Speak with Boldness

In Ephesians, we learned about the height, depth, width, and breadth of God’s love. We also talked about God’s love is bigger than we can imagine. We need to open our eyes and our heart to God’s love. God is all around us. His love and power are much greater than we can imagine. You believe in God. Now, believe in the vastness and greatness of God’s power to touch our lives in amazing ways. It is time to see a spiritual rebirth in America.

This week, we will discuss the power of the spoken word of God. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. God’s word can conquer all. God’s word is our protection and our strength. If our words are so powerful, why do we misuse those words? Why do we say things we don’t mean? Why do we speak our fears out loud? Why don’t we use the words from scriptures in the Bible, instead?

Proverbs 6:2 warns that “You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.” There’s so many times that people say that they are getting sick, getting a headache, getting in a car accident, losing their job, losing a friend, or losing their mind. Others say that they are going to break a leg, break a hip, break their neck, or are becoming forgetful. We also say “we can’t” too much. We say “we can’t” without thinking that God could help us overcome our weaknesses. We also talk about our lazy spouse or children. We talk about being unable to forgive. We tell our kids that they are dumb, mean, stubborn, or hurtful. We also tell family that they we don’t love them anymore in a moment of anger or spite.

Proverbs warns us that once those words come out of our mouths we can’t take them back. Our children wonder if we really think they are lazy or dumb. Our spouse begins to doubt if our love is real. Satan hears your spoken fears and doubts and works to make them become real.

We learn from Proverbs 25:11-12 that “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.” Proverbs is telling us that we need to use our words like they were silver and gold. I am motivated by the spoken word which praises and encourages me to be my best. I’ve always been driven to live up to the expectations expressed in the spoken word. Little ears can hear so much more than we realize. They will overhear praises and rejoice or overhear complaints and stop trying so that they can become the lazy, mean, inconsiderate kid that you described in your spoken word. Those hurtful words last a lifetime. We are snared by the words of our mouth. In fact, we trap even those listening with those words.

We must think before we speak. We must hold our tongue when we are angry, upset, worried, or afraid. It is at times when we are weak that we must open our hearts and our mind and fill up with the written words from the Bible. There’s power in speaking God’s words with our tongue.
Ok. Can we all agree to stop talking junk, stop talking negative, and stop talking like the worst will happen in 2009 and 2010? So far, I’ve been talking about how our spoken words can impact our lives, our family, and our friends in a personal way.

Paul gave us a great model of the spoken word in Philippians 1:3-4. It says “I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I dream about having people speak those words about me. Do you see the power to transform a person’s life with uplifting, spiritual words like the ones Paul wrote to the people of Philippi?

Now, I’m ready to start speaking with BOLDNESS about God! What does it mean to speak with boldness? The easiest way to find out is to open our Bibles to the book of Acts of the Disciples. We are the modern day disciples. It is appropriate for us to learn from Luke and the disciples of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:29-31 tells us “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

This scripture has a lot of wonderful nuggets. First, it tells us to speak God’s word with great boldness when we are threatened or afraid. Second, it is in the name of Jesus Christ where all the power is found. Third, it tells us that we are filled with the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit enables us to speak the word of God boldly. In addition, it tells us that signs, miracles, and wonders are possible when we speak the word of God with boldness. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His words are a gift for us today to use to serve him.

Acts 18:24-26 says “Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he only knew the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.” Apollos studied God’s word and he used it. Apollos also didn’t wait to tell about God until he knew everything. In fact, in this story he still needed to learn about baptism with the power of the Holy Spirit. We can speak with boldness by learning a few key scriptures while our knowledge of the Bible grows. My favorite is “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.”

The Apostle Paul explains that hardships can be an inspiration to others because they know that you were able to survive the hardship with God’s help. In Philippians 1:12-14 he says “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Paul talks about chains many times in his letters. There’s two kinds of chains. The first chained Paul to the prison wall. The second kind of chain links us to Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Let’s make the decision today to be as bold as a lion. We can celebrate the signs, miracles, and wonders that happen right here in America when we speak the word of God with boldness. Jesus sent out seventy-two messengers in Luke 10 two by two. They returned with joy to Jesus to give their reports and said “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Everything is possible for those who love the Lord. Stop speaking negative thoughts and fears. Start speaking with faith and boldness to tell about the unseen before it is visible. Sing praises about God. Give thanks about your family, friends, and blessings. Attack your worry and fear with the word of God.

Experience the fullness of God’s love. Speak about God’s love with boldness and faith because we know that where two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus Christ there God will be also. Amen.