Sermon Central
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Risk Is Right Part 2 Series
Contributed by Trae Durden on Nov 12, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon is meant to encourage our church to overcome fear of death, and embrace the struggles we facwe throughout life in the flesh. Based on chapter 5 in John Piper's Book, "Don't Waste Your Life"
RISK IS RIGHT 2
Risk defined is an action that exposes you to the possibility of loss or injury!
Last week: O.T. examples of risk – Joab, Esther, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego.
Romans 8:37 – Reminds us that it is “IN” our struggles we become more than Conquerors!
There is more to life than life! So, it’s better to risk your life than to waste it in worldly concerns!
1. WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD DON’T RISK!
a. Numbers 13:17-20, Numbers 13:30-31 – No faith, no courage, no risk.
b. They believed their adversities were bigger than God! Fear crippled them.
c. Numbers 14:1-3 – They want to return to the “security” of slavery!
d. These faithless people are condemned to perish in the wilderness. – Numbers 14:21-23
e. Why? Where there is no faith there is No risk! No faith = No God! Hebrews 11:6
2. RISKING LIFE TO GAIN ETERNITY!
a. Paul had decided to go preach in Jerusalem. He knew the risks – Acts 21:11-14
b. He believed this trip to Jerusalem was necessary for the cause of Christ, but he didn’t
the details of “what” might happen! Arrest and affliction for sure, but what next? Death?
Imprisonment? No one knew, so he said “Let the will of the Lord be done.” Acts 20:23
c. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 – “Paul never knew where the next blow would come from. Every
day he risked his life for the cause of God. The roads weren’t safe. The rivers weren’t
safe. His own people, the Jews, weren’t safe. The Gentiles weren’t safe. The cities
weren’t safe. The wilderness wasn’t safe. The sea wasn’t safe. Even the so-called
Christian brothers weren’t safe. Safety was a mirage. It didn’t exist for the apostle Paul.”
d. Acts 20:24 – Paul’s life of risk was his choice to make his life count! - Philippians 4:12-13
e. This is why he understood how to become “More than a conqueror” – Romans 8:35-39
f. Piper Quote – “More Than a Conqueror” - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
3. RISK THAT BRINGS GLORY TO GOD, AND JOY TO HIS PEOPLE!
a. 1 Peter 3:14-15 – For one’s hope to be questioned, there must first be risks. People
outside of Christ won’t notice any difference in us if we appear to have our trust in the
same things they trust in: money, strength, wealth, popularity, education, wisdom,
professionalism! – 1 Peter 4:1-4
b. Rather than looking at how big our adversities are, look at how big our God is! Then
show others how big He is by courageous trust in Him to meet every need - 1 Peter 4:12-14
c. Acts 2:42-47 – “with glad and generous hearts!” They RISKED possessions JOYFULLY!
d. Following the example of Jesus – John 15:20, Hebrews 12:1-2
Conclusion:
a. The strength to risk losing face for the sake of Christ is the faith that God’s love will lift
up your face in the end and vindicate your cause!
b. The strength to risk losing money for the cause of the gospel is the faith that we have a
treasure in the heavens that cannot fail.
c. The strength to risk losing life in this world is faith in the promise that he who loses his life
in this world will save it for the age to come! – Mark 8:34-35
