COURAGE. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you re living the way you are... THE APOSTLE PETER 1 Peter 3:15 T R A IN - 3 YEA R S

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1 103 COURAGE Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you re living the way you are... THE APOSTLE PETER 1 Peter 3:15 PREPA R E - 30 Y E AR S foundation calling knowing god T R A IN - 3 YEA R S relationships worldview generosity compassion T R A NS ITION - 1 / 2 Y EA R integrity humility courage legacy

2 104 INSIGHTS ON COURAGE THE JESUS JOURNEY The Jesus Journey was a transforming experience for those who followed him. The author of Acts writes, When the people saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 1 The obvious presence of Jesus is what marks and motivates courageous Christian leaders. In particular, the last six months of the Jesus Journey were perhaps the most transformational for his disciples. Those were months of transition. Jesus sought to shape those who had once been merely curious into courageous leaders who would be willing to live and die for their mission. Those six months of transition were ones of gaining the strength of character and the assurance of faith that would enable them to take on the challenging responsibilities that lay ahead of them. Heading up that group was a young man whom Jesus recognized as someone who had the potential to be rock solid in his faith and to live courageously that is, to live with an unreservedness to speak or act without ambiguity. His name was Simon Peter. He was on the verge of becoming a spokesman and leader for Jesus newly formed organization, and his courage was going to be tested. It was a late spring night in Jerusalem and the cool temperature at 2,500 feet above sea level prompted Peter to find a warm fire. A teenage servant girl in the small huddle noticed the flame lighting up the face of Peter. She asked the future spokesman for the early Church, Haven t I seen you with Jesus? I believe you are mistaken, Peter replied, Not me. This girl had no political or business agenda, yet Peter did not stand up for Jesus. The Biblical records reflect that he then left that location and came back awhile later. This time the same girl, now with a few friends, pushed the issue and said, You are one of those who have been with Jesus. Peter denied Jesus again, crying, I am not. An hour later, Peter returns to a different fire with a larger group of people and swears he does not even know Jesus, much less does he have the courage to defend or declare his allegiance to Him. At that moment, a rooster crows and Peter remembered Jesus warning to not be so self-assured of his own courage because he would cower three times before the next morning would arrive. Just then, Jesus walked by and locked eyes with Peter, who left the scene weeping bitterly while Jesus was left to stand trial on his own. 2 Despite failing so miserably, six weeks later Peter found the courage to move forward. Forty days after this debacle Peter stands before a worldwide audience in Jerusalem to make, arguably, the most compelling and courageous case for Christ that has ever been recorded. While Peter s courage was not strong at first, he clearly found the strength necessary to move forward. How did he build his courage? Peter s first encounter with Jesus was driven by a community of family and friends who came to him and said, come and see this one who claims to be the Messiah. 3 Peter responded to Andrew s challenge and it began a life-altering journey. Close friends and family members often influence the paths we pursue. Leaders who wish to be courageous in their Christian faith need a community of respected friends and family members who challenge them to keep moving toward Jesus. Courage is often built with the encouragement of a cadre who can challenge you to step out in your faith when there may be an element of risk involved. In speaking to a Lifework class on the subject of courage, Gordon MacDonald emphasized, Encouragement comes from those who press courage into you. Time and again Jesus would press courage into his close followers. He modeled courage in front of his disciples when crowds questioned and challenged him on a variety of issues, but then would regularly

3 COURAGE / 105 retreat and give the disciples some personal encouragement to follow his example. For the rest of his life, Peter, who was inclined to be a lone ranger, remained highly committed to living in community with others. Later in life, Peter encouraged believers to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within [them]. 4 When leaders are called upon by the Lord to be courageous, they are expected to defend, represent, and sometimes present their faith. However, they should not be sidetracked with questions that hold little import. Questions like Did Adam or Eve have a navel? Did Cain and Abel have a sister? are not the kind of questions that Peter had in mind. These types of questions are interesting, but frivolous. The questions that Peter was referring to are similar to the pointed question that Jesus asked of him: Who do you think that I am? When Lifework presented Jesus in our opening sessions there was an intentional effort to be clear on the deity of Christ: Jesus is God. This is the difference between Christianity and all other faiths. In fact, the scriptures say that many turned back when Jesus made the claim to be God ( I AM ). After asking Peter this question, Jesus followed up, asking whether Peter wanted to turn back. Peter s response is telling: We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. Christianity declares that Jesus is the son of the living God. Peter and his teammates had personally researched the question and were settled on it. A significant step to summon courage is acquiring the clarity on this ultimate reality Jesus is the resurrected Son of God. 5 The author of Acts states repeatedly that in the years following Jesus transition, the difference between Peter being a coward and being courageous was his confidence in the power of Jesus ascension to heaven, a power manifest in the works that the Holy Spirit performed in and through Peter and the rest of the early Christian community. Peter s courage was no longer driven by self-assurance but in the assurance that Jesus was truly God. Over the course of three years Peter saw how Jesus counter-cultural words and actions set him apart from contemporary leaders. The political leaders, along with Herod and his sons, were wealthy, violent, shrewd, ambitious, conspicuous, and grandiose. The religious leaders at that time were literal, obsessive, external, independent, proud, and loyal to their religion. The leader that Peter chose to follow was modest, poor, personal, loving, perhaps introverted, dependent on his Father, and loyal to people. This took courage. While Jesus counter-cultural life certainly appeared odd to others, it was also beautiful and compelling to those who had eyes to see. Do people notice a compelling difference about you as a Christian business leader? Are your colleagues, employees, and partners curious as to why you make the choices that you make? You seem to have a strong faith, some might observe, why does your faith influence your decision-making? Perhaps your peers are not curious about your life and leadership because you are common, not counter-cultural. Perhaps you lack the confidence and skill to take public positions on issues that would demonstrate a distinctive Biblical worldview. If you had to present a case for your faith in front of your boss or board, would you be able to do it with confidence, and without hesitation? Peter certainly faced these challenges after taking the leadership baton from Jesus. Peter no longer was a coward. He was counter-cultural because his leadership reflected Jesus. His courage was fueled by staying close to Jesus and emulating his leadership model. 1) Acts 4:13 / 2) Matthew 26; Mark 14 / 3) John 1 / 4) I Peter 3:15 / 5) John 6

4 I realized we had to close a whole division

5 and let 54% of our people go. JOHN ADEN MORE ON PAGE 140

6 108 LIVE CASE STUDY

7 SPEAKER COURAGE / 109

8 APPLICATION WHAT WAS YOUR TAKEAWAY?

9 COURAGE / 111 WHO: HOME CITY WORK CHURCH / NONPROFIT "GO MAKE DISCIPLES...TEACHING THEM... WHAT I HAVE INSTRUCTED YOU. MATTHEW 28:19-20