Sinners & Saints - Courage > Comfort
Courageous Faith and Common People: Living Boldly in an Ordinary World
IHave you ever wondered how ordinary people can live extraordinary lives for God? The Book of Acts shows us that God has always used common people to accomplish the uncommon. In Acts chapter 4, we see Peter and John - two unschooled fishermen - standing boldly before the most powerful religious leaders of their day, demonstrating that courageous faith isn't reserved for the spiritually elite.
Key Verses
Acts 4:13
Acts 4:19-20
Acts 1:8
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 27:1
What Does Courageous Faith Look Like?
After healing a lame man in Jesus' name, Peter and John found themselves arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin - the Jewish Supreme Court consisting of 70 religious leaders. This wasn't a friendly conversation; it was an intimidating trial designed to silence them.
When questioned about their authority to perform miracles, Peter boldly proclaimed: "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:10, 12).
The religious leaders were astonished. These were "unschooled, ordinary men" - yet they displayed remarkable courage. The leaders could see that "these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
Why Do We Struggle with Courage?
Many of us can remember moments of courage - jumping off a diving board, asking someone on a date, or standing up for what's right. But there's a difference between moments of courage and living a courageous life. Moments can be mustered up through willpower, but courageous living requires a power source greater than ourselves.
The Difference Between Moments and Lifestyle
Peter and John weren't just having a brave moment. They were living courageously because they had an internal power source - the Holy Spirit. This same power is available to every believer today.
Five Keys to Living Courageously
1. Courage Is Only Necessary Where Fear Is Present
It doesn't take courage to do things you're not afraid of. Where there's no risk or fear, there's no need for courage. The things you're afraid of are actually invitations from God to experience His power like never before.
As Scripture reminds us: "God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear kills more dreams than failure ever does, which is why God tells us over 365 times in Scripture not to fear.
2. Comfort Is Courage's Greatest Enemy
The greatest threat to courageous living isn't persecution - it's the quicksand of comfort. When comfort becomes our goal, courage will not be our legacy. Living on mission requires stepping out of our comfort zones.
It takes courage to stand up for Christ, share the gospel with coworkers, be generous, forgive those who've wronged us, and have important conversations with people we love. If we're barricaded by comfort, we'll never need courage.
3. Courage Must Be Both Seen and Heard
The Greek word for courage used in Acts 4:13 is "parrhesia," which is always associated with speech. Peter and John didn't just live courageously - they spoke courageously about Jesus.
The gospel is meant to be both portrayed with our lives and proclaimed with our mouths. It's not either/or - it's both/and. We should live in such a way that our neighbors ask "why" we do what we do, opening doors to share the gospel verbally.
4. Courage Comes from Looking Up, Not In
Courage isn't a personality trait - it's a careful calculation based on who God is. David faced Goliath not because he looked inward at his own strength, but because he looked upward to God's power.
When our desire is to be impressive, we say "look at me." But when we want to live astonishing lives for the gospel, we're saying "look through me to see that I've been with Jesus."
5. Courageous People Know How the Story Ends
Peter and John had confidence because they knew they were walking out God's message. Even the Pharisee Gamaliel recognized this, saying: "If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men" (Acts 5:38-39).
When you know how the story ends - that Jesus wins and we win with Him - you can face any challenge with confidence.
How Do We Access This Power?
Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning their mission (Acts 1:8). The same Holy Spirit that empowered Peter and John lives in every believer today. Like the Wright Brothers' plane needed an engine to overcome gravity, we need the Holy Spirit's internal power to fulfill our purpose.
We don't escape the challenges of life - we overcome them through God's power working in us.
Life Application
This week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you one specific area where He's calling you to step out in courage - whether it's a conversation you need to have, an act of generosity, extending forgiveness, or sharing your faith with someone. Commit to saying 'yes' to that prompting, no matter how small it might seem. Remember that saying yes to the small things calibrates your heart to hear God's voice for bigger things He may ask of you in the future.
Ask yourself these questions:
Questions
What stands out to you most about Peter and John's response to the religious authorities in Acts 4? How would you have reacted in their situation?
The sermon mentions that Peter and John were 'unschooled, ordinary men.' How does this encourage you in your own walk with God?
The speaker said 'fear kills far more dreams than failure ever does.' Do you agree with this statement? Can you think of an example from your own life?
What's the difference between having a 'moment of courage' versus living a 'courageous life'? Which one do you find more challenging?
The sermon talks about the 'quicksand of comfort.' In what ways might comfort be holding you back from living courageously for God?
How can we balance living out the gospel through our actions while also being willing to speak about our faith with others?
The message emphasizes that courage comes from 'looking upward' rather than 'looking inward.' What does this mean practically in your daily life?
Knowing that 'we win in the end' through Christ, how should this truth affect the way we face current challenges and fears?
What has God been prompting me to do that I've been putting off?
Do people see evidence in my life that I've been with Jesus?
Remember: God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. What could be more joyful than walking through life with Him, saying yes to whatever He asks of you?
Key Takeaways
God consistently uses ordinary, common people to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the resolve to press forward in spite of it
The greatest threat to courageous living is often the quicksand of comfort that keeps us from taking risks for God
True courage comes from looking upward to God's power rather than inward to our own strength
The same Holy Spirit that empowered Peter and John lives within every believer today, giving us the power source we need for courageous living
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
1. Joy - Chandler Moore
2. Holy Forever - Chris Tomlin
3. What A God - SEU Worship
4. In Christ Alone - Passion
WFC Speedway
1. This Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham
2. How Good Is He - Vertical Worship
3. Who Else - Gateway Worship
4. Abide - The Worship Initiative
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