From coward to courageous

Practical changes in the life of the Sanctified

Review

1.Your life will be characterized by a simple faith(Peter and John at the the beautiful gate

2. Your life will be characterized by a poised spirit(Paul and Silas confrontation with the fortune teller and the python spirit)

Today’s lesson

3. Your life will be characterized with a dauntless courage for Christ

ME:

Three of the greatest fears people have are death, spiders, and public speaking. I use to struggle with speaking in front of people because I had a speech impediment. I was bullied and picked on a lot in high school which caused me to lack self confidence. It wasn’t until I encountered Christ that I could be set free from that fear. Mainly because I stopped focusing on myself and started focusing on God and others.

WE:

Everyone has their own fears but, those fears disappear when Christ becomes visible to us in our lives.

Famed World War II tank commander General George Patton said, “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” If you give in to your fears, you are on the path to defeat. If instead you stand strong in spite of your fears, you are on the path to victory. And we must never forget that we are not in the battle alone. With the power of God on our side, we cannot be defeated.

We have a lot of examples in scripture of people who overcame fear.

We have David who defeated Goliath,

we have Gideon who doubted his call but he lead an army to defeat the Midianites.

We also have in the new testament a man named Peter who we are going to read about how God transformed him from being a coward in a crowd to being courageous for Christ.

Let’s read....

(NKJV)

66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” 71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” 72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

What was Peter afraid of?

Jesus said, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (). In what ways do we deny Christ?

Not talking about our faith

Not defending our faith because of people’s reactions

Denying him through our actions

Confession is giving ackowledgment to Christ.

We confess Christ with praise

We confess Christ in deeds

Not talking about our faith

Not defending our faith because of people’s reactions

Denying him through our actions

Peter’s transformation

(NKJV)

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

What do you think changed with Peter in between denying Christ three times and the proclamation of Christ that led to 3,000 souls being saved?

Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (). In what ways do we confess Christ?

Confession is giving ackowledgment to Christ.

We confess Christ with praise

We confess Christ in deeds

WE

Could you imagine what the church would look like if we had the transformation Peter had and a dauntless courage to proclaim Christ?

YOU

In what ways are you denying Christ in your own life & how can you give a confession of him?

In what ways are you showing a dauntless courage for Christ in your life?