Title
Code V: Courage 生命密码5: 勇气
Date
08/02/2026
Description
Acts 4:12
“There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.”
使徒行传 4:12
“除他以外，别无拯救；因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名我们可以靠着得救，只有耶稣。”
Acts 4:13
“When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
使徒行传 4:13
“他们看见彼得、约翰的胆量，又看出他们是没有学问的小民，就希奇；又认出他们是与耶稣同过的。”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
申命记 31:6
“你们要刚强壮胆，不要惧怕，也不要惊惶；因为耶和华 — 你的神必与你同去，他必不撇下你，也不丢弃你。”
Daniel 11:32
“The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
但以理书 11:32
“认识他们神的百姓必刚强行事。”
Hebrews 11:8
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
希伯来书 11:8
“亚伯拉罕因着信，蒙召的时候就遵命出去，往将来要承受为业之地去；他出去的时候，还不知道往哪里去。”
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
约书亚记 1:9
“我岂没有吩咐你吗？你当刚强壮胆！不要惧怕，也不要惊惶，因为你无论往哪里去，耶和华 — 你的神必与你同在。”
Proverbs 17:3
“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.”
箴言 17:3
“银子要在炉中炼过，金子要在熔炉中炼过；惟有耶和华熬炼人心。”
2 Timothy 1:6
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”
提摩太后书 1:6
“我提醒你，使你将神藉我按手所赐的恩赐再如火挑旺起来。”
Romans 1:11
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you…”
罗马书 1:11
“因我切切地想念你们，要把一些属灵的恩赐分给你们，使你们坚固…”
“There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.”
使徒行传 4:12
“除他以外，别无拯救；因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名我们可以靠着得救，只有耶稣。”
Acts 4:13
“When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
使徒行传 4:13
“他们看见彼得、约翰的胆量，又看出他们是没有学问的小民，就希奇；又认出他们是与耶稣同过的。”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
申命记 31:6
“你们要刚强壮胆，不要惧怕，也不要惊惶；因为耶和华 — 你的神必与你同去，他必不撇下你，也不丢弃你。”
Daniel 11:32
“The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
但以理书 11:32
“认识他们神的百姓必刚强行事。”
Hebrews 11:8
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
希伯来书 11:8
“亚伯拉罕因着信，蒙召的时候就遵命出去，往将来要承受为业之地去；他出去的时候，还不知道往哪里去。”
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
约书亚记 1:9
“我岂没有吩咐你吗？你当刚强壮胆！不要惧怕，也不要惊惶，因为你无论往哪里去，耶和华 — 你的神必与你同在。”
Proverbs 17:3
“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.”
箴言 17:3
“银子要在炉中炼过，金子要在熔炉中炼过；惟有耶和华熬炼人心。”
2 Timothy 1:6
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”
提摩太后书 1:6
“我提醒你，使你将神藉我按手所赐的恩赐再如火挑旺起来。”
Romans 1:11
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you…”
罗马书 1:11
“因我切切地想念你们，要把一些属灵的恩赐分给你们，使你们坚固…”
Creator
Pastor: Mike Koger
Contributor
Hillside United Methodist Church
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
Transcription
CODE V: COURAGE
Acts 4:12-14
Have you ever noticed...
Courage almost always looks ordinary... ...until history looks back on it.
Peter and John weren't superheroes.
They weren't famous. They weren't educated. They weren't powerful.
They were just two ordinary men... ...who had been with Jesus.
The best definition of courage is the mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. It is not the total absence of fear, but rather the choice and willingness to act in pursuit of what is right, despite that fear.
In Acts 3, Peter and John, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, healed the lame man. “Silver and gold have I none…”
Acts 4 gives us one of the most remarkable moments in the early church.
Peter and John had just healed a man who had been unable to walk since birth. As crowds gathered in amazement, they didn't take the credit—they pointed everyone to Jesus.
The religious leaders didn't like that.
So they arrested them, threw them in jail overnight, and the next day brought them before the highest court in the land. Imagine that. Two ordinary fishermen standing before the most educated and powerful religious leaders of their day.
The council demanded, "By what power... and in whose name have you done this?"
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter didn't hesitate. He boldly declared that the man had been healed by the power of Jesus Christ—the very One they had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead.
then the Word says: "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John... they were amazed."
Why were they amazed? Because these weren't polished scholars. They hadn't been through the prestigious rabbinical schools. They were ordinary, everyday men.
But something about them was unmistakable.
The leaders recognized that these men had been with Jesus.
That's the difference.
Not a diploma. Not a title. Not natural talent.
They had spent time with Jesus.
And being with Jesus had given ordinary people extraordinary courage.
"When you've been with Jesus... courage becomes your new code."
Here's the truth for us today:
Wherever God is calling you to go... it will require courage.
Whether it's leading your family, standing for your faith, forgiving someone who hurt you, starting something new, or stepping into God's purpose for your life...
Godly leadership always requires courage.
Deut. 31:6: Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you
Daniel 11:32 states: "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."
