I. Witnessing the Conflict:

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
1 Peter 3:15

What Keeps us from Entering Doors?

What Keeps us from Entering Doors?

• Fear - What will they think of me… I’ll sound like a fool.

What Keeps us from Entering Doors?

• Pride - The door may not always look beautiful.

What Keeps us from Entering Doors?

• Busyness - You will not be able to enter a door you never take the time to see.

How do we Enter Doors?

• Shake off Fear: Don’t wait until you are completely unafraid (because that may never happen) but keep moving, keep persuading, keep asking questions, and trust in God as you go.

How do we Enter Doors?

• Lay down your Pride: Stop complaining that you don’t have the most glamorous ministry, stop beating yourself up because there are not hundreds of people coming to know Jesus through your words, stop pretending like God doesn’t have you where He wants you and start thanking Him.

How do we Enter Doors?

• Say no to Busyness: Start literally saying no to certain things that have proven not to be fruitful in your life. I’m talking about things that have only left you tired but have never given you the joy of doing something meaningful for the kingdom.

There are not many foundations, there are not many paths, there is only one wise and good teacher, His name is Jesus.

II. Boldness in Conflict:

3 Observations of Boldness:

3 Observations of Boldness:

• The were seen as common, uneducated or ignorant of the Torah.
• They had been with Jesus.
• They saw the miracle or “good deed” standing right before them.

The wisdom of God will always trump the wisdom of man. He uses crooked sticks to make straight paths.

Can you tell when people have been out with the animals in the pasture, in a smoke shop, catching fish, with Jesus?

Don’t rely on a verse on your business card to tell people you're a Christian tradesmen, business man or woman.

Don’t rely on a sticker on your minivan or graphic tee to prove to people you are a Christian.

“The church cannot obey orders to give up its most characteristic activity, witness to the risen Lord, although it must be prepared to pay the price of its refusal to keep quiet.”
-Marshall

III. Pray for Boldness:

They turned to God in prayer and fellowship together.

They found comfort in God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge.

Persecution bound them together and they came together with their shields of faith like gladiators.

“These Christians recognized their weakness and valued the success of the gospel far above their own physical comfort.”
- Mohler Jr.