How to be strong & courageous

read Josh. 1:1-9

concerned we dont have courage

shoes to fill: Moses

courage depends on mission

The first thing God gives Joshua isn't a pep talk. He gives him a job.

Be strong! bc life is hard! no - here is a job.

v6 - there’s a cause! Courage has a cause.

Courage is not some innate feeling/personality

instead courage depends on mission!

mission runs deeper than attendance, consistency, or even relationships & weekly small groups

Matt. 28

Jesus doesnt say be courageous just bc

We're not here merely to:

attend worship

preserve the church

raise Christian children

have good Bible knowledge

maintain our traditions

stay morally clean

^^Those things matter—but they serve the mission.

We are here to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

It’s easy to have great relationships, great conversations, great discussions, great Bible studies, and walk out feeling full—but while never taking an actual bold step of obedience or even knowing what that step would be. The discussion was good. The theology was solid. The community felt meaningful. But the truth remains: It became something I know or feel, not something I live and replicate. And the enemy is more than happy to keep it that way.

maybe we arent on mission bc we dont actually believe God’s promises

here's the uncomfortable part:

If you don't have a mission worth risking for, you'll never need courage.

if your faith is just about having a kind group who helps you move, gives you good morals, and where you feel most comfortable… you dont need courage!

our vocation is to make disciples.

2. courage depends on God’s presence

God's mission requires courage, but God's presence gives courage.

faith is the Q

Courage is confidence in God, not yourself.

so if you are not discipling others, being discipled, or evangelizing, and its bc youre afraid… at some point its your lack of faith.

you dont trust God

accountability/new people and ideas/prayer and fasting/reaching your lost friend… “I cant/doont have time/too uncomfortable” dont trust God.

authority - respect it!

we can go bc Jesus has all authority and he is with us!

risen Christ + Holy Spirit

why and how can we do it?

go to difficult places and convos? bc he is with us

speak to people who will reject us? ^^

The promise: you wont face the mission alone!

is Jesus and the lost worth the risk?

3. courage depends on God’s word

josh has to be told this!

Courage w/out truth is dangerous and reckless

memorize!

discuss! dbs

God has spoken - Joshua obeys

dont reinvent the mission

Teach em to keep the law and to know all the figures!

Matt 28 - teach them to obey!

not simply “teach them to be right”

It takes courage to:

confess sin

forgive someone

share your faith

initiate a Bible study

invite someone to church

tell someone about Jesus

stand for truth

refuse cultural pressure

disciple your children

invest deeply in another Christian

call someone higher instead of merely making them comfortable

Strength comes from God in obedience.

close

We need courage to make disciples. The mission has changed in scope, but the source of our courage hasn't changed. God has given us the mission. God has promised His presence. And God has given us His Word.

The mission is not ours to invent.

The presence is not ours to manufacture.

The Word is not ours to rewrite.

Our job is to trust and obey.

bc it is not about us!

Moses died - next!

joshua

people win battles and dont praise Josh, they praise the LORD!

we should not take risks for Jesus bc we think we can do something great — we do it bc we think Jesus HImself is great!

bc he is worthy of being known by every person, nation, and tongue and we love our neighbors,

WHAT ARE WE AFRAID OF?

We have a mission. We have His presence. We have His Word.

So be strong. Be courageous. Go make disciples.