Sermons on Taking Risks:

"Take Courage! Don’t Be Afraid”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 6, 2024

As we join Jesus’ disciples on the Sea of Galilee, we are invited to take a look into our own hearts and see the greatest source of our fears. And then we are invited to dispel all our fears through faith in Christ. We’ll use Jesus’ words as the theme for our sermon.

The medical and scientific word for them is “phobia.” And there are hundreds, if not thousands, of them. From Arachnophobia—the fear of spiders to Zoophobia- the fear of animals there are nearly endless things that people fear. Perhaps you have a couple of phobias that affect you to greater or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-56

Denomination: Lutheran

The Good Shepherd Takes Care Of Sheep

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 25, 2012

Encouragement to confirmands to stay faithful and focused on the Good Shepherd.

April 29, 2012 John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Obedience As A Lifestyle

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Nov 11, 2002

Obey God to the point of risk.

Obey God to the point of risk. GE 6:5-13 The LORD was grieved - his heart was filled with pain. 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 he walked with God. God Warns those who listen to Him Is it moral for God to destroy? Redemption is His first choice, but what happens ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baby Steps Part 3 - Belief Series

Contributed by David Rumley on Nov 8, 2006

This is the third in a 3 part series. Based on these statements; FAITH WITHOUT TRUST IS IMPOSSIBLE, FAITH WITHOUT RISK IS A CONTRADICTION FAITH WITHOUT BELIEF IS HOLLOW(empty).

Baby-steps / Part 3 – Belief Last week we took a second step on a journey of baby steps… taking one step at a time to find true faith. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1-3 1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Extravagant Worship Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 19, 2015

Mary risked discomfort and rejection in order to offer Jesus an extravagant gift. What do we risk in our worship?

1. John 12.1-8 2. Selective Hearing (2 Slides) I like the story about a hobo who walked up to the front door of a big farmhouse, and knocked on the door until the owner answered. The hobo said, "Sir, could I please have something to eat? I haven't had a meal in days." The well-to-do owner of the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stepping Out On Faith

Contributed by Wm. Darryl Scott Sr D.d. on Jan 15, 2004

What does it really take to move from the comfort zone to the faith zone?

Moses’ life is full of revelations of how he learned to walk with God. Moses up there on Mt. Pisgah, with his sore feet and aching back serves as a good example of the fact that God had not only brought him a long way, but God brought Moses all the way! And though, Moses still had work to do ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

If I Perish, I Perish

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 15, 2025

The words “If I perish, I perish” show a faith that does not back down in the face of danger. Esther’s boldness teaches us that trusting in God is always worth the risk.

IF I PERISH, I PERISH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Esther 4:16 "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:16, Daniel 3:16-18, Matthew 10:39, Philippians 1:21, Acts 20:24, Hebrews 11:35-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Food Of Faith Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 16, 2007

Jesus didn’t need the 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the multitude. So, why did He tell His disciples to feed the 5000 with food they didn’t have?

OPEN: An English teacher and her class were studying well known Proverbs. One day she gave them a test to see well they were understanding what she taught. She would state the first half of a proverb and then asked the students to come up with the rest of what it said. These were some of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Warning Light

Contributed by Jonathan Barcus on Dec 5, 2009

God allows the warning light to go on in our lives to let us know that something is wrong. We need to get on our knees in prayer and allow God to fix the problem.

God’s Warning Light Psalms 51:4-13 Recently I had the "check engine" light come on in our vehical and there is nothing worse then that paticular light because you don’t have a clue as to what it indicates. The only thing you can do is take it to a sevice center and find out what is wrong. God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:4-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Three Women And A Basket

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 23, 2009

Leaving no child behind means that we parents set aside our own pleasures, that we learn to advocate for our children, and that we cross cultures with our resources.

It was every parent’s worst nightmare. My son, my own flesh and blood, standing in front of me, and announcing that he was taking lessons in ... skydiving! Skydiving! That’s where people walk out of airplanes and float downward to earth, supported by a thin sheet of cloth and a few little ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Unsafe For The Whole Family

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jun 15, 2008

Some churches are really big on safety these days, providing a safe place for you and the whole family … not that there is really anything wrong with that… but honestly; how safe is this Christian walk?

Dakota Community Church June 15, 2008 Unsafe for the Whole Family We live in a world that has gone to the extreme where safety is concerned. Everything is labeled for safety. As I write this I glance at my coffee cup which warns me that “the beverage I am about to enjoy is extremely hot” and in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:23-29

Denomination: Mennonite

When Life Doesn't Make Sense Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

Being a mother can be a costly thing. But following the call of God to be a mother of the Savior can be a costly thing as well. As Christians, sometimes, we tend to sanitize the Christmas story. We think of it as a heartwarming story of a young mother giv

A Scandalous Love Affair: when life and faith doesn't make sense Luke 1:26-38 Dick Hillis tells the story of a mission trip to Africa. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held her tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into the mother’s outstretched hand, I wondered ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

We Want To See Jesus Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 14, 2011

If we want to see Jesus this Easter, we must go to the place of death and go to the place of service. Find life in death. Find honor is service, because there you find Jesus Christ.

It was the depression. The father was able to keep bread on the table, but that was it. When his little boy burst into the house excitedly talking about the circus coming to town, the father knew that he could not afford the $1 admission. The boy had never seen the circus and it wasn’t right ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Keeping Order Among Our Passions Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 2, 2009

Christ is our shepherd, because we are prone as sheep to wander about in pursuit of pleasure, and be devoured by our passions.

Tuesday of 4th Week of Easter May 5, 2009 “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” So Jesus talks about sheep. As the Jews of His day–and ours, for that matter–saw it, Jesus never talked plainly. But that wasn’t Jesus’ problem with the Jews, or us, for that matter. Our problem is that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Catholic

Get Out Of The Boat

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Jan 11, 2012

To experience the power of Christ in our lives, we must be willing to leave our comfort zone.

GET OUT OF THE BOAT Matt 14:25-32 Years ago my wife and I were at a football game. Our team was losing, the man in front of us was bad mouthing our team for losing. She took it as long as she could, then she tapped the man on the shoulder and said: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:25-32

Denomination: Baptist