FOM Notes

Faith Is Dangerous Because . . .It’s Unpredictable
Part 1 of 5 in the series “Dangerous Faith”

March 8, 2009 Pastor Scott Oldenburgh

“I imagine that Jesus and his early followers were much more likely to be perceived as lunatics, radicals, rebels, and cultists than to be thought of as hypocritical”

David Kinnaman

Unchurched

WHY IS THAT STATEMENT TRUE?

The difference in the type of faith we read about in the Bible and the type of faith many Christians tend to live is as vast as the difference between . . .

(kittens and puppies)

and

a (roaring lion)

We live a cute, cuddly faith because it’s . . .

ü E (asier)

ü Non – (threatening)

ü C (omfortable)

ü P (redictable)

It’s no wonder that many men have left the church in droves or stay away –

Christianity is perceived as a thing for (weak) people

A GENUINE FAITH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT’S UNPREDICTABLE

“David said to Saul, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.’ ”

I Samuel 17:32

FAITH IS DANGEROUS WHEN I AM WILLING TO . . .

Ü give up complete (control)

Ü step out beyond my (comfort) zone

Ü follow through and see something (change)

EXAMPLES OF DANGEROUS FAITH

ðThe orphanage builder

ðThe street people greeter

ðThe gay/lesbian dinner host

ðThe AIDS ministry traveler

ðThe co-worker listener

ðThe neighborhood conversationalist

ðThe volunteer with a purpose

Bill Hybels calls that need to identify and live out this sense of dangerous abandonment your

(holy discontent)

† WHAT IS YOUR HOLY DISCONTENT?

† WHAT IS IT CALLING YOU TO DO?

† ARE YOU WILLING TO BE UNPREDICTABLE?

† ARE YOU WILLING TO BE DANGEROUS?