I took a ton of notes from the Exponential Conference this year. There was a ton of excellent things to chew on, but I thought I would share the sessions that made me think the most. One of those sessions was taught by Francis Chan. He talked about the Holy Spirit and boldness.

I was excited for his main session because I have heard him speak before and he was excellent. He is such an encouraging, humble, and honest speaker.

So here are my notes:

-Acts 4:13-f <– Why can’t it be like this today?
—They were “Astonished” because they had “been with Jesus”

-Today people are very well educated, but they lack boldness. We are raising terrified people.

-Verse 29. <– They prayed for MORE boldness.

-Paul also prayed for more boldness (Ephesians 6). (And Paul was really bold already)!

-We need to be praying for more boldness in our lives.
—We have so many insecurities.

-It doesn’t make sense that the Holy Spirit would change.

-Do I live like the Holy Spirit works in my life like in the book of Acts?

-If you read the Bible on an island, what would you believe, and what would you expect to see?

-What does the church in Acts really look like? <– The Church is a family.
—People are attracted to gangs because they are doing things biblically (except for the killing).

-We need to pray for boldness.
—Elijah vs. 450 Prophets of Baal

-God is a creating God. The Holy Spirit has the power to move and work in new and creative ways.

-James 5:17 <– “Elijah was a man just like us.” But he prayed.

-We must pray for boldness.

I think we are often guilty of squelching the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Spirit has power–But how often do we live our lives like things depends on us? I have so many insecurities. I’ll watch a guy like Francis Chan and think, “I could never be as good of a speaker or leader as he is.” And yet God is looking for people who are faithful, available, and teachable. Ministry is about what God can do through me. The power comes from God and not from me.

We often claim to have faith, but we still live a life that is “safe.” The prayer for boldness is really a prayer for an increase in faith. It is a prayer that says, “God, I believe that the Spirit really does move in powerful ways—move in me.” Will you pray for boldness today?

tim