As many of you know, our church sent out a team just a few short weeks ago to begin a new work in the town of Smyrna, Delaware. A group of people have answered the call of God to go and serve in all different capacities. Their main goal is to share the Gospel with those who perhaps have never heard and to raise up a body of believers there at LifeHouse Smyrna.
PINIMAGECommissioning Service for LifeHouse Smyrna Team
During this time of transition, we have been praying that God would not allow people in our church family to remain in a place of indecision. In other words, no coasting. Instead, actively pursuing God’s purpose for each of our lives.
Mark has also been charging men and women to step into areas of service that have become available at LifeHouse MOT because of the Smyrna team’s absence.
In fact, he has had many conversations with people who feel the tug of God on their lives and are wrestling with this call and what it might look like. For many, this may be the first opportunity to really risk on God and frankly that can be scary.
This is the beauty of following Christ – it’s an opportunity to risk on God. And I believe with all my heart that it’s His intention for every believer.
Have you risked on God?
To some this question about risking on God might seem odd. “What does that even mean?” you might ask.
But the believer knows.
For those who have had the Spirit of God born in their hearts through salvation, we have all felt the nudge, the prompting of God to take a risk on Him, to follow into the unknown. Then it’s up to us whether we will go.
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (emphasis mine)
Been there. Done that. And, I might add, it’s become the mode of operation as I follow Christ.
This morning I was reading in the first chapter of Galatians about the conversion of Paul. While I read I noticed a few things that Christ followers might be tempted to use as reasons/excuses to stay in their place of safety instead of follow. I want to provide some affirmations of God’s call for you to risk on Him.
Let’s look at the passage first: Galatians 1:13-24
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.
An Unlikely servant:
Ever felt like you have too much of a “past” to be effective for God’s kingdom?
Paul persecuted Christ-followers and he tried to destroy God’s church. Um, that’s pretty terrible. I’m sure people who were subject to his wrath never looked at each other and said to themselves, “Hey, you know what? He’d make a great Apostle some day.”
The Unexpected call:
Notice what verse 15 says, “God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.” God knew He would call Paul to be His messenger before Paul was even born. It pleased Him to do so.
Revealing His power, God equipped Paul to boldly proclaim truth and stand up to the same persecution he once dispensed on others.
God loves to do the unthinkable. He loves to redeem impossible situations. He loves when we risk on Him.
God loves to do the unthinkable.
You may remember Paul’s story on the road to Damascus where God changed his name, his life, and his direction. He, formerly known as Saul, the persecutor of the church, was now Paul, God’s messenger of the Gospel.
Only God can do this in us.
The Unhindered Witness:
Paul acted in immediate obedience.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went… Gal. 1:16b-17
Have you been consulting when you should be walking? I don’t think I have to add to this.
Have you been consulting when you should be walking?
The Immeasurable impact:
We must consider here that not only was the message he shared testimony of God’s power but his life was also testimony.
All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” And they praised God because of me. Gal 1:23-24
When God comes on the scene, stories of defeat become stories of His victory and power.
Is God calling you to risk on Him?
You might be saying, “Why would God use me? Why would God want me to risk on Him?”
Because He is glorified in our weakness and all of His stories are the best stories. He’s never written a bad one. Paul himself said this in a letter to the Corinthians…
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
God calls us, equips us, and uses us for His glory and our good.
Are you ready to risk on God?
