The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
SLIDE #5
Introduction:
1 Cor 9:19-23
19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as
possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one
under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not
having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under
Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I
have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the
sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
SLIDE #6
(IMAGE: Avengers)
- So let’s talk about “The Avengers” film, one of my favorites.
- I’ve read comic books as a kid. Obviously, like millions of other people.
- Why? Avengers grossed over 1 billion dollars. Why?
o We like heroes. We like to see the world get saved. We like seeing someone live with
purpose, with intensity, with destiny in their heart and a waking vision in their mind.
- It’s powerful to see someone give up their life for the well-being of others. It’s inspiring to see
someone change from living for themselves to living for the greater good – even if it’s just a
movie. There is a truth that is inspiring in this.
o You don’t make over a billion dollars if it’s not inspiring.
SLIDE #7
John 15:12-14
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that
he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
(IMAGE: Steve Rogers jumping on a grenade)
- In each one of these movie franchises, characters are shown to have this disposition.
- Steve Rogers, AKA “Captain America” jumps on a grenade.
o Tommy Lee Jone’s character describes him as “...a ninety pounds asthmatic”
o He’s a 90lb asthmatic weakling. But he’s willing to sacrifice his life to save others. He’s
all heart. That is the source of his strength.
- The weakest of the weak, yet because of his heart, he was transformed – given the power to live
as a hero. Laying his life down for his friends.
SLIDE #8
Thor vs. “The Destroyer” as a mortal
(IMAGE: Thor and Destroyer)
- He went from arrogance, fame-mongering, and blood-lusting to learning humility the hard way.
- But he learned it. It’s what made him worthy.
o The final test? Lose in battle for the sake of others. Lose at something he’s used to
winning at all the time. Lose at something he things defines his worth.
o The moment he completely sacrifices himself 100%, laying down his life, not expecting
anything only his friends to be safe…at that moment, he’s transformed by sacrifice.
SLIDE #10
(IMAGE: Tony falling to his death)
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
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Tony Stark, Aka “Iron Man” guides a live nuke into an inter-dimensional portal falling to his
death…and closing the door to an apocalypse in the process.
o Ok, when he was caught by the Hulk and they hit the ground, he did not have a pulse.
o I figured the hulk roaring at you would stop your heart, not start it up again.
Tony, the selfish, egotistical, immoral, worldly playboy – transformed by sacrifice into a hero.
SLIDE #11 Echoes of the Truth
These fantasy characters are borrowing from truth. The truth. When someone even tells a “story” of
someone doing something like this, it’s moving. They die to protect the lives of others. They are echoes
of a truth, mere shadows of it wrapped in mind-blowing CGI and Dolby Surround Sound.
We must not let them obscure the truth, only remind us of him – the real hero.
SLIDE #12
(IMAGE: Jesus on the cross)
Rom 5:6-8
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely
will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
SLIDE #13
Heb 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider
him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
- What is hindering you this morning? From being (1) Transformed by Sacrifice?
o (2) Fault Focused or Faith-Shielded?
- What sin is entangling you this morning? What are your eyes fixed on?
o (3) Suiting Yourself or Suiting Up?
- Are your eyes broken? Is the light out of them? Time to fix them – on Jesus.
- Matt 6:22-23 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be
full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the
light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
SLIDE #14
(1) Fault focused or Faith-Shielded?
Let’s take a look at the Bible’s very own Asthmatic 90 pound weakling…
(IMAGE: Capt’s Shield)
SLIDE #15 Judg 6:1-2,6, 11-16
(IMAGE: Midianites for dummies)
Judg 6:1-2,6, 11-16
6:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands
of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for
themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds.
…
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. SHARE: Midweek.
...
11 The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the
Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his
wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But
now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand.
Am I not sending you?"
15 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the
least in my family."
16 The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."
- What is the issue here? Gideon is using his own weakness, his own shortcomings to deflect and
deny the very call of God.
- Because his eyes are focused on himself and thus on his own strength, he has no hope. He
thinks it’s up to his strength, his pedigree, his family’s connections, and his situation.
o This explains why he’s doing what the majority are doing, hiding! Not the picture of
bravery or leadership at all! He’s protecting himself!
o He thinks lowly of himself. He’s probably right about a lot of it.
- Are your eyes broken because you are looking at the wrong thing – yourself, your
circumstances, are you focused on man or focused on God? Man focused | God Focused?
o When were focused on the wrong thing, our eyes are full of darkness. This makes us
weary in doing good.
o Do the good of Special Missions – it’s not a burden! It’s a privilege of the saints!
