The Bible App is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases. Get the app
Christian Life Church
August 10, 2025 at 8:30am & 10:30am
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… Speak up and judge fairly. Defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
THE BOOK OF ACTS AUGUST 10, 2025
COURAGE REQUIRED
SCRIPTURE
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all of the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. Acts 4:13-22
COURAGE & THE OTHER VIRTUES
“Courage isn’t just one virtue. It’s what every virtue needs when it’s tested.” C.S. Lewis
Every virtue will be tested. Without courage, all virtues collapse under pressure. Thus, courage is required.
For example, honesty needs courage to remain honest in hostile situations.
All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right. Matthew 5:10
THE DESCRIPTION OF COURAGE
Courage is the willingness to do what is right in the face of fear, danger, or difficulty.
1/ Courage can be defiant.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… Speak up and judge fairly. Defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9
“To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.” A.W. Tozer
2/ Courage can be discrete.
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its window open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10
The wise do not look for trouble but aren’t afraid when it comes.
3/ Courage can be dishonorable.
Many people aren’t persecuted for what they stand for, but how they stand for it.
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17
4/ Courage can be dangerous.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF COURAGE
1/ We receive courage from Christ.
Courage is set in the heart.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
Courage is strengthened in the head.
Intelligence is not an enemy of faith. But a full-heart beats a full-mind every time.
2/ We receive courage from conviction.
Courage stems from believing God’s Word.
“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Courage stems from believing God’s words about you.
3/ We receive courage from conversion.
The righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1
“‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.’” Matthew 9:2
4/ We receive courage from community.
On seeing the brothers, Paul thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:15
Courage will have an effect on your friends.
“When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” B. Graham
Courage will have an effect on your foes.
THE DISCERNING OF COURAGE
1/ There is a time to stand up.
Daniel refused to obey the decree, Paul fought legal battles, and Jesus fled the mobs.
2/ There is a time to stand down.
Daniel went to the lion’s den, Paul was beheaded, and Jesus refused to defend Himself.
But only you can discern when it’s time to stand up or to stand down.
THE DISPLAY OF COURAGE
In the end times, opportunities to display courage will abound!
I want to love Jesus so well that I live well, that I suffer well, that I die well.
Remember the Martyrs of Sebaste and Wurmbrand’s Zoo.
COURAGE REQUIRED
SCRIPTURE
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all of the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. Acts 4:13-22
COURAGE & THE OTHER VIRTUES
“Courage isn’t just one virtue. It’s what every virtue needs when it’s tested.” C.S. Lewis
Every virtue will be tested. Without courage, all virtues collapse under pressure. Thus, courage is required.
For example, honesty needs courage to remain honest in hostile situations.
All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right. Matthew 5:10
THE DESCRIPTION OF COURAGE
Courage is the willingness to do what is right in the face of fear, danger, or difficulty.
1/ Courage can be defiant.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… Speak up and judge fairly. Defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9
“To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.” A.W. Tozer
2/ Courage can be discrete.
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its window open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10
The wise do not look for trouble but aren’t afraid when it comes.
3/ Courage can be dishonorable.
Many people aren’t persecuted for what they stand for, but how they stand for it.
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17
4/ Courage can be dangerous.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF COURAGE
1/ We receive courage from Christ.
Courage is set in the heart.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
Courage is strengthened in the head.
Intelligence is not an enemy of faith. But a full-heart beats a full-mind every time.
2/ We receive courage from conviction.
Courage stems from believing God’s Word.
“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Courage stems from believing God’s words about you.
3/ We receive courage from conversion.
The righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1
“‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.’” Matthew 9:2
4/ We receive courage from community.
On seeing the brothers, Paul thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:15
Courage will have an effect on your friends.
“When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” B. Graham
Courage will have an effect on your foes.
THE DISCERNING OF COURAGE
1/ There is a time to stand up.
Daniel refused to obey the decree, Paul fought legal battles, and Jesus fled the mobs.
2/ There is a time to stand down.
Daniel went to the lion’s den, Paul was beheaded, and Jesus refused to defend Himself.
But only you can discern when it’s time to stand up or to stand down.
THE DISPLAY OF COURAGE
In the end times, opportunities to display courage will abound!
I want to love Jesus so well that I live well, that I suffer well, that I die well.
Remember the Martyrs of Sebaste and Wurmbrand’s Zoo.