Courage 1

Memory Verse: …” This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NLT).

Text: Joshua 1:1-9

Spiritual Emphasis: Courage isn’t just the absence of fear but a response to it. Biblical courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to move forward in obedience because of God’s constant presence. It can be simply defined as that attitude of mind and heart that enables us to face danger, obstacles, and the challenges of life fearlessly, firmly, and calmly. Everyday you’re making choices and decisions. Everyday those choices and decisions reveal you to be either courageous or a coward. It takes courage to make the right choice and make a difference in our world.

A Difference Maker

• I show courage first by owing up to my “sin”- We sometime want to call it blunder, character defect, flaw, temperament, lack of good judgment etc, but the Bible calls it sin. Sometimes we are more concern about what other people will think or say when we admit that we made a mistake, that we fell short of God’s standard. The truth is that being able to be honest about our short-coming is a mark of courage – Romans 3:23-24; 1 John 1:8-10; Prov. 28:13.
• Courage is standing up for what is right – Today, very few Christians are willing to stand up for what’s right. In today’s world, tolerance is valued more than the truth. Most times, Christians remain silence and don’t do anything for fear of being labeled, “Narrow minded”, “Prejudiced”, “Judgmental”, “Old fashioned”, or “out of date” – 1 Cor.16:13-14; Ezekiel 3:17-19; Prov. 14:12-13.

Questions: As believers, how can we “confront” or stand up for what is right and just without been seen as “judgmental”, “prejudiced”, “out of date”, or even “compromise our faith in God”.

Conclusion: Every one of us faces moments that make us want to shrink back. It might be a scary medical report, a major life transition, or a hard conversation we know we need to have. Fear whispers, “You are alone, and you are not strong enough.”

But Scripture offers a completely different anchor. When God calls His people to face massive challenges, His command is clear: “Be strong and courageous”

Shalom! 

Self-Study: 1 Chronicles 28:20; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 54:4; John 14:27; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:7; Joshua 1:9-11; Isaiah 41:10-13; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Psalm 27:14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 23:1-4; Mark 5:36; Psalm 112:7; Psalm 31:24; Joshua 1:6; 1 Samuel 17; John 16:33; Rev. 12:11.