Key Takeaway
Astonishing courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the Spirit-empowered resolve to live boldly for Jesus in the face of it.
Before diving in, we’d love to invite you to walk through our five-day devotional, Astonishing Courage. This devotional explores how God empowers us to forgive the impossible through the power of the gospel. You can start the journey here.
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Take a moment to read Acts 4:1-22.
Can you think back to a moment of great courage in life?
For Grant, he reflected on his daughter walking into kindergarten for the first day of school, his other daughter jumping off a diving board for the first time, or asking his now wife on a first date.
We can all likely think of moments of courage in our lives.
Moments of courage are just that. Momentary. These moments can be mustered up—a good pep talk and a few folks cheering you on.
But today, we want to talk less about a moment of courage, and more
about how to live a courageous life for the sake of the kingdom.
By the time we get to Acts, Jesus had already died, risen, and ascended.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the disciples they will be His witnesses. In being His witnesses, Peter and John are arrested and thrown in prison in Acts 4 after healing a 40-year-old man who could not walk. This miracle allowed thousands of people to come to faith in Jesus, but it threatened the Sadducees. In Acts 4:7, Peter and John get dragged in for their hearing.
The Sadducees were burning with anger at this miracle but were simultaneously astonished by their courage (Acts 4:13). These unschooled, ordinary men had irrefutably done the impossible, and they credited the prophet they did not themselves believe in.
But they threatened them by instilling fear because they couldn't deny the miracle.
Peter and John's response? Once again, astonishing courage. In verses 19-20, they say they can't help but share what they have seen and heard.
The Sadducees continued to threaten them, but because people praised God for what happened, they let them go.
Fear was the weapon of choice to silence and steal the disciples' courage. It’s the same for us.
How can we be courageous in the presence of fear?
"Courage is not the absence of fear but the resolve to press forward in spite of it." - Unknown.
Here are a few takeaways that can help us be astonishingly courageous:
1. Courage is only necessary where fear is present.
It doesn't take courage to do things you aren't afraid to do. Where there is no risk, no fear, there is no need for courage.
The truth is, fear is a paralyzing force. We all know what it’s like to be frozen in fear—it kills far more dreams than failure ever does.
Over 300 times in Scripture, there is some version of "don't fear," "do not be afraid," or "take heart." God doesn’t want us to live our lives paralyzed in fear, yet He knew we would be afraid.
The things you are afraid of are an invitation to trust God and experience His power like never before.
Read 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) and Psalm 27:1.
2. The greatest threat to us living courageous lives is the quicksand of comfort.
We live in a discouraged culture over a courageous one.
Maybe it’s not that we aren’t able to be courageous; maybe it’s because courage isn’t required for our way of life. It doesn’t take courage to doom scroll. It doesn’t require courage to binge Netflix.
You don’t need courage if you are barricaded in comfort; if comfort is our goal, courage won’t be our legacy.
When you live on mission, you desperately need courage. It takes courage to stand for Christ, be generous, forgive, and speak to people you love about important things.
3. Courage is to be both seen and heard. Live courageously. Speak Courageously.
We must live lives that lead people to ask why we're different.
When the lame man is healed, Peter and John give Jesus all the credit.
The gospel is meant to be portrayed with our lives and proclaimed with our mouths.
Peter and John spoke the name of Jesus to the blind man, those astonished by the healing, the Sanhedrin, the Sadducees, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the high priest’s whole family.
Then, they spoke the name of Jesus when they were released and returned to their people.
The gospel isn't meant to be displayed with our lives; it is also meant to be declared with our mouths.
The gospel is inherently verbal. It is a proclaimed word.
Read Romans 10:14-15.
Gospel, Spirit-led, astonishing courage will be both seen and heard.
4. Courage doesn’t come from looking inward; it comes from looking upward.
Courage is not a personality trait; it’s a careful calculation
We must look inward for moments of courage and upward for a life of courage.
God has always used ordinary people to accomplish the extraordinary. He uses the unschooled and unimpressive to leave people completely astonished.
When we desire to be impressive, we want people to look at us, but when we desire to be astonishing, you will see that we've been with Jesus.
Read Matthew 5:16 and Isaiah 41:10.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9
Joshua was given a job over his head—what a gift. If you never go for anything over your head, you’ll have little reason to look upward.
Read Acts 5:33-39.
What are you risking for the sake of the kingdom in your life?
Where might you be stuck in the quicksand of comfort?
Maybe it's...
A conversation with your neighbor.
Choosing to be generous with your finances.
Taking a step of faith towards a dream God has put in your heart.
As we say yes, our hearts become more in tune with the Spirit's leading, and we become more aware of how our indescribable God uses ordinary people like us to accomplish His extraordinary purposes on earth.
We pray that God will unleash men and women with astonishing courage, which is produced by an internal power source, the Holy Spirit, who empowers them.
What is a moment in your life when you displayed courage despite feeling afraid?
How does Peter and John’s response in Acts 4 challenge or inspire you?
Why do you think fear is such a powerful weapon against courage?
In what areas of your life is fear currently holding you back from obedience?
How can we cultivate a life of courage, not just moments of it?
In what ways does comfort compete with courage in your daily decisions?
Which verses in Scripture help you seek courage over comfort?
What does it mean to both live and speak courageously for Jesus?
Why is it important to look upward (to God) instead of inward (to self) for courage?
What’s one step of faith you feel God might be asking you to take right now?