Gospel Risk

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Gospel risk embodies the call to step beyond our comfort zones in faith, as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus invites His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross, illustrating that true discipleship often requires boldness and sacrifice. The Apostle Paul, too, exemplifies this radical commitment in Philippians 3:8, where he counts all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. This theme of risk is further echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:7, which reminds believers that we walk by faith, not by sight, urging us to trust God’s promises even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Moreover, in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches the importance of using our God-given resources wisely and courageously, encouraging us to take risks for the advancement of His kingdom. As we commend and welcome radical risk-takers for Christ, we acknowledge that such faith-driven actions can lead to transformative outcomes, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Ultimately, embracing gospel risk is not merely about taking chances; it is about aligning our lives with God’s purposes and trusting Him to work through our obedience.

Commending and Welcoming Radical Risk Takers for Christ 45:56

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This sermon focuses on the lives of saints in different locations, emphasizing the importance of serving God faithfully, being Christ-centered in all aspects of life, and being willing to take risks for the Gospel. It highlights the dedication of individuals like Phoebe, Prisca, and Aquila, who were

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Matthew 16:24

“Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”

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Philippians 3:8

“More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ”

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2 Corinthians 5:7

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

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Matthew 25:14

“For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.”

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Matthew 10:38

“and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. This is why the ancients were commended. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.”

Luke 14:27

“And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.”

1 Peter 4:1

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”