The Ingredients For Courage
Take the Promise
July 29, 2018
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
The sermon introduces the Book of Joshua as the story of God keeping his promises through Joshua, urging believers to live courageously by trusting God's promise, relying on his presence, and obeying his precepts—fulfilled ultimately in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Summary
Beginning a series on Joshua, the preacher frames the book as the fulfillment of Abrahamic promises and as a foreshadowing of Christ; Joshua 1:1–9 serves as a prologue that gives three essentials for success: God's promise, God's presence, and God's precepts. Believers are called to be strong and courageous—resolute and bold—because God's presence (now in Christ and by the Spirit) guarantees victory, while obedience to God's law advances his promises and disobedience delays them. The practical application is to replace anxiety with courage, obey God's Word, and focus on what multiplies heavenly reward, illustrated by a personal anecdote about confronting fear, and concluded with a prayer for clarity and faithful obedience for God's glory.
Key Points
- Joshua is presented as God’s means to fulfill promises made to Abraham.
- Joshua 1:1–9 functions as the book’s prologue, highlighting three essentials: promise, presence, precepts.
- Promise: God’s gift of rest and the assurance of his covenant give courage to obey.
- Presence: God’s nearness (now in Christ and by the Holy Spirit) guarantees victory and enables boldness.
- Precepts: Success is contingent on obedience to God’s law; obedience accelerates God’s purposes, disobedience delays them.
- Courage means resolve and boldness rather than anxiety; focus on eternal rewards rather than earthly worries.
- Practical application: trust the promise, rely on God’s presence, obey his precepts—this empowers Christian living.
- Personal anecdote (climbing wall) illustrates confronting fear; sermon closes with a prayer for clarity and faithful obedience for God's glory.
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