Living Boldly: Embracing Faith and Courage in God
Summary
Summary:
Today, we reflect on the power and courage that God instills in us through the Holy Spirit. It's easy to become complacent and lose the boldness we once had as children, but God calls us to live with courage and faith. We often hear voices telling us we can't achieve great things, but the Bible is filled with stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things through God's power. From the stories of David and Goliath to Daniel in the lion's den, we see examples of fearless faith. These stories remind us that God is capable of doing the impossible through us if we believe and trust in Him.
As we grow older, the world often tells us to be more "responsible," which can sometimes mean losing our faith and courage. We must fight against this tendency and remember that we are children of the most powerful being in existence. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He desires for us to live boldly, trusting in His promises. The story of Caleb and Joshua is a powerful reminder of this truth. Despite the odds, they believed in God's promise and were rewarded for their faith.
We are called to live by faith, not by sight, and to take bold steps for the Kingdom of God. Whether it's overcoming personal sin, stepping out in faith in our relationships, or pursuing the dreams God has placed in our hearts, we must trust that God will come through. Let us be like Caleb, who at 85 years old, still believed in God's promises and was ready to take on the challenges before him. May we have the courage to live out our faith with boldness and confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Power in Us: We often underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit within us. The same God who performed miracles in the Bible is alive in us today, and we must believe in His ability to work through us. We are called to live with courage and confidence, trusting that God will come through in every situation. [06:59]
2. Childlike Faith: As children, we believed in the incredible stories of the Bible and the power of God. As we grow older, we must fight against the tendency to become complacent and lose that childlike faith. God calls us to live with the same boldness and courage we had as children, trusting in His promises. [12:27]
3. Overcoming Fear: Fear often holds us back from living out our faith. We must remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. By focusing on God's power and promises, we can overcome fear and live boldly for Him. [18:13]
4. Living by Faith: We are called to live by faith, not by sight. This means taking bold steps for the Kingdom of God, even when it seems risky or uncertain. God is faithful to His promises, and He will provide for us as we trust in Him. [37:06]
5. Encouragement in Community: It's important to surround ourselves with people who encourage us in our faith and remind us of God's power. We need voices that speak life and courage into us, helping us to believe in the great things God can do through us. [42:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:44] - God's Work in Our Church
- [04:13] - Prayer for Guidance
- [05:40] - The Challenge of Repetition
- [06:31] - The Call to Courage
- [07:15] - Stories of Faith and Courage
- [09:11] - Childhood Faith and Boldness
- [12:27] - The Journey of Faith
- [15:33] - The Struggle with Doubt
- [19:40] - The Story of Caleb and Joshua
- [23:18] - The Report of the Spies
- [27:14] - God's Response to Disbelief
- [32:19] - Caleb's Faith at 85
- [36:41] - Living by Faith Today
- [41:49] - A Call to Courage and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Numbers 13:25-33
2. Numbers 14:26-30
3. Joshua 14:7-12
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Numbers 13:25-33, what was the report given by the spies about the land they explored, and how did Caleb's response differ from the others? [23:18]
2. According to Numbers 14:26-30, what was God's response to the Israelites' lack of faith, and what promise did He make to Caleb and Joshua? [25:15]
3. In Joshua 14:7-12, how does Caleb describe his faith and strength at 85 years old, and what does he request from Joshua? [32:46]
4. What examples of fearless faith from the Bible were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they illustrate the power of God working through ordinary people? [09:11]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Caleb's faith in God's promises, as seen in Numbers 13 and Joshua 14, challenge the common perception of responsibility and caution in today's world? [24:02]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between childlike faith and the courage to take bold steps for God's Kingdom? How can this be seen in the story of Caleb and Joshua? [12:27]
3. How does the sermon address the issue of fear and its impact on living out one's faith? What role does the Holy Spirit play in overcoming this fear? [18:13]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to surround themselves with a community that fosters faith and courage? How does this relate to the story of Caleb and Joshua? [42:02]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to take a bold step of faith. What fears held you back, and how can you apply Caleb's example to overcome those fears? [19:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of childlike faith. How can you rekindle that sense of wonder and belief in God's power in your daily life? [12:27]
3. Consider the voices in your life that may be discouraging you from pursuing God's calling. How can you seek out and listen to voices that encourage and strengthen your faith? [28:30]
4. Caleb remained strong in his faith even at 85 years old. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith grows stronger as you age, rather than diminishing? [33:41]
5. The sermon challenges us to live by faith, not by sight. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust God more fully. What practical steps can you take to demonstrate that trust? [37:06]
6. How can you actively encourage others in your community to live courageously for God? What role can you play in fostering a supportive and faith-filled environment? [42:02]
7. Reflect on any personal sins or challenges you are facing. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome these obstacles and live boldly for God? [44:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Power Within
God's power is not just a historical account but a present reality in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, is the same Spirit that empowered biblical figures to perform miracles and overcome insurmountable challenges. This power is not meant to be dormant but to be actively engaged in our daily lives. We are called to live with courage and confidence, trusting that God will come through in every situation. By recognizing and embracing this divine power, we can face life's challenges with a boldness that defies human understanding. [06:59]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit? How can you actively invite His power into that situation today?
