PowerPoint

Jack Graham: How do you take risks for Jesus' sake in our generation? It can be in a number of ways. It can simply mean praying a bold prayer, walk across the street, and get to know your neighbor.

Guest (Female): On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about answering the call to take risks for the sake of God's kingdom. Now, here's Dr. Graham with his message, A Dangerous Faith.

Jack Graham: So I need to ask you a question to start out and that would simply be are you a risk-taker or are you a security-seeker? The entire Bible is the story of adventuring and expanding and developing and growing and the exercise of faith.

Whether you're talking about Abraham, who was called by God to leave Ur of the Chaldees, a comfortable setting, an urban city in that day, and to go out following the will of God, not even knowing exactly where he was going.

Or whether you're Moses out in the desert, leaving and living a comfortable life, having fled for his own skin out of Egypt. He's now living on the backside of the desert and he's made a new life out there. And one day, just an ordinary day like every other day in Moses' life, as he was taking care of the sheep, there was a bush that burned and continued to burn.

And then he realized that God was in that bush and the great I AM spoke to him and called him to go back and cry out to Pharaoh, let my people go. And Moses argued at first. He made excuses. He said, "Look, I stammer, I stutter, I don't talk very well. Send somebody else."

But God ultimately said, "Did I not make your tongue, Moses? Did I not make you? Go and tell Pharaoh to let my people go." And so Moses left the comfort zone of the desert and went back on a great adventure for God.

Or think about David. David was a shepherd boy, enjoying the pastoral scenes and views. He was a mystic of sorts, writing songs and ultimately these songs became psalms. He was enjoying life in the pasture until one day, on a trip to visit his brothers at the battlefield, he heard a giant, the giant of Gath, Goliath, crying out in defiance of the Lord God and he said, "Is there not a cause?"

And David left the comfort zone and was willing to risk his life with a few stones and a slingshot in order to win a great victory for the kingdom of God. Or what about Esther? Esther, who was willing to give up her life for the sake of her people, her own identity, to identify with the people of God and knowing that she was taking a huge risk at the chance of death, she said, "If I perish, I perish."

Well, I think you get the point. I could go on and on throughout the pages of scripture talking about people who took faith risks, who practiced a dangerous faith. And of course, what has happened in the scripture has happened also in history.

I enjoy reading history and the anecdotes and the experiences of those in history who made a difference, who changed the world. Because you see, the gospel not only changes hearts, but it changes history. Sir Edmund Hillary was not always Sir Edmund Hillary, the great explorer.

But he is known as the man who first conquered the tallest mountain peak on the earth, Mount Everest. 15 or 20 people had died trying to scale this magnificent mountain. And yet Edmund Hillary determined along with a few others to scale that great mountain, to get to the top of the world, literally the top of the world.

And there were a number of failed efforts. In the midst of those failed efforts, it was said that Edmund Hillary one day shook his fist at that mountain and shouted, "We will conquer you, Everest, because we can grow and you cannot."

Back in the 1950s, an African American lady by the name of Rosa Parks, minding her own business, sitting in a bus one day was told to move to the back of the bus. And Rosa Parks refused to move. And her act of defiance and civil disobedience ignited a cultural revolution in America that helped to end segregation.

Willing to take a risk, willing to step out of bounds. Too many of us are playing it safe, enjoying a comfortable life, our security, our stability, our safety. And what I want to challenge you to do in this message today from Acts chapter 15 is to live a dangerous faith.

In verse 26 of Acts chapter 15, there is a commendation regarding two men who gave their lives and risked everything for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, as these men are commended to us, we learn how to live this dangerous life.

For Acts 15 says, Paul and Barnabas, two men who risk their lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. Risking their lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. I call Paul and Barnabas God's gamblers because they gambled their very lives.

And the word there, risk, has the idea of gambling on the gospel, betting on the advancing of the kingdom of God by giving their very lives. Now, in the economic world, we talk about risk and reward. And that's really the two points, the two prongs upon which I'm going to build this message today.

The risk and the reward of a dangerous faith. First, the risk. When you read that little phrase there, "men who hazarded or risk their lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ," two ideas emerge.

