Pressure Points – Part 1: Be Well Versed & Courageous
Numbers 13:17-18, 25-30
Series Memory Verse: “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Romans 12:16 (p.866)
“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (p.961)
- Courage Comes From Being Biblical Rather Than Political.
Greek: θαρσέω (tharseō): have courage, Take heart!, Take courage!, Cheer up!
We can be courageous by focusing on key issues in Scripture:
- Scripture is direct and clear. (Definition of marriage, Genesis, and Jesus.)
- Scripture gives overarching principles. (Principle applied to minimum-wage laws.)
- Scripture gives us inferences. (Biblical approach to taxation.)
- Scripture is silent. (Remain silent.)
“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.” 1 Timothy 4:7 (p.911)
Biblical Purpose of Government:
“The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.” Romans 13:4–5 (p.866)
- Understand the challenges.
“After exploring the land the men returned to Moses, Aaron… They reported to the whole community what they had seen… ‘it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey…But the people living there are powerful…We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are! …Next to them we felt like grasshoppers…’” Numbers 13:25–33 (p.116)
- Know what God says.
“‘Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.’” Numbers 13:2 (p.116)
- Let the Bible speak for itself.
- Look to early followers of Jesus.
- Learn how it has been understood through the centuries.
- Move forward in courage.
“But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. ‘Let’s go at once to take the land,’ he said. ‘We can certainly conquer it!’” Numbers 13:30 (p.116)
My Next Step This Week: _____ I will contact someone who is most opposed to my Biblical values and ask if we can meet for a civil discussion to help me understand them better.