Kingdom Courage
In a world that often feels like it's spinning out of control, how can we as followers of Christ stand firm and live with courage? This question becomes increasingly relevant as our culture seems to drift further from Biblical values, leaving many believers feeling disoriented and uncertain.
The concept of "kingdom courage" offers a powerful answer. Kingdom courage is spirit-inspired courage and confidence to speak and act for the gospel in spite of any threat. It's the kind of boldness we see demonstrated by the early apostles in the book of Acts, who faced intense opposition yet continued to preach about Jesus without wavering.
To cultivate this kind of courage in our own lives, we must first ensure that our view of God is greater than our view of man. The apostles Peter and John exemplified this when they were ordered by the religious authorities to stop speaking about Jesus. Their response? "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 4:19). They had encountered the risen Christ personally, witnessing His death and resurrection. This experience gave them an unshakeable conviction that God's authority far surpassed any earthly power.
We may not have walked with Jesus physically, but we can cultivate a similarly powerful view of God through Scripture, prayer, and experiencing His work in our lives. When we truly grasp God's omnipotence, omniscience, and constant presence with us, the opinions and threats of others lose their power over us. As the Psalmist declared, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6).
Secondly, living with kingdom courage requires us to value the mission of spreading the gospel as more important than our personal safety and comfort. Our culture is obsessed with comfort and safety, often to our spiritual detriment. Even in the church, we tend to pray for ease and protection rather than boldness in the face of opposition.
Yet Jesus' command to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15) wasn't given with a caveat of "only if it's safe and comfortable." The early church didn't pray for safety when faced with persecution - they prayed for increased boldness to continue their mission. They understood a crucial truth we must internalize: Heaven and hell hang in the balance of our willingness to go and tell.
This doesn't mean we should be reckless or court danger unnecessarily. But it does mean we need to be willing to step out of our comfort zones, risk rejection or ridicule, and prioritize obedience to Christ over our desire for an easy life. Whether it's sharing your faith with a coworker, standing up for Biblical values in a hostile environment, or answering God's call to move overseas as a missionary, kingdom courage often requires personal sacrifice.
Finally, to live with kingdom courage, we must trust in God's power to fill us more than in our own strength. The transformation of the disciples from fearful men hiding in an upper room to bold preachers who turned the world upside down didn't come from their own resolve or abilities. It came through the filling of the Holy Spirit.
We see this pattern repeated throughout the book of Acts. When faced with threats and opposition, the believers didn't rely on their own eloquence or strength - they prayed for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. And God answered, empowering them to speak His word with boldness.
This truth is liberating. We don't have to muster up courage through our own willpower. Instead, we can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. As Paul reminded Timothy, "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7).
The transformative power of this kingdom courage is beautifully illustrated in the story of a young man who struggled with severe anxiety and a debilitating speech impediment. Feeling empty and broken, he turned to drugs to numb his pain, eventually becoming addicted to heroin. But when he encountered the living God and surrendered his life to Christ, everything changed.
Not only did he find freedom from addiction, but he also felt called to preach - despite his continued struggle with speech. Trusting in God's power rather than his own abilities, he stepped out in faith. Over time, God gradually healed his speech and used him powerfully to share the gospel with others.
This story reminds us that God often calls us to do things that seem impossible in our own strength. Whether it's overcoming an addiction, sharing our faith despite social anxiety, or answering a call to ministry that seems beyond our abilities, kingdom courage means trusting that God's power is made perfect in our weakness.
Living with kingdom courage in a world that feels like it's spinning out of control isn't easy. It requires us to keep our eyes fixed on God rather than the chaos around us. It demands that we value obedience to Christ more than our own comfort. And it calls us to rely on the Holy Spirit's power rather than our own limited resources.
But the rewards of such a life are immeasurable. When we live with kingdom courage, we become part of God's redemptive work in the world. We experience the thrill of seeing lives transformed by the gospel. And we find a purpose and fulfillment that far surpasses anything the world can offer.
So today, let's pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Let's ask God to give us eyes to see the world as He does, hearts that break for what breaks His, and the courage to step out in faith when He calls. In a spinning world, may we be those who stand firm, anchored in the unshakeable kingdom of God, ready to live and speak for Christ no matter the cost.
This article used generative AI via Pulpit AI to transform one of Chris' sermons into this article. The content is original to CDM, with some help from Pulpit AI adapting it into article form.