The Fearless Leader

Aim: To thwart threats through courageous faith.

Doctrine: The fearless leader is developed and sustained by sheer grace. This is because there is nothing in ourselves that could achieve this courage, and there are numerous pitfalls that would otherwise ensnare us.

Exegesis: The amazing adventures of the church's fearless leaders: we are confronted with the most bizarre traps (v. 10); we are spared by God, as He blesses His gift of faith (to us) (vv. 11-13); we boldly stare-down our enemies' most persistent weapon: fear (v. 14).

Further application: How the fearless leader survives and even thrives in a dangerous world: by remaining always in close communion with Christ, we can both discern and defeat the church's foes.

Key verse: v. 11 ''And I said, 'Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!'''