God's formula for Courage
Notes
Transcript
For those who say to themselves, I want more courage, but how? Today, you will see how you will become more courageous than you have ever been in life.
This is a general rule for developing courage in the Bible.
This is a general rule for developing courage in the Bible.
If you run this race with patience, everyone of God’s elect will receive a crown. Paul speaks of a Crown of Righteousness, in , he speaks of an Eternal crown; in Revelation, Jesus speaks of a Crown of glory that will not fade away. This crown refers to the highest level of victory the saints can reach.
This crown refers to the highest level of victory the saints can reach.
Everyone one who follows Jesus Christ will develop all their God-given spiritual qualities: this includes, faith, love, wisdom and might. If you follow Jesus Christ and God’s word, you possess all the faith to move mountains, all the love to win defeat those who persecute you, all the wisdom to live in prosperity and all the power and authority God has ordained for you.Salvation is not just about going from forgiveness of sin to heaven; it is also about coming into the full measure and stature of Jesus Christ. This is courage.
Salvation is not just about going from forgiveness of sin to heaven; it is also about coming into the full measure and stature of Jesus Christ. We will be witnesses of Christ Jesus.
God’s formula for courage is everywhere in the Bible. From Moses to Paul and from Paul to John on the Island of Patmos. A person begins outside of God’s will and purpose. They are out unconscious and untrained in God’s will, but they end up instrumental the in working miracles. God takes them through a series of changes (a formula), transforming them from weakness to strength and from ordinary to extra-ordinary people. listen to the Prophet Amos.
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
He went from an ordinary man to a prophet of God. You can and will experience this same transformation if you want it.
All our troubles and anxieties are the result of resisting this formula. Our health, relationships, success and spiritual growth are all the result of our submission or resistance to this formula. The moment you make up your mind to follow it, it the moment you enter God’s will.
All our troubles and anxieties are the result of resisting this formula. Our health, relationships, success and spiritual growth and connected to this formula. The moment you make up your mind to follow it, it the moment you enter God’s will.
This formula does not have a time sequence. I cannot tell you how long it will take. The circumstances are different for everyone. The formula is the same. You must recognize where you are in the process. Once you start acting on this formula, you will become contented with your spiritual journey. Although no one life in displays the whole formula, everyone spiritual giant displays part of it. We will use Gideon as the example.
The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Gideon begins a fearful, angry farmer and God transforms him into the captain of Israel’s army. He does what no other commander has ever done. He takes on an enemy 100 times greater than he is. By obeying God, he and 300 men defeat 300,000 Midianite Soldiers and saves Israel from oppression.
We are not going over his whole story, but Gideon is a perfect example of the courage formula.
1. LACKING COURAGE- Verse 11 says, “Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press.” You crushed grapes with your feet in a wine press. You threshed wheat in an open field. Gideon was afraid the Midianites would steal his grain, so he threshed the wheat with his feet in a cave and not out in the open.
We start out in oppression. Someone else is in control. During Gideon’s time, it was the Midianites, Moses, the Egyptians, Jesus’ time, the Roman Empire and King Herod, for you, it could be an abusive relationship, a violent neighborhood, suffering racial discrimination, a toxic work environment, or some other disadvantages. You are just trying to get along.
This situation makes you negative. You feel helpless to make a difference. You say, “things will never change. The powers that be are too strong and entrenched for anyone to change things. It is hard to imagine life will ever get better. When you are here, you may not be hiding, but frustrated with your life. There is no help and no one seems to care. says, “hope deferred makes the heart sick.”
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
2. ENCOUNTER WITH GOD “The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
I imagine Gideon said to himself, “I am no mighty warrior. If I were, I would not be hiding in a cave threshing wheat.” We never embrace our potential. We define ourselves through our current reality. Deep within, I question myself. My sin is ever before me. I am not happy with life. Underneath my exterior, I am angry and bitter. Mad with God and myself.
God’s encounter is your burning bush moment, It is when the presence of the Lord interrupts you. You realize God is real, God has more for you. You are more than you know. In spite of all your mistakes, God’s hand is on your life.