SLIDE #16 (Quick Facts About Missions Situation)
- Facts: 67 disciples in the church.
- 25% have turned in nothing for missions.
o SHARE: My sin, one of those couples is Amy and I.
 Put off taxes, focused on how tedious.
 Put off calling folks. (Repent, talked to dad, giving 50 or more)
 Plan. 12 things to do for missions. “Say when.”
- 10% have given 100% or more!
- Our goal is 81,660.
o We’ve raised ~19,500 so far, 24%.
- We’ve raise over $700 tagging.
o SHARE: Rico Jones, Deep convictions about special missions.
o Eccl 2:25-26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and
happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to
hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the
wind.
 Amazing Friday Campus and Teen devo!
o SHARE: Dan Barrett, note sure what to do. Things are tight. (14 wedding anniversary)
Corporate tagging. 50$ from an orthodontist. That’s 50$ just because he asked for it.
“’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit ,' says the LORD Almighty.” Zech 4:6
o Don’t focus on yourself, focus on God. You have some faith, you make a noble plan and
put some noble deeds to it. Just do GOOD.
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
SLIDE #17
- The Good of Evangelism – the challenge last week from Jason Dimitry, take out your bible talk
and share with 50 people each. Seems lofty, impossible.
o SHARE: Marvell Holder, took his bible talk out Friday night. In about an hour and a half,
they met over 80 people. They came to Friday devotional excited. Marvell preached
powerfully about making disciples, because he’s doing it. Daniel Louis is not even a
disciple yet – and he went after sharing his faith!
o SHARE: The Teens, last week they went out with Rick after devotional and shared their
faith, had fun doing it. They are not even disciples – yet.
 Grateful more and more teens are coming out! Half of the people in the room
on Friday were teens.
o SHARE: Alphonso Davis, when he and Pat Nebeker went to the mall to share their faith
with their 50 each – the security guards were stalking them and gawking at them. Sure
enough, as soon as they saw Pat sharing they threw them out of the mall. Alphonso did
get not weary, they plan on going someplace else! There are lots of places to do good.
o Matt 6:22-23 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body
will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of
darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
SLIDE #18 God is with you mighty worrier! I mean, warrior!
We are being called by Jesus Christ to change the world. It is a daunting task. There are few of us and
far between. We are waging war against the darkness, and it has a tight grip on this world and on some
of our hearts.
These are the kind of odds that give God the glory, showing us not to focus on ourselves, our faults, or
the faults around us – be faithful in doing what is good.
SLIDE #19
The Original 300? (Gideon 1162BC…Leonidas 520BC) Over 600 years earlier…
(IMAGE: Leonidas)
Judg 7:1-3, 5-8
1 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The
camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You
have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against
me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with
fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand
remained.
…
5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the
water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three hundred men lapped
with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the
Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of
the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of
the others.
SLIDE #20 (Shielded By God’s Power)
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
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With 300 men, God decimated an insurmountable army. It was deliberate. God wanted to
make it clear, it was his power that would win this battle.
Gideon boldly let these men into battle with Jars, Torches, and Trumpets. God threw the enemy
encampment into confusion and the men there started killing themselves.
It’s God’s spirit! A man focused heart will only lead to weariness – if that person is yourself or
someone else. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
One thing you can be certain of, sacrifice will transform you completely – into something heroic.
o SHARE: Guitar for missions. Amy’s diamond for missions. (Values marriage, cool gifts)
Gideon was willing to jump on the grenade here of risk. He took huge risks. With each one his
faith increased.
SLIDE 21 (2) Suiting Yourself or Suiting Up?
Avenge: inflict harm in return for (an injury or wrong done to oneself or another).
The only real “avenger” is God.
Deut 32:35
35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their
doom rushes upon them."
- It suits ourselves to be vengeful. To blame our sin on someone else’s sins. It’s like someone
hurts us and we tell ourselves it’s ok to hate them, to resent, to be apathetic. We wish harm on
them or look forward to the day we can gloat over their downfall. Bitterness suits ourselves.
o SHARE: Did this with my physical father. Suited myself. Amazing to talk to him
yesterday about “The Royal Cactus Kings” and playing music my dad actually plays. He’s
the bassist and works out the harmonies for his band. Runs in my blood. Asking advice
from him musically. IMPOSSIBLE if I lived as an avenger! That’s not our ROLE!
SLIDE 22
Rom 12:17-21
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends,
but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On
the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will
heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Evil for evil – don’t do it. Be careful – do what is right in the eyes of everybody – especially our
God! God fed you, he gave you something to drink – even when you were his enemy!
- Are you at peace with everyone!? Is there anyone you are not at peace with?
o Deal forthrightly with qualms. Love enough to trust you can actually have an adult
conversation with someone about whatever it is.
o God went as far as he could possibly go to be at peace with us – he went to the cross!
He suffered unjustly just in the HOPE we’d repent! We got to be more like him!
- Do what is good. Someone doing you wrong, someone acting like/being your enemy? Do good.
Don’t let the evil of the past determine your eternal future!
SLIDE 23
Heb 10:26-31
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for
sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the
enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two
or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has
trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that
sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to
avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God.
- One of the most deliberate sins is the sin of bitterness. The cure for bitterness is mercy.
o SHARE: Bitter in marriage. Unaware, had my mouth under control over all, but out of
touch with bitterness. Monday d-group! Out of touch is not the same as unintentional.
Bitterness is a defiant sin, it’s willful. You give into the feelings. Get hurt and decide not
to forgive. You get bitter.
- Matt 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.“
o No such thing as a perfect leader. No such thing as a perfect church.
o Everyone is going to sin against everyone sometime. Even leaders.
o Bitterness fools you into thinking that your lack of commitment, your lack of financial
sacrifice, your lack openness and of love, is somehow justified by someone hurting you –
because they sinned against you, you think now you are justified to rebel.
o It is a wicked, deep, merciless, victim mentality that robs us of trust, joy, and peace. It’s
Satanic.
o This is a salvation issue, you will not make it if you don’t forgive! If you don’t forgive
others - God won’t forgive you!
SLIDE 24
Heb 12:14-17
14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the
Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble
and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal
sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this
blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with
tears.
- Telltale sign of bitterness? Make excuses about making mediocre or no efforts for peace. Won’t
make every effort to be holy. If you are not holy, you won’t see God.
o Why missing the grace of God? Bitter = unforgiving. Don’t forgive, don’t get forgiven.
You know bitter when there is back talk, side talk, around and above talk but not direct
talk…many get defiled, and much trouble is caused.
o Godlessness. Sexual impurity. Not feeling forgiven, no peace from God, wanting to feel
good, so please the flesh. Godless – how can we do such a thing as a temple of the Holy
Spirit? Don’t sense his presence, squelching it, ignoring it, so we can sin.
SLIDE 25
Eph 5:3-7
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of
greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk
or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No
immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath
comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
- Any kind of impurity…or of Greed. Nothing like missions to expose greed.
o Greedy is bitter about your circumstances – discontentment, a lack of gratitude, all
rooted in greed.
 Putting something above God is an idol.
 It’s deliberate sin. Putting something before God. Job, career, school, dating
relationship, even ourselves (our time)
o Are you radical about changing or are you deliberately putting off the good you ought to
do?
- To be impure is to be defiantly sinning against the LORD. It’s deliberate.
- Check your heart for bitterness. Hurts are just sins we’ve not forgiven yet – we’re holding on to
them. “I’m so hurt” – no, you’re so bitter…merciless, suiting yourself.
- We must connect a lack of trust to bitterness. “I’ve been hurt in the past, so I don’t trust
people!” This is an evil disposition. If you don’t trust, you don’t love. Fix your eyes - on Jesus!
SLIDE 26
You can change this, don’t suit yourself, suit up!
Rom 13:12-14
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on
the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in
sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the
Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
- Put on the armor of light, suit up!
- Put on the LORD Jesus Christ, suit up!
SLIDE 27
2 Cor 5:21
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of
God.
- Chris is the true “Avenger.”
- This is not a fable. This is not a hollow-wood production.
2 Peter 1:16-18
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from
God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I
love; with him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we
were with him on the sacred mountain.
• They were eyewitnesses. No reason to lie!
• There is no gain in this, save the eternal. The eternal well-being of friends.
• When you realize the mercy he had for you, it’s not so hard any more to forgive.
SLIDE 28
Isa 53:4-6
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
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The Avenger
Sunday Sermon for the Phoenix International Christian Church 4/13/2014 – Jeremy Ciaramella
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that
brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on
him the iniquity of us all.
- We’re the ones who deserve the punishment, but God allowed Christ to take on our sins, and
take the vengeance in our place.
- He avenged us so God would not have to.
(1) Transformed by Sacrifice?
(2) Fault Focused or Faith-Shielded?
(3) Suiting Yourself or Suiting Up?
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