corinthians who have been 1049 00:43:15,434 --> 00:43:17,533 influenced by false teachers. 1050 00:43:17,533 --> 00:43:22,675 He is seeking to defend his integrity and sincerity. 1051 00:43:22,675 --> 00:43:26,214 That's why he says in verse 11, 1052 00:43:26,214 --> 00:43:27,824 "We are made manifest to God." 1053 00:43:27,824 --> 00:43:29,137 God knows what we're about. 1054 00:43:29,137 --> 00:43:30,771 "I hope that we are made manifest 1055 00:43:30,771 --> 00:43:32,129 also in your consciences." 1056 00:43:32,129 --> 00:43:34,777 I hope you know our sincerity. 1057 00:43:34,777 --> 00:43:36,722 He is defending himself. 1058 00:43:36,722 --> 00:43:38,452 And he's basically saying my motive 1059 00:43:38,452 --> 00:43:41,234 is not underhanded, crafty, manipulative 1060 00:43:41,234 --> 00:43:42,446 like the false teachers. 1061 00:43:42,446 --> 00:43:46,321 I operate in the fear of God. 1062 00:43:46,321 --> 00:43:49,577 But what is the ministry he's defending? 1063 00:43:49,577 --> 00:43:52,892 In the fear of God, we persuade men. 1064 00:43:52,892 --> 00:43:55,784 His ministry is one of persuasion. 1065 00:43:55,784 --> 00:43:58,554 And as you track that word and its usage, 1066 00:43:58,554 --> 00:44:07,579 you find this in Acts 18:4. 1067 00:44:07,579 --> 00:44:10,322 "And he was reasoning in the synagogue 1068 00:44:10,322 --> 00:44:14,674 every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." 1069 00:44:14,674 --> 00:44:15,901 Persuade them about what? 1070 00:44:15,901 --> 00:44:17,567 That Jesus is the Christ 1071 00:44:17,567 --> 00:44:20,021 and they need to believe in Him. 1072 00:44:20,021 --> 00:44:23,461 And in Acts 28 - the last chapter of Acts, 1073 00:44:23,461 --> 00:44:25,382 and verse 23, 1074 00:44:25,382 --> 00:44:28,850 Paul is in Roman custody. 1075 00:44:28,850 --> 00:44:30,477 He's witnessing. 1076 00:44:30,477 --> 00:44:32,169 And it says in verse 23, 1077 00:44:32,169 --> 00:44:34,441 "When they had set a day for Paul, 1078 00:44:34,441 --> 00:44:36,383 they came to him at his lodging, 1079 00:44:36,383 --> 00:44:37,704 (Jewish people), 1080 00:44:37,704 --> 00:44:40,473 in large numbers, and he was explaining to them 1081 00:44:40,473 --> 00:44:43,606 by solemnly testifying about the Kingdom of God 1082 00:44:43,606 --> 00:44:46,010 and trying to persuade them, 1083 00:44:46,010 --> 00:44:47,046 (there's our word) 1084 00:44:47,046 --> 00:44:50,991 concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses 1085 00:44:50,991 --> 00:44:53,651 and from the Prophets from morning until evening." 1086 00:44:53,651 --> 00:44:55,907 When Paul is persuading, 1087 00:44:55,907 --> 00:45:00,066 he's persuading men to believe in Jesus. 1088 00:45:00,066 --> 00:45:02,805 His ministry, the one he's defending in motive, 1089 00:45:02,805 --> 00:45:04,906 that his motive is the fear of God 1090 00:45:04,906 --> 00:45:06,683 is a ministry of persuasion. 1091 00:45:06,683 --> 00:45:09,133 And so he says knowing the fear of the Lord, 1092 00:45:09,133 --> 00:45:10,904 we persuade men. 1093 00:45:10,904 --> 00:45:12,700 Now, part of that would be, 1094 00:45:12,700 --> 00:45:15,380 he's going to stand before the judgement seat of Christ. 1095 00:45:15,380 --> 00:45:17,349 And He has a reverence for the Lord. 1096 00:45:17,349 --> 00:45:19,641 And He wants to be able to give a good account. 1097 00:45:19,641 --> 00:45:21,589 He wants to be faithful to his ministry. 1098 00:45:21,589 --> 00:45:22,829 He wants the Lord to say, 1099 00:45:22,829 --> 00:45:24,651 "Well done, good and faithful servant. 1100 00:45:24,651 --> 00:45:26,722 You've carried out the mission I gave you." 1101 00:45:26,722 --> 00:45:30,170 But in persuading men, is not part of his mission 1102 00:45:30,170 --> 00:45:34,319 to recognize what the fear of the Lord will be for unbelievers? 