Risk Takers for God
2004054
Topic # 1535 (Church Growth)
Introduction:
A. Each Christian needs to know what kind of risks he faces each day in Christian living.
1. While these may be considered “risks” while on earth, the outcome is guaranteed.
2. We need to be prepared to take more risks because the greater the risk – the greater reward that is associated w/the risk.
B. Heb. 11:8-10 – Abraham was a great man of faith.
1. Faith involved taking risks based upon his belief & trust in what God said.
2. consider risks of going to a place where God would show him
a) Left friends, family, subject himself to possible financial loss, loss of health, etc.
3. Abraham took risks because he believed in God & His promises.
C. What we are/are not talking about:
1. NOT – going beyond scriptural authority in work; worship; practice.
2. NOT risking salvation in doing something questionable.
3. ARE taking about recognizing God’s commands and taking the personal risks necessary to fulfill that command.
4. ARE talking about when a call to action is made – we respond by doing whatever is in our power to take necessary risks to accomplish it.
D. Risks involve 3 things: faith/hope/love
1. Faith – that God will work things out for good.
2. Hope – that in the end the blessing will be greater than the risk.
3. Love – for the one for whom we are taking the risk.
I. What a congregation without risk takers looks like:
A. Self satisfied.
1. Pleased w/the present situation. No burning hunger/desire/enthusiasm to do more.
2. All agree more needs to be done – but never actually do anything.
3. Does this result from a lack of confidence in God’s word & promises?
a) Have we forgotten how far God has brought us along? How He has blessed us?
b) Where would we be w/o Him?
4. Are we hungry enough to excel still more? 1 Thess. 4:10
B. Pessimism reigns
1. Fear of the future. Wish to go back to good old days.
2. How strong is our optimism? How much confidence do we have in God’s plan & that He is with us?
C. A congregation full of doubt.
1. Doubts that our message will be heard, and if heard, no one will respond.
2. Doubts they can change individually.
3. Mt. 17:14-20 –are we like the disciples?
II. Risk Taking Involves Moving Without Doubt.
A. Num 25:1-9 – Phinehas – a grandson of Aaron. Provides us w/a great example of decisiveness & faith.
1. Israel falls into trap of seduction from Moabite women.
2. Man takes woman into tent – in front of all.
a) Phinehas grabs his spear – runs man/woman through.
b) Could you/I have done that?
c) Move w/no doubt that what doing is right? Would we act decisively and in faith?
B. Contrast Phinehas conviction & decisiveness w/Peter’s effort to walk on water – Mt. 14:28-31.
1. Peter began with good intentions. But fell/sank short.
2. Rescued and received rebuke by Jesus – Mt. 14:30-31
3. If a congregation going to be successful – there must be no doubt that God will grant us success!
4. Mt. 21:21-22 – Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His power is combined with our assurance.
C. Consider a theme running through Philippians.
1. 1:6; 1:25; 2:12-16a; 3:13-14; 4:4; 6-7, 13
2. Everything Paul says is an effort to get them to see the positive side of things. To have confidence.
a) Rejoice; dwell on good things; avoid anxiety.
D. Rom. 8:28 – How can we avoid decisiveness when we have Scriptures such as this?
E. Doubt, pessimism, lack of faith will lead to the demise of a congregation.
1. Success involves more than good intentions.
III. 2 areas of risk to consider.
A. Work of evangelism.
1. Commanded – Mt. 28:18-20. We recognize the command.
a) Willing to take the personal risks necessary to fulfill this command?
2. FC Xian’s followed through – Col. 1:6, 23
a) Don’t write off as just the HS & His influence.
b) Largely possible b/c of men/women willing to take risks for God.
3. What about today? What risks are we willing to take evangelistically?
a) In a rut? Same thing over & over that doesn’t work.
b) Secure in knowledge that we “know” these methods are “scriptural.”
4. Are we reluctant to try things we never have before?
a) As long as inside bounds of Scripture – why not?
b) Look like a denomination…can’t... no validity to this argument.
c) For far too long brethren have used this argument as a cover or justification for inaction & a lack of ideas.
d) What will other congregations think? Who’s the judge? God or men?
5. Individually.
a) Are we reluctant to get to know others for the sake of the gospel? Afraid of hurt, rejection?
b) Jesus & rejection : Jhn. 1:11; Mt. 27:40-44
c) Consider Jesus’ teaching: Mt. 5:10-12; 10:28; Acts 5:41
d) Will we risk public rejection & failure for sake of Christ?
6. FC Church: their willingness to take risks brought glory to Jesus & converts to the church.
a) Acts 17:6
b) Are we turning the world upside down?
B. With our money.
1. Thought of loss of money is distasteful. Contrast Lk. 12:16-21 w/Lk. 21:2-4.
2. What describes us best?
a) The widow?
b) The rich man?
3. Will we be like the widow – risk the very wealth that we have for God’s work?
4. Will we be like the rich man – build bigger barns to avoid any & all risks?
5. Applies to individuals & congregations.
IV. Doubters are useless to God!
A. Dead congregations are full of doubters!
B. Rev. 3:2 – their deeds were not complete. Deeds not complete till we die!
C. Mt. 25:40 – who are we most like? 5/2/or 1 talent man?
1. It is implied here that there was some risk for these men to take what they entrusted w/ and invest.
2. They moved in faith – not knowing the outcome of their actions when they started.
3. 25:21, 23 – moved in faith & were rewarded.
D. 25:24-30 – what happened to 1 talent man?
1. Because of His unwillingness to take risks, he lost his soul!
E. We are so blessed!
1. individually; and as a congregation
2. Should we not launch out decisively in faith?
Conclusion:
A. For Jesus, we must be risk-takers!
B. Christians: How much faith do you have in God? Hope? Love?
C. How much are you willing to risk for God?
D. Not a Christian? What you fail to risk now will be your ultimate risk for eternity!
1. Mt. 16:25-26
E. I N V I T A T I O N
