What It Takes To Be A Christian Hero

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHRISTIAN HERO

HEBREWS 11:32-12:2

INTRODUCTION: Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. It is a time in which we honor many of our nation’s heroes. Let me ask you what is a hero? One dictionary defines a hero as (1.) A mythological and legendary man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. (2.) A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: (3.) A person noted for special achievement in a particular field (sports, medicine, etc.) Too many are looking for the wrong characteristics to determine what it takes to be a hero. Hebrews 11 provides us with a list of some of God’s past heroes. They were ordinary people who were used by God. Everyone here can be a hero, one of God’s heroes. This morning I would like to share with you what it takes to be a true hero, a Christian hero. You see, a Christian hero is not some superman, endowed with a myriad of abilities and talents. It is an individual who is willing to believe God’s Word, commit himself to God’s Will, and devote himself to God’s Work.

I. Belief in God’s Word

A. Today, many looked up to sport stars and athletes, movie stars and musicians as heroes. They are seen, as heroes because in many ways they do things that most of us can’t. But God’s heroes, the heroes of the Bible, were not men and women of extraordinary ability or talent but men and women of extraordinary faith.

B. 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"

C. Every individual listed in Hebrews 11 took God at His word. Look at want it says about Abraham in Romans 4:18-20 "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

D. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

E. Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."

F. Certainly God can use a person of great intellect, but only as long as his faith is even greater. - Fred Smith in Leadership, Vol. 10, no. 2.

II. Commitment to God’s Will

A. Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."

B. Someone said, "A hero is someone who is sincere and does his duty. He is a man really stands up and is counted, ethically, morally and humanly."

C. Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

D. It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes consecrated men. – Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)