Be Courageous

REV. 21:8

(Joshua 1:7)

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you

may prosper wherever you go. (NKJV)

Courage is Important to the Christian Because Our Salvation Depends Upon It!

(Revelation 21:8)

"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually

immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (NKJV)

What is Fear?

Matthew 6:30 (NKJV) 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the

field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe

you, O you of little faith?

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Non-Christians:

(Acts 24:25)

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the

judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for

you." (NKJV)

Discussing the Bible

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Non-Christians:

(Matthew 10:38)

"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not

worthy of Me. (NKJV)

Baptism/Obeying the Gospel

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Backslidden Christians:

(James 5:16)

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of

a righteous man avails much. (NKJV)

Confessing Sin/Struggles You Have With Others

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Backslidden Christians:

(Galatians 6:1)

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering

yourself lest you also be tempted. (NKJV)

Repenting & Asking to Be Restored to Fellowship

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Backslidden Christians:

(Romans 12:2)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and

acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Admitting the Truth/Looking at Yourself Critically

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Backslidden Christians:

(2 Corinthians 13:5)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in

you? --unless indeed you are disqualified. (NKJV)

Admitting the Truth/Looking at Yourself Critically

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

(Acts 5:11-13)

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs

and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared

join them, but the people esteemed them highly. (NKJV)

Taking a Stand for the Truth

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

Phil. 1:7

“both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel”

Rev. 6:10

“How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Taking a Stand for the Truth

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

Romans 10:9 (NKJV) 9 …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in

your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Evangelism

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

(1 Peter 4:1-4)

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men,

but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts,

drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the

same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (NKJV)

Standing Firm When Confronted With Peer Pressure

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

(1 Peter 4:16)

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify

God in this matter. (NKJV)

Standing Firm When Confronted With Peer Pressure

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and

mammon.

Standing Firm When Confronted With Peer Pressure

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

(Mark 13:13)

"And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be

saved. (NKJV)

Remaining Steadfast During Times of Persecution

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Christians:

Matthew 19:29 (NKJV) 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or

father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

It Requires Courage to Live a Life of Self-Sacrifice

Fear is natural.MosesIsraelitesThe Disciples Feared

Acts 8:4 (NKJV) 4 Therefore those who were scattered went

everywhere preaching the word.

Fear is natural.MosesIsraelitesThe Disciples FearedThe Apostles

John 20:19 (NKJV) 19 …the doors were shut where the disciples

were assembled, for fear of the Jews…

Fear is natural.MosesIsraelitesThe Disciples FearedThe ApostlesJesus Himself Appears to Have Experienced Fear

What is Courage? Courage is not the absence of

fear, but the willingness to act in spite of that fear!

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of

fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

We need to learn to channel our fear properly.

Proper FearPsalm 111:10 (NKJV)

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His

commandments. His praise endures forever.

We need to learn to channel our fear properly.

Proper FearProverbs 1:7 (NKJV)

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We need to learn to channel our fear properly.

Proper FearProverbs 8:13 (NKJV)

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil…

Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV) 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life…

We need to learn to channel our fear properly.

Proper FearProverbs 23:17 (NKJV)

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

We need to learn to channel our fear properly.

Improper FearPsalm 56:4 (NKJV)

4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Areas Where Courage Is Essential For Non-Christians:

(Matthew 10:34-38)

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a

daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' "He who

loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "And he who

does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (NKJV)

It Requires Courage to Obey the Gospel