There are an estimated 7.3 billion people on Earth, and yet…none of us are the same. There is no such thing as a “normal” human. Because we are all so unique with our own thoughts and talents. Our own quirks and pizzazz. However, no matter where we are at in life, what we have done, how old we are; we have one thing that binds us together. Jesus. Some of us call him our Savior, and others do not, but he died for all of us nonetheless.

When we name Jesus Christ as our Savior we also declare that the Bible, and everything in it, is truth. We won’t bother arguing translations and original languages, not today. Because a God capable of putting 7.3 billion completely original people on a planet at the same time isn’t going to allow himself to get lost in translation. A God who loves these people so much, that he will allow his Son to die for them, isn’t going to give us a book that’s only slightly true, then expect us to figure out what to listen to and what to ignore. And he certainly isn’t going to create a book that expires. Which means, it is true, and it applies to us, today. Everyday. Forever.

But have you noticed that the Bible is a whole, magnificent, beautiful story? Have you seen it is full of color and pure awesomeness? Did you notice the transition from Old Testament to New Testament? The switch from select people being filled with the Holy Spirit to EVERYONE under Christ being filled with the Holy Spirit? The tearing of the curtain? What I’m getting at is…did you catch it?

The idea of power.

The commission.

The greatest command.

What happens if you put the whole story together? Your whole story. My whole story. All our stories? You begin to see a theme. A SUPER theme. When we read through the whole tale, finish the last page, and close the book with a success filled sigh; we haven’t reached the end of the story. God doesn’t go dormant. The Holy Spirit doesn’t evaporate. The demons don’t dissipate. Nor do the commands of our Savior become old fashioned and crisp with age. The story continues in us.

We would know this, and much more, if we made a habit of studying the scriptures. When questioned about the resurrection, Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29). Take a second, close your eyes, are you in error? Do you know the scriptures and the power of God?

Do you know how “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him,” (Acts 10:38)? Jesus was a teacher, he led by example. Everything he did, he did for a reason. So, why these things? Why get baptized? Why go around doing good? Because he was showing US what to do. He had a purpose. A real purpose. And he is still alive today, watching us either follow his example or discredit it.
But how can we do what Jesus did? He was God. He had power. He could control the weather! We are merely human beings. Sinners. Aren’t we?

Aren’t we?!

NO! Check the scriptures…“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,” (Acts 1:8). Christians have the power of God living inside them. And that makes us very, very powerful. “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,” (Acts 4:33a). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Elijah was given super speed, Philip was teleported, Paul’s handkerchiefs healed people! And still, there is much, much more throughout the entire Bible!

Wowza! Does that not blow your mind? Does that not make you question what happened between then and now? God says we have the power to move mountains! God says whatever we ask for in prayer, it will be given. God gives us an example of these things in the life of Jesus, our Savior. But then he gives us other examples of Jesus’ example being carried out. Lived out!

So, where does that leave us? Crazily powerful people all over the world. Scripture is clear about this as well. We aren’t given power so we can be awesome in our comfy house with video games and hot chocolate. We are given power so we can GO. So we can DO. So we can CHANGE. American Christians have gotten too cozy, too comfortable with the inequality. We, as Christians need to wake up and see the scenery! People are hurting around us and we are numb to their pain. They need help! They need someone caring like Jesus! They need someone willing to fight for them! They need…A SUPER HERO!

A…what?

A super hero…Someone who can change the status quo in this fallen world. Someone willing to sacrifice. To go the extra mile. Someone who refuses to grow weary of doing Good. Someone chosen by God himself to rise up to the calling. Someone courageous and loving….

But wait…

If we have the power of God living inside us, doesn’t that make us the most powerful people around? Didn’t God send us out into the world? Aren’t we told to serve? To love? To spread the gospel? Oh yes! Yes, we are! It’s us! It’s me! It’s YOU who is called to stand up for the orphans, the widows, the lost and confused and hurting. WE have the power to change this world! Super-Man isn’t real. But YOU are.

Now you know, you really know, and you have two choices. You can walk away, shaking your head, OR, you can stand. Stand with me as I stand for the MARVELous King of creation and the people he loves.

Intimidated? Don’t be, “For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline,” (2 Tim 1:7). He knows what he’s doing. He knows how the story ends.

Don’t you want to be a Witness?

(This post is part of our Super Year theme and aligns with our downloadable Calendar and Super Packet. We encourage families to download our free materials and continue the SUPER adventure.)

Taking it to the kids, family discussion:

Try to count everyone you know. I bet you didn’t come anywhere near 7.3 billion! Start naming how all these people are different. Are some funny? Some super smart? Different height or hair color? What about different likes and dislikes? Isn’t it cool how God was able to create so many people and keep them all special?

Think about everything God created. Everything God has done. Do you think He would give us an untrustworthy Bible and tell us to follow it? What would be his purpose in that?

Read and discuss Matthew 22:29, Acts 10:38, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:33-35, and 2 Timothy 1:7. What stands out to you about these verses? Have you ever thought about having the Holy Spirit living inside you? What about having power?

Jesus is our example. If he did something, think about why he did it. What was he wanting us to learn? Discuss this. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Can you support your thoughts with scripture?

As Christians, we have power. The apostles did so much! But we don’t see those things anymore. Why not? What do we see instead? What should we DO instead?

YOU have power for the purpose of doing good. Of making a difference in this world. When you choose God, when you choose to follow His directions, you will see him do great things through you! Excited? Ready to be a real-life super hero?