“Let’s Learn to Take Risks!” Psalm 107:23-24

Do you like to take risk? Do we have any “thrill seekers” in the auditorium this morning?

While younger I can remember doing things that would fall under the classification of “reckless and stupid”…

to better understand the need we have to learn to take risks Purpose: to better understand the need we have to learn to take risks

I Are We to Avoid Risks? 5

Does God expect us to avoid all risks?

I Are We to Avoid Risks? A. It’s a Risk to be Born 7

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 8

I Are We to Avoid Risks? A. It’s a Risk to be Born B. It’s a Risk to be Married 9

How much joy/sorrow/peace hinges upon the person whom we choose to marry?...

“Jump, Mary, I’ll catch you!”

I Are We to Avoid Risks? A. It’s a Risk to be Born B. It’s a Risk to be Married C. It’s a Risk to Raise Children 12

Took a survey asking parents, “If you had to do it again would you have children?” 74% of the parents said if they had to do it again they wouldn’t have children… Columnist Ann Landers

Wright brothers were told they would never fly… They risked it and proved them wrong!

II Can We Choose Our Risks? A. The Search for Freedom 15

Pharisee sought his salvation by works, his works… and the Publican sought his salvation by grace, God’s works…

II Can We Choose Our Risks? A. The Search for Freedom B. The Abundant Life 17

One lives abundantly only when one loses self in service to Christ and His!

III Examples of Risk Takers Before Us A. Those Who Risk it All in the World 19

The rapper calling himself Eminem has been arrested numerous times… sued by his mother… married and divorced several times… his “songs” promote filth and wickedness… yet not long ago when MTV was handing out awards, he got two of them. Our point? His life may appear full… but his spirit is empty!

III Examples of Risk Takers Before Us A. Those Who Risk it All in the World B. Those Who Risk All in Christ 21

As listed in Hebrews 11, these are the ones who are the real “winners” in the here and now AND in the future!

Jesus “risked” His very life for our redemption Jesus “risked” His very life for our redemption. He knew in spite of our sin and how it contributed to the world’s evil that there would be a bright new world yet to come!

Choose from amongst us modern day heroes of the faith – those whose very being is worth emulating!... S. V. Nichols R. M. Lillie

Conclusion and Summary From the world’s perspective, life is nothing more than a big gamble. The point of this message is that giving it all to Jesus is no gamble… Are we committed to the world and its ways or to Christ and His Church? From a Biblical view, let’s learn to take risks!