Sharing the Gospel with BOLDNESS

Dear Christians,

Do you share the Apostle Paul’s sentiment about preaching the GOSPEL with boldness, or in confidence as some translate the Hebrew word “parrēsia”? [Confidence (Noun, or Verb with "have"), Confident (-ly): often rendered "confidence" in the AV, is in all such instances rendered "boldness" –Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words—blb.org]

“…Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired house, and was receiving all those coming in unto him, 31 preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness -- unforbidden.”—Acts 28:30-31 [YLT]

“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”—Acts 28:31 [KLV]

If so, it is a fine and commendable blessing. It is a testimony to the depth of your faith and conviction in GOD’s Word together with being born again in the HOLY Spirit. Confidence or boldness does not bow to anyone except as a Christian, then the only one to whom confidence will bow is to GOD as GOD edifies and fine tunes our conviction all the more with instruction by the Holy Spirit.

If you lack confidence or boldness, especially in the current cultures the world over, it is surely a worthwhile effort to pray that GOD gives you the confidence you need to carry out your Christian Commission as expressed in Matt 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

To be clear, boldness and confidence have similar meanings and overlap in the level of commitment one has to the subject of their bold and confident stand. There are times when being confident is sufficient while being bold may be more demonstrative. For instance, you may be confident when you see a building in flames that destruction, at the very least to the building, is inevitable if left to consume its fuel. However, boldly announcing a FIRE is essential especially if life is at peril. You then are moved to do everything you can to alert anyone necessary that can stop the fire and preserve life and property where possible.

In the Christian life, sharing the Gospel with confidence naturally will attract those who are drawn to the message of the Gospel. There are times, however, when boldness is required together with your confidence to stress the importance of the message. You may live somewhere the Gospel message is not freely allowed to be spoken of by authorities. In that case boldness takes on a vastly different meaning as you stand your ground and share it. Other times, it may be merely that boldness is perceived by the hearer which may or may not change the mind of the hearer. In any case, Christians should be as confident and bold as all the Apostles and disciples in all circumstances.

Do you know of Stephen’s martyred life? His final testimony leading up to his death was a confident and bold accounting of the Gospel message. Immediately upon completing his bold affirmation of his faith he witnessed the glory of Jesus at the right hand of GOD. They stoned him forthwith whereupon his final words? A request to his Lord: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” After saying that he died. – Acts 7:60

Not only did it take absolute confidence for Stephen to submit to his punishment for preaching it took BOLDNESS to preach the Gospel to those who stood ready to stone him. Not all of us have that spirit of confidence and boldness when we ponder our own mortality if we may be judged guilty of sharing the Gospel. If we do not, then we must make it a matter of incessant prayer.

Ultimately always remember:

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel;”—Col 1:5

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”—John 15:11

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”—1 Peter 1:8-9

Be BOLD! Be Confident! Know sharing the Gospel brings Joy and Hope for all who know it and all that share it! 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Treasure Hunt to Joy

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”-Luke 12:34

Are the ‘pangs of distress’ weighing on your mind and heart? Should you even take notice of them or know what they are?

What exactly are the pangs of distress? Those who read or have read the Bible know this phrase as a collection of events that Jesus gave HIS disciples when HE was preparing for HIS departure from their day to day routines. HIS disciples asked for a ‘sign’ that they may know when it would happen and what they must do. The answer to that question is found in Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. Clearly, with ¾ of the Gospel accounts containing the answer it must be important for us to be familiar with the answer. Please note: “4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 

Through out time there have been many who claimed to be ‘the Messiah’ deceiving would be believers into many things they would not likely have done under normal circumstances. History is filled with all the examples. The internet is a warehouse of past and present fulfillment of this aspect. We are not immune in this day – but in fact, the Apostle Paul warns that there will come a time for a great apostasy whereby the anti-christ will arise and fool many with supernatural phenomenon that will convince those who did not believe in Jesus that the antichrist is the return of the Messiah. If you are unfamiliar with that prophetic writing read 2Thess 2:1-12

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 

Wars and rumors of wars are a routine part of life on planet earth since early history. Yet, Jesus chose fit to here include it as if it was anomalous to the time the sign was to point to. Many no doubt look at world wars one and two as a huge difference in historic war stories but when did the clock on Jesus ‘sign’ start ticking? Could it have been in May of 1948.  That is when other prophetic events foretold in Ezekiel began to come to fruition which is sort of the outer cover that folds in Jesus Gospel ‘sign’ and the various signs of Revelation. The Church began on Pentecost of the year of the Lord’s death and resurrection. The Church is part of the collective sign but will play a roll in some of the events—not all.  Therefore, wars and rumors of wars will have to be something that stands out and together with the other things initiates the ‘sign’ Jesus explains to the disciples.

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Nation will rise against nation seems self-explanatory but if you look at the word used and translated into Greek is ‘ethnos’ which has a broad and specific application. So, it includes what we believe to be nations but also can mean ethnic groups. In the day of the Jews it was used to identify anyone ‘not’ of Jewish descent.

