First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
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Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
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“If I Only Had the Courage!” 1 Corinthians 16:13 Mark Howdeshell (14 October 2007) 1 Cor 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage ; be strong. Introduction You’ve heard me pray for courage since I’ve arrived at this church. What is courage that I feel the need to pray about it continually. Is it really that important? The 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz, featured 4 primary characters. Do you remember who they were? Dorothy, the girl that was blown by the tornado. The Tin Man, who didn’t have a heart. The Scarecrow, who didn’t have any brains. The Cowardly Lion, who didn’t have any courage. “If I only had courage………..” Review of Last Message JUST DO IT!!! Heart of the Matter
We are all afraid of something….public speaking, water, heights, snakes, spiders, needles….When we confront those fears and control them instead of letting them control you, we are courageous. Courage is not giving in to your fears, confronting them head-on. In a lot of circumstances, some of our greatest achievements have come when courage wins out over fear. The Meat of the Message
JUST TO CLARIFY--- Not all fear is bad. If you’re severely allergic to being stung by bees, then fearing bee stings is a healthy thing. Fear can also mean a very healthy respect for something. If you cannot swim very well, like me, then you should fear the water, like me. It doesn’t mean that I’m too scared to go swimming, but when in the water, I have a very healthy respect for it and I won’t do anything stupid! Fear will cause a change in your actions to respond to the emotional response. If you are afraid of the water, you normally won’t go swimming!
We are told to fear the Lord.
Luke 12:4-5 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear : Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Yet, the Lord wants us to have a very close relationship with Him. This fear, a very healthy respect, for God, should change our actions toward God.
Mark 6:47-52 47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Acts 4:13 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 27:21-26 21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage , because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage , men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."
1 Cor 16:13-14 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage ; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Phil 1:18-21 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Luke 21:12-19 12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
The Bottom Line Showing courage is not always the easiest thing to do; in fact, most of the times that we’re called upon to rely on our courage, our courage is insufficient. By trusting in the Lord God Almighty, He will give us courage to stand up to any test. Rely upon your faith in Him and He will deliver. Pray for the courage each day to take advantage of every opportunity that is placed before you. The more you exercise the courage provided by the Holy Spirit, the easier it is to use! Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus…than to trust and obey. INVITATION Do you need God’s courage to face a problem or issue in your life, today? Ask Him for it. Is there a fear in your life that simply overwhelms you? Give it to God and ask for His courage to overcome it. Do you have enough faith to let go and let God? Remember…..pride is not allowed in this sanctuary. Come to the altar and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you this morning. |
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