Live Big with Derek Grier — “Bold Through Opposition | Part 1” (December 29, 2025)
Episode Overview
In “Bold Through Opposition | Part 1,” Dr. Derek Grier explores Acts chapter 5, guiding listeners through practical, biblical lessons on handling adversity and remaining steadfast in faith. Using vivid analogies, real-life applications, and a relatable tone, Dr. Grier emphasizes that storms, opposition, and setbacks are inevitable—even when one is in the center of God's will. Throughout the episode, he unpacks how believers can remain “unshakeable” through adversity and why true victory comes from obedience and trust in God.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Building on a Strong Foundation (Acts 5:14 & Matthew 7:24)
- Setting the Scene: The early church was growing (“believers were increasingly added to the Lord”), yet Dr. Grier warns that spiritual success does not preclude hardship.
- Storm Metaphor: “Life is a lot like the Caribbean. We're either in the middle of a storm, coming out of a storm, or going into a storm.” (01:00)
- Solid Foundation: Quoting Jesus (Matthew 7:24), Dr. Grier emphasizes not only hearing the Word but doing it; this builds a “house on the rock.”
- Reality Check: Even those on the “rock”—obedient believers—will face storms, but, “if you trust God, hang on to His Word, you will not fall.” (03:15)
Growth, Diversity, and Jealousy
- Church’s Flourishing: The church’s growth included “multitudes of both men and women.” Dr. Grier highlights God’s intention to reach all.
- Envy & Success: “Sometimes people will wish you all the success in the world, but then hate you when you get it.” (05:00)
- Crabs in a Barrel Analogy: Warning against jealousy: “Pulling someone else down never helps you up.”
God Uses Flawed People
- Peter’s Example: Despite Peter’s past failures (denying Jesus, impulsiveness), God used him as a leader.
- Notable Quote: “God uses flawed people because flawed people are the only people he has to use.” (09:10)
- Relating to Listeners: Encourages self-reflection and extending grace to others.
The Sadducees: Religious Opposition (Acts 5:17)
- Profile of the Sadducees: “Religious brokers of their day… like cessationists… did not believe in the present and active supernatural power of God.” (11:45)
- Indignation & Jealousy: Their anger (“filled with indignation”) was really jealousy and a threat response.
- Responding to Others’ Blessings: “If God is blessing my neighbor… that means He's in the neighborhood. If He did it for them, He can do it for me.” (13:00)
Persecution and Divine Intervention
- Persecution: The apostles are imprisoned, a demonstration that opposition often follows spiritual progress.
- God’s Deliverance: “People may try to shut you in or shut you out and throw away the key, but the Lord still knows how to open a door that no one can shut.” (17:00)
- Examples from History: Mandela, Lekwesa—imprisoned, yet later elevated.
- Notable Quote: “Treating people dirty may win the battle, but it will not win the war. Because what goes around, comes around. And one thing about them tables is they keep on turning.” (18:30)
Breakthroughs Have Purpose
- Purpose-Driven Miracles: God didn’t free the apostles for self-serving reasons; it was so they could continue His work.
- Challenging Listeners: “If you just want rescue for the sake of rescue, what I'm talking about today may not work for you, but if you change your prayer—‘Lord, bless me so I could be a blessing’—God will pour you out a blessing…” (21:00)
- Obedience: The apostles return to the temple and continue teaching despite opposition.
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping (Proverbs 26:27)
- Spiritual Law: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it… you will reap what you sow.”
- Modern Application: “Karma is eventually pronounced ‘ha ha ha’. You will get the last laugh.” (24:40)
- Responsibility: Encourages listeners to choose their “seeds” (words, actions) carefully.
God’s Methods & Expectations
- Differing Deliverances: Contrasts dramatic deliverance (Paul & Silas in prison) with quiet, subtle intervention for Peter and the apostles; God works both ways.
- Challenging Expectations: “Every time I have tried to put God in my little box, I am left sweeping up pieces of shredded cardboard.” (28:00)
- Practical Wisdom: God’s answers may be loud or quiet; don’t limit Him.