Kingdom against kingdom is not the actual kingdom but the authority or rule, dominion or royal power—according to Strong’s Definition

Now, remember, famines have been a matter of history of all time, but this is included as part of the sign. To be honest, a few decades ago we were talking about food shortages and famines devastating whole parts of some countries but with technology and ingenuity water systems have been put into many locations which allows the folks to grow food. Yet---it is considered part of the sign thus it has to be back in the headlines. Recently, a seeming non-ending swarm of locusts have ravaged parts of the middle east which leaves their food supply decimated. Will it affect more than the local population? Time will tell. Israel seems to be thriving exporting vegetables and fruits etc. to other countries.

Pestilences: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon suggests this will be in divers [meaning various] regions. We have had plagues that ravaged the world in the past. Again, this is part of the initial sign for the disciples information. Does it mean it will be more prevalent in frequency and kind or merely it will be a part of life for those living then?

Earthquakes in various places. This one seems clear. But again, it is not much different from the past. Merely including it as part of the sign or will they actually happen where none usually occurs or with frequency and strength like never before or all of the above? This will be understood in hindsight. It is however, the last of the set of things that comprised the ‘beginning of birth pains’ with much more to follow.

Jesus responded to Peter’s query about going with Jesus wherever HE went but was told he could not then followed ““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” -John 14:1

Back to the original question: Are the ‘pangs of distress’ weighing on your mind and heart? Should you even take notice of them or know what they are?

Treasure Hunt

Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? You are incentivized to endure the rigors of the ‘hunt’ because the treasure is awesome should you attain it. The rules of any treasure hunt differ depending on the game master. Usually you have a time and place to commence. Thereafter, at the minimum you will have to discover the first clue which begins the puzzle building until you reach the treasure. QUERY: What treasure do you imagine that would be so bright and alluring no matter the level of difficulty to attain it you would endure to the end? How about your eternal life?

Life is. But, if you have died to this life and been born again [John 3] then eternal life is the treasure we hunt. You have the goal as set out in John 3:16 and the first clue is the knock at your heart that you answered. Now, the course is laid out and it will be rigorous to maneuver but you are guaranteed the end result where you ‘end’ your hunt, in death or in twinkling of an eye. The problem is being distracted. We try to stay focused on living the life our Savior died and then raised up to provide for us eternity. It Is a life that we are to use to emulate the author and founder of our faith [Heb 12:2] which would resemble HIS as much as humanly possible. Sadly, when we get bogged down in distractions our life starts to wane and could need resuscitation to get it refocused.

Jesus anticipated these distractions and discussed most of them in Matthew chapter 5 and concludes in chapter 7. Chapter 6 seems to be a how to avoid the cares of the day. How to build faith, how to live your faith how not to get bogged down with ‘things’ or by ‘things’ but keep focused. Recently, a new strain of an old virus shut down the world interrupting the Christian routine which brought with it distractions that are understandable. Immediately after lockdown began to be lifted a terrible murderous event happened that spawned protests and the protest unwittingly became cover for a coordinated criminal attack upon America in many of its most populated areas. Again, a distraction. As a Christian we always mourn the loss of those who die but in violence and especially those related to us in faith. While Christians were distracted by Mr. Floyd’s horrid death here--he immediately attained the treasure he was living his life to attain: Eternal life!

The mayhem that evil wreaked on mankind thereafter became a huge distraction for many including some Christians. We must get back in the hunt we have yet to attain our treasure. All the time we spend distracted it is less likely we are to be making forward momentum in staying on the ‘straight and narrow’ way that leads to eternal life.  

Remember, Jesus said the aforementioned events comprised the ‘beginning’ of the pangs of distress. Those of us now seeking the treasure still have all or part of the following to endure. It will be rigorous, remember that, but we are to keep our eyes on the prize…” I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 3:14  

Having said that we may still have the following to endure 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

This is some frightening stuff but we were warned by Christ what they did to HIM they will do to HIS followers. So, as the love of most grows cold, let the love CHRIST and of GOD burn all the hotter so as to attract those who want to live in love. Standing firm continues the gospel as our individual witness is seen by those who would be persecuting which will include those who once called themselves Christian but turned away.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”—2 Cor 4:7

“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.  Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”-Matt 6:19-20

Why Be Joyous?

If we survive to this point our treasure is imminent:

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Paul explained this in 1 Cor 15 but specifically vs 50-54 and also 1 thess 4:13-18

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Cor 15:57-58

Do not be distracted from your treasures with any ‘sign’ of as pangs of distress. Just know your deliverance is nearer today than it was yesterday! Stay on task—the extreme version of the Treasure Hunt!

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

 

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

 

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

 

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

 

EM: contact@lightwritingmatters.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

 

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

 

NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

©Lightwritingmatters 2015