The Bold Church - Sermon With Worship

The Bold Church: Living Out the Gospel with Courage

In a world that often seems chaotic and confusing, there's a pressing need for boldness among those who follow Christ. But what does it truly mean to be bold in our faith? How can we, as individuals and as a church, live out the gospel with the kind of courage that changes lives and transforms communities?

The story of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal serves as a powerful illustration of what godly boldness looks like. Picture the scene: Elijah, standing alone against hundreds of false prophets, full of confidence and courage. This wasn't bravado based on his own abilities, but a deep-rooted trust in the power of his God. Elijah stepped out onto what could only be described as a very thin limb, with no turning back. Either God would show up, or Elijah would face dire consequences. Yet not for a moment did he doubt that God would act.

This kind of boldness reverberates through history, challenging us to examine our own lives. When was the last time we acted with such faith that, for God not to show up, would mean not just personal embarrassment, but potentially tarnishing God's reputation? It's a sobering question, and one that might explain why many modern churches feel tired, inept, or stagnant.

The early church in Ephesus provides another powerful example of what can happen when believers embrace gospel boldness. As recorded in the book of Acts, we see a remarkable transformation taking place. The gospel message, coupled with discipleship and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit, led to healings, deliverances, and a deep commitment to following Christ. This culminated in a profound moment where believers publicly confessed and renounced sinful practices they had been holding onto.

An intriguing analogy helps us understand this process. Picture a tree in springtime. As new life surges from within, it pushes off the dead leaves that managed to cling on through the winter. In the same way, the life of Christ within believers pushes out the remnants of our old, dead nature. It's not a passive process, but an active one that requires our engagement and surrender.

This internal transformation led to external impact. The bold witness of the Ephesian church began to affect the very economic and social fabric of their city. The gospel's influence was so strong that those who made their living from idolatry began to worry about their businesses. A silversmith named Demetrius, who crafted shrines to the goddess Artemis, rallied his fellow tradesmen against the Christians, claiming that Paul's preaching was not only threatening their livelihood but also the worship of Artemis herself.

The resulting uproar reveals an important truth: a bold church is an effective church, but it's also likely to face persecution. The gospel, when lived out courageously, will always provoke a response – both positive and negative. Some will be drawn to Christ, while others will resist and even attack.

Yet history shows us a paradox: when the church faces the most intense persecution, it often experiences its most explosive growth. The modern church in China serves as a prime example. Despite increasing oppression, Christianity has spread rapidly, to the point where Chinese believers now represent one of the largest Christian populations in the world.

This resilience is beautifully illustrated by the nature of bamboo. Known for its remarkable strength, bamboo can exert enough force when growing to crack through solid pavement. When faced with an obstacle, it either breaks through or finds a way around – but it doesn't stop growing. After a period of quiet development underground, it can shoot up rapidly once it finds an opening.

Similarly, the church in China experienced decades of quiet, underground growth before economic reforms in the 1980s allowed for more rapid expansion. Today, the spread of Christianity is considered one of the greatest concerns for the nation's Communist leadership.

This brings us to a crucial point of reflection: Have we lost the boldness that should characterize followers of Christ? When we first come to faith, there's often an initial surge of courage – a desire to share the good news with those closest to us, regardless of how they might react. But if this boldness isn't cultivated through discipleship and continual surrender to God, it can wane over time.

The result is a Christianity that seeks comfort over courage, that tries to blend in rather than stand out. We find ourselves asking, "How can I be a Christian without being the 'freak' in the room?" – when in reality, we're called to be distinct, to live counter-culturally for the sake of the gospel.

The challenge before us is clear: Will we be a bold church? Will we allow the life of Christ within us to push out the remnants of our old nature? Will we cultivate the kind of courage that faces obstacles head-on, finding a way through or around, but never bending to the pressures of the world?

This isn't a call to recklessness or needless provocation. Rather, it's an invitation to live with such conviction and love for Christ that our lives naturally stand out. It's about being so filled with the gospel that we can't help but share it, even when doing so might cost us something.

For those who have yet to experience this transforming power of Christ, the invitation stands: Recognize the brokenness that comes from sin, understand that no amount of self-effort can fix it, and turn to Jesus. He lived the perfect life we couldn't, died the death we deserved, and rose again to offer us new life. By trusting in Him, asking forgiveness, and surrendering our lives to His lordship, we can become new creations with a new purpose and a new boldness.

For those already following Christ, the call is to press deeper into the gospel. Let it continually transform you, pushing out the 'dead leaves' of old habits and mindsets. Seek discipleship, cultivate courage, and ask God for opportunities to live out your faith boldly.

In a world desperately in need of hope and truth, may we be a church that stands out – not for our own glory, but for the glory of God. May we be known for our love, our courage, and our unwavering commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The path may not be easy, but the impact of a truly bold church is immeasurable. Are you ready to embrace this calling?