Strength and Courage Through Christ's Promises

Devotional

Day 1: Eternal Rest in Christ's Promise

Eternal rest is more than a temporary escape; it is a profound peace that anchors the soul. This rest, promised by Jesus, is not dependent on life's fluctuating circumstances but is a constant source of strength and courage. It is a rest that lasts forever, deeply rooted in the unshakable promises of Christ. [17:26]

Hebrews 4:9-10 - "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal rest in Jesus influence your response to current struggles or weariness?

Day 2: Covenant Foundation of Strength

The covenant of marriage illustrates the enduring nature of God's promises. Like a marital vow that provides stability in turbulent times, the promises of Jesus are the bedrock from which believers draw their strength and courage, unaffected by life's uncertainties. [18:36]

Ruth 1:16-17 - "But Ruth replied, 'Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you emulate the steadfastness of Ruth's commitment in your own relationships and faith?

Day 3: Unshakable Amidst Cultural Shifts

Believers can stand firm with strength and courage, not because of societal stability, but because they are anchored in the eternal promises of Jesus Christ. These promises transcend cultural changes and provide a foundation that cannot be eroded by the shifting sands of time. [28:27]

Daniel 2:44 - "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever."
Reflection: How can you maintain a steadfast faith in the face of cultural pressures that challenge your biblical beliefs?

Day 4: Personal Faith for Divine Strength

Accessing the strength and courage that God provides is contingent upon a personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the channel through which believers receive the virtues of strength and courage, virtues that are otherwise elusive and unreliable. [29:42]

James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and experience His strength in a greater measure?

Day 5: Christ, the Foundation of Confidence

The unchanging nature of Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which believers' strength and courage are built. His eternal presence and faultless character provide the assurance needed to be strong and courageous, not in our might, but in His. [23:53]

Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: How does the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ give you confidence in your daily walk with God, especially during times of uncertainty?

Sermon Summary

In the dialogue centered around the biblical narrative of Joshua, Connor Bales presents a compelling exploration of the themes of strength and courage as they relate to the promises of God. The discussion begins with an examination of the promises made by Jesus, particularly focusing on the rest for the soul that Jesus offers in Matthew 11:28-30. This rest is not necessarily a reprieve from circumstances but a deeper, eternal rest for the soul, which is foundational to the strength and courage that believers can possess.

Bales emphasizes that the source of biblical strength and courage is rooted in the promises of God. He draws parallels between the promises made to Joshua in the Old Testament and the promises that are available to believers through Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua was assured of God's presence and the fulfillment of His promises, so too are believers assured of Christ's presence and the fulfillment of His promises, such as the advancement of His church and the eternal rest for their souls.

The discussion further delves into the importance of the covenant relationship of marriage as an illustration of the power of a promise. Bales points out that marriage is founded on a covenant, a promise that provides a foundation to draw upon in times of difficulty. This analogy is used to underscore the idea that the strength and courage of believers are also founded on the promises of Jesus, rather than on human promises.

Bales also addresses the erosion of cultural adherence to biblical principles, asserting that believers can stand with strength and courage because they know that in Christ, there are promises that supersede cultural shifts. He suggests that absent Christ, strength and courage are difficult to find, as they would be contingent on the self or circumstance, both of which are unreliable.

The personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ is presented as essential for experiencing the strength and courage that comes from God. Bales invites listeners to consider their own relationship with God and to participate in the Lord's Supper as a reflection of their faith in Christ's substitutionary sacrifice on the cross.

Bales also touches on the significance of the person of Jesus Christ in providing strength and courage. He explains that the confidence believers have is rooted in the person of Christ, who is unchanging and incapable of fault or failure. This assurance allows believers to be strong and courageous because their strength and courage draw upon the very promise and plan of God.

In conclusion, Bales encourages listeners to engage with the Bible as a means of dialoguing directly with God, suggesting that God's word is supernaturally preserved for believers to hear from Him. He reiterates that the wilderness seasons of life are not wasted unless one chooses to remain there, and that preparation for primary roles in life comes after faithfulness in secondary roles.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific promises did God make to Joshua in Joshua 1:1-9? How do these promises relate to the themes of strength and courage? [07:23]
According to Matthew 11:28-30, what kind of rest does Jesus offer, and how is it different from rest from circumstances? [16:46]
In Matthew 28:18-20, what assurance does Jesus give to His disciples as they carry out the Great Commission? How does this assurance relate to the theme of courage? [17:26]

Interpretation Questions

How does the promise of God's presence in Joshua 1:5-6 serve as a foundation for Joshua's strength and courage? What does this imply about the source of our own strength and courage? [14:34]
In what ways does the covenant of marriage, as discussed in the sermon, illustrate the power of God's promises? How does this analogy help us understand the reliability of God's promises? [18:36]
How does the erosion of cultural adherence to biblical principles challenge believers today? What does the sermon suggest about standing firm in the face of these cultural shifts? [28:27]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a wilderness season. How did you see God preparing you during that time? How can you apply the lesson that "the wilderness is never wasted" to your current situation? [03:29]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being faithful in secondary roles before being entrusted with primary roles. What secondary roles are you currently in, and how can you be more faithful in them? [04:02]
How can you actively remind yourself of God's promises in your daily life to draw strength and courage from them? Are there specific promises that you find particularly encouraging? [15:42]
The sermon discusses the significance of a personal relationship with Jesus for accessing strength and courage. How would you describe your current relationship with Jesus? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [29:42]
Cultural shifts can make it challenging to adhere to biblical principles. What are some specific cultural pressures you face, and how can you stand firm in your faith despite them? [28:27]
The Lord's Supper is a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and our personal faith in Him. How does participating in the Lord's Supper strengthen your faith and courage? How can you prepare your heart for this practice? [30:50]
Think about a situation where you need to exhibit strength and courage. How can the assurance of Jesus' unchanging nature and eternal presence help you face this situation with confidence? [23:53]

Sermon Clips

1) "The reason why we can be a people who are strong and courageous is because we understand that our strength and our courage draws upon the very promise and plan of God." [27:40]

2) "Even when the culture begins to erode the biblical consistency for how God ordered and designed for humans to flourish, we stand with strength and courage because we know that in Christ Jesus, He promises His presence." [28:27]

3) "Strength and courage would be really hard to come by absent of Christ Jesus. If it's contingent upon self or circumstance, both of those ebb and flow." [29:05]

4) "The reason why we can have strength and courage is because we know that Jesus has promised some things to us as well, like He's building His church, like there's rest for our souls." [17:26]

5) "Our lives, our confidence, our calling for biblical strength and courage is founded on a promise, but it's not a promise that I made to you or you made to me, it's a promise that Jesus made to us." [19:13]

6) "The strength and courage that God commands Joshua to stand in and upon is founded in His person. Joshua's strength and courage comes directly from God." [23:53]

7) "The great promise of God is His presence, and it's an eternal promise. Jesus said in Matthew 28, 'I'll be with you until the end of the age.'" [05:44]

8) "The idea of strength and courage, biblical strength and biblical courage, is rooted in the very promise of God." [15:42]

9) "God's command to Joshua is to lock in, be strong, be sturdy. He's going to give him the reasons why he can. He also says be courageous, the idea of fearlessness or bravery." [11:22]

10) "God is never surprised by what happens to us and He is never without a plan to provide for us. I get surprised by things all the time, but God doesn't." [22:05]

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