Unlikely Heroes

Intro- When I was in Kindergarten I was obsessed with Dinosaurs (Maybe I still am). Describe the triceratops defeating the T-Rex. I always wanted that underdog dinosaur to shine in the movies, I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it but in the latests Jurassic world movie the Triceratops shines in a different way. I cheered out lout when it happened (I had been waiting for 25 years for it of course i cheered) Only problem is my wife didn’t appreciate it because we were in the theatre....

I think the reason why I was always fixated on that Idea of a triceratops coming out victorious is because it was the underdog, it wasn’t likely.

The Bible is filled with “Unlikely heroes”. I want to spend a few moments with you tonight reflecting on these unlikely heroes and more importantly reflecting on How God can use you.

Moses

Our young people (most of whom are at the youth rally tonight) hopefully know everything there is to know about Moses as we have been studying Exodus for L2L this year.

We know his account well, He was an Israelite, and his mother hid him from the egyptians until eventually she had to send him down the river in a basket, with his sister watching over his well-being, Pharaoh’s daughter finds him, chooses to keep him, Let’s his own mother take care of him until he was older, then he lived in the palace.

He knew he was an Israelite, saw an Egyptian abusing an Israelite slave, he took matters into his own hands, killed the Egyptian, and then fled for his life.

40 years passes, and then God tells Moses to go back to the land where he was wanted for murder and lead his people out of captivity.

Is moses the man you would have chosen? (What would that resume look like?)

Moses gave a list of what we would call excuses in as to why he couldn’t help God.

Numbers 12:3 ESV

3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

The Bible tells us that Moses was more “meek” than any other man. The greek word that is translated a “meek” has more of an element of “strength under control” - The Hebrew word here, is more similar to that of humble.

Moses was the most humble man to live. This man had some serious issues with stepping up and taking charge of a nation, because as he looked around he would wonder, “Why me? there are so many others who could do better.”

I’m glad no one in the church has ever been guilty of that line of thinking.

Moses was a man who was comfortable fading into the sunset with no one knowing anything about him… he’s not the man that we would pick to lead a nation, but he is exactly who God picked.

Daniel

Daniel was a 17 year old boy whose world had just collapsed. begins with the end of a dream. Jerusalem had been conquered, Israel had been defeated. God’s people were broken.

Not because God failed them, but because they failed to repent. However, not all of Israel were faithless. This 17 year old boy was faithful to God through multiple nations, and numerous government turnovers.

Most famously, we think of Daniel and the lion’s Den.

Daniel 6:10 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel wasn’t trying to lead a rebellion, or “make a statement” he was simply honoring God.

However, his incredible faith had a profound impact on the leader of the nations

Daniel 6:26 ESV

26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.

Due to Daniel’s faithfulness the Persians were no longer hostile toward the God of Israel, and eventually allowed them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild.

Paul

There really isn’t much that hasn’t been preached about Paul, fascinating life, and fascinating conversion

We know from That Paul (when he was still Saul) was not just someone who didn’t believe in Jesus, but was a fierce persecutor.

Acts 9:1 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

Now, if you were in charge, and you were picking who should be a messenger of the Gospel to the Gentiles and the Jews would this be the resume that stood out to you?

Acts 9:15 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

It is always fascinating to me that God chose this man to be an apostle, preacher, and writer of much of the New Testament. Paul would write later on why he was chosen. Why did God make this choice? -

1 Timothy 1:15–16 ESV

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Paul was chosen to set an example, that if God can use him for great works, he can use anyone.

Conclusion- I want you to think for a moment about an unlikely hero. Usually when we think of unlikely heroes, we assume that they must be someone else. I want to challenge you to think this evening that maybe God is calling you to be that hero to someone else.

Who could you help if you boldly stepped up to lead (even though you feel as though others could do better?), Like Moses

Who would come to know Christ if you never compromised your faith, Like Daniel?

Who would finally believe that they CAN change their life, if they saw you actually change your life, like Paul?