SUNDAY SERVICE | FRESH COURAGE | PASTOR TONY RAPU | 9AM

God is named as the healer and sustainer—Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Shammah—with divine help framed as the decisive source beyond human skill. The narrative centers on David’s confrontation with Goliath as the exemplar of courage: a young shepherd, overlooked and underestimated, who responds to paralyzing fear with determined action because he sees the conflict as an affront to the living God. Courage is defined not as absence of fear but as choosing to move when fear is present—speaking truth, standing when others run, and stepping out when conditions are unfavorable. The text reorients common perceptions of giants: what immobilizes many is also the very opportunity God uses to elevate the faithful.

Practical pastoral concerns run alongside prophetic exhortation. The talk addresses real impediments—anxiety, phobias, depression, past abuse, addiction, and fears about reputation—that can lock people into inaction. Healing may be supernatural, therapeutic, or both; the goal is restoration that enables movement toward destiny. Leaders are called to model courage and to empower others, giving permission to risk, innovate, and fail forward so courage multiplies across communities and organizations. The imagery of stepping out of the boat and walking on water stresses proximity to God that arises from faith-driven risk: the further one moves toward God, the more one experiences His presence and power.

A consistent promise threads through the message: God sets open doors and provides moments—Kairos moments—for decisive moves. The call is to recognize those moments, refuse to be immobilized by what others think, and act in faith. The narrative insists that courage is catalytic: one person’s boldness can dismantle giants and release corporate breakthrough. Listeners are urged to identify the specific move God requires—whether a phone call, a step of obedience, or a new venture—and to take it with the assurance that God rewards courageous faith and uses ordinary people to change history.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Act courageously within your fear Courage is not the elimination of fear but the discipline to act despite it. When fear is honest and present, the faithful move anyway—choosing obedience to God’s call over comfort or popular opinion. This creates a spiritual momentum that reshapes circumstances and frees others to follow. [120:32]
• 2. See giants as open doors What appears as an insurmountable obstacle often masks a divine opportunity for promotion and breakthrough. Reframing threats as God-ordained platforms changes posture from paralysis to anticipation, turning cultural or personal giants into entry points for destiny. This perspective cultivates risk-takers who expect God to move in dramatic ways. [139:04]
• 3. Step out—move toward God Physical and spiritual progress require leaving the safety of the boat; proximity to Jesus is achieved by faith-driven steps. Walking toward God exposes dependence on Him, invites His enabling power, and trains the soul to trust beyond visible resources. Each obedient step recalibrates identity and access to supernatural provision. [146:49]
• 4. Lead by empowering courageous action Leaders who model and permit risk multiply courage across teams and congregations. Words without demonstrable permission produce paralysis; leaders must create safe spaces for failure, transparently act first, and celebrate initiative so others rise. Collective advance follows visible, courageous leadership that prioritizes empowerment over control. [153:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [112:58] - Opening prayer and healing
• [116:29] - Tribute and transition to Scripture
• [116:55] - Reading: 1 Samuel 17
• [117:25] - Saul’s doubt about David
• [118:52] - A word on fresh courage
• [120:32] - Defining courage
• [136:17] - Courage as the catalyst
• [139:04] - Opportunity hidden in fear
• [146:49] - Step out of the boat
• [153:09] - Leaders: empower courage
• [156:56] - Closing charge (Ephesians)
• [160:12] - Final exhortation: Enter David

Bible reading
1 Samuel 17:31-37 (ESV)
When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Observation questions

1. What were the two primary objections King Saul raised against David's offer to fight Goliath?
2. What past experiences did David use to justify his confidence in facing the giant?
3. How did David's perspective on Goliath differ from the perspective of the Israelite army? [02:20:44]
4. According to the sermon, what was the ultimate source of David's confidence in his ability to defeat Goliath? [02:16:17]

Interpretation questions

1. Why do you think David's past experiences with a lion and a bear were relevant to facing a giant like Goliath? What does this teach about how God prepares people for future challenges?
2. The Israelite army saw a giant to be feared, but David saw "an uncircumcised Philistine" who had defied God. What does this difference in perspective reveal about the nature of fear and faith?
3. The message suggests that what appears as an insurmountable obstacle often masks a divine opportunity. How might this principle have applied to David's situation, and how could it apply to challenges people face today? [02:18:42]
4. The sermon mentions that "courage is not the elimination of fear but the discipline to act despite it." How does David's example illustrate this definition of courage? [02:00:32]

Application questions

1. What is the "Goliath" in your life right now—the situation that appears too big to handle and creates fear and paralysis? How might this giant actually be a divine opportunity in disguise? [02:32:06]
2. The message emphasizes that stepping out of our "boat" brings us closer to God. What specific step have you been avoiding because of fear that you know God is calling you to take? [02:26:49]
3. David's courage eventually empowered the entire Israelite army to move forward. Who in your sphere of influence needs you to model courage so they can find their own? How can you actively encourage someone to "fly" this week? [02:36:06]
4. The sermon mentions that some people are immobilized by concern about what others think. What decision have you been putting off because you're worried about others' opinions? How can you shift your focus to what God thinks instead? [02:24:39]
5. David recognized his "Kairos moment" when others saw only a crisis. What opportunity is knocking in your life right now that might be disguised as a problem or challenge? [02:29:29]
6. The message talks about different types of "giants" people face—addiction, mental health issues, family problems, financial lack. Which specific giant has been tormenting you, and what one courageous action can you take this week to confront it? [02:32:26]
7. Leaders were encouraged to give people "permission to fly" and create space for others to take risks. If you're in any position of leadership (at work, home, church, or community), how can you better empower those around you to step out in courage, even if they might fail? [02:35:41]