Discovering God in the Midst of the Risks
As we continued in our current series, “Compelled,” Bruce Farley shared as we reflected on the profound invitation God extends to each of us: to come to His table of mercy and grace, and then to courageously extend that same invitation to others. The love of Christ is not just something to be received, but something to be shared, even when it feels risky or uncomfortable. The cross is not just a symbol of our salvation, but a reminder of the cost and the call to live fully for Him, compelled by His love.
We considered the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, where Jesus crossed social, cultural, and religious barriers to engage with someone considered an outsider. He took the risk to see her, connect with her, and offer her living water. This is the model for us: to look for where God is already at work in the lives of those around us, and to step into those spaces, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zones.
Key Takeaways
– Risk is the Pathway to Partnership with God
God is already at work extending His love and mercy to those who don’t yet know Him. Our calling is not to manufacture opportunities, but to courageously step into the risks He places before us, discovering where He is moving and joining Him there. This partnership is not about safety, but about adventure with Christ, trusting that He invites us to carry the hope of the gospel into the world.
– Shining as Light Means Embracing Our True Identity
To shine in a dark and broken world is first about embracing the identity Jesus gives us: “You are the light of the world.” This is not a call to self-promotion, but to live authentically and generously, letting the hope of Christ radiate through everyday actions. When we open our lives to others, we prompt them to open up to God, fulfilling our purpose as bearers of His light.
– Seeing and Connecting Requires Intentional Compassion
It is easy to hide behind busyness or technology, but Jesus calls us to slow down, lift our heads, and truly see the people around us. Compassion is not for abstract concepts, but for real people with real stories. When we risk genuine connection, we reflect the heart of Christ, who saw the crowds and was moved with compassion, and we become conduits of His love.
– Embracing Messiness is Essential to Extending Grace
Inviting others to the table of God’s mercy will inevitably involve messiness—both theirs and ours. Jesus modeled this by associating with those considered “scum” by the religious elite, reminding us that the church is meant to be a hospital for the broken. When we are “care-full” for others, the river of God’s love flows through us, and we experience His care in deeper ways.
– Sharing Jesus is a Risk Worth Taking
There is a sobering weight to Jesus’ words about acknowledging Him before others, but the risk of sharing our faith is far outweighed by the joy of seeing lives transformed. Witnessing is less about forcing a message and more about witnessing God at work and joining Him. Asking simple, honest questions and listening well opens doors for the Spirit to move, and even when we stumble, God’s grace invites us to keep stepping out in faith.
Reflection Questions
- Think about a time when you felt God nudging you to reach out to someone outside your comfort zone. What held you back? What would it look like to take that risk next time?
- Are there people in your life you tend to overlook or avoid because their lives seem “messy”? What would it look like to intentionally see and connect with them, as Jesus did?
- Bruce challenged us to “shine as light” in everyday life. What is one specific way you can let the hope of Christ show through your actions this week—at work, school, or in your neighborhood?
- Bruce described witnessing as asking honest questions and listening well. Who is one person you could ask, “What do you think about Jesus?” How can you prepare to listen without an agenda?
- Bruce ended the message with the idea that the risks we take are invitations to join God’s adventure. What is one “risk” you sense God inviting you to take this week?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from Oct 5
- “I Thank God”
- “It’s The Cross”
- “Gratitude”
- “Table” (after the message)
Listen to the songs we play on Sundays by clicking the image below to access our Spotify playlist!
