Faith to Take Risks part 2 sermon video audio notes. If we play it safe, we become stagnant. We become stagnant toward everything – occupation, marriage, family, and especially God. If we do not need to use/pull on our faith, we cannot grow in the way God wants us to grow. Life stagnates and if it stagnates long enough, it stinks.
FAITH
By Pastor Delbert Young
Faith to Take Risks part 2
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Faith to Take Risks part 2 sermon video audio notes
2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:28; Romans 12:2; Daniel 3:30; Joshua 3:3-4; Joshua 3:15-16; 1 Kings 17:3-4, 9; Esther 4:14, 16
God is always giving us opportunities to advance, but the enemy will never let you make progress without some type of opposition. Most people have a “play it safe” mentality. They are afraid the God-given opportunities will be too difficult, afraid to take RISK, afraid they might fail, so when God brings an opportunity across their path, instead of getting out of their comfort zone in FAITH, they shrink back in FEAR and end up staying, at best, right where they are. They never experience the new horizons God has for them.
Usually, when God gives us an opportunity we begin analyzing. We think about all the things that might happen. We list all the things that could go wrong. “God, I can’t begin that new business. What if no one buys from me?” “I can’t take that new position. I’m not qualified.” “I can’t give that talk. What if I forget what I am supposed to say?” On and on we talk ourselves out of it. If you are going to be the person God wants you to be and the person you want to be, you must have a pioneering spirit. You must learn to stretch and get into some un-chartered areas. Remember, no matter what you do new, you never know every step of the way. Faith is taking risks and having confidence in God Almighty to see you through.
If you always live in a “play it safe” mentality, you will never get off dead center.
You will never experience the horizons God has for you. Some of you have great opportunities in front of you right now. It might be an opportunity to change careers, go back to school, be used more by God, etc. Down inside, you feel good, excited, and energized about it. You prayed and it seems like God, but you continue putting it off. Or, you FEAR failure, and you FEAR change. Also, you FEAR you don’t have what it takes.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the SPIRIT OF FEAR; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
What’s happening is you are listening to something other than God. I want to challenge you today to stop listening to the enemy. Get out of your SAFE ZONE and live in the FAITH ZONE. Be willing to make a mistake. Be willing to take a risk. “Delbert, what if I’m wrong and miss it? What if it wasn’t God, but only something I dreamed up?” Hear what I am about to say. I think it’s important. God is more pleased with us when we step out in faith and miss it, than he is if we only sit back, and “play it safe.” God is a merciful God.
Even if you do make a mistake, if you are doing your best to please God and get a little off course, God in his great mercy, will turn that situation around and he will work it to come out better than it would had you only stayed in your “safe zone.”
Romans 8:28 And we know that in ALL THINGS GOD WORKS for the good of those who LOVE HIM, who have been called according to HIS PURPOSE.
This is something we should know. God will make your mistake WORK out for you as long as you love him and as long as you are trying to do what you believe the Lord wants you to do.
If we play it safe, we become stagnant. We become stagnant toward everything – occupation, marriage, family, and especially God. If we do not need to use/pull on our faith, we cannot grow in the way God wants us to grow. Life stagnates and if it stagnates long enough, it stinks. I believe many people are bored with life today and it’s because they are not challenged. They’ve lost purpose. They stay comfortable/complacent. They never take the risk and step into their FAITH ZONE.
When we are in God’s perfect will, we will be stretched. If we are not being stretched and needing God, we are not in his perfect will. Fear to have FAITH TO TAKE RISKS seized our minds.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your MIND. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his GOOD, PLEASING and PERFECT WILL.
God will let you stay only in a “good” place if that’s what you want, but you are not in his “perfect will” of abundance and God’s perfect will always push you to take risks.
I told you about Judy and my stepping out in our FAITH ZONE when we came to this city. What had I not stepped out? What would have happened to me and our family? I’m sure I would be doing ok/good. I would still be serving the Lord and in his good or pleasing will, but I would not be close to his perfect will. There is no way my life would be as fulfilled as today. I don’t think I would get out of bed with the passion and excitement I do today. I would not have met you. There would be no Life Gate. My daughter would not have met her husband. My son would not have met his wife. There are so many blessings on the horizon when you have FAITH TO TAKE RISKS. There are new horizons after the risk.
David was only a shepherd boy. He had no military training. Goliath was a trained champion of the Philistine army. David didn’t have a chance. He was as good as dead, BUT David had FAITH TO TAKE RISKS. David needed God. You know what happened. God caused one little stone to hit that armored giant in the exact spot with enough force to take that mountain down. David’s FAITH TO TAKE RISKS propelled David to new horizons and his destiny. That’s what God wants to do for you.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three Hebrew children stepped out of their SAFE ZONE refusing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol.
