Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39

Introduction:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. God encourages us to be an influence for Christ and His kingdom. We have been set free in Christ and are blessed with opportunities each day to  impact our world with Christ. Great passage of scripture. It tells us three things about boldness in the Lord.

1. Don’t want life to be lived in vain.
2. Boldness is necessary to keep that from happening – so our lives are not in vain.
3. Boldness makes our life count.
   1. 2:1b – our coming to you was not in vain.
   2. What would you expect Paul to say next?
   3. That is not what Paul says, however.
      1. a.     2:2a, 2c, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
      2. 2 Reasons:
         1. His opponents were slandering Paul in Thessalonica.
         2. If the false teachers discredited Paul, they discredited the authenticity of the Thessalonians’ faith.

II. Where do we get Boldness?

1. 2:2 contains the simple answer.  Boldness is found in our God.
   1. Paul had suffered in Philippi. Acts 16:16-24
   2. Acts 17 – goes to Thessalonica.  More persecution.
   3. Paul’s life was given up to God.
      1. Colossians 3:3 – his life was hidden with God.
      2. 2 Corinthians 1:9 – Paul trusted God.
      3. Romans 15:13 – Paul hoped in God.
      4. Romans 8:18 – Paul lived with this in mind…
      5. God was real to Paul. God was powerful to Paul. Nothing was going to separate God from Paul or Paul from God.  Romans 8:37-39.

III. What must happen in our life in order for us to become bold?

1. Two things hold many Christians today back:
   1. Love of human acceptance and praise
   2. Love of material possessions and comforts of life.
   3. Paul had been freed from the love of human acceptance.
      1. 2:4b; 2:6
      2. He was free form the need to have the praise of men – did not have to flatter and deceive – 2:5
      3. We must make war with our love of money & comfort.
         1. 2:5 – He did not want their money. 2:9
            1. a.     2:4 – Get our comforts and security from God.

Conclusion:

1. We need boldness, because without it, our lives will be lived in vain.
2. Boldness comes from God.
3. Need to come to Christ? Boldly step forward in faith. He will save you from your sins.

Download Sermon Presentation

Download Interactive Outline

Related posts

• How to Rescue a Brother
• Be of Good Cheer
• Defeating Goliath
• God: Our Rock of Security
• Water Walkers See Failure as an Opportunity to Grow
• Courage: Mastering Our Fears
• Calling All Clay Pots

Print PDF

Tags: 1 Thessalonians, Boldness, Courage, Paul

This entry was posted on March 14, 2010 at 13:10 and is filed under Sermons 2010-Present. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.