CHRISTIAN COURAGE

ISAIAH 41:1

A. "FEAR NOT; FOR I AM WITH THEE"
  1. "Courage", someone said, "is a mark of a healthy manhood":
    1. Some are constitutionally courageous and others are cowardly
    2. Some are physically courageous while they are wanting in moral courage; others are weak in body, but very courageous in spirit
  2. Christianity has to work with man's constitutions as it finds them:
    1. There will always be a difference between the characters of individuals
    2. Yet, Bible Christianity refuses to accept such barriers as final. It professes to overcome natural disabilities and defects in men B. IN THIS HOUR OF BEREAVEMENT, IT IS WELL FOR US TO CONSIDER CHRISTIAN COURAGE
  3. Courage defined:
    1. Mental or moral courage is strength enabling one to venture, persevere and withstand danger in a difficult situation
    2. Courage receives its strength from a living active faith; Examples: David's courage to meet Goliath was based upon his vivid faith in the living God - I Sam. 17:17-47; Queen Esther had the same faith when she ventured into the presence of the King - Esther 4:16; that was true of Jochabed - Ex. 2:1-14
  4. Christian courage:
    1. It is based, not so much on the physical advantages, but rather on God's promises as indicated in our opening text; Examples: David's testimony in Psalms 23
    2. It rests on God's word - Ps. 73:1-26; Rom. 8:31-39
    3. God makes the great and eternal difference, we think of the Martyrs of Christ during the Dark Ages - Heb. 11:33-40
    4. In the hour of bereavement God will supply the grace we need to endure - Examples: Think of Job during the darkest hours of his life - Job 2:21; 13:15 C. NOTE FOUR CLOSELY RELATED ELEMENTS OF TRUE CHRISTIAN COURAGE WHICH WILL STAND EVEN WHEN DARKNESS AND SORROW SEEM OVERWHELMING
  5. God the great encourager:
    1. Said God to Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage for I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" - Josh. 1:5-9
    2. "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good" - 2 Sam. 10:12
    3. "Be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart" - Ps. 27:14; 31:24
  6. Christian courage is based upon experience:
    1. The disciples were in the school of Christ and there they learned to face the difficulties of life that made them worthy martyrs for Christ; Examples: Peter and John Acts 4:19; 5:29; Paul and Silas - Acts 16:20-29; Paul - Acts 21:13; 27:21-25
  7. Christian courage is gained in the school of prayer:
    1. Some one said, truthfully, "earnest and prevailing prayer makes the great difference" - Examples: We think of Martin Luther at Worms and his all night prayer; we recall Moses's prayer in and during the battle with the Midianites - Ex. 17:11
    2. Also, there are many in this audience who passed through great sorrow and yet endured because they prevailed in prayer
    3. I think of some of you who lost your breadwinner - were almost destitute, yet you prevailed through much prayer
  8. The love and peace of God in the heart enables us to face the battle of life with renewed courage:
    1. A mother's love dares any danger that may threaten the danger of her child
    2. John Huss sang a song of prayer before he was burned on the stake
    3. Said the wise man, "For love is strong as death" - Song. 8:6 Finally, Christian courage is based upon God's promises, past, present and future.


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