Boldness and Confidence
Boldness and Confidence to not lose heart
Sermon Notes
Minister Joaquin Chavez
Ephesians 3:11-13
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Principle: Losing heart vs feeling bold and confident
Definition: to begin to feel that one cannot do something that one has been trying to do: to become discouraged. They never lost heart, even in the face of adversity.
1. What did a lack of confidence cost his people?
Israelites in Exodus - Numbers 14:8-12, 20-24
8 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.
11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”
20 Then the Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
Hebrews 4 warns us to learn from these people and not fail to enter God’s rest.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Fear equal slavery: We can’t have what we want because we let fear take it away.
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
2. Does God care more about following laws or confidence?
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Matthew 15:21-28 The faith of a Canaanite woman
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Esther life study
- Queen Vashti stripped of her position and sent away for refusing to appear so king could show her off.
- Law said she would be punished by death for appearing in front of the king without being summoned.
- All the Jews were going to be killed off by Haman
- Forced to act: be killed by the king by summoning him or be killed with all her Jewish brethren
- She ends up saving Jews and getting Haman killed. She ordered that all his sons be hung on the gallows he made to kill all the Jews with.
Esther 4:13-14
13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
3. How can we be bolder and more confident?
- Establish a rhythm of always being bold and confident. Once you do, you won’t even realize things are impossible. (Children coming to Jesus)
- Feed yourself nothing but confident Christians from the Bible and history.
- Sometimes the first step will be unknown or ineffective, we must keep going. (Moses had to make bricks without wheat, Joshua crossing the Jordan, Daniel’s friends had to step in the fire to find out, Rahab saved the spies first without any guarantees, Guy that went to heal Paul, woman going to touch Jesus to be healed)
Mark 9-21-24
21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Applications
1. After reading a story about a character in the bible, do a heart check with God to see if you would have the boldness and confidence to do the same. If you do not, ask God for the strength and development to get there when he needs you to.
2. List out all the things you have missed out in your life because of fear. If they were something good that God would’ve wanted you to have, ask forgiveness for being held back by your fear. Pray to Jesus for help the next time so that you do not have to face that challenge alone.
3. Take all your worries and fears to Jesus. Speak out loud, cry with him, and pray for his strength.
Questions:
1. What things do you do to gain more strength to accomplish what you want?
2. How afraid of death are you from 1-10? How do you feel that number compares to how you would rate your faith in Jesus from 1-10?
3. What can you do to take your worries to Christ and be strengthened by him? Will you do what you know to do?