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Friday, August 19, 2011

A REAL SUPER HERO!

SuperHero

By Glen M. Copple

Hebrews 1:1-13

Do you watch Saturday morning cartoons? Have you seen the current movie – Captain America?
People are constantly looking for a “Superhero” as an example, influence, ideal or idol to rescue them from their troubles and solve all of their problems.



Who are some of our supposed superheroes?
Superman, Transformers, Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
Do you follow a sports figure, entertainer, actor, politician, celebrity and consider them a hero? - Mickey Mantle, Mickey Mouse, Mickey Rooney, or Mitt Romney
Remember that people followed Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Castro, Chavez, Hussein, Bin Laden and considered them heroes at one time.


No person can provide what we are seeking and need in a superhero.


Jesus is our SUPERHERO and we should worship Him.


1. He’s my SUPERHERO because He’s REAL – not artificial. Hebrews 1:1-3


Jesus is not like the Greek or Roman gods who were figments of man’s imagination and limited in their imagined power. They are more likely to hurt those who don’t appease them than to love and care for those they “rule” over.


Jesus is not like modern cartoon characters that are also figments of man's imagination and wishful thinking. Most of them engage in fighting some enemy over and over again. But their power is limited to the imaginations of the writers.


Jesus exists. His friends and enemies testify that He exists – John 7:32; Acts 2. He is a real person who was able to do far more than any other "hero". Our calendars acknowledge His birth over 2,000 years ago. John 20:30-31; 21:24-25. His actions were beyond His audiences imaginations.


2. He’s my SUPERHERO because He’s SUPER – not fictional - Hebrews 1:3-4


Jesus needs no belts, rings, ropes or minerals or chemicals for His power. His power is not limited to man’s imagination. He has power over every kind of sickness or disease, seas, weather, water, fish, trees, hunger, even over death and Satan.


By His words, He can control crowds – Luke 14:1-6; Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7; John 7:32-46.


He even orchestrated and controlled His own crucifixion in order to pay for our sins.


3. He’s my SUPERHERO because He’s a HERO – none greater - Hebrews 1:8-12


Jesus saves us from our sins – I John 2:1-2. That is far greater than just saving my life.


Other supposed superheroes can only conquer a physical enemy for a moment. (Most of those enemies return in sequels to harrass some more.)
Jesus conquered Satan and sin once and for all – Romans 6:10; Hebrews 9:26; I Peter 3:18
He died in my place – Romans 5:8
He arose from death – Luke 24:1-7; John 20:26-29
His resurrection guarantees eternal life to all who believe, repent of their sin, follow and are immersed into Him – Romans 6:3-5



“I heard my name as the trophy was hoisted in my direction in the midst of this surreal scene of crazed underdog fans mixed with those disappointed at the fall of their champion, I reached for the trophy feeling both like a hero and a villain.


“I was being anointed by a world obsessed with putting people on a pedestal. And when a man receives it, he receives, unbeknownst to him, the public exposition that comes from the inevitable great fall.


“We live and perform on a stage before a sick voyeuristic media, of hidden faces hiding in the shadow of each tragic demise.


“…no man was made for a pedestal. That spot had been reserved before the beginning of time for one. No man can carry the glory, nor is he supposed to. All champions fall when talent fails to hold up under the pressure or when age or death prevails in this mortal state. But when it happens, early or late, another is anointed and the cycle proceeds.


“When you walk in your purpose, a trophy pales in comparison to the fruit of your wake.” – David Cook – Seven Days in Utopia


Jesus is far more than just a SUPERHERO.


One Solitary Life –
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in still another village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty…
Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn’t go to college.
He never visited a big city, He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth.
When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind’s progress.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that ONE SOLITARY LIFE. - author unknown


Jesus is God who became man, lived and died to pay for our sins, that we might live through Him.
He is Lord, Savior, King, role model and so much more.


He wants to be your SUPERHERO, save you from the eternal consequences of your sins and give you eternal life in a perfect world free of sin and suffering!


Believe – Repent – Confess – Be immersed – Live for Jesus.








Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Bigotry is Blind

Bigotry is Blind
This week’s thought is taken from part of lesson 056 which is found in “Getting To Know Jesus” – Volume 05. To follow along in your Bible, our Scripture text is found in: Matthew 9:32-34.

32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

It has been said that you should never talk about religion and politics. A large part of the reason for that is that most people are unwilling to be open-minded. Instead, they attack the other person’s viewpoint – actually, they often attack the other person with words of hatred, blind bigotry and fierce opposition. Occasionally, those words lead to physical conflict and someone gets physically hurt.

Even Jesus was subject to such bigotry. Here, the Pharisees, who are so opposed to Him that they will not say anything good about Him, try to deny His goodness and make a false accusation in hopes of getting others to hate Him instead of follow the Son of God. In their fear that Jesus is disturbing their status quo, they go on the attack. In their sin and selfishness, they say things about Jesus that are untrue and that they cannot prove. They don’t care whether it is true or not, but only that they discredit the miracle worker.

