Courageous

ILL: But such incidents are not just something we see on the news. Defending our faith and out Christian beliefs is something we must all stand ready to do because we simply do not know when our faith will be challenged.

ILL: One night recently I was online looking at my Facebook account and noticed a pretty heated discussion going on between Amanda Logan and two of her college Facebook friends. Amanda and one of her college friends were talking about an unnamed friend who was considering having an abortion and how wrong they both thought that would be. Then this other girl entered into their Fb conversation condemning their thoughts as naive and backwards. She said as far as she was concerned this unnamed friend should get an abortion. That is why it was legal, so getting pregnant unexpectedly does not “ruin your life”. I did not enter into the Fb conversation. But later, I sent Amanda a message commending her for defending her Christian commitment against abortion.

APP: Who knows where you will be the next time your faith is challenged. Perhaps it will be at your next family gathering or at a high school class reunion. Perhaps it will be how you respond to the anti-Christian thing a person sitting next to you on an airplane says. Such opportunities to be courageous abound. Are you ready to be courageous in defending your faith and what you believe as a Christian? Like so many things in life, it is “use it or lose it”. If we do not become more courageous in defending our faith publicly we should not be surprised when laws are passed that make it illegal.

CONCLUSION

I want to conclude the message today by reading you the lyrics to the Casting Crowns song Courageous that is the theme song for the movie of the same name. I believe the words to this song sum up well why it is so important for Christians to live courageous lives for the glory and honor of the Lord.

Courageous

by Casting Crowns

We were made to be courageous, We were made to lead the way

We could be the generation, That finally breaks the chains

We were made to be courageous, We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines, Standing, unafraid

But now we're watchers on the sidelines, While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage? You were made for so much more

Let the pounding of our hearts cry, We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous, And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous, And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand, Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous, Lord, make us courageous!

This is our resolution, Our answer to the call

We will love our wives and children, We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion, That we buried deep inside

May the watchers become warriors, Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous, And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous, And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand, Is on our knees with lifted hands