Bold Leadership
Acts 2:14-47
Good morning, men!
In this powerful Easter season, amid a great awakening and remarkable church growth happening around the world, it’s incredibly encouraging to dive into the Book of Acts. I’ve been reading Acts alongside 2 Chronicles, and the parallels for leadership today are striking.
Peter stood out as the first among equals among the apostles. After Jesus’ resurrection, the Lord gave authority to all the apostles (John 20), and He had already entrusted Peter with the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16). Peter was called to lead, and lead well, alongside the others and the whole community of believers.
We must never abandon God. The Bible, and the honest experience of all of us, make it clear that we can choose to be faithful to God or reject Him. From Adam and Eve all the way to you and me. As we get older, the spiritual battles do not disappear, as King David showed us. We may grow more sanctified (and I pray we do), but old age still requires steadfastness to Christ. Keep leading. Keep being bold for Jesus.
In this Easter season, think of the bravery of the apostles. They believed in Jesus and boldly proclaimed Him: crucified, risen, and reigning in heaven. For their truthful witness, they quickly found themselves in jail (Acts 5). Preach anyway!
My prayer for myself and for each of us as believers is for unity and fidelity to Christ alone in the church. Jesus followers will not be known for our castles, private jets, hideaways in Alaska, fancy houses on the hill, or our trophies and accomplishments. We are to be known, and we will be known, for our love, unity, and fidelity to King Jesus.
Challenge yourself in Christ to be bold, to live wholeheartedly for Christ - no retreat and no surrender to the powers and forces of darkness. Saint Peter said, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40-41). Amen!
The very first act of leadership we see from the apostles came in Acts 1. Peter stood up in front of the 120 believers and addressed the elephant in the room: Judas, the one who had betrayed Jesus and guided those who arrested Him. This wasn’t Peter lording authority over everyone. It was Spirit-led leadership. He facilitated the apostles' first big act of unity: replacing Judas with Matthias through prayer and a godly process. They got their house in order before God, and then came explosive growth.
That’s the model of Christian leadership: bold, humble, and submitted to the Holy Spirit. Always be devoted to the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42).
The stakes were high for the apostles at Pentecost, just as they are today. Jerusalem was a massive city. Peter knew his words could cost him his life; after all, they had just crucified Jesus for speaking the truth. Yet Peter stood and proclaimed with courage: “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” (Acts 2:36)
That kind of statement can still get a man arrested or worse in many places today. But it is the Gospel truth.
Peter accused his own people and boldly proclaimed Christ anyway, knowing it could (and eventually would) lead to his own death (and would promptly land him in prison (see Acts 5 and Acts 12). There is unmatched power in the Cross and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men, wear the Cross boldly. Proclaim Jesus without apology.
We are called to be conquerors for Christ, boasting in nothing else.
Don’t chase worldly applause or accolades - that is so empty. Instead, chase God and boldly proclaim Him.
God made it clear to Solomon and Israel that blessing follows obedience. He warned: “But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name, and I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations.” (2 Chronicles 7:19-20)
Israel abandoned God (see 2 Kings 17 and 24). Jesus Himself made it plain who the wicked tenants were, those who rejected the prophets and the Messiah. All who reject Jesus will face eternal consequences. That’s the hard but honest Gospel truth.
God uprooted Israel, rejected the Temple, and allowed it to become a place of mockery. Never rebuild what Jesus has torn down. And never mock Jesus Christ. He may be meek and lowly of heart, but He is Almighty God, he rules and reigns right now - the only One who can give us life.
God cares deeply about what we do. Our ancestors may have walked faithfully like King David and enjoyed blessings, but like Solomon, we must continue in faithfulness or face the consequences of rebellion and disobedience. God is faithful, and He requires us to put our faith into action (James 2).
The message is clear and urgent, just as Peter preached on Pentecost: Follow Jesus. Repent of your sins. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What an amazing time to be alive! I’m more convinced than ever that Jesus will be preached in unthinkable places, and those who love Him will have unprecedented opportunities to advance God’s Kingdom.
Be part of God’s family. Hear Peter’s preaching, bold and unafraid. Don’t be like Judas, who chose the love of power and money over God (Acts 1:18). And God forbid we become modern “Judaizers” (Acts 15 and Galatians 2) - men who add legalistic rules that Jesus has already fulfilled and replaced with His royal law of love: “Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (James 2:8)
God is not petty. He explains exactly why He abandoned Israel: “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why he has brought all these disasters on them.’” (2 Chronicles 7:21-22)
God loves each of us deeply. He's showing us His way. In the Gospel, God also clearly shows us the way of salvation: Believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Never reject Him. Repent, trust Christ, and be saved.
Thank You, Jesus, for this wonderful day You’ve given us. Help us to make the most of it for Your glory. Please bless my family and friends, and please bring unity in the church as You raise up bold, humble, Spirit-filled leaders in our homes, churches, and communities. Amen.
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