Nine Dimensions of Courage

We are all on this journey toward a more courageous life. By looking together at these examples is scripture, we are gaining insight in courage. We grow by reading and listening to the bible. We unconsciously study and live courageously because The Holy spirit deposits these truths into our hearts and souls. The Holy Spirit brings these truths back to our remembrance at difficult times.

Why do you see the Philistines in conflict with Israel so often in the old testament? From the time of Saul and Jonathan to the time of David and beyond, you see the Philistines as the mortal enemies of Israel. I would think once they were conquered they would be wiped out forever. You see them over and over again contesting God’s people. You may win against Satan today, but he will always return in a more opportune time. Satan tried to defeat Jesus by tempting him 40 days and 40 nights and lost. but the NLT says, When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. Does The Almighty God have something to teaches us in the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer? YES! The Philistines were technologically superior to the Israelites. They had a larger army. They had more experienced fighting men on their side. Even Goliath and his clan fought with the Philistines. They also had one main advantage over Israel- the philistines used iron before anyone else. They had iron swords and spears when the Israelites had only axes and picks.

God contrasts the Israelites and the Philistines to reveal one key point the church must never forget: Some may have better strategies, technological superiority, greater strength, larger numbers, even a better position, but God's people have the unseen power of heaven. says, “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.” The Psalmist declared, “Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord.”

As Christians, we will always be out numbered and outmatched and outflanked. There are fewer Christians in the world than non Christians; There are forces at work who resist the coming of the kingdom of God. We need courage to overcome the evil we face on a daily basis. Jonathan’s faith and courage led to of the most important battles in Israel’s history- The Battle at Mikmash. This is one of the most inspirational stories in my life.

As Christians, we will always be out numbered and outmatched. There are fewer Christians in the world one and there are forces at work in the world who contend with the coming of the kingdom of God. So, we need courage to overcome the evil we see on a daily basis.

I see 9 dimensions of courage in this passage. There are nine movements in this passage. Each one speaks to some form of courage. I want to share them with you now and then open all nine, one-by-one.

1. ALL OR NOTHING

2. TAKING THE ALTERNATE ROUTE

3. THE LAW OF FAITH

4. THE IMPORTANCE OF LOYALTY

5. SIGNS FROM GOD

6. BE WISE AS A SERPENT

7. USING WISDOM

8. AVOIDING PROCRASTINATION

9. LIGHTING A FIRE

LET’S DIG IN..

It’s all or nothing.

IT’S ALL OR NOTHING: “Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash… Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor-bearer, ‘come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” Mikmash sat between Benjamin and Ephriam, Philistine territory. The Pass was a strategic military position that ran all the way to Jerusalem. The Philistines controlled the entire region. The Philistines had about 40,000 soldiers with iron swords, spears and shields; Saul’s army, in Gibeah numbered 600 with no fighting weapons. () says, “So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.” Isreal was ill-equipped to fight against the Philistines. The Philistines fortified the outpost with a garrison of at least 20 combat-hardened soldiers.

When the Israelites saw the Philistine army, their hearts melted within them. Some hid in the rocks and caves while other defected and joined the philistines. Fear can dismantle an entire army. Fear can destroy your family, extinguish your spiritual gifts, fear can make you sick, fill you with anxiety, and deny your communion with Jesus Christ. Fear paralyzed Saul’s army.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer went on a reconnaissance mission. When they saw the Philistine garrison and 40,000 soldiers off in the distance, Jonathan said, “Let’s go to the Philistines outpost.” This was a suicide mission. There is no way Jonathan and his armor-bearer could defeat a garrison of fighting men with swords. Some battles are all or nothing.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer went on a reconnaissance mission. When Jonathan and his armor-bearer saw the Philistine garrison and army, he said, “Let’s go to the Philistines outpost.”

This was a suicide mission. There is no way Jonathan and his armor-bearer could defeat a garrison of fighting men with swords. Some battles are all or nothing.

