“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s …”
During the summer months we will be working through a sermon series called “Hero”. The Bible is loaded with the lives of very real and earthly men and women whom God tapped on the shoulder at a particular time and place for something out of this world. They became a hero for the sake of the Gospel! At the heart of this sermon series is a call to action for us to “Be a Hero” to someone God has placed in our life whether in church, at work, a friend, or family member.
We are a hero in the making: Living a life of truth, grace, and the Christ-centered way! It seems many today are looking for a hero, someone to rescue them from their ordinary life. We encourage you to “be a hero” to someone.
Life can be challenging at times. Encouragement is like food for the soul and air for the lungs. The Bible repeatedly talks about the importance of building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12, 15-16), spurring one another on (Romans 14:19; 15:2), and encouraging each other in the faith (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Jude 1:20). During the summer months, we will have the opportunity to actually “live” these words out.
So the question is, how can you “Be a Hero”?
It is easy and fun!
- Think and pray about someone who may need an encouraging word, a caring hug, or an act of love performed for them.
- Pick out an act of kindness to encourage them with the love of Christ.
- Pray for an opportunity to act.
- Be courageous and jump in as a hero for this person by carrying out the action selected above.
- Afterwards, let the church know what you (or someone else) did and what happened. We look forward to sharing your hero sightings with others, which may be an encouragement to spur them on in action.
These acts can be anonymous or not, that is up to you. Your 20-seconds of courage may make a world of difference to their day.
We will be highlighting “hero” stories in worship, on our Facebook page, as well as on a special bulletin board at church. You can email or Facebook them to me (PastorNathan@RedeemerRolla.org) or write them on a little note and drop them off in the church office. Whatever is easiest for you.
Here are some “hero” ideas to get you thinking:
- Send a Facebook mssage, email, text, note, or letter sharing what this person means to you
- Take them out to lunch, coffee/tea, or dessert
- Surprise them with some hand-picked flowers
- Color or draw a handmade card for them
- Send them a plate of homemade cookies
- Buy them a coffee and/or cupcake from a local shop and hand-deliver it to them at work, school, or home
- Clean the windows on their car while in church
- Stick Post-it notes with words of encouragement on their car window, chair at work, bathroom window, computer screen, etc.
The options are endless! I look forward to seeing how God will use this time in the life of our church and community to build one another up, encouraging each other in the love of Jesus Christ. Encouragement has power. This makes sense, being that the Holy Spirit is also known in scripture as the Encourager and Healer who never leaves, nor forsakes us. (John 14:16-17) As John writes, “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18) Let us take this verse to heart and spur one another on. Every breath God gives us is a gift. Let us not waste another moment, but use our breath and life to “Be a Hero” to someone.
I pray that you are able to join with me and the Board of Missions as we grab our masks and capes this summer to “Be a Hero” in someone’s life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God is at work among us to create heroes of truth, grace, and the Christ-centered way. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know when and where the next hero spotting will occur.
I close with the words Paul used to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in the faith at Corinth:
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with Christian love. (2 Corinthians 13:11-12)
Up, up, and away!
A hero in the making,
N
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