1103 00:45:34,319 --> 00:45:36,754 It will be terror for them. 1104 00:45:36,754 --> 00:45:38,821 And knowing that for unbelievers 1105 00:45:38,821 --> 00:45:41,161 the day of judgment and the fear of the Lord 1106 00:45:41,161 --> 00:45:43,467 will be terrible judgment, 1107 00:45:43,467 --> 00:45:46,060 he persuades men. 1108 00:45:46,060 --> 00:45:47,707 So I am convinced that this text 1109 00:45:47,707 --> 00:45:49,529 does apply to evangelism. 1110 00:45:49,529 --> 00:45:51,757 And that Paul was motivated 1111 00:45:51,757 --> 00:45:53,679 to persuade men that Jesus is the Christ 1112 00:45:53,679 --> 00:45:56,132 and that they must believe in Him for eternal life, 1113 00:45:56,132 --> 00:45:58,495 because He knew the horrible judgment 1114 00:45:58,495 --> 00:46:01,334 that they would face in the end. 1115 00:46:01,334 --> 00:46:03,436 And so I believe, brothers and sisters, 1116 00:46:03,436 --> 00:46:06,023 that one of the greatest motivations 1117 00:46:06,023 --> 00:46:09,098 to our boldness in evangelism 1118 00:46:09,098 --> 00:46:12,371 is the contemplation of the horrific fate 1119 00:46:12,371 --> 00:46:14,610 that those will face. 1120 00:46:14,610 --> 00:46:16,386 Some of our own family members, 1121 00:46:16,386 --> 00:46:18,837 loved ones and friends and co-workers, 1122 00:46:18,837 --> 00:46:23,202 the destiny they will face apart from Jesus Christ. 1123 00:46:23,202 --> 00:46:24,822 They will go to a place of weeping 1124 00:46:24,822 --> 00:46:26,586 and gnashing of teeth. 1125 00:46:26,586 --> 00:46:28,827 They will go to a place of outer darkness, 1126 00:46:28,827 --> 00:46:30,768 separated from the presence of the Lord. 1127 00:46:30,768 --> 00:46:32,999 A place where they will be tormented 1128 00:46:32,999 --> 00:46:34,901 in body and soul, day and night. 1129 00:46:34,901 --> 00:46:39,945 A place from which they will never be released. 1130 00:46:39,945 --> 00:46:42,436 And I, beginning with myself, 1131 00:46:42,436 --> 00:46:45,477 we all need to think more frequently 1132 00:46:45,477 --> 00:46:48,165 about the horrors of hell 1133 00:46:48,165 --> 00:46:49,711 and the torments of hell 1134 00:46:49,711 --> 00:46:52,643 and the fact that some of our loved ones are going there. 1135 00:46:52,643 --> 00:46:54,672 Not in a morbid sense, 1136 00:46:54,672 --> 00:46:56,491 but in a realistic sense. 1137 00:46:56,491 --> 00:46:57,740 Hell is real. 1138 00:46:57,740 --> 00:47:00,182 No one taught more about hell 1139 00:47:00,182 --> 00:47:05,065 than the loving, compassionate, gracious Lord Jesus Christ. 1140 00:47:05,065 --> 00:47:06,676 It's real. 1141 00:47:06,676 --> 00:47:07,525 And it's endless. 1142 00:47:07,525 --> 00:47:09,358 And we're not going to get to the end 1143 00:47:09,358 --> 00:47:10,899 and God say I was only joking, 1144 00:47:10,899 --> 00:47:12,647 you know I just wanted to scare you, 1145 00:47:12,647 --> 00:47:15,566 just a little scare tactic - no! 1146 00:47:15,566 --> 00:47:17,923 What God says, He means. 1147 00:47:17,923 --> 00:47:20,909 And hell is real. 1148 00:47:20,909 --> 00:47:25,118 That alone should overcome our silly fears. 1149 00:47:25,118 --> 00:47:28,941 What does it matter what some person of flesh 1150 00:47:28,941 --> 00:47:30,772 thinks about me? 1151 00:47:30,772 --> 00:47:33,280 When they're going to eternal hell? 1152 00:47:33,280 --> 00:47:35,109 That alone should motivate us to 1153 00:47:35,109 --> 00:47:37,644 overcome our silly fears 1154 00:47:37,644 --> 00:47:40,772 and be graciously bold in telling people 1155 00:47:40,772 --> 00:47:43,150 the Good News. 1156 00:47:43,150 --> 00:47:46,277 I close in talking to you, believers, 1157 00:47:46,277 --> 00:47:49,132 with a quote from Spurgeon. 