One is the idea, the word risk there means the handing over of something. It is the same word used in the New Testament when Judas handed over Jesus to the Roman authorities. And so in that sense, it is an act of surrender. It is the handing over of life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

And of course, as followers of our Savior, when we say we're going to become followers of Jesus, that means that we surrender to the lordship of Jesus in our lives. We surrender our lives to him. We hand our lives. We say, "Lord, I am yours. My body, my soul, my spirit, my life, it is yours."

But not only is there the idea of the handing over of life and the surrender, but that same word risk has the idea of hazarding the life. In fact, it is translated in some versions, "men who hazarded their lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ." And obviously that means risk, that means being willing to pay the price, even the ultimate price.

It is the cost and the sacrifice of following Jesus. So two ideas: surrender and sacrifice for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. I like the way the paraphrase message gives it: "men that have looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our master, Jesus Christ."

This report of Paul and Barnabas is given by the church at the end of the first missionary journey of these two men as the gospel is advancing around the world. As they were moving beyond the safety and the security of their own lives and moving into the world for the gospel.

And that's what you know about the Apostle Paul, of course. I'm certain that every time he saw a ship leaving port, he wanted to be on it, taking the gospel of Jesus somewhere. And his life was spent carrying that message at personal risk and sacrifice because he had surrendered his life to Christ.

And so the idea of risk is strong and powerful in the Christian faith. As a matter of fact, Jesus said unless you're willing to take up your cross, that's a risk, to take up the cross and follow after me, you cannot be my disciple. And so risk-taking is cross-bearing. It is saying, "Lord, I will follow you."

And Jesus is the ultimate risk-taker, redeemer, because he gave his life. He left heaven and the glory and the beauty and the security and the strength of heaven, and he came to earth. And when they cried out, "Jesus, come down off of the cross, save yourself," he refused to save himself because he died on the cross for us.

It's so human for us to give up when we face difficulty, when we face danger, when we are dealing with cost and sacrifice and price. It is so easy and so human to give up. But it is so divine, like Jesus, to stay strong even in the risk of failure. It's a dangerous faith.

You say, "Well, okay, I get the point you're making, Pastor. We are to risk and sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. But what exactly does that mean? How do you take risks for Jesus' sake in our generation?" It can be in a number of ways.

It could simply mean praying a bold prayer, asking God to do something so wonderful, so powerful, so glorious in your life that you know it's a risky prayer. You know unless God comes through and answers that prayer, it's never going to happen. You ever pray like that?

We often pray safe prayers, don't we? "Lord, bless the world. Lord, save the country." Those kinds of prayers, we don't know whether God answers them or not. But why don't you take a risk and start boldly praying dangerous, daring prayer?

Or take a risk and walk across the street in your own neighborhood and get to know your neighbor. Not talking about maybe just the weather or sports or whatever, your yard, but for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, building a friendship and a relationship with the people who live nearest to you with the prospect of sharing your faith and the love of Jesus Christ with your neighbor. That's taking a risk.

Take a risk by taking a stand in a politically correct generation for the sanctity of life. To risk your reputation and being called a fool and a fanatic for the sake of righteousness, for the sake of truth.

Or take a risk and volunteer in a ministry that moves you out of your comfort zone, that requires more than just showing up at church every now and then, that requires some risk-taking on your part, some surrender and sacrifice.

What about taking the risk of sacrificing your time and sacrificing your resources and your money for the cause of Christ? Students, what about taking a risk to risk your popularity and your standing among your friends by saying no when it seems that so many of your friends, some of your church friends even, are saying yes?

Saying no to drugs and no to alcohol and no to immorality. That's a risk that you would obey God and trust God rather than listening to the voices of this culture.

I could talk again and again of risks that we could take, but the fact is this is time for churches to take risk. This is not a time for weak pulpits and comfortable Christians.

Dante said the hottest place in hell is reserved for those who in time of crisis preserved their neutrality. May we never seek security, preserving our neutrality at the expense of the Lord Jesus Christ.

