Author: mike

COURAGE
October 19, 2025
Mike Newman, Senior Pastor

IN THE “FAITH OVER FEAR” SERIES:
October 5: Perfect Love October 12: Truth and Wisdom
October 19: Courage October 26: Faithful God
November 2: Eye on Eternity

1 John 4:18 (NLT) (18) Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
John 8:31–32 (NLT) (31) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. (32) And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Five Biblical Truths:
1) We should expect people to _______________________________________________.
John 15:18–20 (NLT) (18) “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. (19) The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. (20) Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
Matthew 10:22 (NLT) (22) And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Peter 4:12–14 (NLT) (12) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (13) Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. (14) If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
MAKE SURE IF YOU ARE FACING OPPOSITION THAT IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE STANDING FOR BIBLICAL TRUTH AND NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE BEING UNKIND OR UNNECESSARILY OFFENSIVE.
2) Choose ______________________________________ over human applause.
Galatians 1:10 (NLT) (10) Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT) (25) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.
John 12:42–43 (NLT) (42) Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. (43) For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
JESUS LIVED FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE AND SO SHOULD WE.
3) It is important we distinguish ____________________________________________________________.
THE BIBLE IS NOT A POLITICAL DOCUMENT. IT IS NOT THE PLATFORM OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY. GOD’S WORD WAS TRUE BEFORE ANY POLITICAL PARTY EXISTED AND IT WILL BE TRUE LONG AFTER THEY ARE ALL GONE.
Matthew 19:4–6 (NLT) (4) “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ (5) And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ (6) Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT) (2) Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
4) Speak truth _________________________________ from a heart of ____________________________.
John 14:6 (NLT) (6) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Matthew 23:27–28 (NLT) (27) “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. (28) Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
John 8:10–11 (NLT) (10) Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” (11) “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
THE WAY YOU SPEAK MATTERS AS MUCH AS WHAT YOU SAY!
5) Followers of Jesus need to see today as our “______________________________________” moment.
Esther 4:13–14 (NLT) (13) Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. (14) If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
YOU ARE NOT LIVING IN 2025 BY ACCIDENT.
Esther 4:16 (NLT) (16) “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
WE NEED TO STOP WISHING WE LIVED IN AN EASIER TIME. THIS IS OUR TIME AND OUR MOMENT TO BE COURAGEOUS. WE NEED TO DEFEND WHAT IS TRUE AND WE NEED TO SPEAK BIBLICAL TRUTH.

Matthew 19:4–6 (NLT) (4) “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ (5) And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ (6) Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT) (2) Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
4) Speak truth _________________________________ from a heart of ____________________________.
John 14:6 (NLT) (6) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Matthew 23:27–28 (NLT) (27) “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. (28) Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
John 8:10–11 (NLT) (10) Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” (11) “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
THE WAY YOU SPEAK MATTERS AS MUCH AS WHAT YOU SAY!
5) Followers of Jesus need to see today as our “______________________________________” moment.
Esther 4:13–14 (NLT) (13) Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. (14) If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
YOU ARE NOT LIVING IN 2025 BY ACCIDENT.
Esther 4:16 (NLT) (16) “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
WE NEED TO STOP WISHING WE LIVED IN AN EASIER TIME. THIS IS OUR TIME AND OUR MOMENT TO BE COURAGEOUS. WE NEED TO DEFEND WHAT IS TRUE AND WE NEED TO SPEAK BIBLICAL TRUTH.

For more information about what it means to begin a relationship with Jesus or what to do after making a decision to follow Him, stop at Guest Central in the lobby following the service, email us at info@otterbeinchurch.org, or call the church office at 717.762.7147 to set up an appointment. You may also learn more about what it means to follow Jesus and/or request materials and find additional information to help you on your spiritual journey by clicking “Next Steps > Jesus” on our website at www.otterbeinchurch.org.