In Jesus Name - Living Boldly In His Name
In His Name — Week 4: Living Boldly in His Name
The Name That Changes Everything
This is week four— of our series, In Jesus Name. And before we dive into today's message, I want to take just a moment to remind you where we've been — because this message doesn't stand alone. It stands on everything we've built together over these past few weeks.
We began this series by lifting our eyes to the Name above every name — Jesus. We discovered that His name isn't just a word we tack onto the end of a prayer. It carries authority, power, and peace that reigns over every single situation in your life. Then in week two, we learned that we are sent in His name. We're not just recipients of the gospel — we are ambassadors of it. We go representing the King, carrying His message of reconciliation to the people right in front of us every day.
Last week, we saw that this mission is never left to our own strength. We are empowered by His Spirit — the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us, equipping us to face fear and walk in courage even when we don't feel like we have what it takes.
And today — today we bring it all together. Because here is the thing about everything we've learned over these four weeks: it was never meant to just stay in your head. It was never meant to simply make you feel inspired on a Sunday morning and then fade by Monday afternoon. It was always — always — meant to be lived.
The authority of Jesus, the presence of Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus— they are meant to move from understanding into action. From belief into boldness.
From sitting in the pew into stepping into the world.
That is what today is about. Living Boldly in His Name.
I want to ask you something. Have you noticed how hesitant our world has become?
Think about it for a second. We live in an era of more platforms, more voices, and more ways to communicate than at any other point in human history. Social media has given everyone a megaphone. And yet — despite all that noise — people are more afraid to speak up than ever before.
Researchers have actually given this a name. They call it the spiral of silence. The idea is simple: when people fear their opinion will be rejected, ridiculed, or misunderstood, they go quiet. They scroll. They double-tap someone else's post instead of saying what they actually believe. They stay in the safe lane.
Slide A: A Gallup study found that fewer than one in ten Americans feel comfortable openly sharing their Christian beliefs in a public setting. One in ten. Think about your workplace, your neighborhood, your kids' school — and realize that two out of every three believers sitting right next to someone who desperately needs hope are staying silent because they're afraid of what might happen if they open their mouth.
Now — I want to be fair here. Because when the world hears the word "boldness," they often think of something negative. We've seen boldness weaponized as an excuse for arrogance. We've watched people be loud and brash and call it confidence. And so understandably, many believers pull back. They don't want to be that person. They don't want to be overbearing or pushy or preachy.
But here is what I need you to see today — the boldness Jesus calls us to looks absolutely nothing like the world's version. It is not loud for the sake of being loud. It is not aggressive or self-serving or performance-driven. It is something far more powerful than that. It is a quiet, rooted, unshakeable confidence that comes from knowing exactly whose name you carry. It is the kind of boldness that walks into a room not to be seen — but to serve. Not to impress — but to impact. Not in your own name — but in His.
Now here's why that matters for bold living. When you understand that you carry the name of Jesus into every situation, it changes everything. You don't walk into your Monday morning as just another employee. You walk in as a representative of the King. You don't enter a hard conversation in your own strength. You enter it as someone backed by the authority and presence of Jesus Christ.
So here's the question:
Slide B: Are we living like we know whose name we carry? Because a lot of us know the name of Jesus in here — in our hearts — but we haven't let it shape the way we walk out there. Bold living starts the moment we realize that the name we carry is not just a Sunday name. It's a Monday name. It's an everyday name. It's a name that changes the atmosphere wherever you go.
The name of Jesus is not just a signature at the end of your prayers. It is the authority by which you live your entire life.
And that changes everything.
Slide: Point 1: Boldness in Identity
So where does that kind of boldness come from? Luke chapter 10 gives us a powerful answer.
Jesus had sent out seventy-two disciples — ordinary people, not the inner circle, not the famous twelve — two by two into towns and villages ahead of Him. He sent them out with no travel bag, no extra shoes, just His authority and His mission. And when they came back, listen to what Luke records.
Scripture Slide: Luke 10:17-20 in the NLT says: "When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!' 'Yes,' he told them, 'I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.'"
