Four Letter Words: “Bold” 2 Corinthians 3:12

Four Letter Words: Bold

2 Corinthians 3:12
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

There are some four-letter words that should not come out of our mouths – and there are other four-letter words that we should be talking about. Maybe we don’t because these words make us uncomfortable or we don’t know what to say about them, but that doesn’t mean we should hide from them and the conversations they produce! Words like holy, life, grow, move, care, bold, and free are sometimes misunderstood because the world has redefined them. Let’s explore what the Bible says about these four-letter words together so we can stop avoiding them and start proclaiming what is good and true in our lives and in our world.

April 13: Holy – 1 Peter 1:13-25

April 20: Life – John 14:6

April 27: Grow – 1 Peter 2:1-3

May 4: Move – Hebrews 11:8-16

May 11: Care – 1 John 3:17-18

May 18: Bold – 2 Corinthians 3:12

May 25: Free – John 8:36

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

BOLD

2 Corinthians 3:12

1. I can be bold because of His offered to me.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Psalm 118:6

Notes:

2. I can be bold because of His given to me.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. ²⁰ I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20

Notes:

3. I can be bold because of His displayed for me.

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. Proverbs 28:1

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:18

Notes:

4. I can be bold because of His poured out to me.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

Notes:

5. I can be bold because of His in me.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Acts 4:29

Notes:

Challenge: Why am I struggling with boldness in my life?

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.