Becoming an Olympic Hero

2008 Olympic Games-Aug 8-24 in Beijing, China

- Anyone planning on watching?

- Ever been? Known anyone who competed?

Pretty amazing-athletes coming together…often putting aside national differences to compete and go for the gold…trying hard to be the best in the world even if only for a moment.

Personal stories…hometown kid training for years…dedicated to making it to the Olypmics. These aren’t professional athletes…they train on their own time. Become a hero for us all-chased a dream, didn’t let anyone stop them…

Dedication to dreams makes heroes

Take a step back and look at the world: corruption, oppression, etc…

World is pretty messed up.

But every now and then you hear of someone stepping out to do something about it…leave job to help needy, investing self…giving time, talent to make a difference. Tom O’Malley…kids-christian education/experiences with God…influence country,

Why? Because they love God and want others to love God. They know that at the root of the problems in this world is a lack of faith and relationship with God They want to show God’s love to these people…make a big difference in their life and let them know it was God who enabled them to help.

These kind of people have a dream of a better world..and they don’t let anything get in the way of chasing that dream..they believe…no..they know that God gave them that dream and they give their all…

Their dedication to their dreams makes them heroes…

God is in the business of making heroes. Bigger than any Olympic gold medalist…

As you read through the Bible you can see that God has been doing this kind of thing for centuries…all kinds of stories of everyday people responding to god’s call in their lives…and they do miraculous, heroic things that show God to the world..

Let me just share one example with you now:

- Isaiah 49:6: Isaiah-a prophet…called to restore Isreal…good servant of God..but god said: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

o God said YOU Isaiah are going to let the Gentiles know about me….

o But god said…”oh, Isaiah, that’s too small of a thing for you. You are meant for something so much larger than that…you are intended to lead people all over the earth to me…I want you to be a hero to all the nations…”

- God’s real intention for the Israelites-salvation of the world…too small of a thing to just be a great nation and serve me…

o Wanted them to be the heroes of the world

o Ultimately did through Jesus…(ASK NOW…) apostles…world…yet problems still exist….so God still has a need for heroes today…people dedicated to a dream of a better world…

Did you know that you yourselves…Christians…followers of Christ…who have by faith received His forgiveness and are called to be those heroes…listen to what Jesus told his followers on the day He left the earth to do until he returns…

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Act 1:8 NIV)

True throughout ages…into today. Be given the Holy Spirit…the very presence and power of God in our lives…to be heroes to this world…to rescue the world for God…

Listen to what God told the prophet Daniel in Dan 12:3 when describing “the end times” or the end of this world:

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Dan 12:3 NIV)

…who lead many…who act upon the call to be a hero and dedicated themselves to fulfilling the dreams I give them…that is God’s intent for you…

It is too small a thing...

- Church etc…

- Ordinary life…

- God: don’t you understand?

o . You were made to do so much more…to shine like a star…be bring hope to this world…we need to understand this as a part of everything we do..

- I must admit that this concept is something I really hadn’t known until several years ago when I got involved in church planting…(computer…about reaching people) thought it was about me…getting better...living/showing good life…serving in church not supposed to be about me showing my faithfulness..

- About willing to give all but trusting God for relationship/rest/resources..etc.

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- A couple of obstacles to really believing & achieving:

o Time-what’s really important…what should we be busy with? How can we use the things we are already doing/good at…to help reach others…TRUST HIM..fulfillment from doing something to make a difference

o Talent-Not true…God doesn’t expect you to have all the answers now…realize ability…act…God will work miracles…

- There are times when being a pastor of a new church is hard…and I realize that I don’t have all the answers, and my life is filled with all kinds of ideas and responsibilities. But it’s also in those moments when I’ve learned to step back and ask myself why I am doing what I am doing. …First of all I am here because God called me to do this. God given dream to lead new church…to wake people up…to revolutionize church…not too small a thing…if I keep trusting Him and remain dedicated to dream….

- It’s not too small a thing for you either to change this world for God…what is it that God is calling you do to?

- Ask Him…who/where/when…I’m willing to talk to you more and see what guidance I can offer…we’ve also got plenty of opportunities to get started here…get involved with a heart to reach people and see where god guide you

It really is too small a thing for you to simply live, and go to church and learn to be a godly person…the World is God’s Olympic stage…go for God’s gold with all your heart…and trust Him to be with you every step of the way…