Heroes #1 Series

HEROES #1

INTRO TO TOPIC: Heroes. The world’s looking for a superhero. We see it in the interest of superheroes in the movies – we’re all looking for a hero.

KEY TEXT: Daniel 11:32b.

“But the people who know their God will be strong and carry out great exploits.”

THE BIG IDEA: Although Jesus is the world’s greatest superhero, God is calling every one of us to be heroes as well – to be people who will know God, be strong, and have great adventures. Heroes are made when you make a choice – will you be a hero?

SONG & POWER POINT: Hero by Superchic(k)

BIBLE STORY: The Good Samaritan

“25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" 27 So he answered and said, "’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ’your neighbor as yourself.’ " 28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

• This is the background for a familiar story that Jesus is about to share with this lawyer.

• The man asked an important question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

• Jesus stressed loving God and loving people as the two greatest commandments.

• The lawyer asked, “But who is my neighbour?”

30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ’Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" 37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37).

• In the story we have a victim who is wounded and left for dead. Three witnesses:

• The first two do nothing. These were church-goers, but their church attendance didn’t affect their life when they left the church.

• The third one had compassion and did something. Love is a verb that requires action:

- he went to him

- he bandaged his wounds

- he poured on oil and wine

- he set him on his own animal

- he brought him to an inn

- he took care of him

• When Jesus said, “Who was a neighbour?” He could have said, “Who was the hero?”

• It doesn’t matter how smart, strong or ‘spiritual’ you are – will you make a choice to DO SOMETHING? Heroes are made when you make a choice!

HOW CAN YOU BE A HERO?

H - Help those in need:

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it.” (Romans 15:1-3, The Message).

• Just like the Good Samaritan, we need to have eyes and hearts open to those around us.

• Maybe you have a friend or family member who is sick, sad, or in trouble.

• Help them out! “Find a need and fill it!”

E - Encourage people:

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11).

• To encourage means to give courage to someone. Opposite of discouraging someone.