“The godly people in the land are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them.” Psalm 16:3 (NLT)
3 OF THE QUALITIES THAT MAKE A HERO
1. REAL HEROES STAND ALONE FOR WHAT’S RIGHT
“These are the three most heroic men in David’s army: Josheb . . . Eleazar, the son of Dodo . . . 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 (LB)
“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” Exodus 23:2a (NIV)
“Destruction is certain for those who are heroes when it comes to drinking, who boast about all the liquor they can hold!” Isaiah 5:22 (NLT)
“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)
“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 (Mes)
ACTION PLAN: Write down one or two instances where you kept quiet or ‘went with the crowd’ when you knew right from wrong. Pray for the courage to change those one or two instances, then go change them. Pray for strength each morning to make the right decision.
2. REAL HEROES MAKE SACRIFICES FOR OTHERS
“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” Matthew 20:26b (Mes)
“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 (TEV)
ACTION PLAN: Take CLASS 301 at the next opportunity (saddleback.com/class) and see how God has shaped you for service.
3. REAL HEROES TAKE RISKS 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 (Mes)
(Paul) “I’ve worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again and again. Five different times I was given thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned with rocks. Three times I was shipwrecked! Once I drifted in the open sea all night and the whole next day.
I’ve traveled many weary miles and often been in great danger from flooded rivers, from robbers and from my own people, as well as from others. I’ve faced grave dangers from mobs in cities and from death in the deserts, and in stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not.
I’ve lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food; and often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (LB)
ACTION PLAN: Is there something that God has been putting on your heart that you have not yet done because of fear (ex. Go on a PEACE trip, serve in a new ministry, engage in a difficult conversation)? Take a risk for God this week and take a first step towards what God has been putting on your heart. Tell somebody about it for accountability and encouragement.
WHAT MOTIVATED PAUL TO TAKE SUCH RISKS?
“Why do you think I keep risking my neck in this dangerous work? I look death in the face practically every day I live. Do you think I’d do this if I
wasn’t convinced of your resurrection and mine as guaranteed by the resurrected Jesus? Do you think was just trying to act heroic . . . Not onyour life! It’sthe resurrection that undergirds what I do and say, and the way I live.” 1 Corinthians 15:30-32a (Mes)
“ . . . If we will never live again after we die, then we might as well go and have ourselves a good time! Let us eat, drink, and be merry. What’s the difference? For tomorrow we die, and that ends everything! Don’t be fooled by those who say such things!” 1 Corinthians 15:32b-33a (LB)
ACTION PLAN: This week, read all of 1 Corinthians 15. Try reading it in a different translation every day this week using biblegateway.com or blueletterbible.com. (Ex. NIV, NLT, NKJV, CEV, ESV, etc.)
“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)
Parable of The Talents
“Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most.” Matthew 25:28a (Mes)
“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 (Mes)
