Series: Jesus Is Better- The Better Way [#3]
GOD’S SUPERMAN
Hebrews 11:8-19
Introduction:
[Prop: A television remote control.]
Look at what I brought with me today. Do you know what this is? [A television remote control.] I’ve always wondered how these things work. You just click on this button and the TV comes on, and click on this button and it changes channels. It will do a lot of things without even yelling at the TV. This remote control will do some amazing things; but there are some things it won’t do. It doesn’t work on people. If you don’t believe that ask my wife, because she has tried. It also doesn’t work if you don’t push the buttons. No matter how good of a remote control you have, if you don’t push the buttons it won’t work. The remote control works with the TV to accomplish the things you want it to do. This remote control also will not work without batteries, because the batteries are what gives the “remote control” power.
In order for us to be Super Heroes of the faith, we need to be powered up by the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living within us; but just like the remote control, if we do not allow the power source to give us the power we need or we simply choose not to use the power source we have; then nothing is going to happen.
An “old school” Super Hero that we all have heard of is Super Man and I want to look at God’s Superman this morning. All Super Heroes have a weakness and Super Man’s weakness was ____________ (kryptonite)? Let me ask you as believer’s in Christ, what is your kryptonite? What is those things that keep you from being a Super Hero of the faith?
Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV)
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Is your kryptonite…
1. The fear of the unknown?
There are some of us in this room this morning that are “fly by the seat of your pants” type people. You know, live moment by moment. There are others of us in this room who are very planned and methodical about what we do. Now there are positive and negatives to both types of people, but for the planned and organized people in this room, the fear of the unknown can keep you from walking in faith.
I don’t like surprises. I like to have time to organize and plan what I’m going to do and that is o.k. except when it causes me to be disobedient to God. You “Organized Folks” must understand that sometimes you must stop calculating and figuring; and just take a step of faith and go.
Hebrews 11:11-12 (NIV)
“By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”
Is your kryptonite…
2. The fear of the impossible?
Maybe you are here today and you have not stepped out in faith simply because what God is asking you to do is impossible. Abraham and Sarah having a baby at their age was impossible. Jesus Christ being born of a virgin was impossible. Shawn Drake being able to stand in front of people and preach without crying or getting sick was impossible.
Never forget that nothing is impossible with God. You may be like Sarah and laugh at God. You may be like me and laugh at God; but with God, nothing is impossible.
Hebrews 11:13-14 (NIV)
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”
Is your kryptonite…
3. The lack of instant gratification?
For many living today, instant gratification is definitely a hindrance. We think that just because we do something for God or we make a request of God that it should immediately happen. We live with a “Fast Food” mentality- “Have it my way, right a way, and right now!” You may be saying, “I went and did what God said to and nothing happened”; so obviously that must mean that wasn’t really what God wanted you to do. Are you sure? You may be like Abraham or Moses or David; and never see everything happen that God promised you would happen; but in God’s time it will happen because God has never and will never break a promise. When God says that He will send Jesus back to rapture Christians out of this world, it will happen. When God says that there will be a time when Jesus reigns on this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords for a 1000 years, it will happen.
Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”
Is your kryptonite…
4. The unwillingness to make sacrifices?
God never makes it easy on us, does He? He doesn’t ask us to give up things that are easy. I’m reminded of growing up with some Catholic friends who had to give up something every year for Lent. 1 of my friends would give up broccoli every year. Guess what? He hated broccoli. I remember telling him 1 year, that if he was really serious about this Lent thing, to give up those chocolate candy bars he loved so much. He refused.
It is easy to sacrifice things of no value; but the true test of our faith is when God ask us to give up that thing that is the most valuable to us.
Hebrews 11:15-16 (NIV)
“If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
Is your kryptonite…
5. The pull of the world?
Christians, if you ever forget that you are a foreigner in this world, that this world is not your home; then you will be ineffective. The enemy is going to do everything he can to convince you that your life is terrible, that you have no future, that nothing is going to get better. Just remember the old hymn: “This world is not my home,
I’m just a passing through”. Christians, you ought to be storing up treasures in Heaven, because that is where your eternal home is.
Conclusion:
When we don’t allow these things to keep us from walking in faith, we are motivated to do at least 7 things: Trust God, make sacrifices, be patient, bless other people, be persistent, be joyful, and make eternal choices.
Do you want to be a Superman or Superwoman for God today? Don’t let the kryptonite get you; but plug into the power of God so that the Holy Spirit might empower you to experience these 7 things.
