Courage & Boldness

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts ends without a resolution. No final verdict for Paul, no tidy conclusion. That might feel unsatisfying until you realize the story was never meant to end. The book of Acts is the story of the church, and the church is still here. We are not spectators reading ancient history. We are the next chapter, built on the foundation the apostles laid, with Christ as the cornerstone.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

How do you respond when the world becomes hostile to your faith? Paul faced false accusations and imprisonment, yet maintained integrity and truth. The real battle isn't external opposition—it's internal. When people reject Christ, they're wrestling with surrendering their own throne. Paul shows us that responding with character, not defensiveness, reveals Christ's power even in persecution.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Have you ever felt like Paul in Corinth, beaten down by life's challenges, facing what seems impossible? In Acts 18, we discover that even the great apostle struggled with fear and discouragement. Yet God's response reveals three powerful truths: He provides people for community, speaks peace in our storms, and reveals purpose beyond ourselves when we rest in His sufficiency rather than our own strength.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts 5:12–42 shows that the mission of Jesus advances through Spirit-empowered believers who refuse to be silenced. Despite threats, imprisonment, and flogging, the apostles boldly proclaim Christ, rejoicing in suffering because they live for a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Their courage isn’t rooted in personality—it’s fueled by the Holy Spirit and anchored in eternal hope.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts 4:23-37 reveals that success in adversity comes not from waiting for trials to pass but from seeking the Lord, resting in His sovereignty, and praying for boldness even when afraid. When threatened by authorities, the early church didn't pray for comfort or revenge but for courage to continue speaking God's Word. Their faith was proven genuine through selfless living, biblical unity, and radical generosity—demonstrating that a ground-shaking God enables His people to remain unshakable.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts 4 teaches that the gospel transforms cultures not through compromise but through believers who know who they are because they know who God is. When religious leaders arrested Peter and John for healing a lame man, they revealed the real issue wasn't truth but control. The apostles' boldness came not from arrogance but from an unshakeable foundation: a dead man was walking, proving Jesus's resurrection and validating their message that salvation exists in no other name.

From the series: Unveiled: A Study in Revelation

Revelation 11 reminds believers of four certainties: our greater hope in Christ, the opportunity to reflect His light, endurance through adversity, and the ultimate victory through him. This chapter highlights God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, urging us to live boldly for His glory, trusting in His promises amidst tribulation.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

God wants us to make a difference in this world and stand for truth, not just what is popular in the culture around us. The body of Christ can only be effective when we are working together on mission to serve the people around us.

From the series: Jars of Clay

The Apostle Paul talks about his meekness in serving the Lord, but what does Godly meekness look like? It might be a little different than you think.

From the series: Standalone Messages

As we look forward to a new year, we take some time to examine our hearts to see if there is one thing we could do to grow closer to Jesus in 2022.

From the series: Light the Dark

When we align our lives with Jesus, we will face conflict when it comes to the things of this world. In this passage, Jesus reminds us that we shouldn't be surprised when we face adversity but know that he has provided the Holy Spirit to help us.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

We've all heard the story of David and Goliath, but do we fully understand it's lessons? This week we're diving into 1 Samuel 17 and discovering how we can be faithful in adversity.

From the series: Cultural Collision

Focuses on Daniel Chapter 3, highlighting the faith and courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It emphasizes their refusal to bow to a golden idol despite the threat of death, showcasing their steadfast faith in God. The narrative explores themes of cultural pressure, loyalty to God over worldly rulers, and the power of standing firm in one’s beliefs, even in the face of immense adversity. Encourages us to stay true to our faith regardless of societal expectations or pressures.

From the series: The Genius of Jesus

Explores the concept of forming convictions based on Jesus' teachings. It discusses the significance of Jesus' teachings in shaping personal beliefs and attitudes, focusing on the story of Jesus being tested by Pharisees regarding marriage and divorce. Reflects on the historical and cultural context of Jesus' response and emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the core principles of Christianity in forming personal convictions.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Discusses overcoming fear to embrace God's plan, focusing on Joseph's initial fear about Mary's pregnancy. It emphasizes trust in God over fear of societal judgment, highlighting Joseph's decision to accept Mary and the divine nature of Jesus' conception.

From the series: Outlasters

Emphasizes the importance of being motivated in one's faith, actively sharing and standing firm in God's truth despite challenges. Outlines Paul's teachings on using one's life for God's glory, encouraging open proclamation of the gospel, and the necessity of enduring and evangelizing with patience and dedication.

From the series: Outlasters

Addresses the challenge of standing firm in faith amid opposition, drawing from 2 Timothy 2 and church history. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and proclaiming God's truth, highlighting the early Christians' perseverance despite severe persecution. Includes how to define and defend truth in the face of societal pressures and the crucial role of community and scripture in maintaining faithfulness.

From the series: Outlasters

Discusses Timothy's challenge to make a difference in a world opposed to God's message, emphasizing strength in God's grace and the importance of godly examples and mentorship. It underscores the impact of living and sharing one's faith boldly and compassionately, drawing on the early Christian martyrs as inspiration for standing firm in faith despite persecution and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

From the series: Loving the Old Testament

Emphasizes God's providential care in seemingly secular circumstances. It highlights Esther's courage and strategic action, which led to the salvation of her people, demonstrating God’s intervention and the importance of faith and bravery in difficult times.

From the series: Loving the Old Testament

Focuses on how God uses unlikely individuals for His purposes. It highlights Gideon's story from the Book of Judges, showing that despite Gideon's initial fear and doubt, God empowered him to lead Israel to victory. This narrative illustrates that God's strength and guidance can make heroes out of the most unlikely people.

From the series: Jonah

Focusing on the prophet Jonah's journey and internal struggle with God's calling. Reflects on Jonah's reluctance to follow God's command to preach to Nineveh, a wicked city, and how Jonah's disobedience stemmed from pride and selfishness. Encourages believers to seek boldness in fulfilling God's will, even when it seems difficult or uncomfortable, and emphasizes the importance of trusting God in the face of challenging circumstances.

From the series: Jonah

Introduces the series on Jonah, highlighting how Jonah’s internal struggle with God’s calling reflects common challenges in personal faith journeys. Jonah, called to preach repentance to Nineveh, struggles to accept this mission due to the city's wickedness. Draws parallels between Jonah's resistance and modern reluctance to follow God’s plans when they seem difficult. Ultimately, it emphasizes obedience to God's will and the transformative power of trusting in Him, even in challenging circumstances.

From the series: Building One Brick at a Time

Focuses on leadership through integrity, prayer, and conviction. Nehemiah, though not a charismatic figure, becomes a leader due to his faithfulness and determination to rebuild Jerusalem. The message emphasizes the importance of taking a stand for God's mission, praying for strength, and making plans to act on God's calling.

Written by: Darragh Schnetz The world is going a little crazy (okay, a lot crazy) and people are scared. I mean, when you hear words like “pandemic”, “emergency”, and “quarantine”, how can you not…

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Real leaders face hard problems instead of burying them. Four marks of the courageous leadership our churches and families need.

We remember Daniel for facing the lions, but his real courage showed up long before. A look at the quiet faithfulness that put him there.