When you fear the worst, take courage in Christ.
COURAGE IS DOING WHAT YOU
ARE AFRAID TO DO!
ARE AFRAID TO DO!
What is
courage? Someone said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conviction
that something else is more important than fear.” Eddie Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I
and a Medal of Honor recipient.
courage? Someone said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conviction
that something else is more important than fear.” Eddie Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I
and a Medal of Honor recipient.
“But the
fearful...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death”
(Revelation 21:8).
fearful...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death”
(Revelation 21:8).
Our text is most
illuminating. It gives a list of eight categories of sin that lead to “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death” (Revelation 21:8). What is the first sin in this dark
catalogue of wickedness? It is not murder. It is not idol worship. It is not prostitution.
It is not sorcery. It is not lying, nor is it even unbelief. It is fearfulness. Fearfulness is the
number one reason people go to Hell! Fearfulness is the most common
characteristic of those who will burn eternally in the Lake of Fire. They will
go there because they were too fearful and timid to become real Christians!
illuminating. It gives a list of eight categories of sin that lead to “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death” (Revelation 21:8). What is the first sin in this dark
catalogue of wickedness? It is not murder. It is not idol worship. It is not prostitution.
It is not sorcery. It is not lying, nor is it even unbelief. It is fearfulness. Fearfulness is the
number one reason people go to Hell! Fearfulness is the most common
characteristic of those who will burn eternally in the Lake of Fire. They will
go there because they were too fearful and timid to become real Christians!
“who spends himself in a
worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of high achievement
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that
his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither
victory nor defeat.” words of President
Theodore Roosevelt.
worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of high achievement
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that
his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither
victory nor defeat.” words of President
Theodore Roosevelt.
Dr. Martin Luther King said,
“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward in spite of obstacles and
frightening situations; cowardice is a submissive surrender to circumstance.
“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward in spite of obstacles and
frightening situations; cowardice is a submissive surrender to circumstance.
Courage faces fear and thereby masters it; cowardice represses fear and is
thereby mastered by it.” The Apostle Paul said, “Stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong”
(I Corinthians 16:13).
thereby mastered by it.” The Apostle Paul said, “Stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong”
(I Corinthians 16:13).
“Whosoever
will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,
the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).
will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,
the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).
If you “play
it safe” and don’t risk your life for Christ, you will lose your life, become a
“cold and timid soul” in this
world, and a lost soul in eternity! It is only by risking your life on Jesus
Christ that you become the human being God meant you to be!
it safe” and don’t risk your life for Christ, you will lose your life, become a
“cold and timid soul” in this
world, and a lost soul in eternity! It is only by risking your life on Jesus
Christ that you become the human being God meant you to be!
Here are some of you here
this morning who are afraid to trust Jesus. I’ve heard you say, “I’m afraid
I’ll have a false conversion,” or, “I’m afraid I can’t be saved,” or “I’m not
able.” These are fears that will hold you back and, at last, these fears will
turn you into a “cold and timid soul who knows neither victory nor defeat.” But
remember, “Courage is doing what you are afraid to do.” I know you are afraid
but just trust in Jesus.
this morning who are afraid to trust Jesus. I’ve heard you say, “I’m afraid
I’ll have a false conversion,” or, “I’m afraid I can’t be saved,” or “I’m not
able.” These are fears that will hold you back and, at last, these fears will
turn you into a “cold and timid soul who knows neither victory nor defeat.” But
remember, “Courage is doing what you are afraid to do.” I know you are afraid
but just trust in Jesus.
“I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
(Philippians 4:13).
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
(Philippians 4:13).
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