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Introduction: C.S. Lewis described the world in which we live as “enemy-occupied territory.” So, how are Christians supposed to survive in a world that is increasingly hostile to our faith? Today, as we begin our new series “COURAGEOUS” we are going to look at the first of ten “survival tips” for thriving in an ungodly culture.

I. The Paralyzing Power Of Panic

Three Responses to Panic

1. Fight

2. Flight

3. Freeze

II. Peter: Panic-Free Living In A Hostile World

A. Be Disciplined in Your Thinking (1 Peter 1:13a)

1 Peter 1:13a “Therefore, gird your minds for action…”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” NIV

"SURVIVAL TIP #1:DON'T PANIC"

JOSHUA 1:6-9

MAY 12, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

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B. Be Obedient in Your Conduct (1 Peter 1:13b-16)

1 Peter 1:14-16 14 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’”

1 Peter 1:13b “…fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

C. Be Reliant on God’s Grace (1 Peter 5:12)

Two Meanings of Grace

1. God’s undeserved favor

2. God’s supernatural help

1 Peter 5:12b “…this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”

III. Joshua: A Profile In Courage (Joshua 1:2)

Joshua 1:2 [The Lord said to Joshua] “Moses, My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.”

"SURVIVAL TIP #1: DON'T PANIC"JOSHUA 1:6-9

MAY 12, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

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A. Courage from God’s Promises

1. God promised that the Israelites would enter the land. (Joshua 1:3-4)

Joshua 1:3-4 3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea [the Mediterranean] toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.”

2. God promised that the Israelites would be victorious over their enemies. (Joshua 1:5)

Joshua 1:5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.”

1 John 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

3. God promised that the Israelites would divide the land as an inheritance. (Joshua 1:6)

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

1 Peter 1:4 “To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

Joshua 23:14b “…Not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.”

"SURVIVAL TIP #1: DON'T PANIC"JOSHUA 1:6-9

MAY 12, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

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B. Courage from God’s Presence

Joshua 1:9b [God said to Joshua] “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Joshua 1:6,7,9 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 6:25-26 25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

1 John 4:4b “…Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

Conclusion

"SURVIVAL TIP #1: DON'T PANIC"JOSHUA 1:6-9

MAY 12, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS