Sermon on "Being Courageous" by John Edmiston

1. Being
Courageous
Faith That Takes The First Step

2. Courage Is….
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Taking control of the chaos, not being passive
Stepping out of your comfort zone
Getting out of the boat and walking on the water
Decisive action against the odds
Standing up to pressure
Enduring the tough stuff
Not compromising your values and beliefs
Knowing who you are – a citizen of Heaven
Knowing that you are bigger than you think you are!
Knowing who God is
Knowing what is right and true
Believing that with God there are no limits!

3. Kinds of Courage
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Physical Courage - David
Moral Courage - Daniel
Intellectual Courage - Paul
Political Courage – Esther & Mordecai
Courage To Face Life’s Struggles - Job
Courage To Believe In Yourself - Joseph
Courage To Keep Believing In Jesus – Peter
The Courage To Obey By Faith Alone – Noah
The Courage of Sacrificial Faith - Abraham

4. The Courage of Jesus
• Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a
great high priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
One who has been tempted in all things as we
are, yet without sin. 16 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.

5. The Disciple’s Courage
• Matthew 10:26-33 26 “Therefore do not fear them, for
there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or
hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the
darkness, speak in the light; and what you ear whispered
in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?
And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from
your Father.30 But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than
many sparrows. 32 “Therefore everyone who confesses
Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father
who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I
will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

6. Stand Firm In The Lord
• Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved
brethren whom I long to see, my joy and
crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my
beloved.
• The place of our courage is “in the Lord”, to
stand firm in our faith and in what we truly
believe about Jesus Christ.

7. The Courage To Make Up
• Philippians 4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge
Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
• Sometimes our greatest act of courage is to
apologize to someone we have offended or to
cooperate cheerfully with others when things
don’t suit us.

8. Life’s Tough But Your Name
Is In The Book
• Philippians 4:3 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you
also to help these women who have shared my
struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with
Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers,
whose names are in the book of life.
• Job 5:7 Man is made for trouble as sparks fly upward
• 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties upon Him for He
cares for you!

9. Have A Joyful Attitude
• Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice!
• The joy of the lord is our strength and
increases our courage, on the other hand
pessimism and hopelessness weaken us.

10. Don’t Over-React
• Philippians 4:5 5 Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is near.
• Be reasonable and gentle in your action and
reactions and you will be showing that you are
truly a strong person. People who over-react
and blow up cannot face the really tough
times.

11. Pray Don’t Worry
• Philippians 4:6,7 6 Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.
• A recent German study found that prayer
increases self-control, courage and the ability to
have willpower under temptation.

12. Develop A Good Mental Focus Point
• Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—think about such things.
• The Focus Point Matters: The mind set on the
flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is
life and peace (Romans 8:4-6)

13. Put Faith Into Practice
• Philippians 4:9 9 Whatever you have learned
or received or heard from me, or seen in me—
put it into practice. And the God of peace will
be with you.
• A soldier’s training and constant practice
enables them to face the battle.

14. Don’t Go It Alone!
• Philippians 4:10 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord
greatly that now at last your care for me has
flourished again; though you surely did care,
but you lacked opportunity.
• Paul was encouraged by the kindness of the
Philippians, we all need practical
encouragement; no matter how strong we
may think that we are.

15. Adaptability and Contentment
• Philippians 4:11,12 11 Not that I speak in regard to
need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how
to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have
learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need.
• The Special Forces soldier can operate under all
conditions of war and environment, they can eat
bugs or eat steak. They are flexible, adaptable and
strong. On the other hand the weak person
complains about everything.

16. Confidence in Christ’s Power
• Philippians 4:13 13 I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
• It is Christ who strengthens you! The spiritual
power of Jesus living in you is that which
causes you to “do all things” and to be able to
adapt to all of the changes and circumstances
of life. With Jesus you “can always cope”!

17. A Prayer For Courage
• Heavenly Father, you have called us to courage and we
cannot live well in this fallen world without it.
Therefore grant us faith and courage and boldness and
power; with contentment and all endurance.
Give us the grace to face life courageously and head-on.
Change our thinking and cause us to believe, that we can
indeed do all things, through Christ who strengthens us!
In Jesus Name. Amen.