Follow Up with Clay - 08.07.24

We live in a world that wants to beat men up….

We want to build men up… to bless women and children.

1st Corinthians 16:13-14, Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Rule to live by: Remember that before she was your wife / fiancée’ / girlfriend….

She was / is His daughter…. Joint heir in the Kingdom of God.

Joshua:  

What are you afraid of?

(Spiders / heights / clowns / close places / girls…. )

There is a concept in Scripture…. The fear of the Lord….

(Reverence / respect / awe…. And of course fear…. )

That is appropriate / right…. Not what we’re talking about….

Fear of God keeps us from sin…. Fear of man leads us to sin….

What are you afraid of?

(Sit on that for a few minutes.)

End of Exodus: Moses appoints Joshua to lead / God confirms…. Moses dies.

Joshua: Entering into Promised Land….

God gave them the land…. But made them fight for it….

Joshua 1:5-6:  Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…

Joshua 1:7:  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.

Joshua 1:9:  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

God intentionally put them / him into scary situations…. (Military campaign.)

And told them to be strong / courageous…. Fear not….

They battled against greater numbers / experienced warriors / superior weapons….

They sometimes faced multiple armies at the same time….

It was no fair fight…. (Their enemies didn’t stand a chance.)

Because God fought for them / delivered their enemies into their hands….

• Walls crumbling in….
• Hail storm….
• Confusion….
• Disease….

But they always had to strap on their swords and march to battle….

Most often fighting / killing / driving their enemies out….

• Moses held up hands in prayer while Joshua lead on the field…. Israel won.
• Joshua went to battle against 5 kings / armies….

Marched all night / attacked / chased (hail)….

Joshua wanted to finish that same day…. Noon prayed…. Sun stand still…. (Chapter 10)

So the sun / moon stood still until Israel defeated their enemies.

God fights for people when they are strong / courageous….

What does it mean to be…. Strong / courageous?

We are not to live in a constant state of anxiety….

We trust God…. Rise above the circumstances of this world….

2nd Timothy 1:7, God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

We are men of faith not men of panic….

We live our lives serving God / others from a place of powerful confidence….

Confidence not in ourselves…. But full confidence in God.

Not because He’s on your side…. But because you are on His….

Resurrection: Two opposite responses….

Guards shook with fear / fell into a dead faint….

Ladies told…. Don’t be afraid…. They went away rejoicing / telling others….

With those on His side…. He takes away the fear….

For those who oppose Him…. He allows fear to overwhelm them.

God told Joshua to not fear…. Be strong / courageous….

Specific instructions for him as leader / fulfilling God’s promise….

But there are principles to apply for us today….

Christian men…. (Living in God’s will)

• Do not be afraid of anything that any man can do to you in this life….

Matthew 10:28, …do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

• Speak with confidence in God’s promises….

Philippians 1:14, And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.

• Live like you know that God is by your side….

Matthew 28:20, And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

God wants you…. Christian men…. To live courageously / without fear….

Knowing that God is with you always….

Disclaimer: You might die…. (Medication side effects.)

Live a courageous life for God and….

You will suffer / be hated / might even die….

And it will be worth it…. If you are fully surrendered to Him….

None of this means anything outside of a saving relationship with Christ….

Psalm 27:1-3, 14 (David)

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD!

Christian men…. Band of Brothers…. Be strong / courageous….

You may find yourself on a literal battlefield….

Running toward gunfire / into a burning building….

Someone’s life in your hands as you administer CPR / First Aid….

Your heart may race / hands may tremble….

Don’t think for one minute that those are signs of weakness / lack of courage….

Lesson: Courage is not the absence of fear…  But doing what is right in spite of fear.

So I ask again…. What are you afraid of?

I will confess: (They may not seem rational…. Doesn’t matter.)

• I’m afraid that I may fail to say / do something…. Missing an opportunity.
• I’m afraid that I might miss something in Scripture when preaching / teaching.
• I’m afraid that people I know / love might feel neglected.
• I’m afraid that I might fall to selfishness / pride.
• I’m afraid of my wife / daughter encountering evil people.
• I’m afraid of our grandkids growing up with less freedom / more confusion.

What are you afraid of?

We can either let fear paralyze us / distract us….

Or we can let it awaken a bold dependence on God / reliance on Him….

Questions:

What are you afraid of?

How can we pray for you?

Who do you know that needs this group?