The Greatest Hero of All
Engage: Blessing Our Community • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading of the Word - Mark 10:45 (NASB)
Reading of the Word - Mark 10:45 (NASB)
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Prayer of Illumination
Prayer of Illumination
Open our eyes and soften our hearts, O God, through the work of your Holy Spirit, that in the hearing of your Word we may receive new life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Introduction
Introduction
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed
This 1st Century Greeting has given hope to many because of the message it brings.
The miracle of Christ’s resurrection sets Christianity apart from other world religions.
Jesus is a Hero Because He Conquered Death With His Resurrection
Grave of Muhammad
Ashes of Buddha
The Empty Tomb of Jesus Changes Everything
His empty tomb is God’s confirmation that the price that was paid at Calvary is sufficient for salvation.
Over 500 people encountered the risen Christ.
This was not just the 11 disciples but a large crowd that give a witness to his resurrection.
This is a verified miracle that no one can deny, even if they try.
Jesus is a Hero Because He Conquered Death With His Resurrection
Jesus is a Hero Because He Conquered Death With His Resurrection
He used the tool of the enemy, death, to conquer death.
Death, from this world, now can give us life eternal. It gives us hope that what is to come is far greater than anything this world can offer.
He proved he was the Messiah through his death and resurrection.
Jesus was a hero because he gave his life for us.
We all admire stories about heroes who put themselves at risk to help someone or save a life. It may be a police officer who stops a would-be murderer or a firefighter who enters a blazing house to rescue someone from certain death. We all admire someone who heroically puts their own safety at risk for the benefit of others. We call them heroes. Heroes are admired for their courage to do something beneficial for others. They may even give their lives, such as the WWII hero who jumped on a hand grenade and absorbed the explosion to protect his comrades.
Visual Illustration
Draped in Purple
Guilt is something that wraps us in fear, humiliation, condemnation and judgment because it makes us recognize our humanity and that sin separates us from God.
Take off purple: Jesus, at Calvary, removes that burden off of our hearts and lives. He paid the price for sin so that we could place on His righteousness, love, joy, peace, and the list goes on.
Jesus wants us to live wrapped in his perfect love with no fear of judgment because he has already paid the price.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
Jesus is a Hero Because of His Radical Teachings
Jesus is a Hero Because of His Radical Teachings
Jesus taught about a radical spiritual transformation that he was going to offer. This transformation would implant God’s divine nature of love within each believer. Jesus taught:
An Easier Way
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”
In that agricultural society, his “yoke” was understood as describing farm equipment used on oxen to bind them to heavy plowing equipment.
A modern example might be running on the treadmill of life or putting your nose to the grindstone at work.
Jesus used this illustration of a “yoke” to teach how his new way of religion would be easier and lighter than the current requirements of the Hebrew religion.
This new covenant would be grounded in a relationship with him. He bears the tremendous burden and helps us live out God’s desires for our lives.
A Simpler Way
No longer would the 613 regulations from the law of Moses have to be followed.
The law was not abolished but fulfilled in Christ.
He replaced the law with two great commandments:
And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the great and foremost commandment.
The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Our mission statement reflects this as our aim in this church.
Mission Statement
Today, after several months of prayer, God has given me a vision for the church. What an amazing day to reveal this to you, especially during this series that specifically focuses on reaching & blessing our community.
Reveal vision statement
In order to see our vision become reality, we must live with our mission & purpose in mind.
That mission is the simpler way Jesus provides:
Loving God with all that we are.
Loving each other, without reservation or judgment.
A New and Living Way
The New Covenant brought a new and fresh way to live that would allow the Holy Spirit to reside & move in hearts.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh,
Jesus’s teaching was a sharp departure from the current way of living under the burden of strict obedience to the rules of Mosaic Law.
This new and living way was a path that was full of life. He came to:
Bring life to us while living on earth.
Bring life to us in eternity with him.
This is a promise fulfilled by Jesus
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.
Our God is the God of all things new!
He gives us a new day.
In that new day, He gives us new mercies.
If we seek it, He gives us a new and fresh anointing for each day.
He gives us new life & a new heart at the moment of our conversion.
He gives us a new commandment to love God and others.
He will give us new bodies.
At the end of time, he will give us a new heaven, new earth, and the New Jerusalem.
This new and living way is the way that gives us God’s best in life.
God’s purposes and ways will bring true fulfillment and joy in this life.
Jesus is the hero because his radical teaching brought an easier way, a simpler way, and a new and living way.
Jesus is a Hero Because He Served the Needs of Others
Jesus is a Hero Because He Served the Needs of Others
True heroes are not in it for themselves. They serve others.
Jesus lived his life in service to others. He lived his life doing courageous things that benefited others. He went to places where others wouldn’t go. He helped people whom others overlooked. He fed people. He touched, and healed, the untouchable. He gave hope to people experiencing poverty. He fought corruption. He protected the helpless. Jesus was a hero because he engaged with and served others.
Jesus did not come to earth as the King but as the Suffering Servant. Our text today gives proof to how much Jesus humbled himself for us!
Are we willing to go where Jesus went?
Are we willing to live selflessly so that we can make an impact in lives?
We are called to serve.
To Sum It up: Our Hero Calls us to engage in new life!
To Sum It up: Our Hero Calls us to engage in new life!
Conclusion
Conclusion
The truth about following Jesus is: you too can be a hero! Once the power of Jesus has transformed us and we have experienced his indwelling, sanctifying presence, we begin to think and act differently. Instead of our thoughts and concerns only focusing on ourselves, we become more concerned about others.
The indwelling Spirit of Jesus causes us to want to love God and love people just as he did during his earthly ministry. Instead of avoiding others, we begin to engage with others in our community as Jesus engaged with his community. When we engage with others by reaching out to help them, we become heroes just like Jesus was. He did not just talk about engaging with the needs of others. He took action!
As a church, we are to reflect collectively the heart of Jesus to engage with outsiders. We are not to merely meet our own needs, but we are to reach out, like heroes do, to meet the needs of people outside our church.
For the next few weeks, from now until Pentecost, we will explore how to be heroes like Jesus was a hero. We will learn how to love courageously, as Jesus loved, and boldly engage our communities in acts of service and love.
Prayer After Sermon
Prayer After Sermon
Gracious God,
As we reflect on the words of Mark 10:45, we're reminded of Christ's selfless service and ultimate sacrifice. Through his resurrection, we're offered hope and redemption.
May we, inspired by his example, serve others with humility and love. Help us to embody the spirit of resurrection in our daily lives, bringing light to darkness and hope to despair.
Guide us as we go into the mission field, sharing the good news of Christ's victory over death, and may our actions reflect the transformative power of his resurrection.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Benediction
Benediction
May the joy of the empty tomb fill your hearts with hope. May the promise of resurrection inspire you to new beginnings. May the love of Christ, victorious over death, be your strength, As you go forth from this place, may you carry the message of Easter, Proclaiming life and hope to all you meet.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.