EVERYDAY HEROES
God Wants to Use You — FATHER’S DAY 2023
“It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ago… He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Ephesians 2:10 (TLB)
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” Titus 2:7 (ESV)
“The godly people in the land are my TRUE HEROES! I take pleasure in them.” Psalm 16:3 (NLT)
THREE OF THE QUALITIES THAT MAKE A HERO
1. REAL HEROES STAND ALONE FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
“These are the… three most heroic men in David’s army: Josheb … Eleazar … and Shammah. Once during an attack, when all [Shammah’s men] deserted him… he stood alone at the center of a field… and beat back the Philistines; and God gave him a great victory.” 2 Samuel 23:8-12 (TLB)
“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong….” Exodus 23:2 (NIV)
“Do not model your behavior on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern the will of God—what is good and acceptable and mature.” Romans 12:2 (NJB; NLT)
“Blessed are you who give yourselves over to GOD, turn your backs on the world’s ‘sure thing,’ [and] ignore what the world worships.” Psalm 40:4 (MSG)
2. REAL HEROES MAKE SACRIFICES FOR OTHERS.
“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” Matthew 20:26b (MSG)
“… The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
“Jesus brought the sacrifice for the sins of [all] the people once and for all, when he sacrificed himself.” Hebrews 7:27b (GW)
“… Even [if you give] a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 (NLT)
“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them… and protect the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (GNT; TEV)
3. REAL HEROES TAKE RISK FOR GOD.
“… Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and [you’ll] end up holding the bag.” Luke 19:26 (MSG)
“If you try to [keep your life for yourself], you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, [you will find true life].” Mark 8:35 (NLT)
“… Anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 (MSG)