Introduction
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Pastor Mensa Otabil, General Overseer of ICGC, delivered an action-oriented sermon at ICGC Christ Temple East, Accra-Ghana, titled “Take Bold Steps.”
In this sermon, Pastor Otabil drove home the importance of boldness in the Christian walk, particularly after experiencing God’s grace and abundance during spiritual milestones like the 40 Days of Power and the Greater Works conference.
His message was clear: boldness is not an option but a necessity for every believer who desires to walk in victory and fulfill God’s purpose.
Pastor Otabil began the service by reminding the congregation that the Christian life is inherently a life of triumph and victory. “If you are truly a child of God and you walk in the power of His Spirit, there is guaranteed victory for you in every battle of life,” he affirmed.
This victory, however, does not come by passivity or timidity but by taking bold, decisive steps in obedience to God’s commands. This sermon, the first in a series, aimed to ignite a spirit of boldness in believers, encouraging them to act courageously in their spiritual journey.
The Biblical Foundation of Boldness
Drawing from the stories of biblical figures like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, Daniel, and Esther, Pastor Otabil highlighted that boldness was a common trait among those who experienced God’s power.
These individuals acted boldly, even when the odds were against them, and their boldness was a key factor in their triumphs.
Pastor Otabil focused on the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt as a prime example of boldness in action. He referenced two key scriptures: Exodus 14:8 and Numbers 33:1-3, both of which describe the Israelites leaving Egypt “with boldness.”
He explained that the Hebrew word for boldness, *yad,* which also means “hand,” is significant in understanding the kind of boldness God expects from His people. “The word literally means hand,” he said, “but in this context, it signifies a clenched fist, symbolizing defiance, confidence, and power.”
Boldness as Defiance
The first aspect of boldness that Pastor Otabil explored was defiance. He explained that the Israelites’ departure from Egypt was not just a physical journey but a spiritual act of defiance against the oppressive power of Pharaoh. “Moses and Aaron left Egypt with defiance. They defied the power of Pharaoh. They openly resisted the power of the enemy,” Pastor Otabil declared.
This defiance, he noted, was essential for the Israelites to break free from bondage and step into the freedom that God had promised them.
Defiance, in this context, is not about rebellion against authority but a steadfast refusal to be intimidated or controlled by forces that oppose God’s will.
As believers, we must exhibit this same defiance in the face of spiritual opposition, boldly resisting anything that seeks to hinder our walk with God.
Boldness as Confidence
The second dimension of boldness is confidence. Pastor Otabil described boldness as “having a self-assurance that God is who He says He is to you.” This confidence is rooted in faith and the certainty that God will fulfill His promises.
The Israelites were confident that God would lead them to the Promised Land, despite the challenges they faced. Similarly, Pastor Otabil urged the congregation to trust in God’s word and move forward with confidence, knowing that “if God says we can do it, we can do it.”
This confidence is crucial in overcoming fear and doubt, which are the enemies of boldness.
Pastor Otabil reminded the church that boldness does not mean the absence of fear but rather the courage to act despite it. “If you’re going to obey God, you have to be bold,” he emphasized.
Boldness as Power
Finally, Pastor Otabil spoke about boldness as power—the ability to act and accomplish what God has called us to do. He explained that boldness is not just a mindset but an active force that propels us to take decisive action.
“When we say that somebody has boldness, it means they are defiant, they are confident, and they have a sense of power. They don’t feel weak in themselves,” he explained.
Using the example of the Israelites, Pastor Otabil illustrated how they boldly walked out of Egypt “with their hand lifted up, saying, ‘we defy you Pharaoh, we’re going out whether you like it or not.'”
This boldness, symbolized by the clenched fist, represents the power to overcome obstacles and claim victory in the name of the Lord.
Practical Applications of Boldness
Pastor Otabil did not just leave the congregation with theological insights; he provided practical steps on how to cultivate and apply boldness in their lives. He encouraged believers to:
1. Resist Spiritual Oppression: Just as the Israelites defied Pharaoh, believers must resist any form of spiritual oppression, whether it be fear, doubt, or temptation.
2. Trust in God’s Promises: Confidence in God’s word is essential. Believers must stand firm on the promises of God, even when circumstances seem unfavorable.
3. Take Decisive Action: Boldness requires action. Pastor Otabil urged the congregation to step out in faith and act on what God has placed in their hearts.
4. Embrace Challenges: Boldness is often tested in the face of challenges. Pastor Otabil reminded the church that challenges are opportunities to demonstrate boldness and grow in faith.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pastor Mensa Otabil’s sermon on August 11, 2024, was a powerful call to action for believers to embrace boldness in their walk with God. He reminded the congregation that after experiencing God’s grace and abundance, the next step is to act boldly, defying the enemy, standing confidently on God’s promises, and moving forward with the power that comes from the Holy Spirit.
“Nothing of God can be accomplished with timidity,” Pastor Otabil declared. As believers, we are called to be bold, to take bold steps in fulfilling our God-given purpose.
With defiance, confidence, and power, we can overcome every obstacle and walk in the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus.
Let us, therefore, step out boldly, knowing that God is with us and that He has already declared us winners in every battle of life.
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