Day 2: Rediscovering Childlike Faith
As we grow older, the world often encourages us to be more "responsible," which can sometimes mean losing the boldness and faith we had as children. However, God calls us to maintain that childlike faith, trusting in His promises and His ability to do the impossible. This faith is not naive but is rooted in the understanding of God's unchanging nature and His desire for us to live boldly. By fighting against complacency and embracing a childlike trust, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [12:27]
"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think back to a time when you had childlike faith. What specific steps can you take to rekindle that kind of trust in God today?
Day 3: Conquering Fear with Faith
Fear is a common barrier that prevents us from living out our faith. Yet, God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. By focusing on God's power and promises, we can overcome fear and live boldly for Him. This involves a conscious decision to trust in God's ability to work through us, even when circumstances seem daunting. By shifting our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power, we can conquer fear and step into the fullness of our calling. [18:13]
"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." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a fear that has been holding you back. How can you confront this fear with the truth of God's promises today?
Day 4: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Living by faith means taking bold steps for the Kingdom of God, even when it seems risky or uncertain. This requires a deep trust in God's faithfulness and His promises. By choosing to walk by faith, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open ourselves to the extraordinary things He can do through us. This journey of faith is not without challenges, but it is marked by the assurance that God is with us every step of the way, providing for us as we trust in Him. [37:06]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one bold step of faith you feel God is calling you to take? What practical actions can you take today to move in that direction?
Day 5: Encouragement in Community
Surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who encourage us in our faith is vital. These individuals remind us of God's power and speak life and courage into us. By engaging with a supportive community, we are strengthened in our faith and inspired to believe in the great things God can do through us. This communal encouragement is a powerful tool that God uses to build His Kingdom and to help us live out our faith with boldness and confidence. [42:02]
"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community encourages you in your faith? How can you intentionally spend time with them this week to strengthen your walk with God?
Quotes
"God is a Creator and he wants to do new things all of the time, and he's not a duplicator. Every time I go, 'God, do exactly what you did last service,' you know, that's just not what he's about because it's a different group of people in this room. There's different needs, and different words may need to come out of my mouth." [00:04:35]
"We live in a world where everyone's telling you you can't pull this off. We live in a time when people, even in the church, don't believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and what he can do. Sometimes we just look at the scriptures and go, 'Well, yeah, that was back then.'" [00:06:56]
"From the beginning, when I read these stories, it's about people who say, 'No, I'm not afraid,' and all the way to the end, all the way to the Book of Revelation, where it says, you know what, those who conquer, those who make it through, those are the ones that I'm going to bring with me." [00:08:36]
"Think about these stories, though. Man, it was weird. First service, when I said, 'Why did you remember?' It was like in unison, everyone goes, 'David and Goliath.' I still remember. I always loved David and Goliath week. I mean, it seemed like every other week it was David and Goliath, but I didn't care." [00:09:12]
"Don't you remember as a kid just having this faith like God can do anything through me, and you just walked out with this courage? I was just even remembering back to when I was in high school, and I first started believing for myself, and it was real to me." [00:12:16]
"It's so rare that someone, even in church gatherings, so rare for someone to put their arm around you and remind you of how powerful you are, how powerful your God is who dwells inside of you, and what you can do. We kind of become more and more cowardly, and we'll call it responsible." [00:13:36]
"God's been right every time so far, and he says, 'Look, everyone's going to die off. These guys will die of a plague, but these two guys, because they believed in me, they're going to live, and they're the only ones that are going to walk into this promised land and the little kids.'" [00:32:39]
"Who do you resemble? Do you resemble Joshua and Caleb, or do you resemble everyone else who's looking at the problems in life, looking at God's calling for your life and things that he's asked you to do, and you just start listening to those voices telling you you can't do this?" [00:38:04]
"I want to be 85 years old and bet it all. I want to be 85 and go, 'Nothing's changed. God's still God.' I want to be Caleb, and I know there's something in a lot of you that knows exactly what I'm talking about because you've let go of things. You stopped believing." [00:41:48]
"Some of you moms, Mother's Day, you're struggling with courage. I say this because we've gone through it as parents. You start doubting yourself when you start going, 'Man, I can't be.' The frustrating thing is you can't make your kids love Jesus no matter what you do." [00:42:02]
"Some of you guys that are feeling like, 'Man, I'm not even providing, the economy and everything else, I just, I can't even focus. You're telling me to have visions of great things God's going to do. I'm just trying to stay alive.' And I'm going, 'Man, that's no way to live.'" [00:43:32]
"Some of you have heard specifically from the Lord, you know, of things that you were created for, and just because no one else does it that way, you've backed off. Isn't this book filled with people that were examples of no one else did it that way, and everyone else was against them?" [00:45:27]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 07, 2014. Do you have any questions about it?