Francis Chan: enCourage (Part 2)

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of courage in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, given to us by God, is a spirit of power, love, and self-control, which enables us to stand up for what we believe in and live out our faith with conviction. We are not called to be timid or fearful, but rather to be courageous and bold in our witness and service to others.

Key Scripture References

• Zechariah 4:6 - This passage speaks of the Spirit of God being a spirit of power and might, which enables us to accomplish great things for Him. It is this same spirit that we have been given through our faith in Jesus Christ.
• Romans 8:15-16 - In this passage, Paul reminds us that as believers, we are no longer slaves to fear or timidity, but rather children of God, who are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have been given a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, which enables us to cry out to God as our Father.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 - This verse tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but rather a spirit of power and love. We are called to live out this spirit in our daily lives, standing firm in the faith and being bold witnesses for Christ.
• Revelation 3:15-16 - In this passage, Jesus reminds us that we must be faithful and courageous in our witness, even in the face of adversity. We are called to stand firm in the faith and not grow weary or lose heart.
• Matthew 28:18-20 - This passage commissions us as believers to go out into all the world and make disciples of all nations. It is a call to courage and boldness, as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.

The Story of Kathleen Heron

Kathleen's story is an amazing example of what it means to live out our faith in courage and boldness. She was led by the Lord to visit a palm reader, who just so happened to be a woman from her own church. As she sat down with this woman and shared about her love for Jesus, God began to work powerfully in her life and the lives of those around her.

Practical Application

As we reflect on these scripture passages and Kathleen's story, we are challenged to live out our faith in courage and boldness. We must not be afraid to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means facing adversity or opposition from others. We must be willing to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others, even if it makes us uncomfortable or puts us outside of our comfort zone.

Conclusion

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the willingness to act in spite of fear. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to live out our faith in courage and boldness, standing firm in the face of adversity and sharing the Good News with others. May God give us the spirit of power, love, and self-control that we may live out our lives as courageous witnesses for Him.