How sad it would be to face eternity, to face God, knowing that we didn't stay strong in the battle. That we didn't stand up for the gospel and for truth.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, A Dangerous Faith. How would you like to receive a digital daily devotion from Dr. Graham? It's a simple way to build a new habit, rekindle your passion for God, and remind yourself of his promises.

When you sign up, you'll receive a devotion each day that will help you on your journey of renewal and spiritual growth in 2026. We are offering this journey free of charge. All you have to do to sign up is text IGNITE to 59789. That's IGNITE to 59789.

When you support PowerPoint Ministries, you're helping share God's word with people around the world through programs like this one. Your gift will take the message of peace in Christ into more homes, hearts, and lives than ever before.

So consider partnering with us as we look to impact the world for Christ in 2026. Text JAN to 59789 to give your gift. That's JAN, J-A-N, to 59789. And thank you for making an eternal impact so more people can experience the hope of Jesus. Now, let's get back to today's message, A Dangerous Faith.

Jack Graham: The gospel not only changes hearts, but the gospel changes history. And wherever the gospel has been applied, history has been changed. And we can change history if we will proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But if we don't do it, we will lose. I was reading recently a book regarding Billy Graham. It was called *The Preacher and the Presidents*. It is a description of the relationship Billy Graham, the great evangelist, has had with the presidents.

One of the most interesting sections of this book describes his relationship with President Reagan and their involvement together in bringing down communism in the Soviet Union and the ending of the Cold War and the impact that Billy Graham and the Christian faith had on that.

Billy Graham was invited to go and preach in the Soviet Union and he was advised not to do it. Our own government and the State Department was encouraging him not to go. And conservative Christians even were saying, "You shouldn't go and that's a compromise" and so on.

But Billy Graham prayed about it. He talked to President Reagan and Vice President Bush about it. And he determined that it was the right thing to go and he ended up going because he said, "I thought it was worth the risk because my goal was to preach the gospel behind the Iron Curtain. My goal was to take the message of Christ into the Soviet Union and into the Eastern Bloc countries of that time."

And you know what happened? Billy Graham went in. He was accused of pandering to the Soviets and a lot of other things, but ultimately that Iron Curtain came down and that wall fell. And it was all because men like Billy Graham were willing to take a risk for the sake of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He said, "I believe it's worth the risk." Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first and to everyone who believes." He said, "I'm not ashamed" because literally he was saying, "I am confident in the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change hearts and to change history."

So what about us? Are we willing to take these kinds of risks? Don't waste your opportunity. God is calling you to the adventure of your life. To the opportunity of your life to live a dangerous, uncomfortable faith.

Now God may not be calling you to go across the world, but I know he's calling all of us to go across the comfort zones and the security systems of our life for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ.

May God help us to do it. You are what you are today because of what you have done with your opportunities. I'll say that again. You might want to write it down. You are what you are today because of what you've done with the opportunities you've been given in life.

And may God help us to seize the opportunities and therefore to shape our lives. All risk is voluntary. You may not be asked to die for your faith, but I do know this: God expects us to die daily for selfish interests and purposes and ambitions in our lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so that brings me to the second part of what I want to talk about and that is the reward. There is certainly risk, but there is great reward. A slogan in the investment world goes like this: Weigh the risk versus the reward. Weigh the risk versus the reward.

So let's take just a few more moments to do that. Let's weigh the risk, but let's look at the rewards. Jesus said when you take a chance on me and my kingdom and you invest in the work of my kingdom, you are laying up treasures in heaven.

Now, Barnabas is mentioned along with Paul as one of these risk-takers in Acts chapter 15, verse 26. This wasn't the first time he took a risk. Earlier in the book of Acts, when we first meet Barnabas, he was a man who apparently was of some means, who had some property and sold the property, took the proceeds of that property and gave it to the mission of Christ in his church.

It was an act of obedience and sacrifice on his part and he became known as the Son of Encouragement. He was such an encouragement to Peter and the apostles and to others, to that entire church and ultimately the encourager encouraged Paul himself and they traveled together as missionaries.

You see, sometimes we start by taking small risks that lead to greater risks and then the reward comes. Some of us need to take a small step and really a simple risk of tithing our incomes.

