Courage on SermonAudio

1. Faith's context 2. Faith's courage 3. Faith's crisis 4. Faith's captain

This sermon examines the three oracles in Isaiah 21, focusing on the fall of Babylon and the necessity of trusting in God rather than political alliances. The central message urges believers to adopt the posture of the prophet Isaiah, combining lion-like courage in faithful witness with a deep, sorrowful concern for the lost who face God's judgment. The text highlights the tension of the Christian life, described as a cycle of 'mornings' and 'nights,' where suffering is met with the discipline of patience and the persistent return to God in prayer. By contrasting the fleeting security of worldly powers with the sovereign rule of the Lord, the sermon calls the audience to 'come out of Babylon,' rejecting the temptation to rely on human systems for safety. Ultimately, it points to Jesus Christ as the only one who resisted the power of Babylon, offering true salvation and victory over death and hell to those who trust in Him.

The sermon explores the themes of trust and deliverance through the lens of Psalm 56, highlighting David's reliance on God amidst physical and spiritual opposition. It emphasizes that courage is defined by overcoming fear through faith in God's promises rather than the absence of anxiety. The message contrasts the biblical call for submission and repentance with the modern spirit of rebellion, specifically critiquing contemporary Christian culture for attempting to reshape Christ to fit worldly standards. By drawing parallels between David's enemies and the deceptive nature of Satan, the text urges believers to maintain discernment and stand firm on the Word. Ultimately, it presents salvation as the foundation for daily confidence, asserting that the God who delivers the soul from death will also protect and sustain believers in their temporal lives.

God wants us to be victors, not victims, to soar and not sink, to overcome and not be overwhelmed! Whatever challenges or problems you might be facing, the difference between being a victor or victim is how we respond to the challenges we are facing. This sermon looks at one of the most familiar Old Testament stories: David and Goliath. The Challenge that Israel was facing was Goliath, a Philistine fighter who was large, loud, and life-threatening. Saul and his army were the cowards who responded with fear and with passivity, hoping that their problem (Goliath) would go away. But he didn't. The young shepherd boy, David responded with courage and faith. Faith sees the challenges as God's problem. The conflict was not between Goliath and Israel, but between Goliath and the armies of the Living God. Faith also meets the challenges armed with the promises of God. God had promised victory over Israel's enemies. The battle belongs to the Lord! Faith also faces the challenges convinced of God's faithfulness! God n the past had delivered David from the paw of the lion and the bear! David believed that God would deliver him from the "paw" of this Philistine! Believing the problem was God's, armed with the promise of God, and convinced of God's faithfulness, the faith that conquers is a faith of action! David courageously fought and killed the giant! God brought about the victory as a witness to the watching world and as encouragement to others to trust God.

The sermon examines an exhortation to Israel from Joshua near the end of his ministry, emphasizing that God's proven faithfulness in fulfilling promises necessitates a response of courageous obedience and undivided love. The text demonstrates that while God's blessings are certain, His warnings of judgment are equally certain, requiring believers to cling exclusively to Yahweh rather than drifting into complacency or idolatry. The text highlights the danger of divided loyalties, particularly through intermarriage with pagan nations, as a test of true devotion. Ultimately, the message points to the New Covenant in Christ, where God's grace enables believers to love Him and obey His commands, securing an eternal inheritance through faith alone.

Acts 21:27-36 Take a moment and try to envision in your mind's eye a siren going off. The siren is blaring in a crowded stadium – Arrowhead for example. Instead of people running toward the nearest exit, crowds of people are rushing into the stadium with their fists clenched – yelling your name, screaming at the top of their lungs 'Get him/her!' This describes the scene in Jerusalem in the text this morning. It's the time of Pentecost – Jerusalem is filled with thousands of Jews.

This sermon explores the biblical fruit of meekness, challenging the cultural stereotype that equates meekness with weakness or cowardice. It defines meekness as a strength forged through trials, characterized by humility, gentleness, and courageous submission to God's will. The message highlights the life of Jesus Christ as the ultimate embodiment of meekness, citing his submission to his Father and his sacrificial death on the cross. Listeners are encouraged to grow in this virtue through daily communion with Christ, taking on his yoke, and surrendering personal autonomy to his lordship. The sermon concludes with an invitation to find rest in Jesus, who offers an easy yoke and a light burden to those who labor under the weight of sin and life's hardships.