My coffee cup: “Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone”
Heb 11:8: Faith motivated Abraham to obey God’s call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith.
Abraham walked away from certainty... toward a promise.
from our scripture today…
The leaders realized that the source of this POWER and AUTHORITY that Peter and John had was due to the time they had spent walking and living with Jesus.
Where WE are CALLED to GO will require Boldness… it will require COURAGE
Where YOU are CALLED to GO will require Boldness… it will require COURAGE
“To boldly go where no man has gone before…”
Courage is the CODE God writes into the hearts of people who have been with Jesus.
Courage doesn’t deny the emotion of fear… it just means we ACT ANYWAY.
“Do the thing, and you shall have the power.”
Wherever YOU are called to go... it will require courage.
Imagine Peter and John – ushering in a New Covenant – totally moving people away from what they have known – and from what their culture and religion had taught them and their ancestors
Q: Did you ever have a slingshot? Ever shoot a bow & arrow?
The force that pulls backward eventually launches the projectile forward.
Throughout history... whenever churches become more concerned about pleasing culture (obeying the global mindset) rather than pleasing Christ... God raises up courageous men and women who lovingly call people back to the Gospel.
(bow and arrow) The tension pulling us back toward the world is transformed into the release of our Divine Destiny in Christ
Jesus says, “Repent and believe the Gospel”
When I was young, the challenge to stand for biblical truth wasn’t nearly as challenging.
…but here we are today.
What will we do with what we (now) have to work with?
The Mission is still the same.
“Good times create weak people. Weak people create bad times. Bad times create strong people. And strong people create great times.”
Napoleon Hill: “The Crucible of Purpose” (the #1 regret…)
Forged in Private - Shaped by Adversity - Definiteness of Purpose
Napoleon Hill's philosophy treats purpose not as an accidental discovery, but as something forged in the private discipline and hard tests of life. (the crucible)
The ultimate regret in this framework is reaching the end of life having surrendered your potential to the expectations of others. ( )
A crucible is a vessel used for melting and purifying metals at high temperatures.
In biblical literature, the term "crucible" is often used metaphorically to describe a process of testing, refining, and purifying individuals We must have the Corgae or communities through trials and tribulations.
Proverbs 17:3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
Godly Leadership Requires COURAGE
Declaration of Independence:
"we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"
What are we willing to pledge?
Think about how words like “CODE” and “Alignment” fit this situation
We must have courage to stand for this CODE – this ultimate truth:
(Acts 4:12) "There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.”
“I am not ashamed…”
Maybe we need to be picked up again today… so we can try again.
It takes courage to try again.
Recommit to the purpose (the mission) we have for being here…
…both as individuals and as a church
Maybe you’re disappointed by your previous results. A failed attempt at change.
Somebody needs to hear this today...
One disappointing result... is not... a divine verdict.
That disappointment has been pulling back your bow string…
…but there comes a point when the tension is just too much and you say,
“That’s it. I’ve had it! I will not compromise with the world any longer!”
About 6 years ago we experienced together - a radical worldwide shift that impacted every part of our lives (yes – your life)
At times it felt like the end, but it actually propelled Hillside (bow and arrow) into what is literally a humble but global online ministry.
Now the string of the bow again pulls our churches back, saying,
“Be like the world…
think like the world… conform to the pattern of this world…”
If we are bold and act with courage, the same thing happens now.
Notice the release – the launch into the NEW thing… it happens when we let go.
Sometimes our strength, our courage … comes out of our stillness
To “Be Still and KNOW”
If we listen, we hear God speaking to us as He did in Joshua 1:9:
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Will you pull back the bow today?
To prepare to release those things that have tried to hold you back?
Feel the tension one more time… it is time to let go and let GOD.
The Sanhedrin remembered Peter and John because they had been with Jesus.
I hope our time here together will be remembered the same way.
Prayer:
Father, prepare my heart and strengthen my faith for the opportunities
You have ordained.
Help me recognize my moment and give me the courage to act without fear.
Keep me diligent in preparation so I am ready when You open the door.
May I honor You by making the most of every opportunity You bring into my life.
2 Tim 1:6: This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
Romans 1:11: For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you…
Acts 4:12-14
Have you ever noticed...
Courage almost always looks ordinary... ...until history looks back on it.
Peter and John weren't superheroes.
They weren't famous. They weren't educated. They weren't powerful.
They were just two ordinary men... ...who had been with Jesus.
The best definition of courage is the mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. It is not the total absence of fear, but rather the choice and willingness to act in pursuit of what is right, despite that fear.
In Acts 3, Peter and John, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, healed the lame man. “Silver and gold have I none…”
Acts 4 gives us one of the most remarkable moments in the early church.
Peter and John had just healed a man who had been unable to walk since birth. As crowds gathered in amazement, they didn't take the credit—they pointed everyone to Jesus.
The religious leaders didn't like that.
So they arrested them, threw them in jail overnight, and the next day brought them before the highest court in the land. Imagine that. Two ordinary fishermen standing before the most educated and powerful religious leaders of their day.
The council demanded, "By what power... and in whose name have you done this?"