What kind of person are you? Do you say hateful things about others without considering whether your words are true of fair? Or do you consider what you are about to say and modify your comments to be respectful, truthful and reflective of Christ in your life?

We can disagree with another person’s views and express our differences in love. We don’t have to attack, say false and hateful things. To do so is not what Jesus would do.

Don’t be like the Pharisees. Don’t allow bigotry blind you from being loving, respectful and truthful in what you say about others with whom you disagree.

If you must speak against a person’s viewpoint, be honest, Christ-like, loving and fair in expressing your differences.

















Thursday, August 4, 2011

Being God’s Man – Faith in the Tuff Times

The Childless Will Have a Child! - 004
Being God’s Man – Faith in the Tuff Times

Most people look forward to having a baby. If my wife is expecting, I’m calling Abraham to try to find out what to do next! She’ll be calling Sarah or Elizabeth! Actually, we’re content to be grandparents! Are you childless and wanting to have one? Being childless can be a source of great longing. Do you know a married couple that wants to have a child of their own and has not been able to? Do you have faith that God can do the impossible, even in your life? We are in Luke 1:5-25.

1. Live a Righteous LifeLuke 1:5-6
Herod “the Great,” is another man with a big ego. Just because you call yourself some sort of title doesn’t mean you measure up! He is a powerful, ruthless, ungodly and murdering ruler! It is a sad day when a leader is not humble, but flaunts his power!

Zechariah & Elizabeth are righteous followers of God who have no children. Good people. Sometimes bad things happen to good people! Zechariah is a priest (one who is still serious about serving God). Not all priests are hypocrites! This is a statement of the importance of maintaining your integrity.
To be truly pleasing to God, we must do what is right by God’s standards, not by our own. We can’t make up our own rules as we go along without reaping painful consequences for our choices. Having faith in tough time’s means trusting that by doing what is right, we will reap God’s rewards, not the world’s consequences for wrong behavior.

2. Continue Your Daily ResponsibilitiesLuke 1:8-10
Zechariah is praying in the temple for all of the people, which is a rare opportunity. Since each priest took turns doing this, once per year, it is possible that this was the only time he ever did this. He enters the Holy of Holies to make intercession for the people, and while performing his duties, an angel comes to tell him that he is going to be a father. (Interlude) Jews are expecting the Messiah. Signs of the times tell them it is near! Don’t stop living because some “sign” of the future is evident.

We don’t have to break routine or do something special to get God’s attention. God is not manipulated by religious behavior or actions. If we are walking in faith, we can proceed with our daily duties and know that God will accomplish His plans for our life. Just make sure what you are doing is in agreement with what the Bible teaches and you will have God’s blessing.

3. Pray Concerning Your SituationLuke 1:11-17
We gather by the nature of the conversation that Zechariah and Elizabeth are still praying for a child. Because of their prayers and faith, they are told that they going to have a baby boy! He will be healthy, grow to be a man who will be faithful in serving God! Don’t stop praying until God answers your prayer! Many babies die, but Zechariah is assured that his baby is going to live to adult hood and do something great for God. People are proud to claim a son, daughter, brother, sister or relative who is in ministry!

How would you feel if you and your spouse were childless and had almost given up on having a child and you got news like that? The angel gives Zechariah some strong instructions about the upbringing of this child! All parents should have some serious instructions (possible restrictions) in the upbringing of their children! It is no secret what God can do for those who are truly seeking to follow Him and trusting in His guidance and provision.

4. Don’t Doubt GodLuke 1:18-23
Zechariah doesn’t disbelieve the angel’s message, but he does seek a “sign” as proof that this is from God. He is introduced to the meaning of speechless! Gabriel Calling! Gabriel means “God’s Power.” This is only the start of God manifesting His power among men. We will see another example of that power in the next lesson! Don’t challenge God’s authority. HE WILL WIN!

Meanwhile, the crowd is waiting for a “final blessing” and wonders why Zechariah is taking so long. Don’t leave without your blessing or you won’t be blessed! Sometimes God may be slow according to our wishes and we may think we have been waiting forever, but Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we never want to doubt God or give up on what we sincerely and Scripturally believe that He is going to do. God is constantly looking for and testing His servants to see who is faithful, trusting and ready to serve Him.

5. Praise God for the ResultsLuke 1:24-25
When Zechariah finally exits the Temple, the people perceive that something extraordinary has happened to him while he was in there. Now, for them to hear what has happened is more important than leaving! What’s Elizabeth going to think when Zechariah gets home? She can talk all she wants and he can’t interrupt! It’s going to get very interesting as her pregnancy starts to show.

God has given you special talents and abilities. He also has a job tailored just for you and will bless you as you do it. There may be testing or disciplining to prepare you for the job, but as you truly believe in and trust God, you are going to have more opportunity to praise Him for His faithfulness and blessings than you will have time to do it. God likes to reward those who are sincerely faithful to Him.