Awakened to Courage by John Avant

Go see the movie, The Great Awakening. 

ASAP.

It is one of the most impactful movies I have ever seen. There is so much to say about this movie.  It is the incredible story of how God used one man who was rejected, beaten, mocked, ridiculed, exiled from his church and his country to spark the Great Awakening that led to us becoming a nation. This one life impacted all of us who call ourselves Americans. 

George Whitefield

One of the most powerful aspects of Whitefield's life was his courage to preach the Gospel while people ridiculed and stoned him. In fact, his friend William Seward was stoned to death while following Whitefield's example. 

In the movie, a quote is attributed to Seward.  But it actually comes from Whitefield:

“We are immortal until our work is done.”

When that quote was used in the movie, my wife and I stared at each other in shock! I use that quote often in my preaching, but it came to me from someone else. 

I was with my friend Gary Witherall, whose first wife was martyred on the mission field, and we were in a dangerous part of the world, sharing the Gospel.  I found myself in a fearful moment.  Gary put his hand on my arm and said those same words:

“John, we are immortal until our work is done.”

Maybe you need to hear that today, too. These are fearful times. 

Fear itself is not sin. Jesus feared the cross at Gethsemane. 

But it is not God’s desire for you to live in perpetual fear and anxiety. 

“Fear not” is one of the most common phrases we hear from God and His angels!

Wherever revival comes, courage follows.

We worry less because we trust God more. 

We join the mission of Jesus because we receive the courage of Jesus.

We are not terrified by an uncertain world because we are energized by a certain Savior. 

We have less fear of death because we are more full of life.

If worry, fear and anxiety are your close companions today, intentionally abandon them for a better friend. 

And hear His loving, and courage-inspiring voice whisper to you right where you are, right now: 

“Don’t be afraid. You are immortal until your work is done.”

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭

Now go see the movie!