Are You A Risk Taker?

Hebrews 11

Rev. Andre Johnson ©2005

[Rev. Johnson is the pastor of the New Milton Avenue United Methodist Church in East Baltimore, Maryland.]

My brothers and sisters, I have found over the years that there are basically three types of people in this world. They are:

  1. People who make things happen – These are the people who are self-motivated, self-starters, always looking for new opportunities to better their lives as well as the lives of others. Have you ever met someone who was always the life of the party? That is, the party doesn’t really start until they show up. The fun doesn’t really start until they tell a joke or two. A business doesn’t really start booming until they are part of it. Everywhere they go, things start to happen and it seems like they have the golden touch.

  2. People who watch things happen – Have you ever met a person who reminded you of Forrest Gump? They are always there when something of great significance happens. They were there when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record. They were there when Peter denied Jesus three times. They were there at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. They always seem to be at the right place at the right time to watch things happen.

  3. People who don’t know what’s happening – These are the type of people where things can happen right under their noses and they don’t have a clue. They are in left field about everything. They are always missing the boat. The sky could be blue and they’d think it was pink.
As we begin to look at this text we see that Hebrews chapter 11 is the “faith” chapter, or Faith’s Hall of Fame. Within this chapter we have people who made things happen. In other words, my brothers and sisters, people who make things happen have a lot of faith and they are known as risk takers.

In order to have faith like the people in this text, you must be a risk taker. You have to totally depend on God and not on yourself, not on your education, not on your good looks, and not on your status in life, but on God and God alone. God’s YES must be louder than your NO!

You see, a risk taker must be willing to endure hardships and pain. Risk takers must be willing to walk by faith and not by sight. Hebrews 11:35-37 states that some of the risk takers in the Bible were tortured, others suffered trials, mocking and scourging, while others endured chains and imprisonment. Zechariah was stoned, Isaiah was sawn in two, others were tempted, and Urijah was slain with a sword. Some wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted and tormented.

You see, my brother and my sisters, risk takers dare to be different. As we look at the text, we see how Moses’ parents dared to be different by hiding Moses for three months because they saw that he was a beautiful child. They defied Pharaoh’s command whereby all Hebrew boys were to be killed. Later, Moses left Pharaoh’s palace, forsook the pleasures of sin, refused to be called Pharaoh’s daughter’s son, and left his homeland of Egypt.

Likewise, Abraham obeyed the voice of God and went out, not knowing his destination, and left his father’s home. Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land and was talked about by the people. Abel gave the Lord an acceptable offering. Rahab protected the Hebrew spies.

When you dare to be different, not everybody will like it, not everybody will accept it, not everybody will respect it, but God will honor it. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” In order to be a risk taker you have to have great faith. And in order to have great faith you must be obedient to God’s Will, to God’s Way, to God’s Word, and to God’s Work. You have to be willing to say YES to God when others say NO and don’t understand. You also have to be willing to be different, even if it makes you look foolish and silly.

Being a risk taker for God may cost you some friendships and relationships. Being a risk taker for God may cost you some family ties. But if you are willing to be a risk taker for God and be different, He will bless you, take care of you and protect you when times get tough.

Risk takers make a difference! The writer of Hebrews says that through faith some of the Bible risk takers: You see, my brothers and my sisters, the life that we live in Christ is not about ourselves, but it is to make a difference in someone else’s life. If we don’t help others, then our living is in vain. For example: A risk taker for God has a way of coming into a person’s life, giving them joy, peace and then a bright future. Because: The good news is that Jesus died for all mankind – black, white, yellow, green, blue and purple. You see: In Luke 14:23, Jesus says “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel the people to come in that His house may be filled.” In order to be a risk taker, you must be willing to be different and you must be willing to make a difference in the life of somebody else. You see, Jesus, the Son of the living God, was the ultimate risk taker. He went to Calvary’s mountain and died on an old rugged cross for our sins, not knowing if we would ever accept Him in our hearts, so that we could be reconciled back to the Father. He took the risk so that we could have life and have it more abundantly. Because He was willing to be a risk taker for God, we can exercise our faith and also be risk takers: So the question still remains: Are you a risk taker? If so, how are you different and how have you made a difference in the life of someone else? If you are a risk taker, ask God to give you an assignment that nobody wants to do and he will give you an assignment – an assignment that nobody can handle but you.

How risky are you feeling today? It’s time to be like Peter and step out of the boat and take the risk and walk on water.

Be a risk taker for God today and forever more! Amen.