Risky Business Part 1

Risky Business part 1

Thesis: The church needs to understand that sharing the Gospel is a risky business.

Main Texts:

Matthew 25:14-30 ---Read from the Message

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Mat 25:13 NIV)

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. (Mat 25:14 NIV)

To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. (Mat 25:15 NIV)

The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. (Mat 25:16 NIV)

So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. (Mat 25:17 NIV)

But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. (Mat 25:18 NIV)

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. (Mat 25:19 NIV)

The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ’Master,’ he said, ’you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ (Mat 25:20 NIV)

"His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Mat 25:21 NIV)

"The man with the two talents also came. ’Master,’ he said, ’you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ (Mat 25:22 NIV)

"His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Mat 25:23 NIV)

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. ’Master,’ he said, ’I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. (Mat 25:24 NIV)

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ (Mat 25:25 NIV)

"His master replied, ’You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? (Mat 25:26 NIV)

Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. (Mat 25:27 NIV)

"’Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. (Mat 25:28 NIV)

For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. (Mat 25:29 NIV)

And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Mat 25:30 NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Duet. 31:6 NIV)

I Corinthians 16:13

13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong (NIV).

I Corinthians 16:13,14 (The Message)

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

Acts 23:11

11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (NIV).

Acts 23:11 (The Message)

That night the Master appeared to Paul: “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best. You’ve been a good witness for me here in Jerusalem. Now you’re going to be my witness in Rome!”

Illustration- Risks

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental

To reach out for another is to risk involvement

To expose feelings is to risk exposing, your true self

To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss

To love is to risk not being loved in return

To live is to risk dying

To hope is to risk despair

To try is to risk failure

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing

They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live

Charmed by their attitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom

Only a person who risks is free

**I will add to this and say that only a person with the courage to take risks for Jesus Christ is really free.