Acts 4:23-31
“When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”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.”
When Macon Jones, one of our Pastors, was a senior in high school, he was as tenacious about the gospel as he is today. I really enjoyed seeing the fruit of that desire. Macon was also an excellent football player and as tenacious on the field as he was about his faith. He had a major impact on and off the field.
One particular game against a rival team made this fact evident. Because Macon’s faith was so loud in the community, it made its way to the student section of the rival team. They decided for this game to dress in church clothes to taunt Macon and his team. Though the entire school used his faith in the wrong way, they had no doubt that Macon was a child of God through the blood of Jesus. They also knew if they trusted Christ, they too would be part of God’s family.
Where does that boldness come from? Read the passages this week and listen to God’s voice for boldness to face the world with authentic faith.
Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
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"When Macon Jones, one of our Pastors, was a senior in high school, he was as tenacious about the gospel as he is today."