How Do We Take the Next Brave Step? | Acts 5:12-42 | Laurel Bunker

Main message: Christians are called to be brave and true — not the absence of fear but boldness powered by Christ and the Holy Spirit — following the example of the apostles in Acts who proclaimed Jesus despite persecution. Ordinary people who have "been with Jesus" can and must take small, courageous steps to witness and obey God rather than people.

Key points:

• Bravery (parousia) means speaking with Christ-confidence despite persecution; it’s not fearlessness but the power of God overcoming fear.
• Examples of everyday and extraordinary bravery were given (Corrie Ten Boom, Richard Wurmbrand, Brother Yun, Immaculée Ilibagiza, Todd Beamer) to show ordinary people can act courageously for the gospel.
• Acts 5: the apostles were jailed, miraculously freed, returned to preach in the temple, and replied, "We must obey God rather than human beings."
• The key difference in the apostles was that they had been with Jesus and received the Holy Spirit; intimacy with Jesus is the source of boldness.
• Practical application: take one small, personally brave step (testimony, forgiveness, sobriety, apologetics, deeper spiritual disciplines) so others see Jesus through your life.

Scriptures mentioned: Acts 5, Acts 14:13, 2 Corinthians