Take Bold Steps (5): A Call to Courage by Pastor Mensa Otabil

Introduction

In his ongoing sermon series, Take Bold Steps, Pastor Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of ICGC and Senior Pastor of ICGC Christ Temple East in Accra, Ghana, challenges believers to step out with courage and confidence. 

Through a profound message, Pastor Otabil outlines why God calls us to live boldly and fearlessly, regardless of the challenges we face. 

This article summarizes key points from the fifth part of this series.

Boldness Beyond Stage Fright

Pastor Otabil begins by addressing the common issue of stage fright, which many experience when performing or speaking in public. He explains that this fear stems from a “deficit of boldness in our actions.” 

While people may be confident in private settings, like in front of a mirror or with close family, this confidence often diminishes when facing a public audience.

The Senior Pastor emphasizes that “God wants you to be bold in private, and He also wants you to be bold in public.” 

Whether one stands before an audience of one or a thousand, God expects us to be our best, undeterred by fear. This boldness is necessary for believers to fully live out their calling and purpose.

The Story of Peter and John

Pastor Otabil draws inspiration from Acts 4:5-7, recounting the story of Peter and John who were brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin after healing a crippled man at the temple. The Sanhedrin represented the elite of Jewish society—rulers, elders, and scribes. 

The apostles were questioned about the power and authority by which they had performed the healing. In this intimidating setting, Peter and John’s courage shone through.

Otabil highlights that this moment serves as a reminder that sometimes “your success will throw you before a very terrifying audience.” 

He encourages believers to be prepared for moments when they will need to stand boldly before critics or skeptics, despite feeling outmatched or unqualified.

Perception vs. Reality

The Sanhedrin’s perception of Peter and John was not flattering. They saw them as “uneducated and untrained men,” dismissing them as illiterates and backward individuals. 

Pastor Otabil explains that the Greek word used to describe the apostles as “untrained” is idiotes, from which the English word “idiot” is derived. The apostles were perceived as outsiders—fishermen from Galilee, lacking in formal education or social polish.

However, despite this perception, Peter and John did not allow the judgments of others to define them. As Otabil states, “They presented themselves with boldness.” 

This boldness was not arrogance but rather a freedom to be authentic and confident in the face of rejection. The pastor emphasizes that true boldness is the “freedom to be who you are in the midst of people who devalue you.”

Lessons in Boldness

Pastor Otabil draws a powerful lesson from this story: boldness is rooted in freedom. He explains that boldness gives us the freedom to be ourselves, think independently, and speak freely. 

Peter and John exemplified this by standing before the Sanhedrin, unshaken by their lack of formal education or their perceived inadequacies.

Dr. Otabil also points out that modern society, especially in the age of social media, often pressures people to conform or seek validation. He warns that many are tempted to “sell themselves on the internet” or live in a state of constant pretension. 

However, like Peter and John, believers are called to remain authentic, secure in their identity, and unafraid to speak the truth, even if their language or presentation is imperfect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pastor Otabil’s sermon in Take Bold Steps (5) serves as a reminder that God calls every believer to live boldly. 

Boldness is not just about confidence in private but also about standing firm in public, especially in challenging situations. Like Peter and John, we must not let others’ perceptions define us. 

Instead, we should embrace the freedom to be who God has called us to be, think independently, and speak truth with courage. “Somebody say, ‘I’m bold,'” Pastor Otabil declares, urging believers to claim this boldness in every aspect of life.