Move: The Cost of Courage

Jul 05, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: A Rich Man’s Tomb for a Borrowed Body

Joseph of Arimathea stepped into history’s darkest moment with a costly act: surrendering his unused tomb to honor Jesus. His wealth and status became tools for resurrection hope when others hid. This quiet disciple, once complicit in Jesus’ execution, chose courage over comfort. His story proves God uses flawed people in pivotal ways. What seems insignificant—a tomb, a job, a skill—becomes sacred when surrendered. [44:56]

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance and went away. (Matthew 27:57-60, ESV)

Reflection: What unique resource, skill, or position do you hold that could meet a need only you can address? How might surrendering it rewrite someone’s story?

Day 2: Courage Is Fear Walking Forward

Joseph’s hands once voted to crucify Jesus; days later, those same hands prepared His body for burial. Courage isn’t the absence of fear but moving despite it. As a council leader, Joseph risked his reputation, career, and safety to honor the One he’d failed. God specializes in redeeming regret into purpose. [54:05]

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Mark 15:43, ESV)

Reflection: Where has past failure made you hesitant to act? What one step could you take today to move toward redemption rather than regret?

Day 3: Late Obedience Still Changes History

Joseph spent years studying Scripture yet stayed silent during Jesus’ trial. But when the disciples fled, this “almost” disciple became essential. His delayed courage still shaped eternity. God’s timeline for transformation defies human expectations—a tomb offered too late became proof of resurrection. [59:17]

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and was himself waiting for the kingdom of God. (Luke 23:50-51, ESV)

Reflection: What area of your life feels “too late” to surrender to God? How might His plans require your history rather than erase it?

Day 4: Ordinary Tombs for Eternal Purposes

Joseph’s tomb was meant for his family’s legacy. Instead, it held history’s greatest miracle for three days. What we hoard for personal security often becomes the exact tool God uses for collective hope. The Sandoval family’s move to the reservation mirrors this: ordinary obedience writes eternal stories. [52:15]

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. Nicodemus also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes. (John 19:38,39, ESV)

Reflection: What practical provision (home, skills, time) are you guarding that God might be asking you to “loan” for His kingdom work?

Day 5: Finishing Well Demands Daily Surrender

King Uzziah’s early success didn’t prevent his prideful collapse. Joseph’s story warns: past obedience doesn’t guarantee future faithfulness. Every day requires fresh surrender. The tomb wasn’t Joseph’s final act—it was a beginning. Discipleship isn’t a decision but a daily rhythm of costly yeses. [01:03:35]

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:16, ESV)

Reflection: What area of success or spiritual maturity tempts you to rely on past obedience rather than present dependence?

Sermon Summary

Joseph of Arimathea stands as the linchpin between cross and empty tomb, a “secret disciple” who moves when everyone else scatters. Matthew names Joseph a rich man who had become a disciple and who offers a virgin tomb, so the story runs from a virgin womb to a virgin tomb, and the first step of exaltation places Jesus in a rich man’s grave. Matthew sets the need, and Joseph meets the need that only he can meet, because no other disciple owns a tomb or carries that kind of access.

Mark identifies Joseph as a respected, even prominent, member of the council that condemned Jesus, so the council’s shame becomes Joseph’s burden. Courage then becomes the turning point, because courage is being afraid and getting on the horse anyway, and Joseph goes to Pilate while others lock doors. Mark shows that the cost lands on job, status, and reputation, and the call to move proves costly, not theoretical.

Luke calls Joseph a good and righteous man who had not consented to the decision and action, so silence still stings but grace still moves. The kingdom of God becomes his horizon, and a late start becomes better than no start, because God is still working in the darkest hour. Luke lets the church see that passivity feeds evil, yet repentance takes shape when someone finally steps forward to ask for the body.

John names Joseph a disciple, but secretly for fear of the Jews, and then sets Nicodemus at his side with myrrh and aloes, so unlikely names carry the body of the Crucified. The people God chooses are not the people people choose, and the text refuses to write off anyone. Discipleship then becomes an all in follower of Jesus dynamic, not a class, not a sprint, not a marathon, but a baton, and faith is personal but never private.

