Jesus the Hero

Abel is the first picture in the bible of Jesus dying for the true way to God. Cain and the Pharisees both wanted their own way to God; Jesus and Abel said no. 

David danced with joy when he brought the ark to Jerusalem to reunite it with the tabernacle. Jesus was full of the same joy as He brought lonely, fallen people to the Father for real worship. 

David honored his rival's heir, Saul's grandson, by restoring his wealth and inviting him to his table as a guest of honor. Jesus does that for us!  

Samuel said David was a man after God's heart, but he sinned with Bathsheba.  How does this work? And, what does this show us about Jesus?  

King David stayed in the place of danger for years until the strain got to him, and then he ran away to stay with Goliath's king for safety.  We are meant to contrast and compare this to Jesus, who endured attacks, lies, threats, plotting, and demoniacs, without wavering.  David was a great hero; but Jesus' courage was greater than his.  

As David fought Goliath in faith for love's sake,  Jesus fought Death in faith for love's sake. He fought Death for you, and won.  

Saul needed a musician, so he inquired of the court.  One man recommended a 15 year old boy as a tough, wise, brave, singer of worship.  David is a picture of Jesus.  A man after God's heart is a warrior, not because it is fun, but because it is needed.  

Israel asked for a king. Samuel told them all the negative things a king would do to them.  Saul and others did do these awful things;  and so did King Jesus;  but because we love Him, we enjoy giving him our children, our sheep, our tithe, and even our selves.  This begins a series comparing David the hero to Jesus, to receive more insights into Jesus; heroism.  

Enoch's name meant disciple. Jesus was a disciple; called disciples; and told them to disciple. Just like  Kung Fu movies! 

Matthew introduces us to Jesus thru His genealogy, which is full of heroes and villains. We can emulate heroes like Abraham (wisely) as Jesus did.  

Jesus the Human needed affirmation before His ministry, so the Father gave it to him. Luke 3:22 He has given us a new identity in His Word if we will read it and accept it.  Paul told Philemon he was beloved, a brother, a workmate, and a partner to help him be a hero. 

the Holy Spirit led all the actors in the gospels including Jesus.  He led in Acts as the Church did battle with the world.  He will lead us to do heroic things as we follow Jesus the hero.  

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry Israel is ruled by terrible people in Rome and Israel. Ezekiel 22;  Israel's sin has earned them their captivity. Jesus' impossible mission is to defeat these men,  establish the gospel, and build His chrurh. It was impossible, but He was not daunted. 

When the Father received Jesus into heaven He acknowledged to all creation that Jesus was the complete, successful, acceptable, Savior.  

In John 8:28 Jesus said that when the leaders of Israel lifted Him onto the cross they would realize who He was.  His heroism on the cross proved to them that He was indeed the Son of God, the Son of Man. 

Jesus endured the worst death on earth;  and all the worst fears we dread; in faith and love. We were the great purpose that gave Him strength to prevail over each terror. 

the crowds announced His true person as the eternal Son of David, heir to his throne in his parables He revealed that He was the Son of the owner of the Temple, God at His trial He laid claim to all the Messianic prophecies 

Athanasius suffered exile for defending the truth about Jesus.  He was a hero, 300 years after Jesus died. Jesus created a church full of heroes. Most will be nameless until we arrive at Judgment Day.  

Paul lived the sermon on the mount life. In Acts 16 he demonstrated power over himself and his circumstances. God wants us to tap into His power as Jesus and Paul did. 

Daniel and his friends were blessed by God when they repented and sought His righteousness. Jesus helped them become heroes as He will help us become heroes. 

To become heroes in Jesus' company we must beware, and avoid, false leaders. Without judging we decide if they are dogs or swine, and avoid them. Abigail's wisdom. 

all the ideas of Ephesians are begun in the sermon on the mount. Jesus and Paul wanted to create powerful teams. Paul explains how to make marriages, churches, families, and all Christians, powerful Teams. 

Jesus offers us the way to impact the people around us, the real Golden Rule. We are the children of God the Prime Mover; we can initiate; we can move people with love. 

"Don't lay up treasures in heaven."  What does that mean? Didn't Jesus have a job?  savings? own a home?  What did He mean? How we improve or imperil others' needs thru use or misuse of money. 

How churches and couples can solve any problem without fighting. Real acts of kindness, real talking and listening, and real repentance. Getting information. Respecting each others' gifts. 

Jesus called Christians to shock unbelievers with their extravagant, sacrificial  love. Paul repeated this when he called husbands to extravagant, sacrificial love for their wives. We can win, if we listen to our Designer. 

To a desperate Israel, Jesus preached a sermon that many today call out-of-touch; impossible to keep; irrelevant. It is, tho, a call to rebellion against evil men. Only a brave person could preach this sermon. 

The Christians in Acts followed Jesus and became heroes themselves. Let's show our children and converts the heroism of Jesus so that they can become heroes for our society. 

Aaron was a great high priest, but Jesus was far superior. He has shared God's nature, home, eternality, and fellowship with us. He has brought us into the fellowship of the Trinity. 

Jesus matched the gifts of every other prophet; exhorting, comforting, teaching, explaining, predicting. He did this with all the limitations that we have, as a man. Respect that; admire Him; He is the greatest man who ever lived. 

It takes courage to be totally honest with every problem in the Bible. It takes courage to base your life and ministry totally on the Bible. Jesus did both. He was the greatest Bible teacher in history. 

a brief review; all the events of Matthew reveal His courage. Roman soldiers were his largest group of followers because of... His courage, and His followers' courage. 

What was the secret of Jesus' resolve?  He had compassion on sinners;  on you and me. 

It is one thing to start a terrible ordeal; it is another to finish it. He could have put an end to the cross at any moment; but He finished it, for you. 

Jesus bravely did what it took to provoke his evil enemies so they would kill Him on the day He chose, in the way He chose, at the place He chose, at the time He chose.  

Politicians avoid hard questions, or waffle.  Jesus never did, even when it got him killed. 

Satan tempted Jesus to enter the temple via angels' wings. Instead, He rebuked the leaders for their venal practices, making enemies of all of the most important people in Israel. His passion lent Him courage; and His passion was our need. 

Jesus could have charged any amount for His healing. He charged nothing. Jesus was never charged with having an affair with a woman.  His life was too open, and too pure for even His critics to lie about. Jesus challenged His enemies to accuse Him of a sin.  They couldn't. 

Jesus was brave enough to stand for truth against wicked powers. He was brave enough to choose the lowest members of society for His teammates. Beggars. Prostitutes. Romans. Tax collectors. Samaritans. You. 

When Jesus was 30 He left His home, family, city, and job to begin His ministry. He trusted the Father to supply His needs, His disciples, and protection. So the Father led Him to begin His ministry by being humiliated in a baptism, starving in the wilderness, and confronting the whole Temple.  He did these 3 hard things, in faith. 

scriptures that declare Jesus' total humanity with its weaknesses. He was not God who pretended to be a human, but completely a human. 

Jesus was God from eternity. He was God all the time He lived as a man. 

Who was Jesus?  Was He omniscient and omnipotent while He lived on earth?