Heroes
Who are some of our heroes?
Willie Mays- 7095 put outs as an outfielder- All time record, career batting avg was .302, 8 consecutive years he drove in 100 runs or more, won the Gold glove award 12 times, had 660 home runs 3rd all time homerun record,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947 as Fredrick Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr) is an American athlete and retired professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. During his 20 years in the NBA from 1969 to 1989, he scored 38,387 points – the highest total of any player in league history – in addition to winning a record six Most Valuable Player Awards. He was known for his "Skyhook" shot, which was famously difficult to block because it put his 7’ 2" in body between the basket and the ball. Abdul-Jabbar’s success began well before his professional career; in college, he played on three championship teams, and his high school team won 71 consecutive games.
Peter Edward "Pete" Rose, Sr. (born April 14, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio), nicknamed Charlie Hustle, is a former player and manager in Major League Baseball. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, best known for his many years with the Cincinnati Reds. Rose, a switch hitter, is the all-time Major League leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at bats (14,053), and outs (10,328). He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and made 17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five different positions (2B, LF, RF, 3B, and 1B). Rose’s nickname, "Charlie Hustle", was given to him for his play beyond the "call of duty" while on the field. Even when being walked, Rose would run to first base, instead of the traditional walk to base. Rose was also known for sliding headfirst into a base, his signature move
George Herman Ruth, Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948), also popularly known as "Babe", "The Bambino", and "The Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914 to 1935. Named the greatest baseball player in history in various surveys and rankings, his home run hitting prowess and charismatic personality made him a larger than life figure in the "Roaring Twenties". He was the first player to hit 60 home runs in one season (1927), a record which stood for 34 years until broken by Roger Maris in 1961. Ruth’s lifetime total of 714 home runs at his retirement in 1935 was a record for 39 years, until broken by Hank Aaron in 1974. Unlike many power hitters, Ruth also hit for average: his .342 lifetime batting is tenth highest in baseball history, and in one season (1923) he hit .393, just missing the vaunted .400 mark. His .690 career slugging percentage, and 1.164 career OPS, remain the major league records.
SGT. ALVIN YORK
He overcame conscientious objections to answer the call to WWI. On October 8, 1918, with an eye trained by hunting in rural Tennessee, York picked off 17 Germans with 17 rounds; 132 others surrendered to the lone, lanky corporal. Back in the U.S., York put away his Medal of Honor and opened a Bible college. This exemplar of the American fighting man died in 1964, all but forgotten.
ROSA PARKS
From the back of a Montgomery bus she rose as the mother of the civil rights movement. Rosa Parks could have given her seat to a white man; she could have allowed the unjust laws of segregation to continue. She could have allowed centuries of oppression to continue for just one more day, one short bus ride. Instead, announced President Clinton at the presentation of her 1996 Medal of Freedom Award, "When our descendants look back in time to trace the fight for freedom, Rosa Parks will stand among our nation’s greatest patriots, the legendary figures whose courage sustained us and pushed us forward."
ANDREW CARNEGIE
This immigrant son of a Scottish weaver turned his own savings into one of the world’s greatest philanthropic institutions. He amassed his wealth during the boom of the industrial age -- his Carnegie Steel Corporation sold for $400 million in 1901 -- through a strict adherence to Darwinian principles of capitalism. Competition he argued, though often difficult on the individual, bettered the entire race. As for his own responsibility, and for others in his millionaire class, charity was the only way. A true believer in the quest to "help those who will help themselves," Carnegie’s money produced some of the world’s finest libraries, museums, and universities.
All of these people played an important role in the lives of people around the world, but what is missing?
§ Some entertained
§ Some showed us what fortitude was
§ Some showed us what hard work will do for us
§ Some showed us the way to change our world
§ Some left millions of dollars for charities
§ Some saved countless lives
Another hero has the following to his accolades:
Water turned to wine. John 2:6-10.
John 2:6-9 (NKJV)
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
Healed a nobleman’s son John 4:46-53.
John 4:46-53 (NKJV)
46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” 49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.
Centurion’s servant healed. Mt 9:5-13.
Matthew 9:1-7 (NKJV)
So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” 3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.
Draughts of fish. Lu 5:4-6; John 21:6.
Luke 5:1-9 (NKJV)
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He csat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
Devils cast out. Mt 8:28-32; 9:32,33; 15:22-28; 17:14-18; Mr 1:23-27.
Mark 1:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Lepers cleansed. Mt 8:3; Lu 17:14.
Luke 5:12-15 (NKJV)
12And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, Iam willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” 15 However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.
The dead raised to life. Mt 9:18; 19:23-25; Lu 7:12-15; John 11:11-44.
Luke 7:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Matthew 9:18-26 (NKJV)
18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. 20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. 23 tWhen Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.
The blind restored to sight. Mt 9:27-30; Mr 8:22-25; John 9:1-7.
Matthew 9:27-31 (NKJV)
27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.
The deaf and dumb cured. Mr 7:32-35.
The multitude fed. Mt 14:15-21; 15:32-38.
Matthew 14:13-21 (NKJV)
13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
His walking on the sea. Mt 14:25-27.
Matthew 14:22-26 (NKJV)
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
Peter walking on the sea. Mt 14:29.
Tempest stilled. Mt 8:23-26; 14:32.
Woman healed of infirmity. Lu 13:11-13.
Dropsy cured. Lu 14:2-4.
Fig tree blighted. Mt 21:19.
Malchus healed. Lu 22:50,51.
Performed before the messengers of John. Lu 7:21,22.
Many and divers diseases healed. Mt 4:23,24; 14:14; 15:30; Mr 1:34; Lu 6:17-19.
His transfiguration. Mt 17:1-8.
His resurrection. Lu 24:6; John 10:18.
His appearance to his disciples, the doors being shut. John 20:19.
His ascension. Ac 1:9.
These feats alone are good enough reason for me to count Jesus as my hero.
But He is much more than that:
Jesus Christ is God and Creator:
John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
1. We must acknowledge God as the Creator of everything, accepting our humble position in God’s created order and purpose. Romans 1:20-21:
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
2. We must realize that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness. None of us are worthy under God’s standards. Romans 3:10-12 Romans 3:23:
Romans 3:10-12
10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”
3. Sin/death entered the world through one man- Adam Romans 5:12
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned”
4. If we remain sinners we die Romans 6:23a
“For the wages of sin is death,”
5. God gave us the way to be forgiven of our sins. He showed us His love by giving us the potential for life through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8:
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
6. If we repent of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will have eternal life. Romans 6:23b:
”but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
7. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you are saved. Romans 10:9-10:
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
6. There are no other religious formulas or rituals. Just call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved! Romans 10:13:
“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
7. Determine in your heart to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life today. Romans 11:36:
"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."
His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
Are ready for more than a hero?
Are you ready for a Savior?