The invitation of God presses in as an adventure, not the easiest, but by far the greatest, and movement becomes the mark of trust. Ministry shapes itself as sacrifice that lasts beyond a life, because who someone invests in outlives what someone invests in. The call to move names the excuses as the mouthpiece of the accuser, and the Spirit names every believer an ambassador, not an accuser. The story finally insists that a good start does not guarantee finishing well, a bad start does not prevent finishing well, and no one is too far gone for the grace that trades sin and shame for the righteousness of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God chooses unlikely disciples The choice of Joseph, a secret councilman turned caretaker of Christ’s body, unmasks the bias that assumes usefulness tracks with a clean record. The kingdom writes resurrection lines with surprising pens, and the least likely often carry the weight at the crucial hinge. Hope rises when the story refuses to write anyone off. [42:55]
2. Courage moves while fear stays Fear is real, but courage rides anyway, and the ask to Pilate costs Joseph his standing while it locates his soul. Movement in the face of loss becomes the way faith takes shape in public, not just in ideas. The moment of cost becomes the moment of clarity. [54:33]
3. Your past does not disqualify you Failure and delay do not have the last word when Christ is in the story. Grace reframes history as preparation, not disqualification, and a late turn can still become a faithful finish. The accuser counts reasons; the Ambassador assigns purpose. [65:21]
4. Faith is personal, never private Private belief without embodied movement turns discipleship into theory and robs others of needed courage and care. Personal trust ripens into visible steps, shared burdens, and handed batons. Communion deepens when confession meets community. [69:22]
5. Finishing well requires fresh movement A strong start cannot run on yesterday’s momentum, because pride grows in the quiet and drift hides in comfort. Fresh obedience keeps the soul awake and the hands open. Today’s step, not yesterday’s story, marks the road to a faithful finish. [64:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:32] - Christ with you, for you
[40:23] - What is a disciple
[41:30] - Meet Joseph of Arimathea
[41:52] - Named in all four Gospels
[43:31] - Rich man who became a disciple
[44:56] - Asking Pilate for the body
[45:20] - Virgin tomb and first exaltation
[46:37] - Where are the other disciples
[53:12] - Prominent council member revealed
[54:33] - He took courage and moved
[58:39] - Good and righteous, still silent
[60:48] - Ambassador, not accuser
[61:47] - Secret disciple with Nicodemus
[62:58] - Three truths on finishing well
[65:40] - Never write off anyone
[67:00] - Take the next step of faith
[68:25] - Serve and invest beyond self
[69:22] - Faith is personal, not private
[70:57] - Great exchange and call to move
[72:02] - Closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 27:57-61 (ESV)
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

Mark 15:42-43 (ESV)
And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Luke 23:50-52 (ESV)
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

John 19:38-39 (ESV)
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

Observation Questions

What specific details do the four Gospels highlight about Joseph’s identity, actions, and motivations?
How does Mark 15:43 describe the cost Joseph risked by asking Pilate for Jesus’ body? [54:33]
In Luke 23:50-52, what tension exists between Joseph’s character (“good and righteous”) and his earlier silence during the council’s decision? [58:39]
What practical need did Joseph’s wealth and status uniquely allow him to meet in Matthew 27:59-60?

Interpretation Questions

Why might all four Gospels include Joseph’s story, even though he was a “secret disciple” with a complicated past?
How does Joseph’s decision to act after Jesus’ death challenge assumptions about what it means to be a “disciple”? [42:55]
The sermon states, “Courage is being afraid and getting on the horse anyway.” How does Joseph’s story redefine courage in contrast to perfection or fearlessness? [54:33]
Why is it significant that Joseph’s tomb was “new” and “virgin” (Matthew 27:60)? How does this detail connect to the broader story of Jesus’ life and resurrection?

Application Questions

Joseph used his resources (wealth, status, tomb) to serve Jesus in a way only he could. What unique resources, skills, or opportunities do you have that could meet a specific need in your community or church? [47:05]
The sermon says, “Your past does not disqualify you.” What regret, failure, or delay in your life do you need to surrender to God’s grace so He can reframe it for His purpose? [01:05:21]
Joseph’s faith became visible through action, even when it cost him. What step of “embodied movement” (serving, speaking up, sacrificing) is God asking you to take this week to move from private belief to public trust? [01:09:22]
The sermon warns that “a good start does not guarantee finishing well.” What habits or relationships do you need to cultivate today to stay spiritually awake and avoid drifting? [01:04:45]
Joseph and Nicodemus—two unlikely allies—carried Jesus’ body together. Is there someone in your life you’ve “written off” as too flawed or distant from God to be used by Him? How could you actively pray for or encourage them this week? [01:05:40]
When have you allowed fear of judgment or failure to keep you silent or passive in a situation where God was calling you to act? What would it look like to “take courage” in that area now? [54:33]

Sermon Clips

74s

#AmbassadorNotAccuser

“``Too many of us, we allow to be the mouthpiece of Satan, the accuser in our own life. We come up with all the reasons why I can't do what I somebody else is doing. But here, I'll I'll repeat it again. You are uniquely positioned in your experience, in your gifts, in your skills, and where your stage of life to do what God's calling you to do that nobody else in the room is able to do. This isn't, oh, I'm gonna let somebody else step forward. Yeah, you know what'll happen? You're gonna miss out. God doesn't need you, but he invites us. He's inviting you. He's calling you. And he doesn't consider your past in order to qualify you for your present. We do. We give all the excuses. Well, I'm not this, and I'm not that, and I don't know enough, and I don't Would you stop it? Quit playing accuser. That's Satan's job. You're to be the ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ in your workplace, in your family, in your home. That's your job is to be an ambassador, not an accuser.”

