I’m writing another blog for you all about my prison sermon that I am sharing tomorrow. I feel that the message is good for everyone. This sermon is about Courage.
A long time ago, there was a king named Leonidas. He was the king of a Greek state called Sparta. Sparta was a state that had most professional fighting in all of the world at that time. They were like an equivalent to United States Navy Seals. A Persian army was invading Greece and nobody was standing up to them. Leonidas decided to take 300 of the most elite Spartan soldiers, to face the Persian army so the rest of Greece could muster their armies. I don’t know about you, but standing up against an army of 10s of 1,000s of men takes a ton of courage. Leonidas and the 300 fought to the last man. Every single one of them died. But because of their courage, the armies of all of Greece had time to assemble their armies and defeat the Persians. Courage is such an important thing.
John 16:33 says, ” I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world”.
I encourage every single one of you to be courageous! Even though hard things will come your way, hold fast and be courageous. Persevere through those hard times. If I hadn’t had courage through the trials that I have faced, I would not be here in front of you.
1 Corinthians 16:13 says, ” Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe in. Be courageous, be strong”.
Your faith will be tested. Trials and other unknown things will come up. Stand firm in your faith. Your realationship with God is so important. The Devil will tempt you and he will do everything in his power to destroy your faith. But Jesus has overcome all. He deafeated death! Put your faith in Jesus.
In high school, I was bullied a lot. I was made fun of because I followed God. I knew that my foundation was built on the rock. My faith wasn’t taken away from me or destroyed. Through persevering through this trial, my faith became so much stronger. I stood in courage!
Some of you know about Paul. He wrote a lot of the New Testament in the bible. He was thrown in jail for preaching and boldly sharing the Gospel.
Ephesians 6:19-20 says, “I am in chains now preaching this message as Gods ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should be”.
Even though he was ridiculed and was in prison, he still preached the Gospel and shared Jesus with other people. He stayed true to his beliefs, even to the moment of his death, just like Leonidas and the 300 Spartans. All us must be courageous in sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ. Be bold! Stand firm in times of trials. Persevere through hard times and see the fruit that it bears. The courage off one individual is enough to fend off the enemy.. Be courageous!
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog! Please pray for this message that I will be sharing in the prison tomorrow.
-Trev