Did you catch that? These disciples had just come back from what might be the greatest ministry experience of their lives. Demons were fleeing. People were being healed. The kingdom was breaking through everywhere they went. And they were fired up — and rightfully so! And Jesus, He says yes my authority it’s real. He says, yes, I saw it. Satan fell like lightning. This authority is real.
But then He does something unexpected. He redirects their joy. He says, don't rejoice because of what happened out there — rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
Now why would Jesus say that? Why pump the brakes on their excitement? Because He knew something we desperately need to hear today. Boldness that is built on results is fragile. If your confidence is tied to what God does through you, what happens when things don't go the way you expected? What happens when you prayed and nothing seemed to change? What happens when you were obedient and it still fell apart? That kind of boldness collapses under pressure.
But boldness built on identity, built on the Authority of Jesus — boldness rooted in the truth that your name is written in heaven, that you are chosen, loved, forgiven, redeemed, and fully known by God — that kind of boldness does not shake. It does not flinch. It does not depend on the outcome.
Doesnt that sound like Shadrach, Meshach and Abinigo in Daniel Chapter 3? 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.[f] But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Doesnt it sound like Daniel when He was told to stop praying…yet He stood with boldness, prayed was thrown in a lions den..but God!!
When you know who you are in Him, you stop living for approval and you start living from approval. You are not trying to prove yourself to anyone — you are simply living out who you already are in Christ. You are not paralyzed by what people might think, because what God thinks about you has already been settled once and for all at the cross.
Slide 1A: Your boldness doesn't start with what you do for God. It starts with knowing whose you are.
Slide 1B: It start with knowing who you are in Jesus!
Slide: Point 2: Intentional Boldness
Once our identity is firmly rooted in Christ,
Slide 2A: boldness has to move from who we are to how we live. And this is where so many believers get stuck — not because they don't believe, but because they are not being intentional. They are drifting through life waiting for a big, dramatic moment to be bold — and missing all the everyday moments God has already placed in their path.
Colossians 3:17 in the NLT says this: "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."
Whatever you do. Whatever you say. As a representative of Jesus. Not just on Sundays. Not just when it is convenient. Not just when someone is watching, and you want to look spiritual. Every. Single. Moment. Every interaction, every conversation, every decision becomes an act of bold obedience and an act of worship when it is done in His name.
Paul doubles down on this idea in Ephesians 5:15-16: "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."
Make the most of every opportunity! The word Paul uses there carries the idea of a window of time — a moment that, if you miss it, will not come back around. He is saying: pay attention. Wake up. Don't sleepwalk through your days. Bold living doesn't happen by accident — it is a daily, deliberate decision to use your words, your time, your influence, and your resources for the life that Jesus has called us to. For time that matters beyond this moment.
Think about what that looks like in real and practical terms. It is choosing to have the honest conversation you have been avoiding with someone who is far from God. It is deciding to pray with your coworker before their surgery instead of just saying "I'll be thinking about you." It is showing up consistently for your family, your neighbors, your community — not perfectly, but purposefully, in His name.
Jesus said in Matthew 5 that we are salt and light. Salt does not preserve anything by sitting in the shaker. Light does not illuminate a single thing by hiding under a bowl.
Bold living is Holy Spirit engaged living. It is stepping forward. It is showing up. It is making a Kingdom difference in the name of Jesus in the spaces you already occupy every single week.
And yes — that takes courage. There will be moments when living intentionally in His name is uncomfortable. It will be countercultural. It may cost you something. But this is exactly what Paul was getting at when he said, be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Bold living requires bold choosing — every single day.
Slide: Point 3: Boldness Influences
Here is what is beautiful about a life that is rooted in the identity and authority of Jesus — it does not stay contained.
Slide 3A: Holy Spirit Boldness spreads! It reaches further than you can see. It multiplies.
Slide 3B: Because boldness always extends through obedience.
Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 in the NLT: "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
The Great Commission is not a job description reserved for pastors and overseas missionaries. It is the calling of every single believer in this room. And notice — Jesus grounds the entire mission in authority that already belongs to Him. He is not asking us to go drum up our own confidence or manufacture our own courage. He is saying, I already have all authority — and because I do, you go. Our influence flows from His power, not ours.
Acts 1:8 shows us practically how this works: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Notice the progression — it starts right where you are. Jerusalem. Your home. Your street. Your office. Your classroom. Bold influence does not begin on the mission field across the ocean. It begins in your Monday morning. It begins at the dinner table. It begins in the break room when someone needs encouragement and you choose to be the one who speaks life.
And then it ripples. One act of boldness inspires another person to be bold. One honest conversation opens a door for the next one. One life surrendered to Jesus becomes a testimony that pulls someone else out of darkness. You may never fully see the reach of your faithfulness on this side of eternity — but God sees it. And He is using it in ways that go far beyond what you can track or measure.
Living boldly in His name means recognizing that your choices, your character, and your courage have an impact far beyond what is visible to you. Every step of obedience you take in His name is a stone dropped into still water — and the ripples travel further than you will ever know.
So ask yourself this morning… When was the last time you did something bold for God? Not reckless. Not careless. But genuinely, faith-filled, step-out-of-your-comfort-zone bold?
See, a lot of us are living careful lives. We're playing it safe. We're waiting for the perfect moment, the right opportunity, or enough confidence before we make a move. And while we're waiting, the kingdom of God is waiting on us.
Acts chapter 4, beginning at verse 29. — the early church had just been dragged before the religious leaders, threatened, and commanded to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. They had every reason to go quiet. Every reason to dial it back. Every reason to play it safe. But look at what they prayed:
"And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness." — Acts 4:29-31 NLT
Did you catch that? They weren't praying for protection from the threats. They were praying for boldness in spite of them. They weren't asking God to make their lives easier. They were asking Him to make their faith bigger. And God answered — the place shook, the Spirit fell, and they went out preaching with boldness.
That is the model for the kind of life God is calling every one of us to live. Not a life of fear. Not a life of hesitation. But a life of bold, faith-filled, Spirit-empowered obedience. And here's what I want you to hear today — bold living in Jesus' name is not reserved for apostles and preachers. It is the calling of every single believer sitting in this room.
I do not want us to walk out of here today with more information and no transformation. More knowledge without a moment of surrender is just religion. And Jesus didn't come for religion — He came for your whole life.
So I want to invite you into something right now. This is a moment — just between you and Jesus.
Slide C: I want to ask you honestly: Where you have been waiting for the right moment, the right words, the right circumstances — to finally step forward in boldness for Jesus? (Keep on this slide until closing slides)
Whatever it is — confess it, surrender it and step out in faith believing Jesus is able!
Take just a moment in the quiet. Tell Jesus specifically: this is the area, Lord. This is where I step forward — in Your name. Give it to Him right now.
[Moment of silent prayer]
Jesus, we receive Your grace. We receive Your boldness. We want to be changed into vessels for your use! Speak to us, fill us, lead us! We surrender to your call!
We do not go alone. We do not go powerless. We go with the authority of Your name, the presence of Your Spirit, and the promise that you are always with us!
Now may the One who has called you by name, sent you with purpose, and filled you with His Spirit go before you and behind you — empowering you with boldness, guiding you with wisdom, and using your everyday life to bring extraordinary hope, and reconciliation to a world that desperately needs to see Jesus.
Amen!
In a moment, I am going to lead us in a spoken declaration together. Say it out loud with me and mean every word. There is power in declaration of Gods word.
Let us stand together. And let's declare this — In His Name:
Slide Closing: Repeat after me — and surrender every word:
I am chosen by the Father.
I am sent in Jesus' name.
I am not alone — the Holy Spirit lives in me.
I walk in the power of His Spirit.
I am not ruled by fear — I am filled with power, love, and a sound mind.
When I am weak, He is my strength.
When I am uncertain, He is my guide.
I carry His presence wherever I go.
I am empowered by His Spirit to live boldly and love faithfully.
