8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,9if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone. 12"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."
(Acts 4:8-12)
Central Truth:
Conviction + Confidence = Boldness
LIVE BOLDLY
The Book of Acts depicts what the Church of Jesus Christ (His followers) is and how it should "ACT."
The following thoughts come to mind when I read this awesome book:
1. Christ "Followers" became "Doers."
2. Christians embraced and utilized the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
3. Christians demonstrated fearlessness in their Faith.
4. Their belief in Christ motivated their focus on the lost.
5. Their love for the lost superseded any fear of harsh persecution they received from the religious community.
6. The Church was a very close knit community of believers who sacrificed greatly for the goal of spreading the Gospel.
7. Christians were fearless in their public profession of Jesus as the only Savior.
8. They demonstrated boldness. They prayed for boldness. Their confidence in their convictions fueled their boldness.
Basically, Jesus is personified in the lives of these early Christians through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. God knew that the only way His followers could carry out and fulfill His will is that every person hear about His saving grace through His only Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is God's plan for us that we be filled with the Holy Spirit, the third "person" of the Trinity. We need to recognize that "He" empowers us to execute God's specific plan for our lives on a moment by moment basis with conviction, confidence and boldness!
No one exemplified conviction, confidence, and boldness more than Jesus! He understood His Father's plan for His life. His commitment to fulfilling His purpose was so incredibly bold. He never wavered in His focus on reaching out in total unconditional love toward every person He came in contact with.
The only way we can execute Jesus's example of how to live here on earth is through the continual filling of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 4:8-12)
Central Truth:
Conviction + Confidence = Boldness
LIVE BOLDLY
The Book of Acts depicts what the Church of Jesus Christ (His followers) is and how it should "ACT."
The following thoughts come to mind when I read this awesome book:
1. Christ "Followers" became "Doers."
2. Christians embraced and utilized the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
3. Christians demonstrated fearlessness in their Faith.
4. Their belief in Christ motivated their focus on the lost.
5. Their love for the lost superseded any fear of harsh persecution they received from the religious community.
6. The Church was a very close knit community of believers who sacrificed greatly for the goal of spreading the Gospel.
7. Christians were fearless in their public profession of Jesus as the only Savior.
8. They demonstrated boldness. They prayed for boldness. Their confidence in their convictions fueled their boldness.
Basically, Jesus is personified in the lives of these early Christians through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. God knew that the only way His followers could carry out and fulfill His will is that every person hear about His saving grace through His only Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is God's plan for us that we be filled with the Holy Spirit, the third "person" of the Trinity. We need to recognize that "He" empowers us to execute God's specific plan for our lives on a moment by moment basis with conviction, confidence and boldness!
No one exemplified conviction, confidence, and boldness more than Jesus! He understood His Father's plan for His life. His commitment to fulfilling His purpose was so incredibly bold. He never wavered in His focus on reaching out in total unconditional love toward every person He came in contact with.
The only way we can execute Jesus's example of how to live here on earth is through the continual filling of the Holy Spirit.
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