A Call To Courage

Sermon: A Call to Courage

Scripture - 1Corinthians 16:13-18 “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.”

Introduction: What does the Bible say about courage? In scripture, courage refers to an attitude of strength. Over and over believers are told to fear not and be of "good cheer." Which means to act with boldness and confidence in face of adversity. Throughout the Bible, God commands us to fear not, to be of good cheer, and to have courage in our life. Every believer must respond to God’s call to courage. The Christian life must be lived out in a hostile environment. The temptation to compromise, withdraw and abandon our assignment is on every side. How do Christians keep their eyes on the cross or on Jesus, who not only gives us direction, but it also connects us to the source of peace, strength and courage. Writing to the Church at Corinth, Apostle Paul encourages each member to be alert, stand firm in their faith, to be courageous, and be strong. Writing to the Church at Ephesus, Paul admonishes them in Ephesians 6:10-11 by saying, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

If courageous believers are going to be successful in their Christian endeavors, they must be alert to the actions of their enemies, be mindful of their relationship with Christ, be courageous in their attitude and be strong in their fortitude. This mindset is a matter of choice. We can choose to be alert or be sleep; to be in Christ or stand in ourselves; to be a coward or courageous and we can choose to be strong or weak. It’s a matter of choice for the believer. Every true believer has a choice. Unbelievers serve a different master who limits their ability and takes away their choice. Satan is a hard task master.

Considering the Missionary’s theme of courage and using 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 as my text, listen as Apostle Paul speaks from his heart to leadership at Corinth. He says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” His word of encouragement shows us five characteristics of Courageous Believers.

1. Courageous Believers Must Be Watchful - As believers, we have to be aware of what is going on around us. Jesus said, “If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15:14). Many believers are asleep. We need to be attentive. We need to know the condition of our life, our family, and the world around us. Believers need to know what is going on in their life, in their homes, church and community. If you continue the road you are on, what will your life, family, church and community look like in five years? Ephesians 5:14-18 cautions believers by saying, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

This passage of Scripture and many others tell us to be watchful. We should guard against the attack of the enemy, guard against anything that tries to rob you of your vision. Guard your mind against those defeating thoughts that try to make you feel powerless. You are in Christ. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Jesus came to give sight to the blind! He enables us to be watchful and aware. We can see spiritually. We know that without vision people perish and without people the vision perishes. Believers must be watchful. Where are you going? Make up your mind, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Through the good times and bad, be watchful and maintain your focus.