Favor, Intimidation, and Courage
- Public Perception: Favor from others (as with the crowds around Peter and the apostles) can sometimes offer protection.
- Notable Quote: “If everyone likes you, you have a problem. If nobody likes you, you have a problem. But when the right people like you, it makes all the difference in the world.” (34:45)
- Facing Intimidation: Dr. Grier stresses the importance of responding to intimidation with humility and courage.
- Stepping Through Fear: “Everything that I've ever wanted has always resided on the other side of a fear. So when stuff gets scary, I just get ready to do something I've never done.” (37:10)
Obedience to God Over Man
- Apostolic Boldness: The apostles refuse to be silenced: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (38:15)
- Wisdom in Disobedience: Normally, Christians should respect authority unless it conflicts with God’s call.
- Memorable Quote: “The fear of man makes the strongest of us cowards. The fear of God makes the weakest of us heroes. The difference between a hero and everyone else is a hero just takes one step forward when other people take a step back.” (41:10)
Magnifying God and Finding Peace
- Magnifying God: Emphasizes shifting focus from problems to God’s greatness—“As I magnify God, the problems begin to shrink.” (43:30)
- Peace Through Prayer: Encourages listeners to pray, supplicate, and give thanks in trials, drawing from Philippians 4:6.
- Practical Faith: “When everyone else is losing their mind, find your knees and begin to talk to your God and watch Him do what only God can do.” (46:00)
The Story of Abraham and Isaac: Provision by Obedience
- Ram in the Bush Analogy: You may not see God's provision (“the ram”) until you obey and act in faith.
- Encouragement: “All you’re supposed to do is obey. And at the right moment, He’ll have you lift your head and you will see what was there for you all the time.” (48:10)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Storms in Life: “We think that if we're in the will of God, everything's going to be hunky dory… But even those listening to and doing God's word, the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house.” (02:30)
- On Jealousy: “If God is blessing my neighbor, not to get mad, but to rejoice. Because if he's blessing my neighbor, that means he's in the neighborhood.” (13:00)
- On Purpose of Miracles: “God broke them out of the prison order… so they could continue the Lord's work. If you just want rescue for the sake of rescue, what I'm talking about today may not work for you...” (21:10)
- On Courage: “Everything that I've ever wanted has always resided on the other side of a fear... when stuff gets scary, I just get ready to do something I've never done.” (37:10)
- On Obedience vs. Popularity: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (38:15)
- On Fear and Heroism: “The fear of man makes the strongest of us cowards. The fear of God makes the weakest of us heroes.” (41:10)
- Magnifying God: “As I magnify God, the problems begin to shrink.” (43:30)
- Provision in Obedience: “All you’re supposed to do is obey. And at the right moment, He’ll have you lift your head and you will see what was there for you all the time.” (48:10)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–05:00| Church growth, storm metaphor, listening and doing God’s Word | | 05:00–11:45| Gender inclusivity in the early church, handling success & envy | | 11:45–18:30| Who were the Sadducees, religious jealousy, God uses flawed people | | 18:30–24:40| Persecution, unjust imprisonment, God’s deliverance, examples from history | | 24:40–28:00| Spiritual law of sowing and reaping, karma, responsibility | | 28:00–34:45| Different ways God delivers, breaking out of religious “boxes” | | 34:45–38:15| Favor with others, dealing with intimidation, finding courage | | 38:15–43:30| Obeying God over man, fear vs. heroism, spiritual boldness | | 43:30–48:10| Magnifying God, prayer and peace, Abraham and Isaac’s provision |
Final Reflection
Dr. Grier’s sermon weaves together humor, scriptural depth, and motivational challenges. He asserts that living “bold through opposition” means building life on God’s enduring truth, embracing your flaws, not being derailed by the opinions of others, and stepping out in obedience—even when you don’t see the path or provision yet. Opposing forces, whether religious or circumstantial, are not evidence of failure but opportunities for faith, courage, and steadfastness. The call to listeners is simple but demanding: Will you take a step forward for God regardless of the opposition?
“Is there anyone here willing to take a step forward for God? …As long as you're with us, God, we're going to be all right.” (46:00–48:10)