Boldness and Opportunity
by Ryan Heathco
Introduction
Have you ever missed something right before you because you were too distracted? It happens. But what if that missed moment was a chance to make an eternal impact? The book of Acts highlights the transformative power of noticing the lost souls around us and stepping out in faith. As we press on with our “Stronger” series, we’re honing in on the power of our testimony. We can amplify our witness by embracing the divine moments that present themselves daily.
The Scene
Picture this: In the busy streets of Jerusalem, there laid a crippled man by the temple gate. Day after day, he blended into the background, unnoticed by the hurried passersby. People occasionally tossed him a few coins for charity, but few paused to see the person beneath the tattered cloak.
The scene, depicted in Acts 3:1-10, mirrors a common aspect of human nature—our propensity to become so absorbed in our own concerns that we overlook the physical and spiritual desperation of those around us. But something remarkable occurs when Peter and John enter the scene:
“Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ The beggar’s face lit up with hope, perhaps anticipating a few coins. But Peter had something far more valuable to offer. He said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I possess something worth more than all the riches in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’” (Acts 3:4-6, NLT)
Seeing the Person
Peter had a remarkable ability to truly “see” the person before him. He didn’t merely view a beggar but recognized a fellow human needing salvation. His keen sight mirrored the way Jesus ministered, it was a profound lesson Peter had learned from the Master.
Like Peter, we might not always have the means to address someone’s needs. However, we can share what we possess—faith in Jesus. Yet far too often we see these divine interruptions as inconveniences and not as opportunities.
Our lives are a whirlwind of busyness, juggling school, work, and various commitments, leaving little room to impact others. But we can change this by taking simple yet significant steps to build intentional relationships with lost people.
It all begins with genuinely seeing the person. Are you intentionally making time to connect with those who might be feeling lost or isolated? Are you looking beyond their circumstances without judgment? Does your heart break for their spiritual condition?
We can make a profound impact in our fast-paced lives through simple interactions. By actively listening to their story, understanding their situation, and offering genuine empathy, we create an environment where meaningful connections can thrive and the gospel can take root.
Seeing the Opportunity
In Acts 3:12, we witness the aftermath of the cripple’s healing at the temple gate. People are filled with awe, and some can’t believe their eyes. The Scripture says, “Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?” Every day presents opportunities to speak the name of Jesus and share our faith. To have a stronger witness, we need to see the lost people in our lives and recognize the opportunities to share our faith.
Notice Peter didn’t stumble upon this opportunity by chance. He discerned it as a divine appointment. In our daily lives, opportunities to share our faith often emerge unexpectedly. They might arise during a casual conversation, a heartfelt discussion, or a chance encounter. The key is to be attuned to these moments and view them as invitations from God to make a difference.
Seeing the opportunity requires intentionality in our interactions. It entails actively listening when someone opens up about their struggles or questions. It means understanding God can use even simple conversations to plant seeds of faith.
Finally, it demands stepping out of our comfort zones. Just as Peter boldly proclaimed, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk,” we too must be willing to take courageous steps in sharing our faith. It may involve inviting someone to church, offering to pray for a friend, or simply sharing a personal testimony of how Christ has impacted our lives.
We don’t need to have all the answers. What matters is our willingness to seize the opportunities that God places before us, to be vessels through which His love and grace can flow into the lives of others.
Bold in Prayer
But the story doesn’t end there. Peter and John are confronted by the Sanhedrin. Peter, bold as ever, pulls no punches. He preaches Jesus crucified and resurrected. The Sadducees, who were part of the Sanhedrin, did not believe in a resurrection, so this message threatened them. However, the Sanhedrin couldn’t extinguish the fire of the Jesus movement. They feared a riot, so they released Peter and John with one condition: never speak the name of Jesus again. In response, Peter and John effectively said, “Sorry, not sorry,” and returned to their church.
Now, imagine you were in that congregation and heard their report. Stop witnessing, or else. Would you stay silent? Would you look for another church that focuses more on the needs of its members than on reaching the lost? Let me tell you what these believers did when their backs were against the wall—they prayed for boldness. And guess what? God was totally on board with them, “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
I don’t know about you, but I want to pray the kind of prayer that shakes the ground. I want to preach Jesus with boldness. And you can, too. Make a daily habit of praying to share the gospel with others boldly and clearly.
Conclusion
We can build a stronger witness by seeing the lost people in our lives and staying aware of the opportunities surrounding us daily. We also need to pray for boldness, just like the early believers did, to fearlessly proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to a world in need of hope and salvation.
Remember, each interaction is an opportunity, and every prayer has the potential to shake the ground. May your church’s witness grow stronger as you apply these timeless lessons from Acts. Let us follow in the footsteps of Peter and John, who saw the person, seized the opportunity, and prayed for boldness, making a lasting impact on the world as we know it today.