This is who I am — in Jesus' name!
The Name That Changes Everything
This is week four— of our series, In Jesus Name. And before we dive into today's message, I want to take just a moment to remind you where we've been — because this message doesn't stand alone. It stands on everything we've built together over these past few weeks.
We began this series by lifting our eyes to the Name above every name — Jesus. We discovered that His name isn't just a word we tack onto the end of a prayer. It carries authority, power, and peace that reigns over every single situation in your life. Then in week two, we learned that we are sent in His name. We're not just recipients of the gospel — we are ambassadors of it. We go representing the King, carrying His message of reconciliation to the people right in front of us every day.
Last week, we saw that this mission is never left to our own strength. We are empowered by His Spirit — the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us, equipping us to face fear and walk in courage even when we don't feel like we have what it takes.
And today — today we bring it all together. Because here is the thing about everything we've learned over these four weeks: it was never meant to just stay in your head. It was never meant to simply make you feel inspired on a Sunday morning and then fade by Monday afternoon. It was always — always — meant to be lived.
The authority of Jesus, the presence of Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus— they are meant to move from understanding into action. From belief into boldness.
From sitting in the pew into stepping into the world.
That is what today is about. Living Boldly in His Name.
I want to ask you something. Have you noticed how hesitant our world has become?
Think about it for a second. We live in an era of more platforms, more voices, and more ways to communicate than at any other point in human history. Social media has given everyone a megaphone. And yet — despite all that noise — people are more afraid to speak up than ever before.
Researchers have actually given this a name. They call it the spiral of silence. The idea is simple: when people fear their opinion will be rejected, ridiculed, or misunderstood, they go quiet. They scroll. They double-tap someone else's post instead of saying what they actually believe. They stay in the safe lane.
Slide A: A Gallup study found that fewer than one in ten Americans feel comfortable openly sharing their Christian beliefs in a public setting. One in ten. Think about your workplace, your neighborhood, your kids' school — and realize that two out of every three believers sitting right next to someone who desperately needs hope are staying silent because they're afraid of what might happen if they open their mouth.
Now — I want to be fair here. Because when the world hears the word "boldness," they often think of something negative. We've seen boldness weaponized as an excuse for arrogance. We've watched people be loud and brash and call it confidence. And so understandably, many believers pull back. They don't want to be that person. They don't want to be overbearing or pushy or preachy.
But here is what I need you to see today — the boldness Jesus calls us to looks absolutely nothing like the world's version. It is not loud for the sake of being loud. It is not aggressive or self-serving or performance-driven. It is something far more powerful than that. It is a quiet, rooted, unshakeable confidence that comes from knowing exactly whose name you carry. It is the kind of boldness that walks into a room not to be seen — but to serve. Not to impress — but to impact. Not in your own name — but in His.
Now here's why that matters for bold living. When you understand that you carry the name of Jesus into every situation, it changes everything. You don't walk into your Monday morning as just another employee. You walk in as a representative of the King. You don't enter a hard conversation in your own strength. You enter it as someone backed by the authority and presence of Jesus Christ.
So here's the question:
Slide B: Are we living like we know whose name we carry? Because a lot of us know the name of Jesus in here — in our hearts — but we haven't let it shape the way we walk out there. Bold living starts the moment we realize that the name we carry is not just a Sunday name. It's a Monday name. It's an everyday name. It's a name that changes the atmosphere wherever you go.
The name of Jesus is not just a signature at the end of your prayers. It is the authority by which you live your entire life.
And that changes everything.
Slide: Point 1: Boldness in Identity
So where does that kind of boldness come from? Luke chapter 10 gives us a powerful answer.
Jesus had sent out seventy-two disciples — ordinary people, not the inner circle, not the famous twelve — two by two into towns and villages ahead of Him. He sent them out with no travel bag, no extra shoes, just His authority and His mission. And when they came back, listen to what Luke records.
Scripture Slide: Luke 10:17-20 in the NLT says: "When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!' 'Yes,' he told them, 'I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.'"
