Christian Superheros

Matthew Eyerman

September 14, 2003

Corpus Christi Revival

I. Introduction

1. you did it & I did it

2. at some point in our lives

3. we wanted to be super heroes

4. able to

a. leap tall buildings

b. run fast

c. stamp out evil

d. swing from buildings like a spider

e. and guys

f. always get the girl

5. today is your opportunity to be Christian Super Heroes

II. requirements ---- #1

1. requirements for “super hero ness”

2. return to Mark 16:16-17 or page 31 -32

3. first: believe and be baptized

4. not just enough to believe in your front room

5. be baptized

a. that is make a declaration of that faith

b. and root that faith in a church

6. all super heroes go to church

a. not like the pews go

b. actively involved

III. requirements ----- #2

1. second: work in Jesus’ name

2. super hero power are not given

a. as proof that we are really holy

b. as demonstrations so we believe

c. for our benefit

d. or even for the benefit of just the church

3. super hero power is given

a. as proof that our mission is the mission of the disciples

b. as a sign that Jesus is with us

c. for the benefit of all

4. super heroes are not famous

5. our work is to make Jesus famous

IV. expel demons & handle snakes --- bible

1. ready super heroes

2. first power

a. expel demons

b. handle snakes

3. begin with the biblical root of this power

4. Jesus cast out all kinds of demons

5. gives that power to the disciples in Mark 6:7

6. snakes have long been associated with the devil

a. it was a snake who tricked Adam and Eve

b. snake crawls on to Paul

c. those looking see that evil is going to get him

7. no way

8. super heroes have power over snakes too

9. Jesus tells us in Luke’s Gospel that we will tread on

a. snakes

b. scorpions

c. and the rest of the power the enemy

V. expel demons & handle snakes --- us

1. think of expelling demons and handling the devil

2. perhaps think of horror movies

3. the Exorcist

4. clearly the devil can be busy in that way

5. but we are more likely to meet the devil in the routine of our lives

6. how about the demon of despair

a. life is too burdensome to go on

b. once unheard of

c. suicide is growing by double digits in the Black community

7. how about the demon of addiction

a. addiction to drugs and alcohol

b. addiction to the boat

c. addiction to that relationship that is just no good

d. addiction to buying --- got to have just one more jersey, shoes, etc

8. how about the demon of keeping up appearances

a. how are you doing

b. fine

c. wonderful

d. could not be better

e. like living in clothes 2 sizes to small

VI. super hero signal

1. attention super heroes

2. look in the sky

3. it is not the bat signal

4. it is the

a. Jesus signal

b. the cross

5. tell the demons

a. you don’t have to go home

b. but you have to get up outta here

6. demon of despair

a. reach out and call someone

b. get involved in other’s lives

7. demon of addiction

a. let it go

b. help someone else let it go

c. get professional help to let it go

8. demon of appearance

a. if your friends only like you because of your appearance

b. money appearance, style appearance, whatever appearance

c. find new friends

d. friends that like you in good time and bad

e. friends that know some Bob Marley

f. everything is gonna be all right

9. superheroes

a. cast out some demons

b. step on some snakes

VII. speak new languages and drink poison

1. next super hero power

2. speak new languages and drink poison

3. biblically new language has three references

4. speak charismatically

a. in language only God understands

b. 1 Corinthians 14

5. we know this

a. nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen

b. nobody but Jesus

c. speak to God with just a groan or a word

d. knows what we are saying

6. speak all the languages of the word

a. to proclaim Good News

b. Acts 2

7. we know this

a. the Tuite House seminarians all speak English

b. yet it is British English

c. miscommunication between them and I

d. separated by a common language

e. took time to learn each other’s language

8. in unexpected ways

a. open our mouths

b. something really smart comes out