Called to Be Super-Heroes
(I Timothy 6:11-17, 20-21)
1. [This is a combination Norwegian and Chinese joke]
A young man walks through New York Chinatown and notices a shop with the name Hans Olaffsen's Laundry. He thought it seemed out of place but curiosity got the best of him and he walked into the shop. He sees an old Chinese man sitting in the corner.
He asked the old man, How in the world did this place get a name like Hans Olaffsen's Laundry?
The old man, who is the owner, replied, “That’s my name.”
The young man asked, “How did you get a name like Hans Olaffsen?
The old man answers, “Many years ago when I came to this country from Hong Kong, I was standing in line at Immigration. A man in front of me was a big blond Norwegian. The lady from Immigration asked him, What is your name? He say "Hans Olaffsen". Lady ask me, What is your name? I say Sam Ting.”
2. When fiction writers come up with explanations for how their super-heroes received their amazing powers, they have to be as creative as the author of the above joke. Superman comes from another planet where the pull of gravity is stronger, so he has super human strength. Then there are explanations for
Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider Man, the incredible Hulk, and my favorite, Dr. Who.
3. Superheroes are unusually strong, cared about protecting others, travelled in time, and apprehend criminals. The world was a safer, better place because of them.
Main Idea: In the spiritual realm, we are called to be God’s super heroes. We can only be super heroes on earth, because — when we are in heaven — we will not need these unique skills.
I. We Must PURSUE Virtue (11)
A. We must run from the distraction of RICHES
B. God wants us to monitor the condition of our HEARTS and outward DISPOSITION
1. Inwardly, we are asked to pursue holiness
2. Outwardly, we are to be gentle and loving toward others
3. Riding a bike: tricycle, training wheels, small bike, multi-speed
4. Some days I feel impatient/irritable; to overcome this, I must first be aware
C. Superheroes don’t just run to escape, they also RUN after something
1. You run away from danger to preserve yourself
2. You run toward virtue to make a difference
3. Some say enjoy God’s grace & he will fix you; others, believe Gospel more
4. Sounds spiritual, but we have responsibility; that is why we are commanded to put off the works of the flesh and put on holiness
Are you actively pursuing virtue, or rarely even think about the subject? Habits.
II. We Must FIGHT the Good Fight of Faith (12a)
The Greek word for fight agwnizomai was in transition; it was originally a battle term that became an athletic term. We get our word “agonize” from it.
A. Do you ever get battle WEARY? Good!
B. Our fights are within BOTH Kingdoms: Of Darkness and Of God
• Most of us are not prepared for internal sabotage
• Supposedly thousand of Americans show interest in joining ISIS
• We think of Satan outside the church building walls, but he works thru us
• Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!”
Jesus threatens the Church at Pergamum in Revelation 2 :14-16, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.”
C. Our fight is against DEMONS, ideas, thoughts, and ATTITUDES
Ephesians 6;12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”
• Superheroes fight physical villains; we fight more dastardly, nebulous ones
III. We Must Travel in Time and Space and Take Hold of Eternal Life NOW (12b)
A. The genuine believer ALREADY possesses eternal life
We are legally seated with Christ in heaven; we are to set our minds on heaven, where Jesus is. We are to borrow strength for today based upon what waits for us tomorrow at God’s side.
B. Before Timothy was immersed, he CONFESSED his faith in Jesus
C. Like all believers, he is called to walk in the NEWNESS of life
1. Biggest struggles leaders have: same struggles every true Christian has!
2. The fundamental disciplines and beliefs are always the most crucial
D. We get tastes of our FUTURE and then come back to live now in light of it!
By faith, we can sort of travel through time, see how things will turn out, & return
IV. We Must Super Focus on the Commandment to FOLLOW Jesus (13-16)
A. Like Jesus, Timothy was to stay TRUE to his confession and not waver (13)
B. He was to FOCUS on staying true to the commitment he made to Jesus (14a)
• Remember how Superman could see through walls? We have to see Jesus.
C. Goal: to be found faithful if Jesus should COME in our lifetime (14b-15a)
D. We need to remind ourselves of WHO it is we serve (15b-16)
1. The temptation is to get discouraged because of how people behave; the servant of the Lord must keep his eyes on the Lord, not people
2. Perhaps this was a hymn or benediction in use within the churches
3. Perhaps a Midrash on Exodus 33:20-23; God is speaking to Moses:
But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.”
V. We Must PROTECT the Trust of Truth Anchored in God’s Word (20-21)
Will our children walk in the truth?
A. Evil agents are out to distort the precious TREASURE God has deposited (20a)
B. Most people who abandon their faith do so out of WORLDLINESS (20b)
• Moral reasons: they want to live in a way that is contrary to Scripture
C. Some turn away for seemingly INTELLECTUAL reasons
D. False teachers are often EFFECTIVE
E. Superheroes cannot protect EVERYONE, but do effectively protect some
