Be Brave

Be Brave, Not Passive

Passive — opposed to activity, the tendency to remain in a given state

We are Passive:

1. Because We Think Our Way Is Better

Jonah 1:1–3 NLT

1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

John 3:30 NASB95

30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.

Matthew 6:9–10 NASB95

9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Every time we pray, “Thy kingdom come,” we are simultaneously saying, “My kingdom go.”

Every time we pray, “Your will be done,” we are simultaneously praying, “Let my will go.”

2. Because We Are Afraid

Afraid to take a step without seeing the big picture

Genesis 22:1–2 NLT

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

God is the artist, and often the only One who can see the greater picture.

Like a quilter, we often only see the tangled colored threads from underneath, but God sees the beautiful masterpiece He is weaving together.

Afraid of what other people will say or think

Luke 12:1–9 NLT

1 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! 4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. 6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.

Afraid to fail

Luke 19:20–23 NLT

20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’ 22 “ ‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

Be Brave

1. Choose to Follow

Colossians 2:6–7 NLT

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

2. Choose to Act

Luke 19:13 NASB95

13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’

In other words, DO SOMETHING!

The Christian life is one of activity

How do I know what God wants me to do?

3. Ask God to Show You Your Next Step

Psalm 143:10 NASB95

10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Psalm 119:105 NLT

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

John 14:26–27 NASB95

26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

4. Do Not Fear —the Lord Goes Before You

Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB95

8 “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Joshua 1:9 NLT

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 56:4 NLT

4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56:11 NLT

11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

2 Timothy 1:7 NASB95

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

What is Your Next Step?

What has God been telling you that you have been ignoring?

What is the next step, big or small, that God has told you to take?

What in your spiritual life needs to change?

What in your physical life needs to change?

Where is God calling you to?

Who is God calling you to?

Will you choose to follow?