Things got hot. The king threw them into a fiery furnace so hot it killed those who threw them in. It seemed an impossible situation, BUT their FAITH TO TAKE RISKS brought Almighty God into the picture. Nebuchadnezzar looked, he said, “Didn’t we throw three in there? I see four walking loosed and one of them looks like the Son of God!
Daniel 3:30 Then the king PROMOTED Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to EVEN HIGHER POSITIONS in the province of Babylon.
New horizons came after the risk. Don’t bow to fear. It might get hot, but the Son of God will show up for you.
“Delbert, I would love to step out. In fact, there is nothing I want more. If God would show me how it would turn out, I would. Or, if he would show me I will succeed, I’ll do it tomorrow. Also, if I could feel tingles running down my spine… at least some goose bumps…” No. It doesn’t work that way. You step out in faith first. Then, God will respond.
As the Children of Israel prepared to cross the Jordan at flood stage, they were to follow the ark, symbolic of the presence of God.
Joshua 3:3-4 …When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to MOVE OUT from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE…
I believe God is saying the same thing to many of you today. New things are on the horizon just out in front of you if you take the step of faith. You have new opportunities in business, new relationships, and new positions at work. All those things involve taking a step of faith. Our attitude should be, I’ve never been this way before, but I’m following God’s presence. I will experience new things. I know I will get out over my head, but I’m going.” I’ve learned something in FAITH. Once you are over your head, it doesn’t matter how deep it is.
Joshua 3:15-16 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and THEIR FEET TOUCHED THE WATER’S EDGE, THE WATER FROM UPSTREAM STOPPED FLOWING.
The Lord says if we will take a step and get our feet wet, he will stop the flood and you can cross over to your Promised Land. New horizons, your Promised Land flowing with milk and honey await you after the risk.
There is a place where your life is fulfilled. That place is after your risk. There’s a place you will love getting up every day and going to work where your gifts and talents will be uncovered and utilized. That place is after your risk. It’s commanded. The Lord told Elijah,
1 Kings 17:3-4 1KI 17:3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook at a place east of where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I HAVE COMMANDED them to bring you food.”
There was a specific place where God commanded supernatural blessings for Elijah, but it was up to Elijah to take a step of faith and get there. He could have said, “Ravens feed me? God, that’s way out and Kerith is a long way and I’m nice and comfortable here. I like my routine and my bed and my…” The commanded blessing was at Kerith. God had it all set up. GOD HAS A PLACE WHERE HE’S COMMANDED SUPERNATURAL BLESSINGS FOR EVERY ONE OF US, but you’ve got to go to that place.
If you know the story, one day Kerith Brook dried up.
1 Kings 17:9 Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I HAVE COMMANDED A WIDOW IN THAT PLACE to supply you with food.
Kerith dried up, but God already commanded another place for Elijah to be blessed. Just because a place in life was right for you at one time does not mean it’s the right place forever. Some of you are experiencing your brook drying up now. You need to watch for opportunities and doors. “They are offering me a management position, but I’m so comfortable doing what I do.” Or, “A different company is offering me a job, but I’m comfortable here at Kerith.” “I have an opportunity to go back to school, but I’m 30 years old.” Check your heart. Don’t listen to your mind. The goal is to get to where God has commanded your blessings.
In the Book of Esther, there is a plot to destroy the people of God. The Lord challenged Esther to go before the king and tell the king the plot, but there was a law, which said no one could go before the king without his invitation. If they did, that person died. Fear attempted to grip Esther. Mordecai said,
Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
This was Esther’s destiny. If she didn’t go before the king, God would find someone else, but Esther would miss her chance to experience her divine destiny. This opportunity would not come to her again. This was her chance. Here is what Esther said.
Esther 4:16 …and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and IF I PERISH, I PERISH.
If I perish, I perish, but I will not let my moment pass me by. Sink or swim, I’m going for it. Again, God was there. The king received her and there were amazing horizons for Esther.
Sometimes in life, we come to a destiny-altering decision. Many times in life, we get another chance, but there are times that will not pass our way again. I believe that beginning this church was one of those times for me. Is there anything right now for which you need to make a decision? Maybe God is preparing you for such a time as this. Whatever it is, be bold. Step up with FAITH TO TAKE RISKS.
The Lord is saying don’t miss your God-given opportunities. Don’t live in the “play it safe” zone. God did not give you a spirit of fear. You can experience God’s perfect will, but it will require FAITH TO TAKE RISKS. There are new horizons to experience and giants to bring down. Don’t bow to fear no matter how hot it gets. Get your feet wet and God will show up. There is a place of God’s commanded blessing. Find it. Make sure your “once-in-a-lifetime risk” doesn’t pass you by. God has so much in store for every one of you. There is greatness inside of you. Will you dare to have a pioneering attitude? There are horizons after the risk. To experience your divine destiny you will need to have FAITH TO TAKE RISKS.
Faith to Take Risks part 2 sermon video audio notes
Faith to Take Risks part 2 sermon video audio notes
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