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter didn't hesitate. He boldly declared that the man had been healed by the power of Jesus Christ—the very One they had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead.
then the Word says: "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John... they were amazed."
Why were they amazed? Because these weren't polished scholars. They hadn't been through the prestigious rabbinical schools. They were ordinary, everyday men.
But something about them was unmistakable.
The leaders recognized that these men had been with Jesus.
That's the difference.
Not a diploma. Not a title. Not natural talent.
They had spent time with Jesus.
And being with Jesus had given ordinary people extraordinary courage.
"When you've been with Jesus... courage becomes your new code."
Here's the truth for us today:
Wherever God is calling you to go... it will require courage.
Whether it's leading your family, standing for your faith, forgiving someone who hurt you, starting something new, or stepping into God's purpose for your life...
Godly leadership always requires courage.
Deut. 31:6: Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you
Daniel 11:32 states: "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."
My coffee cup: “Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone”
Heb 11:8: Faith motivated Abraham to obey God’s call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith.
Abraham walked away from certainty... toward a promise.
from our scripture today…
The leaders realized that the source of this POWER and AUTHORITY that Peter and John had was due to the time they had spent walking and living with Jesus.
Where WE are CALLED to GO will require Boldness… it will require COURAGE
Where YOU are CALLED to GO will require Boldness… it will require COURAGE
“To boldly go where no man has gone before…”
Courage is the CODE God writes into the hearts of people who have been with Jesus.
Courage doesn’t deny the emotion of fear… it just means we ACT ANYWAY.
“Do the thing, and you shall have the power.”
Wherever YOU are called to go... it will require courage.
Imagine Peter and John – ushering in a New Covenant – totally moving people away from what they have known – and from what their culture and religion had taught them and their ancestors
Q: Did you ever have a slingshot? Ever shoot a bow & arrow?
The force that pulls backward eventually launches the projectile forward.
Throughout history... whenever churches become more concerned about pleasing culture (obeying the global mindset) rather than pleasing Christ... God raises up courageous men and women who lovingly call people back to the Gospel.
(bow and arrow) The tension pulling us back toward the world is transformed into the release of our Divine Destiny in Christ
Jesus says, “Repent and believe the Gospel”
When I was young, the challenge to stand for biblical truth wasn’t nearly as challenging.
…but here we are today.
What will we do with what we (now) have to work with?
The Mission is still the same.
“Good times create weak people. Weak people create bad times. Bad times create strong people. And strong people create great times.”
Napoleon Hill: “The Crucible of Purpose” (the #1 regret…)
Forged in Private - Shaped by Adversity - Definiteness of Purpose
Napoleon Hill's philosophy treats purpose not as an accidental discovery, but as something forged in the private discipline and hard tests of life. (the crucible)
The ultimate regret in this framework is reaching the end of life having surrendered your potential to the expectations of others. ( )
A crucible is a vessel used for melting and purifying metals at high temperatures.
In biblical literature, the term "crucible" is often used metaphorically to describe a process of testing, refining, and purifying individuals We must have the Corgae or communities through trials and tribulations.
Proverbs 17:3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
Godly Leadership Requires COURAGE
Declaration of Independence:
"we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"
What are we willing to pledge?
Think about how words like “CODE” and “Alignment” fit this situation
We must have courage to stand for this CODE – this ultimate truth:
(Acts 4:12) "There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus.”
“I am not ashamed…”
Maybe we need to be picked up again today… so we can try again.
It takes courage to try again.
Recommit to the purpose (the mission) we have for being here…
…both as individuals and as a church
Maybe you’re disappointed by your previous results. A failed attempt at change.
Somebody needs to hear this today...
One disappointing result... is not... a divine verdict.
That disappointment has been pulling back your bow string…
…but there comes a point when the tension is just too much and you say,
“That’s it. I’ve had it! I will not compromise with the world any longer!”
About 6 years ago we experienced together - a radical worldwide shift that impacted every part of our lives (yes – your life)
At times it felt like the end, but it actually propelled Hillside (bow and arrow) into what is literally a humble but global online ministry.
Now the string of the bow again pulls our churches back, saying,
“Be like the world…
think like the world… conform to the pattern of this world…”
If we are bold and act with courage, the same thing happens now.
Notice the release – the launch into the NEW thing… it happens when we let go.
Sometimes our strength, our courage … comes out of our stillness
To “Be Still and KNOW”
If we listen, we hear God speaking to us as He did in Joshua 1:9:
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Will you pull back the bow today?
To prepare to release those things that have tried to hold you back?
Feel the tension one more time… it is time to let go and let GOD.
The Sanhedrin remembered Peter and John because they had been with Jesus.
I hope our time here together will be remembered the same way.
Prayer:
Father, prepare my heart and strengthen my faith for the opportunities
You have ordained.
Help me recognize my moment and give me the courage to act without fear.
Keep me diligent in preparation so I am ready when You open the door.
May I honor You by making the most of every opportunity You bring into my life.
2 Tim 1:6: This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
Romans 1:11: For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you…