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Courage in the Face of Fear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week our church suffered a trauma in the sudden and unexpected death of one of our young leaders. All that knew and worked with him are in a state of shock. Some are living in fear. For many it has been a week of thinking about life in a little different way. Even if you eat right, exercise, and take care of your body there are no guarantees. Life is fragile, there is no promise of another hour, life is to be valued daily. It is God’s gift to us, life and death is in the hands of God.

 

It is most important that we live ready at any given moment to meet the Master. We have no promise of the next breath. We are to live with an expectancy but God does not want us to live in fear. He wants us to live in courageous faith. So what should we do when it seems the sky is falling? God says be courageous in the face of fear. Your courage encourages others to be courageous. Your courage exalts Christ, and it displays God's supremacy.

 

 

 

COURAGE IN THE FACE OF FEAR

Philippians 1:19 - 26

 

Some have named this century the Age of Fear.

 

Paul and the Philippians more than we, had reasons to be afraid, yet they chose courage.

 

God says we must be courageous in the face of fear.

 

Paul is cheerful and says to those afraid to be strong and courageous.

 

I. Courage Encourages Courage.

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Phil 1:14 NIV

 

A single act of courage gives others courage and can create a firestorm of bravery.

 

Being a coward is universally scorned, soldiers are court-martialed for it.

 

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8,.

II. Courage Exalts Christ

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ might be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20 NIV

 

Courage elevates who Christ is and holds Him in high esteem, courage reflects Christ's character.

 

Our lives should be lived to the glory and praise of God.

 

• Glory results when what shines from you reflects God's character.

 

• Praise results when your life prompts others to thank God.

 

III. Courage Is A Sign Of Whose King Is Really King.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. Philippians 1:27-28 NIV.

 

Life has an ultimate destiny that depends on whose king is really King.

 

Courage says it may not look like it now, but we serve the king who is really King.