63s

#CourageInFear

“Courage is being afraid, but getting on the horse anyway. Being afraid, but still moving. It's okay to be afraid. But courage is I'm still going to move forward. See, everybody else was running the opposite way when Joseph went alone. I don't see anybody else with him when he goes to Pilate. Do you know what it cost Joseph to do this? It cost him his job. Imagine the gossip and the discussion and the rumors around the temple and around the town in Jerusalem. Who took his body? Joseph? The Joseph who voted to have him executed? Yeah. Well, he just lost his job. He it cost him something. There will be a day as you follow Jesus where Jesus yes, you can know about him, but there will come an opportunity. That's what I call it. It's an opportunity where you have an opportunity to sacrifice and to give and to move.”

75s

#GoAllInForJesus

“Listen, we come up with all these reasons and excuses to not do what God is asking us to do. And here's here's what ends up happening. Did you hear Ashley say it in the video? It's an adventure. It's the greatest adventure of your life is when you go all in to follow Jesus. Not the easiest, most rewarding. Joseph goes all in. So I guess this is gonna cost me my job. This is gonna cost me my position. I'm gonna I'm gonna give what I can give. Too many of us, we allow to be the mouthpiece of Satan, the accuser in our own life. We come up with all the reasons why I can't do what I somebody else is doing. But here, I'll I'll repeat it again. You are uniquely positioned in your experience, in your gifts, in your skills, and where your stage of life to do what God's calling you to do that nobody else in the room is able to do. This isn't, oh, I'm gonna let somebody else step forward. Yeah, you know what'll happen? You're gonna miss out. God doesn't need you, but he invites us.”

65s

#OnlyYouCanServe

“What didn't the text? Who wasn't there? Where are the other disciples? We see Joseph is mentioned here as a disciple, but where are the other 11? There's 11 now. Where are they? Why weren't they part of this process? Why didn't they go with Joseph? Joseph was the only one who could meet a need, and nobody else around him could. Peter couldn't offer a tomb at this point. Mary didn't have the wealth to have her own tomb. Martha didn't have the wealth. Joseph was the only one who could meet any. Listen, right now, there are some of you who have experience, who have a position, who have a story that God wants to use to help bring the kingdom of God here that nobody else in this room can do. Nobody else in your circle, in your influence, in your family is able to do what God's asking only you to do. Nobody else was able to do what Joseph was able to do.”

71s

#StepInWhenOthersLeave

“It took a tremendous amount of courage and the step of faith for Joseph to move when everybody else was running the opposite way. I'll tell you where the disciples were. Disciples and all in follower of Jesus. You know where the disciples were? They were all out. But following Jesus is not this gradual straight line up into the right. Some days, you feel like you have it figured out. Most days, if you're like me, you don't. It's like, it's two steps forward and three steps back some days in following Jesus. The disciples can relate to you. Right? They spent three years with Jesus, and then when all grows dark and Jesus dies, they are hiding in a room behind locked doors. Joseph isn't. This man that we've never heard of before. He shows up, and he steps in when everybody else leaves. Discipleship and disciple making will cost you something. There will be a day where Jesus will call upon you a sacrifice or a cost, and it is a great privilege to be able to give what Jesus is asking of us. Do not run away, and do not shrink back.”

51s

#NeverTooFarGone

“Joseph was not disqualified to move even though he took in crucifying Jesus. No one is too far gone. It is never too late for you to take a step towards Jesus. Maybe the greatest step, in fact, I would say the greatest step, is to give your life to him, to recognize that the substitution that Jesus gives you and I, because he takes our sin, he takes our shame, and he takes our guilt. In exchange, he gives us his righteousness. He declares you good and holy and perfect. He did that with Joseph. I don't know the rest of Joseph's story, the rest of his life. But it's recorded in all four gospels.”

51s

#LateStartFinishStrong

“a bad start does not prevent finishing well. Amen? All of us have a long list of reasons why God shouldn't choose me and God shouldn't choose you. Abraham was called out of idolatry. We could spend three months on Abraham's choices. Paul. You know what Paul's profession was before he met Jesus? A persecutor of the early church. Peter denying Jesus. Listen, the mistakes and the choices that you've made in your life does not disqualify you in any shape or form to be used by God to move toward him. In fact, it uniquely positions you. A late start is better than no start.”

55s

#NeverWriteAnyoneOff

“Number three, never write off anyone. See, we all have this list of what a disciple should look like, and sometimes it gets way too narrow. And we we uninvite people that we think, oh, God will never use them, and so I'm not going to spend my time with them because look at their choices and their actions or behavior that they're making. You know what God's going to do? God's gonna, like, watch this. You're gonna end up being their neighbor in heaven. The people that you think there's no way God's going to save them. God's like, watch this. There is nobody in your family, in your workplace who's beyond the grace and the mercy of Jesus. So don't write anybody off. There's hope. There is hope for you, then there's hope for everybody else.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Boulder Mountain Community Church This sermon · AI assistant

What cost accompanies true discipleship today?

How can past failures lead to restoration?

Who is uniquely positioned to serve Christ?

Move: The Cost of Courage

Devotional

Day 1: A Rich Man’s Tomb for a Borrowed Body

Day 2: Courage Is Fear Walking Forward

Day 3: Late Obedience Still Changes History

Day 4: Ordinary Tombs for Eternal Purposes

Day 5: Finishing Well Demands Daily Surrender

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Move: The Cost of Courage

Share