A Call To Be Courageous

A call to be courageous

Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Introduction-

We have been in the book of Deuteronomy for several weeks. We have looked at covenants or binding agreements between us and God. We have looked at walking in the light. God pulls us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. The security and safety we have being under the protection of our God. This morning I want to talk to you about being courageous. About stepping out in faith. About entering into unfamiliar territory. Remember last week, I need you. You need me. We journey together as we serve the Lord as a body of believers to make an impact in our lives and those around us here in Middletown. Let’s look at the aging Moses and the words he gives Israel and their new leader Joshua. It is more than a passing of the mantle. It is God taking them where they have not been before.

Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Remember the words God gave the Israelites 29:14 “I am making this covenant , with it’s oath, not only with you who are standing here with us, today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today”

Keep His commandments and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are now entering to possess. Courage is doing things under pressure. Courage is fear with legs, not being paralyzed. Courage is doing what you know needs to be done, and trusting and relying on God to help you because you know without Him, it is impossible. If it is not bigger than you, then God is not in it. 31;6- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” you know why Moses could deliver that pep talk to Joshua? Because God had spoken it to Moses, and Moses believed God to be faithful Moses passed it on to the leadership and the leadership passed it on to the people of God. It may be new ground for us, but God has been delivering this message to His people everytime they are up against new battles or new ground that has to be covered.

Examples of courage

1. Moses before Pharaoh

God directing Moses to go up against the powerful Pharaoh. “Let my people go” Moses realizing that it is bigger than him.

2. Ester as she risked her life to save the Jews. Knowing that if she heard God wrong, that the King would instantly have her killed. Trusting God that she heard God right.

3. David as he faced Goliath.

Why hasn’t anyone else stepped up to the plate? We are God’s people and one big obstacle is not going to stop us from receiving what God has for us. I will and I can use my talents to go up against the Goliath’s of today and be successful because I know that God is in it. He says I have faced the lions and bears before and He has brought me through. He will do it again. I said it on Wednesday night, There are 3 basic needs of people. Physical, emotional, spiritual. As a church, we need to seek to meet all of these needs. “Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak.” There are different kinds of ministries and all are important. All ministries are born out of need. The purpose is to build people up. Here’s the great thing about God delivering a sermon this morning to us. For some, He will be telling them to step out in some new area of their life and not be afraid. To others, He may not be saying that you have to lead the charge, but need to be on the teaam and move with the things that God is doing and wanting to accomplish. Burning a candle on both ends shortens the life of the candle, and can create burn out. But not lighting the candle is a waste of a perfectly good candle. We cannot fulfill God’s purpose and plan for our lives if we are constantly living in fear.

Illustration-

The hitting great Hank Aaron came to the plate and had a conversation with catcher Yogi Berra. Yogi was giving him a hard time with the way that he held his bat. ‘Trademark on the bat should face toward you so that you can read it” said Yogi. Hank took a couple practice swings before the pitch, Crack Aaron sent a deep fly ball over the left field fence. As Aaron was rounding third getting congratulated by the third base coach and heading toward home, he stopped after touching home plate and looked at Yogi Berra. They did not send me up to the plate to read Yogi.