Risk and Action, Sunday 21 August 2005

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Philippians 4: 4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We have had one report from our young missionaries. Perhaps next Wednesday we shall have another.

These teenagers have spent their summer in service to our Lord. Some may become missionaries, many will grow up to serve on mission boards, all have been changed.

As Paul said in the first chapter of Philippians "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

As Helen Keller said " Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure."

My own kids have explained it to me in a folksy way, "Everyone dies, not everyone lives."

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16: 24-26

There is risk in sharing the gospel. There is a greater risk in not sharing the gospel. If you chose to follow Christ; follow him. Do not look to the right our the left, just keep following Jesus.

Often what is emotionally easy and has a short term positive effect is a disaster in the medium and long term. Follow Jesus. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

God loves you more than you love yourself. God is wiser and smarter than you are. If you want the real best, and not just what sounds best, do what God tells you to do. It will be the best for everyone involved, including yourself and God.

God is love!

Jesus is Lord!

Allan
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