Did you catch that? These disciples had just come back from what might be the greatest ministry experience of their lives. Demons were fleeing. People were being healed. The kingdom was breaking through everywhere they went. And they were fired up — and rightfully so! And Jesus, He says yes my authority it’s real. He says, yes, I saw it. Satan fell like lightning. This authority is real.
But then He does something unexpected. He redirects their joy. He says, don't rejoice because of what happened out there — rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
Now why would Jesus say that? Why pump the brakes on their excitement? Because He knew something we desperately need to hear today. Boldness that is built on results is fragile. If your confidence is tied to what God does through you, what happens when things don't go the way you expected? What happens when you prayed and nothing seemed to change? What happens when you were obedient and it still fell apart? That kind of boldness collapses under pressure.
But boldness built on identity, built on the Authority of Jesus — boldness rooted in the truth that your name is written in heaven, that you are chosen, loved, forgiven, redeemed, and fully known by God — that kind of boldness does not shake. It does not flinch. It does not depend on the outcome.
Doesnt that sound like Shadrach, Meshach and Abinigo in Daniel Chapter 3? 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.[f] But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Doesnt it sound like Daniel when He was told to stop praying…yet He stood with boldness, prayed was thrown in a lions den..but God!!
When you know who you are in Him, you stop living for approval and you start living from approval. You are not trying to prove yourself to anyone — you are simply living out who you already are in Christ. You are not paralyzed by what people might think, because what God thinks about you has already been settled once and for all at the cross.
Slide 1A: Your boldness doesn't start with what you do for God. It starts with knowing whose you are.
Slide 1B: It start with knowing who you are in Jesus!
Slide: Point 2: Intentional Boldness
Once our identity is firmly rooted in Christ,
Slide 2A: boldness has to move from who we are to how we live. And this is where so many believers get stuck — not because they don't believe, but because they are not being intentional. They are drifting through life waiting for a big, dramatic moment to be bold — and missing all the everyday moments God has already placed in their path.
Colossians 3:17 in the NLT says this: "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."
Whatever you do. Whatever you say. As a representative of Jesus. Not just on Sundays. Not just when it is convenient. Not just when someone is watching, and you want to look spiritual. Every. Single. Moment. Every interaction, every conversation, every decision becomes an act of bold obedience and an act of worship when it is done in His name.
Paul doubles down on this idea in Ephesians 5:15-16: "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."
Make the most of every opportunity! The word Paul uses there carries the idea of a window of time — a moment that, if you miss it, will not come back around. He is saying: pay attention. Wake up. Don't sleepwalk through your days. Bold living doesn't happen by accident — it is a daily, deliberate decision to use your words, your time, your influence, and your resources for the life that Jesus has called us to. For time that matters beyond this moment.
Think about what that looks like in real and practical terms. It is choosing to have the honest conversation you have been avoiding with someone who is far from God. It is deciding to pray with your coworker before their surgery instead of just saying "I'll be thinking about you." It is showing up consistently for your family, your neighbors, your community — not perfectly, but purposefully, in His name.
Jesus said in Matthew 5 that we are salt and light. Salt does not preserve anything by sitting in the shaker. Light does not illuminate a single thing by hiding under a bowl.
Bold living is Holy Spirit engaged living. It is stepping forward. It is showing up. It is making a Kingdom difference in the name of Jesus in the spaces you already occupy every single week.
And yes — that takes courage. There will be moments when living intentionally in His name is uncomfortable. It will be countercultural. It may cost you something. But this is exactly what Paul was getting at when he said, be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Bold living requires bold choosing — every single day.
Slide: Point 3: Boldness Influences
Here is what is beautiful about a life that is rooted in the identity and authority of Jesus — it does not stay contained.
Slide 3A: Holy Spirit Boldness spreads! It reaches further than you can see. It multiplies.
Slide 3B: Because boldness always extends through obedience.
Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 in the NLT: "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
The Great Commission is not a job description reserved for pastors and overseas missionaries. It is the calling of every single believer in this room. And notice — Jesus grounds the entire mission in authority that already belongs to Him. He is not asking us to go drum up our own confidence or manufacture our own courage. He is saying, I already have all authority — and because I do, you go. Our influence flows from His power, not ours.
