Courage

Courage

Necessity of Courage:

Courage is essential for a soldier in battle and for the soldier of Christ in the fight of faith

Courage is the strength of the soul

Spiritual strength includes steadfastness, bravery, faith and honesty

Such does not come by accident by is deliberately developed

God has no use for cowards

Courage is needed because

God commands it

God Pledges His support

God gives assurance of success Josh 1:8-9

Christian Lives must be built on a foundation of courage

Two components of courage

A good conscience – knowing you have obeyed God

God knows every thought and motive , therefore we are to be sincere

One cannot have real courage unless he knows he is doing right

Trust in God

You must believe that He will be with you

God must be put first and foremost in your life

Areas in Which One needs courage:

1.When in Minority – NOAH Gen6:8,7:1

oah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and walked with God.

a.Its easy to renounce a position when you are in the minority

b.God’s people have always seemed to be in the minority

i.Today it is the same

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

c.God expects His children to stand for right even when they are in the minority 2 Cor 6:17-18

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2.Facing temptation: Joseph (Gen 39:6-12)

Gen 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Gen 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Gen 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Gen 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Gen 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

a.He could have sinned with Potiphar’s wife and no one would have knows – except God

b.Though his livelihood in a strange country was at stake, he overcame with God’s help Gen 41:39-44

Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

He was a pilgrim in a strange country, WE ARE PILGRIM ON THE EARTH. WE ARE JUST PASSING BY.THERE IS AN END OF TRIALS AND TEMPTATION

c.Christian are to resist devil – Jas 4:7 – but it takes courage. Such courage comes from a knowledge of God’s care –

(1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

3.David’s Great Example of Courage : His Victory Over Goliath – 1 Sam 17:1-51

The Philistines had gathered their armies against Israelistes, valley

Their champion, Goliath, defied the entire army of Israel

The Israelites were delivered by David who, in a great act of courage, willingly engaged Goliath in battle.