This was a suicide mission. There is no way two men with axes could take on a garrison of fighting men with swords.

You cannot expect God to change the course of your life because you have a good idea. It is all or nothing. You cannot enter the Christian life any other way. You cannot say what you believe then, when it matters, do nothing.

Compare the picture of Jonathan verses his own father, Saul. ****Saul had 600 men. The high priest Ahijah, was with him; he had the ephod, representing the presence of God; all Jonathan had was his armor-bearer.

You cannot enter the Christian life any other way. You cannot say what you believe then, when it matters, do nothing.

Compare the picture of Jonathan verses his own father, Saul. ****Saul had 600 men. The high priest Ahijah, was with him; he had the ephod, representing the presence of God; all Jonathan had was his armor-bearer.

You can have all the trappings of religion, but they mean nothing without devotion to God and his son Jesus Christ. Jonathan had faith. He recalled all Israel’s victories. He recalled Moses, Joshua, Jephthah, Deborah, Gideon, Sampson- every time Israel was outnumbered and God fought for them. God promised them the land and that he would be with them. We must rely upon our covenant with God.

When God convicted me to leave the music business, my manager pleaded with me not to leave. He said, “Join the Masons. They are spiritual… Other people in the music business told me, “you can stay in music, play the clubs and still be a Christian.” The lord told me, “it was all or nothing.

Luke 9:60 NIV

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

It’s all or nothing.

Luke 9:62 NIV

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

When Elisha because Elijah’s servant, it was all or nothing.

1 Kings 19:21 NIV

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

Jonathan did not tell his father because he would have resisted him. You cannot explain faith to those who live in fear and you cannot explain courage to those who lack courage. Jesus had to rebuke Peter. When Jesus told Peter about the cross, Peter said,”Never.” Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."

When the storm put all the seamen in danger, Jonah jumped off the ship into the ocean without knowing if he would be saved… It was all or nothing.

When Peter heard Jesus said, “Come.” left the boat during the storm and began walking on water because… It was all or nothing.

Danger lie ahead for Jonathan and his armor-bearer. They would confront a garrison of Philistines with one sword between them. They would climb a dangerous cliff. They faced the point of no return. If they lost, the prince of Israel and his armor-bearer would die. This was a dangerous situation.

Sometimes you face danger. You do not know the outcome. But there is a greater danger than your enemy… it is the danger of doing nothing. It means you do not trust in God. If you do nothing, what you fear will happen. If you trust God, he will guide you in the face of danger. You cannot do nothing when you see the Hand of God, when God is calling you to something greater, when you know you have the answer for the family, when everyone is depending on you. Jonathan and his armor bearer could not get into the battle then change his mind. It was all or nothing.

When Peter left the boat during the storm… It was all or nothing.

I am not the one who says this. Jesus said this! If anyone will come after me...

Luke 9:60 NIV

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

It’s all or nothing.

Luke 9:62 NIV

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

For Jesus, it was all or nothing.

Hebrews 2:9 NIV

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

He went all the way. He suffered death by crucifixion. He tasted death in all it’s pain and penalty for the entire world- for you and me. Shouldn’t we go all the way for him?

You can have all the trappings of religion, but they mean nothing without devotion to God and his son Jesus Christ. Jonathan had faith. He recalled all Israel’s victories. He recalled Moses, Joshua, Jephthah, Deborah, Gideon, Sampson- every time Israel was outnumbered and God fought for them. God promised them the land and that he would be with them. We must rely upon our covenant with God.

Compare the picture of Jonathan verses his own father, Saul. ****

You can have all the trappings of religion, but they mean nothing without devotion to God and his son Jesus Christ. Jonathan had faith. He recalled all Israel’s victories. He recalled Moses, Joshua, Jephthah, Deborah, Gideon, Sampson- every time Israel was outnumbered and God fought for them. God promised them the land and that he would be with them. We must rely upon our covenant with God.