Turn on your cookies for the best browsing experience.

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

These cookies are essential to make our site work. We use cookies for a variety of reasons, including giving and content preferences.

Instructions to turn on your browser cookies:

https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/how-to-enable-cookies/auto

Sign In

Sign in for a personalized experience.

Connect
Grow
Serve
Care
Watch
Give
    I'm New Care Grow Serve Watch Give
  • Locations

    • USA
    • Anaheim, CA
    • Brea, CA
    • Eastvale, CA
    • En Español, CA
    • Irvine North, CA
    • Irvine South, CA
    • Laguna Woods, CA
    • Lake Forest, CA
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • Newport Mesa, CA
    • Rancho Capistrano, CA
    • San Clemente, CA
    • San Diego, CA
    • South Bay, CA
    • Extensions
    •  
    • International
    • Berlin, Germany
    • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Hong Kong, China
    • Santa Rosa, Philippines
    • Extensions
    •  
    • Venues
    • Lake Forest Chinese Community
    •  
    • Online
    • Community
    • Adult Service
    • Students Service
    • Kids Service
    • Get Directions
    Get Directions
  • About

    • Connect
    • New Start with God
    • About Jesus
    • Our Leadership
    • Beliefs and Values
    • Discover Your Purpose
    • Home@Saddleback
    • Career Opportunities
    • Internships
    • Contact
  • Care

    • Explore
    • Counseling
    • Support Groups
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • PEACE Center
    • Hospital Visitation
    • Career Coaching
    • Mental Health
    • Personal Finances
    • Prayer
  • Events

    • All Events
    • Baptism
    • Discover 1-4
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • Adult Trainings
    • Care & Support
    • Kids & Parents
    • National & Global
    • Local Community
    • Sports & Physical Health
    • Special Events
  • Watch

    • All Media
    • Adult Service
    • Students Service
    • Kids Service
    • Current Series
    • Small Group Studies
    • DriveTime Devotionals
    • Campus Photos
    • Apps
    • Podcasts
  • Small Groups

    • Explore
    • Find a Group
    • Start a Group
    • Study Materials
    • Manage My Groups
  • Grow

    • Explore
    • Discover Your Purpose
    • Foundations
    • Message Resources
    • Retreat Ministry
    • Recommended Books
    • Podcasts
  • Serve

    • All Opportunities
    • Serve in the Church
    • Serve at an Event
    • Serve the Community
  • Ministries

    • All Ministries
    • Ministry Quiz
    • Men
    • Women
    • Singles
    • Marriages
    • Parents
    • College
    • High School
    • Jr. High
    • Children
    • Workplace
  • Mission

    • Explore
    • Get Inspired
    • Get Involved
    • Get Equipped
    • PEACE Center
    • Relief
    • Grocery Distribution
    • Food Pantry
  • Give

    • Tithe
    • Beyond the Tithe
    • 2021 Annual Review

My home campus

Select a Campus
View All Locations×
      • Home
      • >
      • Connect
      • >
      • Articles
      • >
      • Message Resources
      • >
      • The Paradox of Being a Hero

      Resource Details

      The Paradox of Being a Hero

      Sergio de la Mora | July 9, 2017

      If you’ve ever heard a news story of someone who put their own life at risk to save someone else, you know we’re quick to call them a hero. But most people who sacrifice their own lives don't actually consider themselves heroes — they think of the act as something they were meant to do. In this message at Saddleback Church, Pastor Sergio de la Mora shares how God is looking for unexpected heroes to "break the rules" and do things that often don't make sense. You’ll learn the five characteristics of a hero and how God wants to use your faith to achieve the impossible.

      Message Action Plan

      Message Action Plan

      Characteristics of paradoxical heroes
      1 Chronicles 4:9-10

      • Heroes choose to see themselves the way God sees them.
        Romans 9:25-26, 30
      • Heroes believe God can still answer their greatest prayers even in their greatest pain.
        Ephesians 3:20
      • Heroes cry out for a miracle to be a miracle for someone else.
        Matthew 25:35-36, 40
      • Heroes stay in faith to see God do it anyway even when others say there is no way.
        Galatians 6:9-10
      • Heroes honor the past while remaining ferociously loyal to the future.
        Psalms 71:18

      Action Plan: Go through each characteristic above one day at a time this week.  Read the verses for that day and evaluate the following in your prayer life:

      • When you ask God for forgiveness, are you resting in his grace, or focusing on how often you have been asking him for forgiveness in this area?  God is faithful to forgive willingly every time.
      • Are you asking God for things that are focused on your gain, or the benefit of others? 
      • When you bring a request before the Lord, are you asking for bold things that will stretch your faith so that credit can only be attributed to God?
      • Do you thank God regularly for all the good things he has done for you in the past? 

      Action Plan: Choose one of the verses above and memorize it this week.

      Doable Discipleship: Check out this week's Doable Discipleship episode featuring a conversation with Worship Pastor John Cassetto. New episodes are released every Tuesday. To watch or listen, click here.  

      More from this series

      More from this series

      Everyday Heroes
      June 18 - August 6, 2017
      • How To Be More Heroic
        August 6, 2017
      • Holy Mess Batman
        July 30, 2017
      • Finding Everyday Strength
        July 23, 2017
      • What Can God Do Through You?
        July 16, 2017
      • The Paradox of Being a Hero
        July 9, 2017
      • Everyday Heroes in the Home
        July 2, 2017
      • Heroic Singleness
        June 24, 2017
      • What Makes a Hero?
        June 18, 2017
      Back To Top

      *Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help.Terms | Privacy Policy

      • sign in
      • contact us
      • privacy policy
      • career opportunities
      • internships
      • mobile app

      *Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help.Terms | Privacy Policy

      © 2023 Saddleback Valley Community Church