1 Peter 4:11

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Superhero’s serve a Greater Cause, they Serve:

• Without Regret v. 9

Serving is not the goal, it is serving without grumbling, without complaining. So many times we find ourselves serving with a bad attitude because we have lost the joy. Somewhere in serving Jesus we lose our focus and we no longer see Jesus just the serving. It’s easy to become a Martha and become distracted by many things and ended up complaining to Jesus about our serving and his servants. Luke 10:38 starts with Martha welcoming Jesus into her home but ends with her complaining about her service. To this complaining Jesus simply says “There is only one thing worth being concerned about, Mary has discovered it” and that one thing is Jesus. Superheroes see the greater cause, they don’t get caught up in the empty trap of service without the Savior. Have you discovered the one thing worth being concerned about, are you serving without regret?

• Selflessly v 10

Just as a superhero has certain superpowers so God has given each one of us gifts so that we can faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  These gifts are bestowed freely and graciously and so must be shared freely. Serving others always involves sharing and when we serve others with the gift given to us we are passing on His grace that has been shared with us. We are stewards who have been given the responsibility of using the Master’s resources for the Master’s purposes. The gifts God gives us are not ours, they belong to Him and so must not be used to build ourselves up, but to serve others, not to please ourselves but to help and bless others. Gifts should be outwardly used for others not inwardly used for self. Are you using His gifts given to you, how and who for?

• In Speech v. 11a

“If anyone speaks . .” this doesn’t just mean ’professional speakers,’ anytime we speak of Christ and His grace we are to do so with great care speaking only in a manner that accurately reflects His Word in meaning and attitude! We must remember that our own opinions and ideas have no authority, only His Word does. We think of speaking as preaching and teaching, but it includes any speech that conveys God’s truth, like witnessing and praying. Superheroes tend to not speak a whole lot but when they do it’s both profound and worth listening to, so it is when we speak God’s truth. What does your speech look like?

• In Action v. 11b

Superheroes not only speak but they act. One of the reasons why so many superheroes have leapt from the pages of comic books onto the silver screen has to do with one word “action.” Serving always involves action and action always involves an expenditure of energy. It’s this expenditure that makes service so dangerous; it can be draining if we are doing it in our own strength. Not only has God given us gifts to use but He has given us His strength in which to use them. The same principle that applies to speaking applies to our actions and behavior, they should reflect His truth. Is serving the action word of your life?

• At All Times v. 11c

Wherever we are, whatever circumstances we find ourselves, however we may ’feel’, God has provided us with a talent by His grace that we can exercise in service to Him. This is not a part time service, an occasional service or a service that is restricted to certain places or times. This is a service that transcends our situation and tends to make life based on ourselves more than a little incontinent. But unlike superman who always had to find a phone booth so he could change, Christ has permanently changed us, so that no matter the time or place we are always ready for service. Good thing because these days phone booths are in short supply!

• For God’s Glory v. 11d

This is to be the goal of our life, our purpose for living is to live for His glory, His glory is our motivation for life. Our aim in life should not be to exalt ourselves but to exalt Him, not to see our will done, but His. Our goal is His glory. Is it yours? Because when it is, then serving through His entrusted talents will never be cause for complaining or regret no matter what the perceived result. Anytime we faithfully administer the talents He has entrusted to us for His glory, we can be confident that we have ’succeeded’ no matter what else happens or does not happen! So what will you do with your superpower, will you be about the Father’s business?