Joshua 01:09 Moral Courage – audio

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Text: Joshua 1:9

Introduction

A. The most interesting stories in Reader’s Digest are those of the heroism of “average” people in life threatening situations.

B. Most people have more physical courage than they realize.

C. But the man who would not hesitate to risk bodily harm to save someone’s life will often be unwilling to risk ridicule to save someone’s soul.

D. Moral courage is rarer than physical courage — but it is much more important.

Body

I. MORAL COURAGE SOMETIMES REQUIRES PHYSICAL COURAGE.

A. True and deep commitment to the Lord is not without its physical dangers – Hebrews 11:32-38

B. Our very lives may be required of us – Revelation 12:11

C. Paul’s attitude serves as a good example – Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-14

D. It is not impossible that such courage might be required of us today.

II. MORE OFTEN, THOUGH, WE ARE THREATENED BY INTANGIBLE DANGERS

A. Peter, the physically courageous, shows that it is possible for a person to have considerable physical courage and still lack moral courage – Matthew 26:33; John 18:10

1. Peter denied the Lord three times – John 18:15-18, 25-27.

2. And years later, he showed a similar lack of courage in the Gentile controversy – Galatians 2:11-16

B. Satan knows very well the kinds of things we are most afraid of:

1. Embarrassment

2. Being “labeled”

3. Unfriendliness

4. Minority status

5. Loss of social esteem

6. Rejection

7. Hostility

C. Knowing our personal fears, Satan threatens us at those points, knowing that we will do nearly anything he says to avoid suffering those things.

D. If we give in to such pressure and deny Christ, we place ourselves among those who confess Christ only when little is at stake.

1. But Christ asks us to lead a life, in word and deed, which confesses Him regardless of the danger – Luke 12:8-9

2. We are not to hide the truth about our identity any more than He did – John 18:3-9

3. To be ashamed of Christ is to be lost – Mark 8:38

III. THE COURAGE WE CAN HAVE IS GROUNDED IN THE TRIUMPH OF GOD OVER EVERY EVIL

A. It is through Christ, and only through Him, that we can “do all things” – Philippians 4:13

1. John 14:27-28

2. John 16:33

B. There is no need for fear – 2 Timothy 1:7

C. It is a victorious Savior whom we follow – Revelation 19:11-16

Conclusion

A. It is the overcomer through Christ who will enjoy heaven – Revelation 21:1-7

B. But cowardice can damn our very souls – Revelation 21:1-8

C. If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31; 35-39

D. We are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us”- Romans 8:35-39

E. There is more joy in one moment of integrity and moral courage than there is in a lifetime of bowing to the pressure of evil.

F. The softest pillow upon which we may rest our heads at night is that of a courageous conscience.

G. What is there in your life today that requires courage?