Joshua 1:1-9

Introduction:

1. Last time we discussed the imperative of loving God and neighbors to face the many challenges inherent to church growth.

2. Today we will discuss the need to courageously face these challenges, lest we become paralyzed by fear and thereby incapable of fulfilling our mission.

Discussion:

I. Fear is Natural

A. Scripture makes no effort to hide the fears God’s faithful servants manifested.

1. Moses tried every way in the world to bow out of his mission (Exodus 3:6-4:17).

2. Elijah fled from Jezebel soon after a massive triumph (1 Kings 19:1-18).

3. Jeremiah thought himself inadequate to his mission (Jeremiah 1:4-8).

B. His most faithful servant had a gut-wrenching bout with fear (Matthew 26:36-46; Hebrews 5:7).

II. Courage is Not Lack of Fear

A. Many people confuse courage with fearlessness, but such is a misnomer.

B. Courage: “the ability to do something that frightens one; strength in the face of pain or grief” (Oxford); “mental or moral strength to withstand danger or fear” (Webster).

C. God’s call is to be strong and courageous in the face of fear, not the absence of it.

III. True Love Drives Out Fear

A. The connection of our previous discussion and this one is clear from 1 John 4:17-19.

B. When we embrace perfect (i.e. fully developed) love, it empowers us to conquer fear.

1. Love being perfected in us gives us boldness on the day of judgment (Hebrews 4:14-16).

2. Such eternal assurance outweighs every temporal fear, giving us courage to complete the mission we have been given (Matthew 10:28-33; Hebrews 2:14-15; 13:5-6; 1 John 4:4).

Conclusion:

1. As Paul said, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

2. The question is, is our love for Christ full enough to drive out our natural fears?

Further Food for Thought

1. Have you ever confused courage with the absence of fear?

2. Does it help you to embrace the fact that courage implies fear, rather than rule it out?

3. It is natural to have fear, but we must leverage His power to overcome it in His service.