Speak with Boldness
“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Acts 18:9-10
This promise from God comes to Paul in a vision during his first visit to Corinth when he establishes the church in that city. Just prior to this text is the description of the way the Jewish leaders treated Paul and how he responded.
“Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6)
He had enough of the persecution of the Jews and turned his attention to the Gentiles with the Gospel. He actually went right next door. Ironically, when this happens, the leader of the synagogue and his family converted and became Jesus followers. Paul’s boldness to walk away actually opened the hearts of the Jews to respond to the Gospel and the church was born.
What if he hadn’t been so bold?
Perhaps not, if Paul had not been bold enough to know that God was going to protect him.
I remember a time in my ministry that I unwillingly had to be so bold.
I had been the senior Pastor at a particular church for over seven years. During the entire time I was there, one particular individual was at the center of any fracture within the fellowship of the church. It was not just me. History showed that he had been a thorn in the flesh of every staff member who served that church over the previous 25 years. Lay leaders in the church had also been frustrated by his approach to church life.
It became more and more difficult for the congregation to move forward. In discussion with my church leaders, it became apparent that the individual was going to have to be confronted. It fell on me as Senior Pastor to lead the charge. Conflict is not my strong suit, but God was leading me to address the cancer that was eating at the fellowship. I finally faced him and told him that all efforts at reconciliation had been exhausted and he needed to leave the church. I was emotionally and physically exhausted when it was over, but the man finally stopped arguing the point and left the church.
The fellowship improved and now, in a manner very much like our Immanuel process, the church has merged with another congregation and is doing quite well. I am confident that the merger and advancement of the Kingdom would not have happened with the continued presence of that gentleman.
God honored the boldness and stood by the leadership of our congregation. Like in the case of Paul, good things resulted because of speaking truth in boldness. God honors our faithfulness and gives us protection and strength to do what he calls us to do.
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31
RESPONSE: Is God calling you to take a bold stand for Him? Is He calling you to speak truth in your home, classroom, place of business or elsewhere? Seek guidance to make sure your word is from God. If it is and is boldly spoken, God will protect you. You will change lives for the glory of the Kingdom of God if you go forth in boldness.
This promise from God comes to Paul in a vision during his first visit to Corinth when he establishes the church in that city. Just prior to this text is the description of the way the Jewish leaders treated Paul and how he responded.
“Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6)
He had enough of the persecution of the Jews and turned his attention to the Gentiles with the Gospel. He actually went right next door. Ironically, when this happens, the leader of the synagogue and his family converted and became Jesus followers. Paul’s boldness to walk away actually opened the hearts of the Jews to respond to the Gospel and the church was born.
What if he hadn’t been so bold?
- Would there have been a church in Corinth?
- Would the gospel have spread further to the west and on to Rome?
- Would Paul have written the letters that now inspire the church today?
Perhaps not, if Paul had not been bold enough to know that God was going to protect him.
I remember a time in my ministry that I unwillingly had to be so bold.
I had been the senior Pastor at a particular church for over seven years. During the entire time I was there, one particular individual was at the center of any fracture within the fellowship of the church. It was not just me. History showed that he had been a thorn in the flesh of every staff member who served that church over the previous 25 years. Lay leaders in the church had also been frustrated by his approach to church life.
It became more and more difficult for the congregation to move forward. In discussion with my church leaders, it became apparent that the individual was going to have to be confronted. It fell on me as Senior Pastor to lead the charge. Conflict is not my strong suit, but God was leading me to address the cancer that was eating at the fellowship. I finally faced him and told him that all efforts at reconciliation had been exhausted and he needed to leave the church. I was emotionally and physically exhausted when it was over, but the man finally stopped arguing the point and left the church.
The fellowship improved and now, in a manner very much like our Immanuel process, the church has merged with another congregation and is doing quite well. I am confident that the merger and advancement of the Kingdom would not have happened with the continued presence of that gentleman.
God honored the boldness and stood by the leadership of our congregation. Like in the case of Paul, good things resulted because of speaking truth in boldness. God honors our faithfulness and gives us protection and strength to do what he calls us to do.
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31
RESPONSE: Is God calling you to take a bold stand for Him? Is He calling you to speak truth in your home, classroom, place of business or elsewhere? Seek guidance to make sure your word is from God. If it is and is boldly spoken, God will protect you. You will change lives for the glory of the Kingdom of God if you go forth in boldness.
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