Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Scripture Lesson: Joshua 1:5-7
Follow The Yellow Brick Road
The Wicked Witch Is Dead
The Courage Of The Christian - Week #3
- If I only had the nerve. - in Wizard of Oz pronounced “noive”
There is no reason in the world for the Christian to be a coward; and one of the great virtues that God commands and demands of his followers is courage.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also… They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. - John 15:18-21
God promises the Christian a life that requires courage
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. - Philippians 1:20
God expects and commands us to be courageous
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. - Acts 4:13
We see other people being courageous, and we wish we were like them. But we’re not. We’re cowards compared to the great Christians of history.
- Don’t confuse courage with foolishness.
God doesn’t expect us to be ridiculously courageous, to be thrill seekers. Being courageous first starts with listening to God and his plans.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7
So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. - John 18:3-12
- Let Christ be your courage.
Our courage as Christians come from one source: God’s Spirit; and we feed our courage with one thing: the memory of our Savior and what he had the courage to do for us to reconcile us to him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. …He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:3, 5-6
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. - John 14:16-17
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. - Deuteronomy 31:6
Points To Ponder
- Recall a time in your life that you thought you were being courageous, but actually was foolishness.
- Recall a time in your life that Christ was your courage.
HOMEWORK-Psalm 11