Acts 1:8 shows us practically how this works: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Notice the progression — it starts right where you are. Jerusalem. Your home. Your street. Your office. Your classroom. Bold influence does not begin on the mission field across the ocean. It begins in your Monday morning. It begins at the dinner table. It begins in the break room when someone needs encouragement and you choose to be the one who speaks life.
And then it ripples. One act of boldness inspires another person to be bold. One honest conversation opens a door for the next one. One life surrendered to Jesus becomes a testimony that pulls someone else out of darkness. You may never fully see the reach of your faithfulness on this side of eternity — but God sees it. And He is using it in ways that go far beyond what you can track or measure.
Living boldly in His name means recognizing that your choices, your character, and your courage have an impact far beyond what is visible to you. Every step of obedience you take in His name is a stone dropped into still water — and the ripples travel further than you will ever know.
So ask yourself this morning… When was the last time you did something bold for God? Not reckless. Not careless. But genuinely, faith-filled, step-out-of-your-comfort-zone bold?
See, a lot of us are living careful lives. We're playing it safe. We're waiting for the perfect moment, the right opportunity, or enough confidence before we make a move. And while we're waiting, the kingdom of God is waiting on us.
Acts chapter 4, beginning at verse 29. — the early church had just been dragged before the religious leaders, threatened, and commanded to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. They had every reason to go quiet. Every reason to dial it back. Every reason to play it safe. But look at what they prayed:
"And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness." — Acts 4:29-31 NLT
Did you catch that? They weren't praying for protection from the threats. They were praying for boldness in spite of them. They weren't asking God to make their lives easier. They were asking Him to make their faith bigger. And God answered — the place shook, the Spirit fell, and they went out preaching with boldness.
That is the model for the kind of life God is calling every one of us to live. Not a life of fear. Not a life of hesitation. But a life of bold, faith-filled, Spirit-empowered obedience. And here's what I want you to hear today — bold living in Jesus' name is not reserved for apostles and preachers. It is the calling of every single believer sitting in this room.
I do not want us to walk out of here today with more information and no transformation. More knowledge without a moment of surrender is just religion. And Jesus didn't come for religion — He came for your whole life.
So I want to invite you into something right now. This is a moment — just between you and Jesus.
Slide C: I want to ask you honestly: Where you have been waiting for the right moment, the right words, the right circumstances — to finally step forward in boldness for Jesus? (Keep on this slide until closing slides)
Whatever it is — confess it, surrender it and step out in faith believing Jesus is able!
Take just a moment in the quiet. Tell Jesus specifically: this is the area, Lord. This is where I step forward — in Your name. Give it to Him right now.
[Moment of silent prayer]
Jesus, we receive Your grace. We receive Your boldness. We want to be changed into vessels for your use! Speak to us, fill us, lead us! We surrender to your call!
We do not go alone. We do not go powerless. We go with the authority of Your name, the presence of Your Spirit, and the promise that you are always with us!
Now may the One who has called you by name, sent you with purpose, and filled you with His Spirit go before you and behind you — empowering you with boldness, guiding you with wisdom, and using your everyday life to bring extraordinary hope, and reconciliation to a world that desperately needs to see Jesus.
Amen!
In a moment, I am going to lead us in a spoken declaration together. Say it out loud with me and mean every word. There is power in declaration of Gods word.
Let us stand together. And let's declare this — In His Name:
Slide Closing: Repeat after me — and surrender every word:
I am chosen by the Father.
I am sent in Jesus' name.
I am not alone — the Holy Spirit lives in me.
I walk in the power of His Spirit.
I am not ruled by fear — I am filled with power, love, and a sound mind.
When I am weak, He is my strength.
When I am uncertain, He is my guide.
I carry His presence wherever I go.
I am empowered by His Spirit to live boldly and love faithfully.
This is who I am — in Jesus' name!
Posted in Sunday Sermons