This Sunday we’ve come to or final passage and sermon in the Book of Acts. There have been many strong themes, but the emphasis of the last line of the book (and the title of our entire series!) will land squarely on one in particular.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John… (Acts 4:13)

Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness… (Acts 4:29)

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)

…at Damascus [Saul] had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27)

[Saul] went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. (Acts 4:29)

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly… (Acts 13:46)

They remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace. (Acts 14:3)

[Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue… (Acts 18:26)

[Paul] entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)

“The king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly…” (Acts 26:26)

And the closing words of the Book of Acts…

He welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30–31)

This Sunday Kenny Clark will be helping us see from Acts 28:11-31 where we can find this same boldness to take up the baton that we’ve been passed, to be Jesus’ witnesses in La Mirada, and Orange and Los Angeles County, and to the ends of the earth. Caleb Bilti, our new Worship Ministry Resident, will be leading us in sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare?

And here’s how we might pray for our church as we prepare to gather this Sunday.

Heavenly Father, as we come to the end of a year spent in the Book of Acts, having heard story after story of how You stretched out Your mighty hand in the days of the apostles, to spread through them the good news of peace through the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ from Jerusalem to Rome… would you continue Your work in our day among us? Would You grant to us, as You did them, that we would speak Your word with all boldness while you stretch out Your hand that can never be hindered? In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

 

Song of the Week

Your Will Be Done by CityAlight

As we go forth, our God and Father
Lead us daily in the fight
That all the world might see Your glory
And Your Name be lifted high

And in this Name we overcome
For You shall see us safely home
Now as Your church, we lift our voice and pray
“Father, not my will but Yours be done”