Courageous Living: Embracing Faith Over Fear

Devotional

Day 1: Courage in Everyday Life

Courage is not just for grand gestures but is required in our daily lives. It means letting Jesus lead and giving up control, even in our familiar surroundings. This kind of courage is about making the right choices, no matter how small, and trusting God to guide us. [03:03]

Luke 9:24 (ESV): "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."

Reflection: Think of a small, everyday decision you need to make today. How can you let Jesus lead in this decision, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone?

Day 2: The Incompatibility with the World

As Christians, we are not meant to fit into the world. Our ultimate satisfaction comes from our relationship with God and the eternal life He promises. Trying to fit in leads to dissatisfaction because we are made for something greater. [08:42]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel pressured to conform to the world. How can you shift your focus to seek fulfillment in your relationship with God instead?

Day 3: Facing Fear with Faith

The world is filled with reasons to be afraid, but as believers, we are called to be strong and courageous. This strength comes from our faith in God, who is not fearful and who empowers us to face our enemies without fear. [13:35]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What is one fear that has been holding you back recently? How can you rely on God's strength to face this fear today?

Day 4: Courage Encourages Courage

Acts of bravery inspire others to be courageous. Historical examples like the "Tank Man" and Napoleon’s soldiers show that one person’s courage can ignite a movement. In the same way, our courage can encourage others in their faith. [19:43]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement. How can your act of courage today inspire them to be brave in their own faith journey?

Day 5: God’s Power in Small Acts

The story of Gideon teaches us that God can achieve great victories with small, courageous acts. It’s not about the size of our resources but our willingness to trust God and step out in faith. [27:16]

Judges 7:7 (ESV): "And the Lord said to Gideon, 'With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.'"

Reflection: What small act of courage can you take today to trust God more deeply? How can this act demonstrate your faith in His power to achieve great things through you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we continue our series titled "Guts: Courage in the Face of Fear." We began by acknowledging the heat wave in Texas and expressing gratitude for Angie’s message last week. We also shared a personal update about our daughter’s new job and apartment, celebrating her growth and the honor of God on her life.

We then delved into the essence of courage, which is not just bravery but also mental and moral strength to face fear and difficulty. Luke 9:24 reminds us that to follow Jesus, we must let Him lead, giving up our lives for His sake. Courage is essential in this season, especially for the church, as we cannot be both brave and safe simultaneously. True courage involves making choices that are often scary and hard, but each act of bravery builds more courage over time.

I shared personal experiences from my mission trips and how they shaped my understanding of courage. We discussed the importance of not fitting into the world but rather standing out for Christ. C.S. Lewis’s quote about being made for another world resonated deeply, reminding us that our ultimate fulfillment is not in this world but in the eternal life to come.

We also touched on the pervasive fear in our society, from terrorism to diseases, and how the world constantly tells us to be afraid. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to be strong and courageous, emulating God’s attributes. Philippians 1:12 and Joshua 1:9 encourage us to be strong and courageous, growing firm in our faith.

Courage is contagious; it encourages others to be brave. We looked at historical examples like the "Tank Man" of Tiananmen Square and Napoleon’s "Battery for Men Without Fear" to illustrate how single acts of courage can inspire many. Conversely, cowardice breeds more cowardice, as seen in the story of the cruise ship captain who abandoned his passengers.

Finally, we examined the story of Gideon, who, despite his fears, led a small, unarmed band to victory against a vast enemy. This story teaches us that God can achieve great things even with small, courageous acts. We concluded with a call to be courageous in telling the truth and loving needy people, even when it’s dangerous.

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Key Takeaways

1. Courage in Everyday Life: Courage is not just for grand gestures but is required in our daily lives. It means letting Jesus lead and giving up control, even in our familiar surroundings. This kind of courage is about making the right choices, no matter how small, and trusting God to guide us. [03:03]
2. The Incompatibility with the World: As Christians, we are not meant to fit into the world. Our ultimate satisfaction comes from our relationship with God and the eternal life He promises. Trying to fit in leads to dissatisfaction because we are made for something greater. [08:42]
3. Facing Fear with Faith: The world is filled with reasons to be afraid, but as believers, we are called to be strong and courageous. This strength comes from our faith in God, who is not fearful and who empowers us to face our enemies without fear. [13:35]
4. Courage Encourages Courage: Acts of bravery inspire others to be courageous. Historical examples like the "Tank Man" and Napoleon’s soldiers show that one person’s courage can ignite a movement. In the same way, our courage can encourage others in their faith. [19:43]
5. God’s Power in Small Acts: The story of Gideon teaches us that God can achieve great victories with small, courageous acts. It’s not about the size of our resources but our willingness to trust God and step out in faith. [27:16]
### [27:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:14] - Opening Prayer
[02:13] - Introduction to "Guts: Courage in the Face of Fear"
[03:03] - Defining Courage
[04:38] - The Choice Between Brave and Safe
[05:45] - Personal Mission Trip Experiences
[06:52] - The Challenge of Fitting In
[08:42] - C.S. Lewis Quote and Eternal Perspective
[09:58] - Incompatibility with the World
[11:05] - The Age of Fear
[13:35] - Be Strong and Courageous
[15:06] - Growing in Courage
[16:37] - Paul’s Example of Courage
[18:08] - Courage Encourages Courage
[19:43] - Historical Examples of Courage
[22:43] - The Consequences of Cowardice
[24:16] - The Story of Gideon
[27:16] - God’s Power in Small Acts
[28:49] - The Risks of Following Jesus
[30:15] - Call to Salvation
[31:36] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Luke 9:24, what does Jesus say about those who try to save their own lives? How does this relate to the concept of courage discussed in the sermon? [02:13]
In Philippians 1:12, what does Paul say about his circumstances and how they have affected the gospel? How does this demonstrate courage? [13:35]
What command does God give Joshua in Joshua 1:9, and how does this command relate to the theme of courage in the sermon? [15:06]
The sermon mentioned historical examples of courage, such as the "Tank Man" of Tiananmen Square. How do these examples illustrate the idea that "courage encourages courage"? [19:43]

