1. Developing Courage for Christian Leaders
Jeff Iorg, President

2. The call for courageous leadership
Definition of courageous leadership –
Choosing to obey God no matter the opposition, the perceived challenges, or the anticipated outcomes.

3. The call for courageous leadership
A model for courageous leadership (Daniel 3:16-18).
They faced a powerful authority – an enraged king.
They faced daunting options – idolatry or likely death.
They understood their choice and its consequences.
God might deliver them.
God might let them die.
They chose to obey God – and leave the outcome to him.

4. The call for courageous leadership
The need for courageous leadership today.
Courage to make decisions.
Courage to hold doctrinal positions.
Courage to confront sin.
Courage to change paradigms.
Courage to uphold moral values.
Courage to risk public vulnerability.
Courage to preach prophetically.

5. The opposition Christian leaders face today
Sources of opposition.
Satanic and demonic (Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5).
Cultural forces.
Political systems.
Christian community.

6. The opposition Christian leaders face today
Levels of opposition.
Pressure (tolerance, ridicule, popularity).
Harassment (financial, legal).
Persecution (physical threats, torture).

7. Typical response to opposition – fear.
A brief theology of fear
Fear is a common problem.
Over 600 references in the Bible related to the subject of fear.
Many biblical characters felt fear.
Many biblical characters were told “do not be afraid.”

8. Typical response to opposition – fear.
A brief theology of fear
Fear is an old problem.
Fear is not mentioned before sin entered the world (Gen. 1:1-3:9).
Fear is the first emotion expressed after sin entered human experience (Gen. 3:10).
Fear was marred by sin. Humans were designed to fear God; now we fear everything else.
Fear becomes sin when it produces destructive choices (“hiding from God” in Gen. 3:8-10).

9. Typical response to opposition – fear.
A brief theology of fear
Fear leaves a destructive legacy.
Fear keeps you from experiencing God’s best (Num. 13:1-14:9).
Fear prevents you from using the gifts God has given you (Matt. 25:14-28).
Fear motivates poor decision-making (Gen. 19:30-38).
Fear makes you run from your problems (1 Kings 19:1-3).
Fear saps your boldness (John 19:38).

10. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).

11. Typical response to opposition – fear.
14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.15 You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption,
by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father! ”
(Romans 8:14-15)

12. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).

13. Typical response to opposition – fear.
6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me? (Psalm 118:6)

14. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).
Confront fear with truth (Ps. 27:1).

15. Typical response to opposition – fear.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation —whom should I fear? (Psalm 27:1)

16. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).
Confront fear with truth (Ps. 27:1).
Pray about your fears (Ps. 34:4)

17. Typical response to opposition – fear.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

18. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).
Confront fear with truth (Ps. 27:1).
Pray about your fears (Ps. 34:4)
Take action in faith (James 2:17)

19. Typical response to opposition – fear.
 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works,
is dead by itself.
(James 2:17)

20. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).
Confront fear with truth (Ps. 27:1).
Pray about your fears (Ps. 34:4)
Take action in faith (James 2:17)
Receive God’s love (1 John 4:16-18).

21. Typical response to opposition – fear.
16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.
(1 John 4:16-18)

22. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).
Confront fear with truth (Ps. 27:1).
Pray about your fears (Ps. 34:4)
Take action in faith (James 2:17)
Receive God’s love (1 John 4:16-18).
Obey God’s laws (Heb. 10:26-27).

23. Typical response to opposition – fear.
26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.
(Heb. 10:26-27)

24. Typical response to opposition – fear.
Biblical resources for overcoming fear.
Experience salvation (Rom. 8:14-15).
Practice God’s presence (Ps. 118:6).
Confront fear with truth (Ps. 27:1).
Pray about your fears (Ps. 34:4)
Take action in faith (James 2:17)
Receive God’s love (1 John 4:16-18).
Obey God’s laws (Heb. 10:26-27).

25.
@Jeff_Iorg