Risk Takers for God

Risk Takers for God

Introduction:

Heb. 11:8-10 – Abraham was a great man of faith. Faith involved taking risks based upon his belief & trust in what God said. Abraham took risks because he believed in God & His promises. Risks involve 3 things: faith/hope/love. Faith – that God will work things out for good. Hope – that in the end the blessing will be greater than the risk. Love – for the one for whom we are taking the risk.

I. What a congregation without risk takers looks like:

A. ________ ____________________.

1. Pleased w/the present situation. No burning hunger/desire/enthusiasm

2. Are we hungry enough to excel still more? 1 Thess. 4:10

B. __________________ reigns. How strong is our optimism?

C. A congregation full of ___________. Mt. 17:14-20 –are we like the disciples?

II. Risk Taking Involves ________________ Without Doubt.

A. Num 25:1-9 – ___________ – provides great example of decisiveness & faith.

B. Contrast Phinehas conviction & decisiveness w/__________ effort to walk on water – Mt. 14:28-31.

1. There must be no doubt that God will grant us success!

2. Mt. 21:21-22 – Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His ____________ is combined with our ____________________.

C. Consider a theme running through Philippians.

1. 1:6; 1:25; 2:12-16a; 3:13-14; 4:4; 6-7, 13

2. See the positive side of things. Possess confidence.

D. Doubt, pessimism, lack of faith will lead to the ________ of a congregation.

III. 2 areas of risk to consider.

A. In ____________________. Commanded – Mt. 28:18-20.

1. FC Xian’s followed through – Col. 1:6, 23

2. What about today? What risks are we willing to take evangelistically?

3. Reluctant to try things we never have before?

4. Individually. Reluctant to get to know others for the sake of the gospel? Afraid of hurt, rejection? Jesus & rejection : Jhn. 1:11; Mt. 27:40-44

5. FC Church: their willingness to take risks brought glory to Jesus & converts to the church. Acts 17:6

B. With our ___________________. Contrast Lk. 12:16-21 w/Lk. 21:2-4.

1. What describes us best? The ____________? The _____ _______?

2. Applies to individuals & congregations.

IV. Doubters are useless to God!

A. Dead congregations are full of ______________________!

B. Rev. 3:2 – their ________ 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. 25:21, 23 – moved in faith & were rewarded.

D. 25:24-30 – what happened to 1 talent man?

E. We are so blessed! Individually; and as a congregation.

Conclusion:

A. How much are you willing to risk for God?

B. Not a Christian? What you fail to risk now will be your ultimate risk for eternity!



Risk Takers for God Introduction: Heb. 11:8-10 – Abraham was a great man of faith. Faith involved taking risks based upon his belief & trust in what God said. Abraham took risks because he believed in God & His promises. Risks involve 3 things: faith/hope/love. Faith – that God will work things out for good. Hope – that in the end the blessing will be greater than the risk. Love – for the one for whom we are taking the risk. I. What a congregation without risk takers looks like: A. ________ ____________________. 1. Pleased w/the present situation. No burning hunger/desire/enthusiasm 2. Are we hungry enough to excel still more? 1 Thess. 4:10 B. __________________ reigns. How strong is our optimism? C. A congregation full of ___________. Mt. 17:14-20 –are we like the disciples? II. Risk Taking Involves ________________ Without Doubt. A. Num 25:1-9 – ___________ – provides great example of decisiveness & faith. B. Contrast Phinehas conviction & decisiveness w/__________ effort to walk on water – Mt. 14:28-31. 1. There must be no doubt that God will grant us success! 2. Mt. 21:21-22 – Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His ____________ is combined with our ____________________. C. Consider a theme running through Philippians. 1. 1:6; 1:25; 2:12-16a; 3:13-14; 4:4; 6-7, 13 2. See the positive side of things. Possess confidence. D. Doubt, pessimism, lack of faith will lead to the ________ of a congregation. III. 2 areas of risk to consider. A. In ____________________. Commanded – Mt. 28:18-20. 1. FC Xian’s followed through – Col. 1:6, 23 2. What about today? What risks are we willing to take evangelistically? 3. Reluctant to try things we never have before? 4. Individually. Reluctant to get to know others for the sake of the gospel? Afraid of hurt, rejection? Jesus & rejection : Jhn. 1:11; Mt. 27:40-44 5. FC Church: their willingness to take risks brought glory to Jesus & converts to the church. Acts 17:6 B. With our ___________________. Contrast Lk. 12:16-21 w/Lk. 21:2-4. 1. What describes us best? The ____________? The _____ _______? 2. Applies to individuals & congregations. IV. Doubters are useless to God! A. Dead congregations are full of ______________________! B. Rev. 3:2 – their ________ 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. 25:21, 23 – moved in faith & were rewarded. D. 25:24-30 – what happened to 1 talent man? E. We are so blessed! Individually; and as a congregation. Conclusion: A. How much are you willing to risk for God? B. Not a Christian? What you fail to risk now will be your ultimate risk for eternity!