By: Pastor Dave Hentschel
There are two main issues when it comes to being risk adverse and those issues are fear and control. And these two are related, right? We fear because we lack control, and we try to control, because we’re afraid. But the Bible teaches us how to deal with both.
First, when it comes to dealing with our lack of control, the bible teaches that this means humbling ourselves. The issue is you don’t know. You think you can manage all this, but you can’t. 3,000 years ago, Solomon said, guess what, you don’t know, you’re not God. God is God.
So, you need to humble yourself and recognize you’re not in charge. You can’t manage everything in your life. You’re not in control, but there is one who is. His name is Jesus Christ.
And you can trust Him. Because he’s good. And this leads us to deal with the second issue when it comes to being risk averse.
So, to deal with fear, what we have to do is we’ve got to relocate our identity, not in our possessions or not in our accomplishments, but only in our relationship with God. Here’s why that’s relevant, sometimes if we risk and we lose, we see that loss as a statement about our worthy and about our identity. But if our identity is rooted in anything except God, this is a problem, because its unstable, so we’ve got to make God, our real and most valuable asset. And if we have him, there’s never any risk to this asset, no matter what happens.
This is what a Christian is. It’s someone who says. “God, you are my real asset.” And so, I’m not afraid. Because my real assets are never ever in jeopardy. So, as Christians we confidently sing:
My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom's fleeting light
Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
(So) I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross.
And so, we don’t have to fear, because knowing God is our greatest asset, and that asset is never in jeopardy. Because God’s “perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18, ESV)
MBC's Bible Engagement Plan
MBC’s Bible Engagement Plan: Isaiah – From Ruin to Redemption
As a church community, our desire is to move from hearing God’s Word to living it out daily. This Bible Engagement Plan is designed to help us walk through Isaiah together in a weekly rhythm that deepens our understanding while also cultivating habits of daily reading and reflection.
- LISTEN TO THE SUNDAY SERMON
Each week begins with the Pastor’s Sunday sermon on a passage from Isaiah and includes
- Pastor’s Outline: A guide to follow along and take notes. We also suggest picking up the Isaiah scripture journal from the Welcome Center.
- Discussion Questions: Provided to encourage reflection and conversation in small groups, families, or personal study. If you are not already part of a small group, consider joining one this Fall: Click here to explore one of MBC’s small groups
- READ AND REFLECT ON THE WEEKLY PLAN
Monday through Saturday, follow the suggested reading plan outlined in the Saturday eNews Bulletin. As you read and reflect on your passage each day, ask these two guiding questions and jot down your thoughts in your Isaiah journal.
- What does this passage reveal about God—His character, His purposes, or His promises?
- How should I respond in light of what I’ve read—through trust, obedience, repentance, or worship?
- MEMORIZE THE WEEKLY KEY VERSE
Every week, one key verse from the sermon will be highlighted for memory. You are invited to use the free Bible Memory app and join the “Millington Baptist Church” Bible memorization group: Click here to join
- READ AND REFLECT ON THE PASTOR’S DEVOTIONAL BLOG
Each Wednesday, one of our pastors will share a devotional expanding on the sermon theme helping to connect Isaiah’s message to everyday life.
Why This Rhythm Matters
- Immersion: This plan helps you engage learning in multiple ways—hearing, reading, memorizing, and reflecting—so you gain a richer understanding of Isaiah’s message.
- Transformation in Community: Discussion questions and shared readings create space for us to learn together and nurture application of the biblical principles into our daily lives.
Questions or comments?
Contact Amy Huber, Director of Discipleship and Connections: ahuber@millingtonbaptist.org
Previous Entries
Pastor Bob Erbig and Pastor Dave Hentschel