Interpretation Questions

How does the idea of giving up control of our lives to Jesus (Luke 9:24) challenge our natural instincts for self-preservation? What does this say about the nature of true courage? [03:03]
Paul’s imprisonment in Philippians 1:12 is seen as advancing the gospel. How can difficult or fearful situations in our lives serve a greater purpose? [13:35]
Joshua 1:9 emphasizes being strong and courageous because God is with us. How does the presence of God change our perspective on fear and courage? [15:06]
The sermon discussed the incompatibility of Christians fitting into the world. How does C.S. Lewis’s quote about being made for another world help us understand our ultimate purpose and the courage needed to live it out? [08:42]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you had to choose between being brave and being safe. How did you handle it, and what would you do differently now after hearing this sermon? [04:38]
The sermon mentioned that courage is built by making small, brave choices consistently. Identify one small act of courage you can take this week in your daily life. [05:09]
How can you encourage others to be courageous in their faith? Think of a specific person you can support and how you might do that. [19:43]
The story of Gideon shows that God can achieve great things with small acts of courage. What small step of faith is God calling you to take, and how can you trust Him in this? [27:16]
The sermon highlighted the pervasive fear in our society. What specific fears are you currently facing, and how can you apply the principles from Joshua 1:9 to overcome them? [11:05]
Reflect on the idea that trying to fit into the world leads to dissatisfaction. How can you focus more on your relationship with God and less on fitting in with societal expectations? [08:00]
The sermon concluded with a call to be courageous in telling the truth and loving needy people. Identify one area where you can be more truthful or show more love, even if it’s risky. [28:49]

Sermon Clips

1. "Courage, what is it? In short, it's an attribute of good character that makes us worthy of respect. Some definitions mean strength in the face of pain or grief. Bravery. The ability to do something that frightens you. Like maybe sharing your faith or going on a missions trip. Can I get an amen? It actually means mental and moral strength. To venture, to persevere, to withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." [03:03] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Each time we choose to be brave, we become a little bit more courageous. You say, how do I grow in being courageous? Choose things that are courageous. Little by little. Little things. They don't have to be big things. And great courage is the byproduct of saying yes thousands of times." [05:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Will I change the world? Or is the world going to change me? And I think that is the question for many in the church today. And I said that your life and your legacy matters. And is the world having a greater impact on your life? Or is your life impacting the world for good?" [06:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you're an authentic believer, you will never be satisfied just fitting in. I might speak at anyone this morning. You know, I heard one person say this to me one time. He said, well, if I leave the devil alone, he'll leave me alone. That's a lie. That's a lie." [08:00] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Fear increasingly defines our world on all fronts about all things... The shout is this: be afraid of the world, be very afraid. That's what we're faced with. That is unless you know and trust the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen? Whom Paul and the Philippians knew and trusted. They even more than we had abundant reason to be afraid but just amazingly they chose to be courageous." [12:07] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Be strong and courageous in the face of fear. How many know that we are to emulate our God and we do have the ability because we have the spirit of God within us so you have the ability and the power to emulate the graces and gifts of God. If God is loving we can act loving... If God is a forgiving God how we can be forgiving through the power of God through our life the power of the Holy Spirit." [13:35] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What do you feed on daily, fear or faith? If you're listening there are times it's like this is crazy we have to just shut off the news. Okay, you get something you know you want to keep abreast but it's like this is all bad that plays on you it weighs on you in your spirit man or woman. Can I get an amen?" [15:06] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "A single act of courage can do that. It can create a firestorm of bravery... Courage encourages courage. Did I say that right? Yes, some of you are listening. Actually, Time magazine named him one of the most hundred influential people in the 20th century." [19:43] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "300 was enough. Why? Because 300 who are prepared and courageous are better than 35,000 who are unprepared and terrified. And want to go home. Amen? Why? Because courage encourages courage." [27:16] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Doing what Jesus does, telling the truth and loving needy people is inherently unsafe in a fallen world of lies and selfishness. You know, even our political culture punishes courage and rewards cowardice and silence, but we still must be courageous. Amen, church." [28:49] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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