Embracing Courage: A Divine Call to Action

Courage is a virtue that resonates deeply within the human heart, and yet, for many of us, it often feels elusive. We admire courage in others, especially in stories of heroism, but when faced with our own moments of decision, we may find ourselves shrinking back. Our lives are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, and at the heart of every great story is the battle between good and evil, courage and fear. The call to courage is not just a suggestion—it is a command from God. Scripture repeatedly urges us to “take heart,” to be strong and courageous, not because of our own strength, but because the Lord is with us wherever we go.

Courage is not a passive quality; it is revealed in action. It is visible to others, as seen in the lives of Peter and John, who astonished onlookers with their boldness despite being ordinary men. Courage is also something that grows as we wait upon the Lord, drawing strength from His presence. It is nurtured in community, as we encourage one another, and it is the antidote to fear, rooted in trust and hope in God.

The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who displayed remarkable courage. Moses faced his past and returned to Egypt, trusting in God’s promise. David confronted Goliath, motivated by honor for God and confidence in who stood with him. Esther risked her life for her people, declaring, “If I perish, I perish.” Daniel continued to pray openly, even when it meant facing the lions’ den, choosing gratitude and faithfulness over self-preservation. Each of these stories reminds us that courage often requires us to step into vulnerability and uncertainty, trusting that God will meet us there.

Courage takes many forms: physical, social, moral, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Jesus Himself demonstrated the ultimate courage in the Garden of Gethsemane. In His moment of greatest vulnerability, He called His friends, shared His heart honestly, asked for their support, humbled Himself before the Father, and ultimately submitted to God’s will. His example shows us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to obey God in the face of it.

We are not called to lives of timidity or mediocrity, but to step into the arena, to dare greatly, and to trust that on the other side of vulnerability and courageous obedience lies victory. Our inheritance is to live boldly, knowing who walks with us, and to encourage one another to rise up and do exploits for the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Courage is a Command, Not a Suggestion God’s call to courage is not optional; it is a direct command. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This means that courage is not based on our feelings or circumstances, but on the unchanging presence and promises of God. When we see the resources available to us in Christ, fear loses its grip. [49:19]
• 2. Courage is Revealed in Vulnerability and Action True courage is not declared in words but revealed in our willingness to act, especially when the outcome is uncertain. Every step of faith involves vulnerability—stepping into the unknown, risking failure or rejection, and trusting God with the results. The stories of Moses, David, Esther, and Daniel all illustrate that courage is forged in the crucible of uncertainty and obedience. [59:57]
• 3. Community Fuels Courage We are not meant to walk the path of courage alone. Encouragement from others can reignite our resolve when we falter, just as Paul was strengthened by the believers who met him on the road to Rome. Jesus Himself called His friends to be with Him in His hour of need, modeling the importance of honest fellowship and shared burdens in cultivating courage. [72:52]
• 4. Courage Takes Many Forms and Touches Every Area of Life Courage is not limited to heroic acts in moments of crisis. It is needed in facing our past, standing for truth in social settings, doing what is right when it is costly, mastering our emotions, remaining intellectually open, and living out our spiritual convictions. Each form of courage is a response to God’s call to live authentically and purposefully, centered on Christ. [68:33]
• 5. Jesus Shows Us the Pathway to Courage In Gethsemane, Jesus demonstrated how to find courage in the face of overwhelming fear: He sought the support of friends, was honest about His struggles, asked for help, humbled Himself before God, and surrendered to the Father’s will. This pattern invites us to embrace our own vulnerability, seek God’s strength, and trust that obedience—even when costly—leads to resurrection and victory. [74:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - The Human Longing for Courage
• [03:10] - Stories and the Power of Narrative
• [06:00] - The Meaning and Nature of Courage
• [10:20] - Winston Churchill: Words of Resolve
• [14:30] - Our Greater Cause: The Kingdom
• [17:00] - Courage as Action, Not Declaration
• [20:15] - Biblical Foundations: Courage as Command
• [24:00] - Courage is Visible and Contagious
• [27:10] - Waiting on the Lord for Courage
• [30:00] - Encouragement from Community
• [33:00] - Courage Overcomes Fear
• [36:00] - Stories of Courage: Moses, David, Esther, Daniel
• [49:00] - The Many Forms of Courage
• [70:33] - Jesus in Gethsemane: The Ultimate Example
• [77:06] - Get in the Game: Living Courageously
• [80:49] - Responding to God’s Call to Courage
• [82:34] - Prayer for Boldness and Grace
• [83:45] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Reading

1. Joshua 1:9 (ESV) — > "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

2. Acts 4:13 (ESV) — > "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

3. Matthew 26:36-39 (ESV) — > "Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go over there and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

Observation Questions

1. According to Joshua 1:9, what is the reason God gives for commanding Joshua (and us) to be strong and courageous?
2. In Acts 4:13, what surprised the people about Peter and John’s courage, and what did they recognize as the source of their boldness?
3. In the story of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39), what steps did Jesus take when he was overwhelmed with sorrow and fear?
4. The sermon mentioned that courage is not just a feeling but is revealed in action. What are some examples from the sermon or the Bible passages where courage was shown through action? [[49:19]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The command to be courageous in Joshua 1:9 is not based on personal strength but on God’s presence. Why is this distinction important for how we understand and live out courage? [[49:19]]
2. The people noticed Peter and John’s courage even though they were “ordinary men.” What does this suggest about who can be courageous and what makes courage possible? [[49:19]]
3. Jesus’ actions in Gethsemane show vulnerability and dependence on others. How does this challenge our usual ideas about what it means to be courageous? [[01:12:52]]
4. The sermon described different forms of courage (physical, social, moral, emotional, intellectual, spiritual). Why do you think it’s important to recognize these different types, and how might they show up in everyday life? [[01:08:33]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that courage is a command, not a suggestion. Is there an area in your life right now where you sense God is calling you to take a courageous step, but you’ve been hesitant? What is holding you back? [[49:19]]
2. Think about a time when you needed to face your past, like Moses did. Is there something in your past that you need to address with God’s help so you can move forward? What would it look like to take that first step? [[59:57]]
3. David’s courage came from knowing who stood with him. When you face “giants” in your life—difficult situations or people—how can you remind yourself of God’s presence and promises? [[59:57]]
4. Esther risked her life for her people, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Is there a situation where doing the right thing might cost you something? What would it look like to trust God with the outcome? [[01:01:19]]
5. Jesus invited his friends into his struggle in Gethsemane. When you are facing something hard, do you tend to isolate yourself or reach out for support? What is one way you could invite others into your journey this week? [[01:12:52]]
6. The sermon emphasized that courage is nurtured in community. Who in your life encourages you to be courageous? How can you be that person for someone else this week? [[01:12:52]]
7. The message ended with a call to “get in the game” and not settle for timidity or mediocrity. What is one practical step you can take this week to move from comfort or fear into courageous obedience? [[01:17:06]]