Believe It Or Not Series

The early church understood this quality. They did not seek to satisfy themselves, but rather sought the good of all men, saved and unsaved. To the saved, they prayed that their good gestures would bring them to Christ. After all, it was the Lord who said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). To fellow believers, they shared the grace of God and worked to edify each other.

Johann Sebastian Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub.”

He headed his compositions: “J.J.” “Jesus Juva” which means “Jesus help me.”

He ended them “S.D.G.” “Soli Dei gratia” which means “To God alone the praise.”

That is also our goal in life in all we do. Paul commanded, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Later he would say, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Peter concurred, adding, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: … in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).

This attribute should be common among all believers, with all of us desiring to glorify God, and thus be unlikely heroes.

CONCLUSION

Does anyone remember the TV show “The Greatest American Hero”? The series chronicles teacher Ralph Hinkley’s adventures after a group of aliens gives him a red and black suit that grants him superhuman abilities. Unfortunately for Ralph, who hates wearing the suit, he immediately loses its instruction booklet, and thus has to learn how to use its powers by trial and error, often with comical results. The lyrics to the theme song, Believe It or Not, are:

Look at what's happened to me,

I can't believe it myself.

Suddenly I'm up on top of the world,

It should've been somebody else.

Believe it or not,

I'm walking on air.

I never thought I could feel so free-.

Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

Who could it be?

Believe it or not it's just me.

It's like a light of a new day,

It came from out of the blue.

Breaking me out of the spell I was in,

Making all of my wishes come true.

Believe it or not,

I'm walking on air.

I never thought I could feel so free-.

Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

Who could it be?

Believe it or not, it's just me.

To whom are you a hero today? You might be saying, “Wait, what, me a hero?” Yes, you! You might be thinking that it could never be you, that you are not a good enough example, that you have a lot to work on yourself. That’s okay. The heroes we will be considering never thought anyone would ever consider them a hero, yet here we are thousands of years later talking about them.

Whether you realize it or not, someone somewhere is looking to you as their hero in the faith. Don’t make excuses of why you can’t, get busy in cooperating with the Spirit to be the best saint God expects you to be! With his empowering grace, you CAN and WILL BE someone’s unlikely hero!

Who could it be – believe it or not it’s just … YOU!