## Courageous Christian Walk

## Joshua 1:7

In the past couple of weeks we have discussed three key words in reference to our Christian walk. We have talked about the 'discouraged' Christian walk, the 'encouraged' Christian walk, and this evening I want us to receive the challenge to have a 'courageous' Christian walk.

Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

What does it mean to be 'courageous'? It speaks not necessarily physical strength, but of strength of heart. It speaks of an individual who is solid and not easily dissuaded from doing that which is right. My goal as pastor has been to teach and train every church member with the Word of God to the degree that they cannot be moved from their solid biblical foundation of truth.

Believers who walk courageously in Christ are not shaken by the winds of adversity. When they find themselves in uncertain circumstances, they are confident in God's leadership in their lives. They're like 'trees planted by the rivers of waters'. They are strong, and well grounded with roots that go deep.

I. The Foundation for a Courageous Christian Walk.

A. Our relationship to the Lord.

1. This may seem elementary for us even to discuss, but I believe many people attempt to live the Christian life without ever having a relationship with Him.

2. I am sure that there are many here this evening who could give testimony to that fact.

3. I thought I was a Christian, because I had been baptized in a Christian church.

4. Many think they are Christians, simply because of family relationships…Grandma was so I must be.

5. The result is a walk that may, at times, appear to be a Christian walk, but in reality it is a sham.

6. If the walk is to be right, it must begin right!

7. It must begin with a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Our relationship to the Word.

1. The Bible is the Word of God.

2. It serves as the believer's map and compass to chart a successful course through this life.

3. Without the Word we would be like a traveler on a journey with no direction at all.

4. The Bible is our light that illuminates the path we take.

Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

5. Imagine walking an unknown path without a light to show the way…our walk would be slow and very uncertain.

6. But for us to be courageous in our Christian walk, we must have the assurance of God's Word daily.

C. Our relationship to others.

1. I have already spent a good deal of time on this topic in the previous messages.

2. But let me say again that we need one another's encouragement.

3. We need the encouragement of our church family. (both giving and receiving)

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

4. Part of our responsibility to one another within the local church is to 'exhort' or encourage each other!

II. The Facilitation of the Courageous Christian Walk.

Facilitate = to make something work better

A. Two simple words: Trust and Obey

1. When we have the proper foundation, we must begin to build upon it in confidence.

2. The Courageous Christian walk is one of trust in God and the promises of His Word.

Pr 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Jos 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

3. In the words of Nike shoes: Just Do It!

4. It takes faith to trust God and obey His Word.

5. But that is what pleases Him

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

B. Stay fit Spiritually.

1. It is important for us to stay physically fit…

a. If I am out of shape (if?) it is difficult for me to walk with confidence.

b. To keep physically fit we must eat right, get enough rest, and exercise.

2. It is equally important for us to keep spiritually fit.

a. That means we must eat right: feed on God's Word

b. We must get enough rest: learning to rest or rely upon the Lord.

c. We must exercise: in the N.T. the word exercise means to train (as if for the games) and it means to do something over and over.

1) In weight training it is referred to as 'reps' or repetitive action.

2) It doesn't necessarily yield immediate results

3) But over time the muscles are strengthened and toned for future use.

d. We may not see immediate benefits of keeping ourselves spiritually fit, but there will be a future benefit!

III. The Future of the Courageous Christian Walk.

A. Our ultimate destination is Heaven.

1. Certainly, all who get to heaven will get there because of their faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

2. But the Bible speaks of an account which we all must give.

3. It is referred to as the Judgment Seat of Christ.

4. We will be judged on how we lived our lives as believers.

5. Not a heaven and hell decision, but it is a matter of rewards.

B. Our goal should be to please God.

1. It should be like the Apostle Paul's goal.

2Ti 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2. What do we want to hear the Lord say?

Mt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

3. What do we think He would say right now if we were to stand before Him?

Most of us can remember in 1996 when American gymnast, Kerri Strug won the gold medal with her final vault attempt while suffering from a sprained ankle. But perhaps you don't recall that twenty years earlier in the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, Shun Fujimoto competed in the team gymnastics competition for Japan. In a quest for the gold medal Fujimoto suffered a broken right knee in the floor exercise. But the injury did not stop him. With his right leg in a cast, he competed the next week in his strongest event, the rings. His routine was excellent, but he astonished everyone by squarely dismounting with a triple somersault twist on a broken right knee. When asked concerning his feat, he said, "Yes the pain shot through me like a knife. It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have the gold medal and the pain is gone."

4. To have a courageous Christian walk may not be easy…but one day it will be worth it all!

- Remember, it is all about choices.
- We get to choose whether our Christian walk will be courageous or mediocre.
- The Lord told the church at Laodicea that He wished they were either hot or cold, but because they were lukewarm, He would spew them out of His mouth.
- Is our Christian walk courageous?
- It is a matter of personal choice.