Church camp begins today for the 3rd-8th graders, and we have a series of lessons titled “I Am That Hero” stressing to the kids that God has empowered them for a very important mission- carrying out the gospel. Today we’re using Spiderman’s famous tagline- With great power, comes great responsibility. Most of us don’t consider ourselves anything special and certainly not heroic. Changing diapers, doing laundry or paying the electric bill are certainly not my idea of significant work. One of Satan’s great weapons is getting us to forget who we are. At the moment of salvation, Christ blessed us with “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) including eternal life! He also gives us the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We don’t see these as special so much of the time. The fact is, all of these ‘powers’ are supernatural in origin and exercise! He also gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit.
So what’s our mission? Jesus spells it out at least 4 times in the New Testament-
(Matthew 28:18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Mark 16:15-16) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
(John 21:15-17) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
(Acts 1:8) 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.”
A witness is someone who tells what he knows. We don’t need lots of experience or training to tell what we know. Did Jesus change my life? Does He matter to me? How are my daily activities different because of Jesus? How is my outlook affected? Does He make any difference?
Then here’s the ‘great responsibility part-
(Ezek 33:8) When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
The character of God hasn’t changed. If He held an Old Testament prophet responsible for not doing His job, He’s going to hold us New Testament saints responsible as well. Our responsibility is limited to the “speaking out” part. We ARE NOT held accountable for someone’s rejection of the warning.
Today and everyday, I need to remember I am a superhero with a mission to fulfill.