Buiding Godly Character: Courage

Our topic today is courage. I will tell you what I think about when I think of courage. I think of foxes book of martyrs, the countless stories there. Men like Jim Elliot and Nate Saint. Men of whom this world is not worthy the men who say he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

Courage - Christian Strength in action

2 Timothy 2:1–7 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

Characters of courage: 1 the teacher, 2 the soldier, 3 the athlete, and 4 the farmer.

As we look at these three people I believe that every man and woman can relate to one of those categories. You may say well pastor I am doctor. Doctors must have courage where are they on the list. Well some doctors teach in a classroom, others go to war in an er room some are farmers sowing and reaping healthy habits in the lives of their patients. This can apply to every type of profession. The police officer, the lawyer, and the actor. Well maybe not the actor. That’s a joke. but I worry about the Christian who lacks courage. Today there are people that need courage. There is a phrase I have heard and I like it. The eighties kids were the last generation to touch grass. And the depression era kids thought we were soft and we were. But I worry for the people who can’t get out of bed and do something. Anything, but the Christian needs to have courage to do eternal things.

1 The Teacher

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

You don’t think that teachers are courageous. Imagine how well you handled your two . five kids and then picture having a room full of little kids from all kids of households all day. That takes courage a lot of teachers face hard situations every day.

Teach courage to the next generation.

Deuteronomy 31:6–7 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.

Boys need Dad’s to teach them about the LORD. Girls need moms to teach them how to live for Christ. Is that like a terrible thing to say. I see courage in a single mom, but what about the courage of someone being a dad. I love seeing some of the parents in our church. Working for the LORD and their kids are right there next to them. Train up a child in the way he should go. Moses taught Joshua courage,

David taught Solomon the ways of the LORD.

1 Kings 2:2–3 I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;

2 The Soldier

2 Timothy 2:3–4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

The soldier rightfully is the pinnacle of courage. You search courage on your computer and the image you have is a soldier. I also must admit I picture the image of our president after he had been shot in the ear standing back up and raising his fist. That took some courage.

Stand Fast, Soldier!

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.

You know what the king James says in this passage “quit you like men” In other words be a man! In this “woke” generation that is almost like a curse word. Come on be a man. Get off the couch. I met a man the other day. He said to me, “What video game do you play?” I said I don’t play video games. Come on man you must play video games. NOPE! I guess I have. Snow days I do with the kids, but I don’t play video games. And I am not saying you are an evil person if you got out the nintendo last night. But come on put down the controller and pick up the axe. Turn off the TV and pass out some tracks. Take you child fishing instead of plopping him in front of the TV. Don’t be afraid to be a man and stand up for what’s right.

Let us be Courageous Soldiers prepared for battle with the devil.

2 Corinthians 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

The devil wants to blind the world with lies we need to have courage to shine the light of Jesus Christ and teach the truth and the truth has a name and His name is Jesus He said I am the way the truth and the life and the truth is found in the book sanctify them through thy truth Thy word is truth and they will know the truth and the truth will set them free. That truth isn’t your truth it is the gospel message the only truth we desperately need

We need courage to fight the world.

Jude 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

don’t you like that image. It is a picture of salvation and the importance of the gospel message. You know that person closest to hell it is you reaching down and rescuing them from the lake of fire be a soldier for Jesus. This is a spiritual battle not a physical battle

Courageous soldier are watchful sentries.

Luke 12:35–40 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

You know what God I don’t want. I don’t want to be that guy that stands watch at night. I’d fall asleep. I would dose I would wonder. I could never be a security guard. I can’t hunt. I have to me moving. But I am called to be a spiritual watchman looking out for my family my community that takes courage.

Courageous soldiers are prepared.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The courageous soldier serves well.

Matthew 25:21–23 =His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

3 The Athlete

2 Timothy 2:5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

I didn’t play football. I wouldn’t want to line up against a three hundred pound guy and have him running at me with a head of steam. No thank you. I admit I am not a naturally courageous person. Still today when I am asked to do hard things. Like walk into a hospital room of someone I have never met not knowing what I am going to see I pray the entire way up. I am never going to stop doing that but I know that naturally I would walk the other direction. Jesus is the source of my courage. I am training for a half marathon. Last year I ran every single day. outside to train. Let me tell you when it is 36 degrees and it is 5 am raining it takes some courage to run again. I say LORD, I am going to be sitting at my desk this morning and at school this afternoon and then walking around a hospital. I need that excercise it would be easier to stay in bed. Let me tell you.

The courageous athlete knows the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Do you know they say that Cricket is the most complicated game I don’t know I have never seen the game but people who play know the rules. Have you ever watched football with someone who didn’t know any rules. That’s rough… Especially when they say if it’s football why don’t they use their feet. Americans are the doofiest people. But Christians should know the rules to this game. You find them in the Bible.

Be courageous: compete for a crown.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Athletes work hard to get a trophy that fades away. We fight for something that will last forever. I believe that the judgment seat of Christ is judgment like at an athletic event. Not a legal proceding. Not everyone agrees with me. But I believe our sins are completely washed away and now we as Christians don’t work to balance the scales we strive to earn eternal rewards for our master. Takes courage.

Courage takes self discipline without cheating.

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

There are no short cuts or steroids in the christian life even though some people think there are. It’s not o I was baptized so I’m good I go to church every week so I’m good or I took communion so I’m good. No this life needs courage.

4 The Farmer

2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

It takes courage to be a farmer. Think about all they go through. The death of an animal. Working with animals and farm equipment. Planting crops with the hope that they will produce. It takes courage to cut the hay knowing that once you have committed you have to get it in the barn before it rains. You don’t get to take a day off as a farmer. You work. When working with cows You put too much in the front take too much out the back and don’t get enough in the middle. I remember working on the farm. I remember the day a horse fell in a frozen pond. We had to rescue that thing. It took some serious courage.

Sowing and reaping takes courage.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Sow good in a wicked world.

Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.

Courageous farmers tend the soil faithfully.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord

tending the soil is hard work but worth it. You may think the farmer unimportant but Jesus talked about him more than all the others except teachers but they got a lot of warnings. Courage to tend the soil. Give the tracks Pray share the gospel, Get out their and do the dirty work of the gospel, Farmers must be faithful.

Faithfully farm for the crown of life

Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Being courageous: it is worth it.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

At the end we have looked at some crowns imperishable crown crown of life crown of righteousness.

LIVE Courageous it’s worth it in the end.