The biblical principle of giving is to take what belongs to God and give it back to him, starting with the first tenth. That's a tithe. And God actually says in the book of Malachi, "Don't rob me, but risk on me. Take a chance. Test me in this. That if you will bring your tithes and your offerings to me, see if I will not reward you. That I will not pour out a blessing upon you that you won't even be able to contain." Take a risk and expect the reward.

Now, I know to talk about tithing makes some people uncomfortable. And some of you, even to hear the idea of tithing, you say, "Man, it would be so risky for me to start tithing right now because I've got bills to pay. I have responsibilities."

And so when I can see my way clear, when I can get the bills taken care of, when the salary increases just a little bit more, when we have a little bit more money, then I'll take a risk when there's money in the bank. Well, there's no risk in that.

God says bring it to me in obedience and faith, take a risk and trust me in this, test me in this. The fact is there are many people today who don't trust God with their money.

So let me ask you: What sacrifices would you be willing to take and make if you knew you could change a heart? If you knew you could change the world?

What would you do for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ if you knew that you couldn't fail? That if by faith you would follow him. I'm not talking about being reckless, but I'm talking about taking risk to say, "Lord, here's my life. I will do your will wherever, whatever, whenever."

And I promise you there's an incredible reward in doing that. He will hold you and even in the tough times. Back when I was pastor down in West Palm Beach, I got to know a Hollywood stuntman. He was a daredevil of sorts and he would jump out of anything.

They were actually filming a movie in our area and were using our church facilities. They were jumping across our buildings. We gave them permission to do that. And I was watching them fall, you know, three or four stories onto a mat below.

In fact, this guy got close to me. He encouraged me to stand up on our buildings and actually fall off three stories into that mat. I didn't do it. I chickened out at the last minute. I just couldn't do it. I wanted to do it, but I couldn't do it.

But this guy said something to me I'll never forget. He said, "Jack, I'll jump off anything if I've got a good catcher." Well, you've got a good catcher.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, A Dangerous Faith. Right now, you have the incredible opportunity to help someone experience the everlasting hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Your generous support of PowerPoint Ministries is making a real and lasting difference, changing lives for eternity, one heart at a time. Because through your support, you're not just impacting your own walk with Christ, you're also ensuring countless others around the world have the chance to hear his love and hope.

So text JAN to 59789 to give your gift. Again, text JAN, J-A-N, to 59789. We want to send you Dr. Graham's daily devotional Ignite every day for 2026. It's a simple way to build a new habit, rekindle your passion for God, and remind yourself of his promises every morning.

When you sign up, you'll receive a devotion each day that will help you on your journey of renewal and spiritual growth in 2026. And it is absolutely free. All you have to do to sign up is text IGNITE to 59789. That's IGNITE to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?

Jack Graham: The Christian life is absolutely a high-risk life. The scripture gives us evidence that our faith is never dull or boring. Instead, it's exciting, energetic, and full of abundance. In the early church, believers risked their lives for the glory of God.

And in the same way, we should die to ourselves every day and put our lives on the line for the cause of Christ in the name of Jesus. Be a risk-taker. Don't wait until tomorrow or next week or next month to muster up the courage to step out of your comfort zone and share Christ with your neighbor, your family member, or coworker.

Take a risk and do something radical for Jesus today. Now, if today you don't know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you're taking a risk that is not worth taking. You're risking your eternal destiny.

And Christ is asking you today to eliminate that risk from your life by accepting his free gift of forgiveness of grace that will change your life now and forever. If you would receive Christ into your life today, then pray a prayer of faith like this:

Lord Jesus, I turn from my sin and I trust in you. I believe you died on the cross for my sins, that you rose again, and right now I receive you as my Lord, my Savior, my Master, and friend. Come into my life, Lord Jesus, and I will live for you in the power of your Holy Spirit until you come for me.

Guest (Female): And that is today's PowerPoint. Today, if you prayed that prayer with Dr. Graham and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, we'd love to hear from you so we can help you begin your new life with Christ.

Please text the word JESUS to 59789. That's JESUS to 59789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about how to seize the opportunity God's given you to make each day special. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.