1158 00:47:49,132 --> 00:47:50,913 One that I do not live up to 1159 00:47:50,913 --> 00:47:55,429 and I need more grace from God to practice. 1160 00:47:55,429 --> 00:47:57,257 Perhaps many of you know it. 1161 00:47:57,257 --> 00:47:59,533 Spurgeon said, 1162 00:47:59,533 --> 00:48:01,311 "If sinners be damned, 1163 00:48:01,311 --> 00:48:03,333 at least let them leap to hell 1164 00:48:03,333 --> 00:48:05,230 over our dead bodies. 1165 00:48:05,230 --> 00:48:07,155 And if they perish, let them perish 1166 00:48:07,155 --> 00:48:10,347 with our arms wrapped around their knees, 1167 00:48:10,347 --> 00:48:13,076 imploring them to stay. 1168 00:48:13,076 --> 00:48:15,084 If hell must be filled, 1169 00:48:15,084 --> 00:48:18,366 let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions. 1170 00:48:18,366 --> 00:48:24,499 And let not one go unwarned and unprayed for." 1171 00:48:24,499 --> 00:48:28,689 May that motivate us to be bold in our evangelism. 1172 00:48:28,689 --> 00:48:30,474 But before I completely close, 1173 00:48:30,474 --> 00:48:32,931 I want to appeal to those of you here 1174 00:48:32,931 --> 00:48:36,817 who have not yet put your trust in Jesus Christ. 1175 00:48:36,817 --> 00:48:41,043 I've been talking about Christians being bold in evangelism. 1176 00:48:41,043 --> 00:48:46,082 That's not where boldness must begin with you. 1177 00:48:46,082 --> 00:48:49,140 You must begin with attaining boldness 1178 00:48:49,140 --> 00:48:50,952 before God. 1179 00:48:50,952 --> 00:48:54,051 How can you, a sinner, 1180 00:48:54,051 --> 00:48:56,057 filthy in your sin, 1181 00:48:56,057 --> 00:48:58,724 having broken all of the laws of God, 1182 00:48:58,724 --> 00:49:04,002 ever stand before an infinitely, holy, pure God? 1183 00:49:04,002 --> 00:49:07,951 Let alone come boldly, come striding boldly 1184 00:49:07,951 --> 00:49:10,411 into His holy presence? 1185 00:49:10,411 --> 00:49:17,426 Hebrews 10:19-22 tells us. 1186 00:49:17,426 --> 00:49:20,352 "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence 1187 00:49:20,352 --> 00:49:22,844 to enter the holy place..." 1188 00:49:22,844 --> 00:49:25,486 There's our word: confidence. 1189 00:49:25,486 --> 00:49:26,921 Parresia. Boldness. 1190 00:49:26,921 --> 00:49:28,709 "... to enter the holy place, 1191 00:49:28,709 --> 00:49:30,942 by the blood of Jesus, 1192 00:49:30,942 --> 00:49:32,507 by a new and living way, 1193 00:49:32,507 --> 00:49:34,471 which He inaugurated for us through the veil 1194 00:49:34,471 --> 00:49:35,522 that is His flesh, 1195 00:49:35,522 --> 00:49:37,650 and since we have a great High Priest, 1196 00:49:37,650 --> 00:49:40,090 a great priest over the house of God, 1197 00:49:40,090 --> 00:49:42,557 let us draw near with a sincere heart, 1198 00:49:42,557 --> 00:49:44,124 in full assurance of faith, 1199 00:49:44,124 --> 00:49:46,153 having our hearts sprinkled clean 1200 00:49:46,153 --> 00:49:47,850 from an evil conscience, 1201 00:49:47,850 --> 00:49:50,457 and our bodies washed with pure water." 1202 00:49:50,457 --> 00:49:54,342 My unbelieving friend, you are a very great sinner. 1203 00:49:54,342 --> 00:49:57,736 Jesus said, if you just lust after a woman 1204 00:49:57,736 --> 00:49:59,808 you've committed adultery. 1205 00:49:59,808 --> 00:50:01,923 And you've committed adultery hundreds, 1206 00:50:01,923 --> 00:50:03,741 if not thousands of times. 1207 00:50:03,741 --> 00:50:05,866 Jesus said if you're just angry and hateful 1208 00:50:05,866 --> 00:50:08,130 towards someone in your heart, 1209 00:50:08,130 --> 00:50:11,415 you've committed murder in your heart. 1210 00:50:11,415 --> 00:50:13,719 You are a great sinner. 1211 00:50:13,719 --> 00:50:16,775 And God is a greatly holy God. 1212 00:50:16,775 --> 00:50:19,949 How can you come boldly into His presence? 