25 Mar Heroes…why not you? (Hebrews 12:1-3) Part 4
Prior to September 11th, 2001 when our society thought of heroes…celebrities and sports figures came readily to mind. Immediately after 9-1-1 our priorities began to change and then when we thought of heroes…policeman, fireman and other “first responders” came to mind. Unfortunately after the wake up call of 9-1-1, our culture has seemed to have rolled back over and gone to sleep! Once again, celebrities preoccupy our minds and tend to influence our culture.
The Bible tells us, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb. 12:1-3).
A few weeks ago, we discussed that in everyday language, these verses give us three things to consider:
- Consider them (the Hebrews 11 heroes of the Old Testament)!
- Consider Him (our ultimate Hero…Jesus Christ)!
- Consider yourself (incorporate heroic qualities from their lives into ours)!
Over the last couple of weeks, we also looked at the differences between celebrities and heroes:
1. Celebrities are visible…Heroes are useable.
2. Celebrities are characters…Heroes have character.
3. Celebrities are popular…Heroes are powerful.
4. Celebrities speak of change…Heroes usher in change.
We also began to look at a true Bible hero…Joseph. We then began to “mine”
Some “Jewels from Joseph”:
Jewel #1…The greater the dream, the greater the opposition (Gen. 37:5).
Jewel #2…Those who don’t have your dream won’t have your reaction (Gen. 37:5).
This week, let’s continue:
Jewel #3…Learn to recognize the hand of God on people (Gen. 39:3-4).
In Genesis 39:3-4 it was Potiphar who recognized the hand of God on Joseph. The hand of God represents the Spirit of God or the favor of God. It is imperative that we learn to see the oak tree in “acorn people”. It is vital that we see “dollars” in “penny people”. In other words, learn to recognize the hand of God on people’s lives.
I remember nineteen years ago when Rob Simms came to World Changers Bible Institute, he was hungry for God and His Word! He was very loyal and had a genuine heart. When he first started with us he was in charge of “big” things like the “drip ministry” (when the temperature outside got below 22 degrees he was supposed to drip the faucets in our WCBI building)! Yet I could clearly see the hand of God on his life…today he is my youth pastor!
Approximately 32 years ago, a pastor came to Tennessee to preach at a church. He and his wife brought along a woman who worked his “tape table” selling tapes for this visiting pastor. The pastor of the church in Tennessee befriended this woman working unnoticed behind the tape table because he recognized the hand of God on this woman. That woman’s name is Joyce Meyer! Today when Joyce has a pastors conference speaking to thousands, guess who is always one of the special speakers…you guessed it, the pastor who befriended her all those years ago before she was “somebody”. Remember this, people already know who they are…learn to talk to who they can be!
Next week, we’ll continue our series.