Topical Sermon: Boldness in Christ

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-23

Boldness in Christ

Intro.

1. One of the temptations we face & must overcome is the fear & shame of being a Christian, Mk. 8:38; Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 1:8.

2. Christians are to live in confident hope and assurance in Christ, Heb. 3:6 (10:19, 35; Eph. 3:12).

3. God’s people need boldness! But, what is boldness? And, in what areas of our lives must we be bold?

I. DEFINING BOLDNESS.

A. It is Courage and Confident Assurance.

1. Phil. 1:20 (parrhesia): Contrasted with shame; Freedom, unreserved; Courage to live and die for Christ.

2. Phil. 1:14 (tolmao): “To dare to do” – Action that proceeds from being confident (here, speaking the word of God without fear); cf. Mk. 15:43, to “take courage” / to act without fear.

B. It is to Act with Plainness, Frankness, and Openness.

1. Without ambiguity, Mk. 8:31-32 (parrhesia).

-cf. Jno. 7:13 (openly) with Jno. 7:26 (also in Jno. 10:24).

2. Not concealed or secret, Jno. 18:20 (cf. 2 Cor. 3:12-13).

C. It is to Act without Hesitation or Reservation.

1. Speak freely in face of opposition & conflict, Acts 4:29, 31 (parrhesia).

2. Without hesitation (because we have a great high priest, Heb. 4:16 (14-15).

D. Boldness is Not…

1. Rude toward others (considerate).

2. Bullying another person (kind).

3. Arrogant toward others (humble).

* Summary: “A courageous confidence that causes one to speak and act openly, without hesitation or reservation.”

II. CHRISTIANS NEED BOLDNESS:

A. In our Personal Faith.

1. 2 Tim. 1:7-8, 12: Disposition of courage to believe & to live openly for Jesus (must know Him).

2. 2 Pet. 1:5: Moral courage to live our faith.

3. Prov. 28:1: Righteousness stirs up boldness due to our faith, cf. Phil. 1:27-30.

4. Our faith must be courageous, open & unhesitatingly committed to obeying Christ.

B. In our Homes.

1. Confidence to arrange our homes after God’s design (marriage, headship, parental responsibilities, obedient children – cf. Gen. 18:19).

2. In the face of the world’s opposition & immoral agendas for family:

a. Marriage “out-dated” / Same-sex marriage / Headship is chauvinistic / Parents must not spank children / Children given the run of the house.

b. Humanism has devoured the family in America.

3. Christians need to boldly oppose such destructive changes, as well as boldly stand up for God’s design of the home, Eph. 5:22, 25; 6:1, 4.

a. Plainness: Standards must be sent and obeyed.

b. Without hesitation: Assured that God’s arrangement of the home is right.

C. In the Local Church (2 Cor. 7:4).

1. Courage to participate & serve (1 Tim. 3:13: Deacons who serve well gain a good standing & great boldness in the faith).

a. Serve where & when you can without hesitation.

b. Have courage to encourage others, to teach, exhort, warn, to grow.

2. Openness needed to strengthen brotherly relationships in Christ, Heb. 2:11. Christ is not ashamed of us – some act like they are ashamed to call others (or be called) their brethren!

3. Without hesitation we must work toward the growth & strengthening of the church (Eph. 4:16).

D. In Teaching and Defending the Word of God, Acts 4:29, 31; 9:29.

1. Speak the gospel with confidence & openness, Eph. 6:19-20.

2. Speak the gospel without fear or shame, Phil. 1:14 (Rom. 15:15).

3. Clearly, openly (Jesus, Jno. 18:20).

4. We need clear Bible teaching that exposes sin & commands obedience (like Jesus and the apostles preached).

5. Courage to oppose error, Acts 13:44-46.

a. Easy to cave in when opposition occurs, Acts 9:29; 19:8.

b. Must preach w/ courage even in conflict, 1 Ths. 2:2 (Gal. 2:11, 14).

E. In the Day of Judgment, 1 Jno. 2:28 (confidence, parrhesia).

1. By abiding in Christ (obeying His truth), 1 Jno. 2:24-25.

2. By living in love, there is no fear…no punishment, 1 Jno. 4:16-19 (cf. Rev. 21:8).

Conclusion

1. Do not fear man – be confident to live in Christ & be a faithful Christian, Matt. 10:28.

2. The Lord’s presence, His power & the promise of His word gives us boldness to live by faith, Heb. 13:5-6