1213 00:50:19,949 --> 00:50:22,494 Because there's a great Savior 1214 00:50:22,494 --> 00:50:24,014 Who did a great work. 1215 00:50:24,014 --> 00:50:25,898 And the cross of Jesus Christ 1216 00:50:25,898 --> 00:50:28,310 spans that great gulf between 1217 00:50:28,310 --> 00:50:30,908 holy God and sinful man. 1218 00:50:30,908 --> 00:50:33,475 That is your only hope of ever 1219 00:50:33,475 --> 00:50:36,233 entering God's presence with boldness. 1220 00:50:36,233 --> 00:50:38,613 Put your trust in Jesus. 1221 00:50:38,613 --> 00:50:41,068 His perfect life lived for you, 1222 00:50:41,068 --> 00:50:42,315 which you could not live. 1223 00:50:42,315 --> 00:50:44,522 And the death suffered for you 1224 00:50:44,522 --> 00:50:46,243 which you deserved to die, 1225 00:50:46,243 --> 00:50:48,084 but He's willing to offer His death 1226 00:50:48,084 --> 00:50:50,241 on your behalf to suffer for your sins, 1227 00:50:50,241 --> 00:50:52,332 so that you will never have to suffer 1228 00:50:52,332 --> 00:50:53,837 separation from God 1229 00:50:53,837 --> 00:50:56,399 now or in eternity. 1230 00:50:56,399 --> 00:50:58,430 You're a great sinner. 1231 00:50:58,430 --> 00:51:00,275 God is a greatly holy God. 1232 00:51:00,275 --> 00:51:03,402 Come to the great Savior Jesus Christ. 1233 00:51:03,402 --> 00:51:05,504 And once you do, 1234 00:51:05,504 --> 00:51:08,263 then you'll find that you'll want to tell others. 1235 00:51:08,263 --> 00:51:10,739 And the boldness you have before God 1236 00:51:10,739 --> 00:51:14,821 will then translate into boldness before men. 1237 00:51:14,821 --> 00:51:17,954 By nature, I am not a very bold person. 1238 00:51:17,954 --> 00:51:20,007 I'm a rather timid person. 1239 00:51:20,007 --> 00:51:21,608 Before I was converted, 1240 00:51:21,608 --> 00:51:24,611 I never had boldness to tell anybody anything. 1241 00:51:24,611 --> 00:51:26,684 I had no message for anybody. 1242 00:51:26,684 --> 00:51:28,283 I had nothing to give. 1243 00:51:28,283 --> 00:51:31,220 I wasn't in anybody's face about anything. 1244 00:51:31,220 --> 00:51:33,507 But when Jesus Christ saved me, 1245 00:51:33,507 --> 00:51:34,994 and so convinced me that He was 1246 00:51:34,994 --> 00:51:37,161 the only mediator between God and man, 1247 00:51:37,161 --> 00:51:41,399 He took even a fearful, timid person like me, 1248 00:51:41,399 --> 00:51:45,133 and turned me into a bold witness for Him. 1249 00:51:45,133 --> 00:51:48,096 But boldness begins with boldness before God. 1250 00:51:48,096 --> 00:51:49,586 Only one way to attain it. 1251 00:51:49,586 --> 00:51:51,855 Through Jesus Christ. 1252 00:51:51,855 --> 00:51:54,164 Let's pray. 1253 00:51:54,164 --> 00:51:55,789 Our Father, 1254 00:51:55,789 --> 00:51:59,044 forgive us all for our fears, 1255 00:51:59,044 --> 00:52:02,410 our cowardice, our selfishness, 1256 00:52:02,410 --> 00:52:04,609 our lack of love and compassion 1257 00:52:04,609 --> 00:52:06,514 for lost sinners. 1258 00:52:06,514 --> 00:52:09,552 Break our hearts, Lord, 1259 00:52:09,552 --> 00:52:12,964 help us to be more bold. 1260 00:52:12,964 --> 00:52:14,226 To love sinners better. 1261 00:52:14,226 --> 00:52:16,009 To love ourselves less. 1262 00:52:16,009 --> 00:52:18,189 To be willing to risk the estrangement, 1263 00:52:18,189 --> 00:52:21,940 the alienation, the persecution that will come. 1264 00:52:21,940 --> 00:52:23,938 Give us a sight of eternity. 1265 00:52:23,938 --> 00:52:26,578 Give us more of Your heart, Lord Jesus, 1266 00:52:26,578 --> 00:52:28,470 for those who are lost. 1267 00:52:28,470 --> 00:52:30,361 And then honor our labors, 1268 00:52:30,361 --> 00:52:32,164 that through us You might redeem 1269 00:52:32,164 --> 00:52:33,845 more of Your elect. 1270 00:52:33,845 --> 00:52:35,430 We pray in Your name, 1271 00:52:35,430 --> 00:52:36,558 Amen.