Praise the Lord for this summer season here in America the
beautiful. It is the monsoon season in India. Seasons come and go; they have a
beginning and an end. Waiting is also a season in our lives and we have no
option but to go through it. Jesus used the fig tree in Matthew 24:29-31
to illustrate that we need to be aware of our spiritual surroundings and
seasons.
One of the greatest tragedies for Christians is
they do not recognize the season they are in. Summer
is a time of spiritual development and fruit bearing. Applied to our
personal spiritual development, we might find ourselves learning to study
Scripture better, having deeply significant devotions where we feel God’s
presence more regularly, worshipping the Lord with His people intentionally,
faithfully and regularly... On the other hand, Satan will attempt to divert us,
to cause us to put our energies into non-fruit bearing activities. Often we are
tempted to invest our energies and the resources on trivia.
Jesus, who is the Lord in all seasons and the Lord
of all seasons, ordains spiritual seasons to provide the greatest spiritual
fruit-bearing and the greatest spiritual growth. Recognizing the
season we are in and responding appropriately to that season is the best way to
insure continued spiritual growth and a life that bears Godly fruit.
The Lord
blessed us with an abundant Sunday yesterday. It was a great thrill and blessing
to be in the House of the Lord worshipping Him and celebrating His grace and
love. During the morning worship I preached from Acts 4, on " Holy Boldness. We
gathered for a Block Party in Binghamton yesterday evening for an Adult baptism,
worship, and celebration, followed by great time of food and fellowship. It was
an outdoor service. All the neighbors and friends were invited. There were so
many young adults and young people who came, many with young children. We sang
and praised the Lord. The Lord visited us.
One of the heroic stories to come out of the 9/11 tragedy is
the story of Todd Beamer. He and several passengers on flight 93 have become
heroes to us because of their bravery. In all likelihood their actions, in the
face of death, saved hundreds of lives, and very possibly the White House or
Capitol. The phrase he used as they decided to storm the cockpit was ‘Let’s
Roll.’
In many ways, this is the theme of Acts - let’s get going. Let’s go out and share...
Acts 4:13 KJV "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The NIV says it like this,
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Acts 4:29-31 KJV continues the story, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Boldness is something desired by almost all Christians. Holy Boldness in the Lord includes courage, conviction, passion, and fearlessness. Frequently, we hear Christians pray for boldness. This is Scriptural, as we see in Acts 4. These first believers in the early Church prayed for boldness and God answered in a mighty way. The whole building shook with the power of God, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they Spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:33 NIV "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. God gave them Great Power through the Holy Spirit."
THE OPPOSITE OF BOLDNESS IS FEAR. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “BOLD AS A LION”? Phil 4:13 KJV says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Many Bible characters exhibited great courage in their walk with God. The prophet Elijah was bold and courageous as he battled the "gods". In Daniel, 3 the Hebrew men in the King’s furnace showed tremendous courage. Peter, John, and Paul in the New Testament were courageous in the face of all manner of opposition.
In many ways, this is the theme of Acts - let’s get going. Let’s go out and share...
Acts 4:13 KJV "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The NIV says it like this,
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Acts 4:29-31 KJV continues the story, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Boldness is something desired by almost all Christians. Holy Boldness in the Lord includes courage, conviction, passion, and fearlessness. Frequently, we hear Christians pray for boldness. This is Scriptural, as we see in Acts 4. These first believers in the early Church prayed for boldness and God answered in a mighty way. The whole building shook with the power of God, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they Spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:33 NIV "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. God gave them Great Power through the Holy Spirit."
THE OPPOSITE OF BOLDNESS IS FEAR. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “BOLD AS A LION”? Phil 4:13 KJV says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Many Bible characters exhibited great courage in their walk with God. The prophet Elijah was bold and courageous as he battled the "gods". In Daniel, 3 the Hebrew men in the King’s furnace showed tremendous courage. Peter, John, and Paul in the New Testament were courageous in the face of all manner of opposition.
The Story of Joshua and Caleb at the Promised Land has always
blessed me. Moses had sent the 12 Spies into the Land of Caanan on what was
basically a reconnaissance Mission. 40 Days later, when they Returned, 10 of the
spies gave what God called an “evil report.” Ten were afraid. They reported that
the people there "are too Strong for us". They continued, "They are giants and
we are grasshoppers in their sight." Joshua and Caleb, however, said, “Let’s go
up at once and possess the land, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Fearlessness is the main idea of 2 Timothy 1:6, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." When the Spirit of God is stirred up and activated within you, you can live a life that is free from fear.
Holy boldness is NOT arrogance or boasting. It is NOT bragging on yourself. James 4:6, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Holy Boldness will ONLY operate within the framework of love and humility. To be great in God's Kingdom, we must each first be a servant.
Fearlessness is the main idea of 2 Timothy 1:6, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." When the Spirit of God is stirred up and activated within you, you can live a life that is free from fear.
Holy boldness is NOT arrogance or boasting. It is NOT bragging on yourself. James 4:6, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Holy Boldness will ONLY operate within the framework of love and humility. To be great in God's Kingdom, we must each first be a servant.
In
Christ,
Brown
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