3. LACKING COURAGE through complaints and excuses
You feel a burden to help others, to break the yokes of oppression and tear down the strongholds of the mind. You sense what God wants for you and for others and you can be instrumental creating a better life for others. No matter how strange it may sound, you know your mission. “God told Gideon, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of the hand of Midian.” Some people want money and power; others are drawn to more noble pursuits: end homelessness, save women from abuse, help immigrant families, feed to poor, end unjust incarceration.... YOU HAVE BEEN AWAKENED!
( which includes a declaration of the mission)
4. DECLARATION OF MISSION
3 . MEETING SUPPORTERS If God is calling you to some great mission, God has called others also. Someone has more knowledge and experience than you. Someone is sympathetic to your burden. They see something and are called to encourage you. Moses had Jethro; Paul had Barnabas; Ethster had Mordecai; Jesus not only had his disciples, he had other women who served with him: .
and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
6. LOOKING FOR A SIGN
4. CONFRONTING THE BEAST
The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.
The Midianites and the Amalekites made up over 300,000 soldiers. As I said, last Sunday, the enemy you have to fight is greater than you. I sense the Lord calling me to address racial reconciliation. When Barack Obama became president, I thought maybe we are turning the corner in America. Racial tensions are higher than ever. The Poverty Law Center states there are over 1,000+ White Supremacist groups across the United States. There are over 300 Black Nationalist Groups covering America who seek to overthrow Christianity- from the Armies of Israel to the New Black Panther Party. They have headquarters in every major city. On Wednesday night we learned Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. 90,000 Christians are killed every year.
If you are a Christian standing for reconciliation as the bible teaches, you will confront the beast.
On Wednesday night we learned Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. 90,000 Christians are killed every year.
5. SUFFERING FAILURE
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Peter had just told Jesus, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will. Even if I have to die for you, I will never disown you.” You cannot grow in courage without suffering failure. I think of David when he tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and a man died. Peter, when he denied Jesus Christ, David when his men when the Amalekites took their wives, children and all their possessions, then the men turned on David, Naomi has to move back to Israel, her husband and sons are dead and she is poor, or When we spent $300, 000 on the first plans for the church and the architect filed bankruptcy.
It is that moment when Elijah wants to quit the ministry
Elijah wants to quit the ministry
Jerimiah quits the ministry...
You could face some personal failure, like David with Bathsheba… some addiction and bad habit, some corruption of mind and heart...
Failure can be good for you.
At some point in time, you learn it is not about your gifts and talents; it is not about trying harder; You are not capable of living for Jesus Christ and doing the will of God without surrender.
9. WANDERING AWAY FROM THE TRUTH
9. A NEW CONVICTION
6. YOUR HAND IN GOD’S HAND Gideon started out with 32,000 men God told him, he had too many; then 10,000. He still had too many; then he 300 men. Gideon’s battle was not to win, but that God would receive the glory.
It is that moment when Jonah prays to God from the belly of the whale
It is that moment when Jonah prays to God from the belly of the whale
That moment when the Psalmist said I had almost faded until I went into the sanctuary and then I saw their end
Is the moment when Paul saw everything in Christ
You’re not trying to create opportunities you were waiting for them
You believe God can do it in his own power and you’re relying upon the power to lead you
It is when courage is not a matter of counting numbers but having faith in God
Courage is not a matter of natural strength but the power of the Holy Spirit
At this stage, there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There is no sudden shift toward success where everyone knows your name and you are loved and celebrated by all. There is one thing at the end of this stage – God. Jesus Christ Resurrected in you.
It is that moment when you realize what the Lord has done for you:
“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
God lifts the burden from your shoulders and removes your heavy labor; God answers your prayers and heals you from sorrow and frustration. You must start over. What is different is your heart and soul...
7. COURAGE IS REWARDED
When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites.
Gideon is not afraid of the numbers of the circumstances. He has already seen the victory.
He wins the battle against 300,000 soldiers. He tells the 300, “Watch me. Follow my lead. Do what I do.” Because he’s following God. God is working in him and through him.
It is that moment when Moses raises his hand in the waters part, or Peter preaches in 3000 people are saved, Paul casts out demons in Ephesus and the people turn from witchcraft to Jesus Christ. Esther watches Haman hanging by the gallows and her people is saved
Do not give up before you finish your journey. This is the power of God, the power of Jesus Christ.
God will use you to perform miracles. These signs will follow them who believe.