PUT YOURSELF IN HARMS WAY

  • August 14th, 2010 | Johnny Bragg | No Comments |

    Over the previous few weeks we’ve been working through our Wipeout series, focusing on the enemy’s schemes to knock us out of the race. We’ve talked of how dangerous church life can be, and you may be feeling the need to protect yourself in the days ahead. You may be feeling a bit more vulnerable, and want to keep your arms and legs inside the roller coaster from here on. True, we need to walk in the Lord’s wisdom and protection. But instead of throwing up our defenses, I want to end our series by encouraging you to put yourself in harms way. Let me share with you three men who stepped out on a limb, and saw the Lord do BIG things in their lives: 

    Gideon. Before he blew the trumpet, the Lord asked Gideon to tear down his father’s alter to the god Baal. Gideon was so afraid that he obeyed God in the dark, taking his servants down by night to tear down the idol. Nighttime. Daytime. Doesn’t matter, just step out and obey God! See Judges chapter 6. 

    David. When the Lord’s army was afraid of Goliath, the young man David stepped out of the lines, and headed to the battlefield. 1 Samuel 17:40 says David approached the Philistine. It was David, in the power of the Lord, who went towards the enemy. 

    Paul. See 2 Corinthians 11:21. Paul outlined the hazards he had been through in serving the Lord. Prison. Floggings. Shipwreck. Stoning. Bandits. Floods. Nakedness. Hunger. And thirst. Paul saw it all. And our big problem is that we are afraid to witness to someone at work, because they may not like us! 

    At some point in our walk, we must be willing to take a risk. To climb out on the limb and take a chance. Too many Christians play it safe. Stepping up to the river of God and only dipping in a big toe. Being faithful to attend church, but keeping others at a safe distance. Nominal involvement in the body. A mere semblance of Christian service. Let me encourage you to put yourself in harms way:

     1. Dare to STEP OUT into what God has for you. What are you called to be? Go for it! Yes, you may fail. Yes, you may fall and get your knees skinned up. But you MAY see God move. You MAY see tremendous success in that new job, new ministry, or new business. With wisdom, step out. 

    2. Dare to OBEY. If the Lord has spoken something clearly to you, do it. Quickly. Again (are you feeling this part?), proceed with wisdom and counsel, but proceed! When then unction of the Lord comes, too often I have held back for fear of looking silly, or being wrong. I have chosen disobedience in order to feel safe. Truly, we must all get past this. 

    3. Dare to REPENT. Too many Christians are afraid to take a step towards the Lord because they are afraid they will stumble back into their old sin. I met a young man once who so wanted to rededicate his life to God, but was waiting, waiting, waiting, until he got his life perfect enough for God to accept him. The Bible says our righteousness (like trying to clean ourselves up) is like a filthy rag to the Lord. We are only clean through His blood. Today, you CAN be free! Repent, turn, and RUN towards the Lord. Yes, you may stumble, but get back up and keep on truckin’.

    4. Dare to STUDY. (insert nasal whining) But the Bible is just too difficult to understand and I don’t like to read. Well, cupcake, head down to Lifeway and get you a kid’s Bible. Audio version. Seriously, too many Christians make up excuses for not being a student of the Word. King David said the precepts of the Lord are a DELIGHT! See Psalm 119. The Word is living and active, and it will speak to every situation you face both today and tomorrow. Dare to dust off that Bible. Take a risk at not understanding a passage. Ask God for help. You’ll be pleased at how the Holy Spirit speaks to you, opens your mind and heart, and reveals Himself to you through his Word. 

    5. Dare to BELIEVE GOD. Take Him at his Word. Believe that He will do what He said He will do. All of it. Yes, we all have moments of doubt, and we are not all Captain Super Faith all the time. But quietly dare to believe. With wisdom (there’s that word again) take a step of Faith. 

    Let me ask you a question: Are you willing to risk a Wipeout in order to grow with God? When the Lord prompts you speak to someone at Wal-Mart, ease yourself out on a limb and talk. Yeah, she may roll her eyes at you (oh the humanity!)…but you may just be voice of hope she has been waiting and praying for. Put yourself in harms way.


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