Worship

“The Blood” by Bethel Music, featuring Mitch Wong

Scripture

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, ‘What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’

And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.” -Acts 4:13-22 (ESV)

The Power of Testimony

They wouldn’t stop; they couldn’t stop testifying of the wonder of Jesus! All because the blood of Jesus made a way for the impossible to become normative. The resurrection made a way for the Spirit to come and consume them. They were overtaken by the love of Christ and the boldness of the Holy Spirit. You just can’t keep quiet about the glorious power and life transforming love of Jesus, especially when He finds a willing vessel to flow through. There was no way these two were going to stop talking! Their message and the miracles that followed went hand in hand for Peter and John. And the commission on Jesus’ lips for their new identity, “‘you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8),’” became the force to be reckoned with—especially with the religious!

Amy Carmichael’s Challenge

“Does it not stir up our hearts, to go forth and help them, does it not make us long to leave our luxury, our exceeding abundant light, and go to them that sit in darkness?” -Amy Carmichael

The Foundation of Boldness

If you take in the word of the song we opened this day with, it’s packed full of New Covenant theology! It was never about our striving or our perfection or performance; it was always and only about the victorious blood of Jesus to make us righteous, holy, and bold for the sake of the gospel. Because He paid it all, we can give it all. Because He gave everything, we have everything to give for the sake of Christ.

Peter and John were willing to lay down their fear of man for the cause of Christ.

They were willing to be punished and imprisoned for the cause of Christ.

They were willing to hold back nothing for the cause of Christ.

They were willing to pray boldly for the cause of Christ.

They were willing to stand against opposition for the cause of Christ.

They would not stop speaking for the cause of Christ.

Where do you find yourself? What are you willing to lay down for the sake of the gospel? Why do we not have the same fervor as Peter and John? Where has it gone?

The Current Crisis

Do you know we used to be the No. 1 sending nation for missionaries all over the world? It’s why our nation was born—the most redeeming gift a nation can carry. I need you to read the current state of affairs through the eyes of a Laotian believer by the alias name Tobias Issara:

“We live in a globalized world where Christians in the West are more resourced and informed than ever but care less and less about God’s global mission to establish His reign among every people, tongue, tribe and nation. In the post-missional West, secularism has invaded our faith, and Christian churches have lost their missional edge. We’ve become cultural Christians and are more concerned with national interests like Super Bowls, Sunday services, personal security, freedom of expression, and status quo spirituality. We don’t actually want to change the world for Jesus because we are comfortable with just being in it.”

How did we lose the fervor and passion where we can’t stop talking about what we have seen and heard?

As you read this, I will be trekking with my team through the mountains of South Asia to villages where people have never heard the name of Jesus. They worship thousands of gods in Hinduism or follow Buddha. We get to travel thousands of sleepless miles, trek through leech-infested jungle, and sit with villagers to bring the greatest news they will ever hear. There is no greater honor or adventure than following Jesus into the places He determines we should go and the people who have been assigned to each one of us.

Peter and John probably passed that crippled man for years as they went daily to the temple to pray. But one day, Heaven stopped Peter and John and invited them into a divine encounter where their message would intersect the power of God. You and I have all had these moments with Jesus, if not only at the moment of salvation. But there are more for us, if we would only get to the place of love and boldness where we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard because we know the very God of the universe personally! More than 3 billion people around the world are waiting for you, who have been with Jesus, transformed by His love, filled with His Spirit, and sent to the world. This invitation into a life of radical deviance from our “post-missional West” is for you!

Amy Carmichael’s Urgency

“We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but we have only the few hours before sunset in which to win them.” -Amy Carmichael

For the last few months, the Holy Spirit has impressed on me that Arise emphasize a missionary movement by which we redeem this hour in our nation and raise up missionaries who will go and speak of what they have seen and heard. It will redeem the darkness that is rolling in over America. There are no age or demographical requirements, just those willing to raise their hands and say, “Yes,” to His calling. Some women will be shifting vocations entirely, and some will be shifting priorities. But the Spirit of the Lord is raising up many in this hour who are willing to forsake the luxuries of life for the cause of Christ. The table of opportunity is large, and there is a seat for you.

Let me close with an excerpt from a fabulous book I am reading, “The Mind of a Missionary” by David Joannes. May it challenge you to raise your hand and say, “Yes,” to a radically deviant, Holy Spirit led life.

“Do you desire to thrive on mission as you make known the glory of God to those around you? Radical obedience to the commands of Christ calls for countercultural nonconformity. Do you want to see God’s Kingdom established on the earth? Dive head first into the deep end of an unchartered adventure with your Heavenly Father. He will guide the water’s current and lead you to places you never thought possible. Make no mistake, this manner of unreserved compliance to the King’s commission is not the common course of action. Your friends may call you crazy; even your family members might turn their lip and question your motivations. Common sense compels you to conform to the generally accepted, highly-overrated modus operandi. Don’t give in. Status quo is not all it’s cracked up to be. God values joyful acquiescence and willful obedience. He desires to journey with you and to show you the path of life. Only in His presence will you find fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.”

It’s time! Let’s go!