9-13-98 "Where have all the Heroes Gone? I Tim. 1:12-17

by Ronald E. George Jr.at the Sand Fork Baptist Church

Senator Robert C. Byrd asked this week from the floor of the Senate the following question. Where have all the heroes gone? He asked this question in light of the recent events focusing attention on the life of our president who is probably the most influential person in the world. Byrd continued on in his speech to give some examples of some current heroes. Paladins or heroes are persons revered especially for noble courage. Who would you say did he mention first. Of course it was Big Mac or Mark Mcquire who just broke the 37-year-old homerun record by hitting 62 homers. Then of course there is Sammy Sosa who just hit number 60 yesterday. Who is your hero? Who is it that you have put on a pedestal?

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy says.F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) American author

Allan Poe 1809-1849 said "While the angels, all pallid and wan,  Uprising, unveiling, affirm  That the play is the tragedy, "Man,"  And its hero the Conqueror Worm."

Paul Overstreet says in his song called "Heroes" that heroes come in many shapes and sizes. There are those ordinary people who make special sacrifices in their lives to lift someone else up. In today’s scripture we find that there can be only one is worthy of all honor and praise. There is only one who should receive the honor and the glory forever. There is really only one super-hero and that is the King of kings. Is he your hero? He is the God/Man Jesus Christ. Will you worship and honor him with all of your life? Will you give to him the honor due his name?

Scripture Text: I Tim. 1:12-17 Key verse is

1Tim 1:12 (KJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I. He is the true Hero.

Jesus is the only Man who ever lived who is worthy of worship, honor, and glory. We are here today to bring honor and glory to the name of the Lamb. He is the one who gave up his all that we might have everything. He died so that we may live.

II. Who are the Sub-Heroes?

Paul the apostle gives us the example of a true earthly hero. In his life we can see what a true heroes life is like.

1. A hero is a follower of Christ who is also the Lord of the believer.
2. A hero is grateful to the true hero for all that He has given him in his life.
3. A hero is faithful to follow the true hero so that he can be trusted to not let him "the King" down.
4. A hero is a servant of Christ and a servant of others, as Jesus himself gave the example.
5. A hero is formerly a sinner but he has repented from his sin, by willingly admitting to what he was but now follows Jesus.
6. A hero is a sinner saved by the grace and mercy of the Lord not of any accomplishments of his own.
7. A hero is an example to others so that others may come to know the Lord that he serves and follows.

An affecting case occurred in the north of Holland, which for its peculiarity deserves brief mention. A poor Anabaptist, guilty of no crime but his fellowship with a persecuted sect, had been condemned to death. He had made his escape, closely pursued by an officer of justice, across a frozen lake. It was late in the winter and the ice had become unsound. It trembled and cracked beneath his footsteps, but he reached the shore in safety.

The pursuing officer was not so fortunate. The ice gave way beneath him and he sank into the lake, uttering a cry for help. There were none to hear him except the fugitive whom he had been hunting. Dirk Willemzoon, for so was the Anabaptist called, instinctively obeying the dictates of a generous nature, returned, crossed the quaking and dangerous ice at the peril of his life, extended his hand to his enemy and saved him from certain death. Unfortunately for human nature, it cannot be added that the generosity of the action was met by a corresponding heroism. The officer was desirous, it is true, of avoiding the responsibility of sacrificing the preserver of his life, but the burgomaster of Asperen sternly reminded him to remember his oath. He accordingly arrested the fugitive, who on the sixteenth of May following, was burned to death under the most lingering tortures.

When Jesus decided to change Peter's name in John 1:42, it demonstrated how Jesus looks at men. He does not only see what a man is; he also sees what a man can become. He sees not only the actualities in a man; he also sees the possibilities. Jesus looked at Peter and saw in him not only a Galilaean fisherman but one who had it in him to become the rock on which his church would be built. Jesus sees us not only as we are, but as we can be; and he says: "Give your life to me, and I will make you what you have it in you to be." Once someone came on Michelangelo chipping away with his chisel at a huge shapeless piece of rock. He asked the sculptor what he was doing. "I am releasing the angel imprisoned in this marble," he answered. Jesus is the one who sees and can release the hidden hero in every man. --William Barclay

Will you serve Jesus as your hero? And honor and glorify him as the only one worthy of your worship and praise?

Will you allow Jesus to make you who he wants you to be? As a follower and an example to others to follow? Where have all the heroes gone? Will you follow him because he went to the cross for you and now sits on the right hand of the Father. Follow him now to follow him then…