And {pray} for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought.

I. Why Believers Need BOLDNESS

II. Paul the BOLD

A. Col 4:3 At the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.

B. Strong's #3954 parrhesia AV 31: boldness 8, confidence 6, openly 6, plainly 4, boldly 1, misc 6; 1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech 1a) openly, frankly, i.e without concealment 1b) without ambiguity or circumlocution 1c) without the use of figures and comparisons 2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance

C. Mystery Eph 1:9 Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: 3:3 That by revelation he made known to me the mystery...6 That the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel...9 And to make all [men] see what [is] the participation/sharing in...

D. Springs from hope 2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech: {great hope = great boldness}

E. Smolders in Secret Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. {preprogram robot}

F. Result of Prayer Ac 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord with all boldness..

G. Teams with Logic Ac 9:29 he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord, & disputed against them: but they went about to slay him. Ac 19:8 he went to synagogue, & spoke boldly three months, disputing & persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

H. Begs 2Co 5:20 we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God did beseech by us: we pray in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

I. Says the Hard Ac 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas became bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you: but seeing ye reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

J. Persists through Persecution 1Th 2:2 But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.

K. Honored by God Ac 14:3 A long time therefore they abode speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

III. Beginners Guide to BOLDNESS

A. Follows Christlikeness Ac 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

B. Function of the Spirit Ac 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word 31...filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

C. Preparation is Helpful Ac 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him to [them], and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.

1Pe  3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asks you a

reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. In what circumstances are you most likely to lack boldness? Why? (Integrity toward God, self, others?)

2. How is the opposition we face different form that faced by Paul?

3. What's the relationship between being bold in our love/practice and bold in our speech/proclamation?

4. Is your witness/testimony "as it ought" to be? If not, what's lacking? Is it better to err on the side of meekness or boldness?

5. What can you do to increase your "boldness" in the situation identified in #1 above?