Courage

Scripture References Daniel 3 Daniel 1 Daniel 4 Proverbs 18:10 Introduction Fire comes to every life. Drawing from Daniel 3, the message shows how God uses that heat to expose impurities, set us free, and reveal His own reflection in us. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s refusal to bow, their “if ___, then God” faith, and the Fourth Man who met them in the furnace form a pattern for handling our own unexpected trials. Whether God delivers us from, through, or by the fire, He is always good–“even better on the bad days.” This talk closes a four-week run in the “En Fuego” series. Previous weeks dealt with anger and with Elijah’s Mount Carmel showdown. Tonight’s focus: how God refines character when the heat is turned up. Key Points / Exposition 1. Trials Are Certain, but They’re Temporary Peter wrote that “many trials” must be endured “for a little while”; Jesus promised we “will have trouble.” Hard seasons are part of living in a broken world, yet they serve a refining purpose. 2. Gold-Level Refining: How Fire Works Raw gold is heated to 1,900 degrees F; dross rises and is skimmed off. The cycle repeats until the refiner sees a clear reflection–a picture of God’s goal for us. 3. Captives With Uncompromised Hearts (Daniel 1) Teenagers taken to Babylon received new names, culture, and jobs, yet refused to let their hearts be captured. Years later they still “bloomed where planted,” serving with excellence and integrity. 4. The King’s Idol, the Jealous Officials, and the Lonely Stand (Daniel 3:1-12) Nebuchadnezzar builds a 90-ft statue and commands universal worship on cue from the band. Three officials single out Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego–professional jealousy, not religious zeal. Illustration: Jealous coworkers today may post, sabotage, or whisper because of promotions, scholarships, or apparent ease in your life. Envy defined: “Resenting God’s goodness in someone else’s life while ignoring His goodness in mine.” 5. Personal Courage When the Strong Friend Is Absent Daniel–normally the spokesman–is missing. Sometimes your mentor, parent, or sponsor is unavailable; God uses those moments to reveal Himself as the true Strong One. Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.” 6. The Declaration of Fearless Faith “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us… But even if He doesn’t, we will never serve your gods.” ...

Scripture References Acts 27 2 Corinthians 11 Acts 21 Acts 23 John 19 Introduction Guest speaker Jonathan “JP” Pokluda continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” walking through Paul’s harrowing voyage in Acts 27. From a prisoner’s chains, Paul steadies 276 frightened people, proving that God – not weather, not authorities – holds the outcome. The chapter carries three big lessons: stay calm by remembering who is in charge, realize storms reveal real faith, and do your part while trusting God for everything else. Key Points / Exposition 1. Stay Calm by Remembering Who Controls the Outcome Paul, though in chains, warns the sailors that sailing after the Day of Atonement is disastrous; they ignore him. His peace rests in God’s sovereignty: Paul cannot command weather or captains, but he can command his own obedience, speech, and attitude. Obedience is never measured by immediate results; it is measured by faithfulness to God’s leading. Illustration: an eighth-grade flight that hit severe turbulence – a Bible bouncing off the ceiling – exposed a deeper fear: being out of control. Story: a bar confrontation where the aggressor calmly phoned two massive friends; his calm came from confidence in who backed him. Believers stay calm when they know who backs them. 2. The Storm Is Where Our Faith Is Seen Hurricane-force winds batter the ship for 14 days; cargo and tackle are thrown overboard, hope is lost. An angel assures Paul that he must stand before Caesar and all aboard will survive. Paul relays the message: “Keep up your courage…for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” Storms give Christians their greatest platform; without trouble, faith remains theoretical. Historical note: John Wesley realized he was not truly saved after watching calm Moravian missionaries sing during a life-threatening storm. 3. Do Your Part and Trust God for the Rest Sailors try to abandon ship; Paul insists, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” Soldiers cut the lifeboat away. For two weeks no one has eaten; Paul breaks bread, thanks God publicly, and everyone eats – basic self-care restored. Practical takeaway: keep doing the basics (rest, Scripture, prayer, community) even when life feels chaotic. Illustration: a daughter “driving” the grocery-cart car – Dad lets her turn the wheel but still directs the cart toward his unseen grocery list. Sometimes God lets us feel in control; other times He steers another way for a larger purpose. Major Lessons & Revelations God owns the outcome; our role is simple obedience. Storms do not create faith; they reveal the faith already present. Public courage in crisis can lead others to salvation and safety. Neglecting spiritual and physical basics during trials compounds the danger. God may calm the storm, or He may calm His child within the storm – either way, He is faithful. Practical Application Surrender your need to manage every variable; practice immediate obedience in the small things. Speak up with reasoned, Spirit-led courage even if people ignore you. Maintain basic rhythms of Scripture, prayer, community, rest, and healthy habits when life gets turbulent. View current hardship as a platform to display authentic faith to onlookers. Rehearse God’s past faithfulness to strengthen present trust. Conclusion & Call to Response The message closed with a sweeping reminder of God’s proven experience – parting seas, shutting lions’ mouths, raising Jesus from the dead. If He has conquered death, He can certainly handle our storms. “If God is for you, who can be against you?” Whether He stills the wind or steadies your heart, He has you securely in His hands. Look at the birds, look at the flowers – your Father cares far more for you. Prayer Father, calm Your people in their storms and thank You for Jesus’ death and resurrection. Give us fresh vision of eternity so present problems shrink in comparison. Bless the church and its influence, and commit every listener to Your care in Jesus’ name. References & Resources Lake Pointe sermon series: “There Is More: Endgame” Guest speaker: Jonathan “JP” Pokluda (Harris Creek Baptist Church) Insights When life shakes like turbulence, remember the cockpit is occupied; God still holds the yoke. Outcomes don’t prove obedience; your courage to speak up does, so trust beyond the results. Storms strip priorities fast, revealing what you worship; choose to anchor in eternal truth. Faith isn’t avoiding rough air; it’s opening Scripture mid-drop and finding steady ground inside. Your peace can pilot others; someone’s survival may hinge on your choice to lead while chained. If God can outrun death, He can outlast this downpour – so stop fearing the forecast.