Title: The Courageous Man / Philippians 1:20-21
The most terrifying force in the world is courage based on the power of truth. But Christians are more important than moral courage and must have strong courage. What does the Bible say about true Christian courage?
1. Religious courage.
The Apostle Paul was perfect and had a boldness that the world could not bear.
What is the basis for that courage of faith?
We are all sinners, but God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to atone for our judgment and curse, so that we were forgiven of our sins and became God's children, and the kingdom of heaven was prepared.
Those who have faith who are convinced of this fact can endure, rejoice, and have courage in any circumstance.
II. We can live boldly when we overcome the problem of death.
A person who is ready to die is the scariest person in the world. The thing that scares people the most is death. Because death is an unknown road never traveled and disconnected from everything, but those who have solved the problem of death can be bold.
The Apostle Paul, who overcame the problem of death, confessed, “According to my earnest expectation and hope, I am not ashamed of anything, but I am still fully confident as before, that Christ may be glorified in my body, whether by life or death” (20). section)
Paul was sentenced to death and awaited death. But whether you live or die, it doesn't really matter that much. He only wanted Christ to be honored and God to be glorified through his body.
“Because I am sandwiched between them, it is better to have the desire to depart and be with Christ, but it will be more profitable for you that I remain in the flesh” (verses 23-24).
The saints who have been saved through Christ can overcome the anxiety of death in this way and boldly overcome the shadow of death that is approaching.
Ⅲ. I can be bold when I have a purpose more important than my life.
We have the courage to believe that things are more important than life and death. There are many things greater, more precious, and more precious than death. When Paul was imprisoned, he received many misunderstandings, criticisms, and harm.
But Paul valued the preaching of the gospel more than his face, character, and life.
I had courage because I believed that preaching the gospel was much more important than the matter of death.
The source of that courage is the conviction that we have become children of God through faith. And the source of that courage is the belief that if we die, we will meet the Lord in heaven, and if we live, we will glorify God.
The source of that courage is the conviction of a mission that is more important than my life.