5:30 PM Service | Cross Point Online

Main message: The sermon used Acts 5 to call Christians to boldness — a Christ-centered confidence (called "parousia" in the message) that obeys God rather than people, endures persecution with joy, and moves ordinary believers to witness and courageous action. The preacher urged practical, everyday steps of bravery in service of the gospel.

Key points:

• The early church in Acts 5 kept preaching despite arrest and flogging, rejoicing because they were with Jesus and empowered by the Spirit.
• Boldness in the gospel means Christ-confidence: obeying God rather than men (Acts 5:29) and speaking despite opposition or persecution.
• Ordinary, imperfect people (Peter, Corrie Ten Boom, Richard Wumbrand, Brother Yoon/Yun, Immaculee Elie Gabeza, Todd Beamer, etc.) exemplify how God uses the small and everyday for extraordinary witness.
• Bravery is not absence of fear but God’s power in us to act anyway; practical examples include speaking up against crude/racist jokes, sharing a short testimony, forgiving, returning to recovery, or taking one courageous step.
• The call is communal and missional: be disciples “who have been with Jesus,” let lives visibly reflect the Holy Spirit, and transform community and region for Christ.

Scriptures mentioned: Acts 5, Acts 14:13, Second Corinthians