A Church That Makes Jesus Smile: The Secret to True Boldness
What does it actually mean to be the church? In a culture where Christianity is often reduced to a denomination or a physical building, the true biblical definition is far simpler and more profound: a church is a community of people who believe in Jesus and commit to consistent, genuine fellowship together. While attending a building doesn’t make you a Christian, staying connected with fellow believers is central to God’s plan. The church isn't filled with perfect people—offenses and mistakes will happen—but staying in community is where authentic growth begins.
In the sermon series A Church That Makes Jesus Smile, Pastor Scott highlights a key trait that delights the Lord: boldness.
Boldness shows up in everyday life in many ways—whether it's defending your favorite sports team or standing up for your convictions on social media. But when applied to faith, boldness carries eternal weight. Standing tall in your faith and letting your light shine brings joy to Christ.
However, true spiritual boldness is not about forcing enthusiasm or gritting your teeth to appear strong. Real boldness almost always triggers opposition, whether through subtle misunderstandings, jealousy, or direct confrontation. As Galatians 5:11 reminds us, the message of the cross can be offensive because it asks us to acknowledge our human limitations and our absolute need for repentance. Yet, when grounded in grace, love, and gentleness, standing firm in the gospel reflects the heart of God.
The True Source of Boldness
Where does genuine boldness come from? In Acts, the religious leaders were astonished by the boldness of Peter and John. They realized these were ordinary men without formal training—their defining characteristic was simply that they had been with Jesus.
There is no shortcut to boldness; there is only time spent in the presence of Jesus.
When you prioritize spending time with God, everything else falls into place:
Your identity and self-worth become grounded in His grace rather than human approval.
Your wisdom and direction for daily choices align with His purpose.
Your courage to share your faith flows naturally rather than feeling forced.
As Matthew 6:33 encourages us, when we seek the Kingdom of God above all else, He provides everything we need.
Building a church that makes Jesus smile doesn't come from guilt or pressure to perform better. It begins with shifting your focus back to Him. True transformation happens when we push aside the noise of the world and "lock eyes" with Jesus, allowing His beauty, love, and grace to overflow into our daily lives. When we dwell in His presence, boldness becomes a natural reflection of a life transformed by Him.