Strong And Courageous

Strong and Courageous

February 11, 2018 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: There is no need to fear when God tells you to do something. Our strength and courage comes from the Lord.

Focus Passage: Joshua 1:1-9

Supplemental Passage: "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB)

Introduction: Perhaps we’ve all heard it said that “Fear Not” is in the Bible 365 times; once for each day of the year. Well, that just isn’t true. In the KJV, the phrase, “Fear Not” and it’s equivalent, “Be not afraid” is in a total of 89 verses. In the NASB, “Do not fear” is there in 57 verses, “Do not be afraid” is in 46 verses, and “Fear Not” is in 4 verses for a total of 107 verses. Nevertheless, there is, indeed, no need to fear. For God is ALWAYS with us.

Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

Strong: a : not easily injured or disturbed : solid b : not easily subdued or taken [Merriam-webster.com]

I. There will be trials and difficulties

a. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2-3 NASB)

b. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36 NASB)

c. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NASB)

d. "But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:19-20 NASB)

e. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NASB)

f. Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 NASB)

g. The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NASB)

II. God will be with you

a. "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB)

b. And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10 NASB)

c. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NASB)

d. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 ESV)

e. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NASB)

III. God is faithful and trustworthy

a. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NASB)

b. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalms 20:7 ESV)

c. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 NASB)

d. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NASB)

e. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31 NASB)

f. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)

Application/Invitation: Are you full of fear? Are you afraid of the future? God will give you the strength to get through any situation and will take care of you. "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27 NASB) Do you lack confidence to share your faith? For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 NASB) Call unto God for strength and courage to do what He has told you to do.