The Courage of Christ – Surrendering to Christ

The Courage of Christ – Surrendering to Christ

Pastor Joseph Clark – Airing April 16, 2023

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

                                                                                                        – Joshua 1:9

This week’s message is going to be short and direct. Recently someone asked me ‘Since God knows all things, why would he create someone whom He knew in advance would go to Hell?’

My answer was this: We are all created by God. Our souls, our spirits, even our earthly bodies by way of our parents, are from God. 

In Psalm 139:13 it is written

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

God give us many glorious gifts. The gift to love God of our own freewill.

In Ezekiel 18:30 it is written:

“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”

He gives us the gift of eternal salvation in Jesus:

In Ephesians 2:8-9 it is written:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

To reject Christ and live a worldly life satisfying the flesh and acting out of fear and pride is an act of cowardice. It is too darn easy. But to receive Christ’s saving grace is a courageous and victorious act.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus says:

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

We are saved when we repent, yield, and dedicate ourselves to the Lord, receiving Christ with all our hearts as Lord and Savior of our lives. 

In acts 2:38 Peter says:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

When we are born-again aka Saved in Jesus, we become part of His triumph over sin. We become part of His kingdom right now, and someday we will be part of His Heavenly kingdom in Spirit. When we give our hearts to Jesus, we become new creations in Christ. We are born-again. Our sins are forgiven. All our past transgressions are cleansed by Jesus blood and it is a fresh start for an eternity as a member of Jesus divine kingdom.

As I said, rejecting Christ is an act of cowardice, and those who reject Christ consign themselves to eternal torment.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:9 The Holy Spirit tells us inn His word:

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,”

God created us to glorify Him and to be with Him. God wants you to be part of His kingdom and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

 Jesus himself described Heaven in one human word in Luke 23;43 when he said:

"I can guarantee this truth: Today you will be with me in paradise."

My brothers and sisters, there is a distinction between having doubts, and choosing to disbelieve. You can have doubts and still give yourself to Christ. Why? Because as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:9-12:

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away…For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 

Be courageous and bold and turn your back on doubts and receive Christ on the basis of repentance and faith. He has never given up on you. Don’t give up on Him. Your soul is eternal. You are going to be spending eternity somewhere. There are only two places that we go. There is no opting our of this. You too can become part of Christ’s eternal kingdom right now, by making a sincere and genuine choice of your free-will, a heartfelt choice to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, strength, and might. God’s gifts are infinite and beyond measure. 

Please join me in prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Holy name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.”