Building a Legacy

September 14, 2025

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although he and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn-out old hat and an equally worn-out Bible. The church he entered was in a very wealthy and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed in expensive clothes.
As the cowboy took a seat, the church people moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all shocked at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher asked him to do him a favor. “Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.” The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again everybody ignored him. The preacher said to him, “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.”
“I did,” replied the old cowboy.
“If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?” asked the preacher.
“Well, sir, God told me that He didn’t have a clue what I should wear. He said He’d never been in this church “

Seems like that church didn’t get what God wanted.

Today we’re talking about the church!

The First Christians are the original example of following Jesus in the world. They left an example and a legacy! They started the church and navigated a difficult world where they were criticized and persecuted. They persevered and left us the legacy of faith, courage and the Christian church!

A question I think about is, are we on track, are we living up to their example? Are we, as a church, on mission? It’s important because we are the church for our generation. People today don’t look back at the first century church to make up their mind about church. They look at us! So, we’ve got to get it right. We represent what the church looks like.

The church started on Pentecost. The followers of Jesus were gathered in a room, and the Holy Spirit came on them! They started speaking in languages they didn’t know, to people gathered from different countries. Peter, who was the guy who always raised his hand, always had something to say, he got up and preached the first sermon that day. and 3000 people followed his call to turn from their sins and be baptized. The church from the start was turned outside, engaging the world.

After Pentecost, the followers of Jesus begin meeting together for worship in the Temple courts, and breaking bread together at home. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they take care of each other and God adds to their number those who are being saved.

One day, Peter and John are going to the temple to pray and meet a man who has been crippled, lame since birth. He asks them for money. Peter says to him, “Look at us.” So he does. Peter says, “I don’t have money. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk!” Peter takes the man by the hand to help him stand up. Suddenly the man’s ankles and legs get stronger! In fact, he jumps up and walks! He walks into the temple courts and begins jumping and praising God!

People see this man jumping and praising God and recognize him as the lame beggar! People are amazed to see him walking! People run over to see him! In Acts 3:12 Peter asks the crowd, “Why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” Peter, who, when Jesus went to the cross was so scared that he denied knowing him three times. This Peter gets brave and bold! He preaches a message that is sure to make some people who hear it sweat and make others mad! Peter tells them, you killed Jesus, but God raised him from the dead, and we are witnesses!

Peter softens it a little and says, I know you did this out of ignorance, as did your leaders. He tells them, “¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” The religious leaders are not happy. Soon Peter and John are seized and thrown into prison!

During their trial, the Sanhedrin, which is like a religious court, asks, “By what power or what name did you heal this man?” In Acts 4:10 Peter is bold again! He says, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.” The religious leaders are astonished at Peter and John’s courage! The lame man is there, standing at their trial, so the religious leaders feel they can’t do anything to Peter and John.

The Sanhedrin lets them go, telling them, you can’t preach or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John reply, We cannot help preaching in his name.

Peter and John are released and go to where the believers are gathered and tell them all that has happened. The believers pray, and what do they ask for? What would you pray for? I might pray for safety for Peter and John. But the church didn’t pray for safety! Here’s what they prayed in Acts 4:29. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  They prayed instead that God would make them all bold! They prayed for boldness!

Think about it! Jesus was bold, and it got him killed! You might think his followers would pray: God help us preach diplomatically and not offend the religious leaders too much. Or that they might pray for protection from harm. But instead, they asked for the courage to keep speaking up. When they finished praying, the whole house shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit!

What do you pray about? So often we pray for ourselves, our family and friends, people and situations we are most concerned about. God cares about us and wants us to pray about those things. But if God answered all your prayers, how much would you be the beneficiary versus other people?

Think about how the first Christians risked their lives and instead of praying for safety, prayed for boldness! What are we doing that requires courage, and faith in the Lord, instead of just asking God for what will make me feel better, or make my life the way I think it should be?

I know sometimes I lack boldness. Sometimes I will pray for someone over the phone. But sometimes, I think, oh, this seems lame, praying on the phone, and I don’t pray! Sometimes I don’t ask, “hey, can I pray for you?” People can always say no. But they rarely do. Boldness is speaking up when fear tells you to be quiet.

If we’re not asking for boldness, we’re going to miss opportunities to be bold. But if you pray for boldness, when opportunities come, you’ll be prepared to speak up!

This boldness the early church had, it wasn’t about being rude or annoying. It was listening to God when he whispers to you or gives you a nudge to speak up and say something to someone.

The early Christians realized, we’ve got access to the Holy Spirit, the power of God. It’s up to us to share how people can be in relationship with God who loves them and can change their lives! We won’t be silent!

What if we were bold like them? Bold enough to care. Bold enough to stand up to someone. What if we let God direct us to speak up, maybe to a person who needs to get in recovery. We apologize, and say, “I could be wrong, I’m sorry if this upsets you, but it seems like getting help would help you feel better.  Or maybe boldness means to invite a neighbor to church.

God wants to use you to change someone’s life.  

My challenge for you this week, is to pray this prayer: God give me the courage to speak up, when fear tells me to keep my mouth shut!

The first Christians left a legacy for us and for all Christians! They weren’t timid and they didn’t hold back. Because of their courage people’s lives were changed! Our lives were changed! We are their legacy. Boldness is speaking up when fear tells you to be quiet. What if we listened to God? Pray for boldness, and you can change the world for good and for God, one person at a time. Amen.