178. The Stranglers "No More Heroes"

"No More Heroes" is a single by The Stranglers from the album No More Heroes. It is one of the Stranglers' most successful singles (featuring regularly both in greatest hits and punk/New Wave compilation albums), peaking at No. 8 in the Charts. The lyrics refer to several historical figures, including Elmyr de Hory, Leon Trotsky, Lenny Bruce, Sancho Panza and William Shakespeare.At the time of the single's release, the B-side "In the Shadows" was a non-album track, but it appeared on the Stranglers' next studio album, Black and White. In 1995 the band's publishers threatened legal action against Elastica, arguing that their single "Waking Up" borrowed elements of "No More Heroes". Elastica eventually settled out of court. A cover of the song by Violent Femmes featured in the movie Mystery Men, and was also heard in two episodes of the BBC show Ashes to Ashes: Episode 1 of Series 1 and Episode 4 of Series 3; it was included in the soundtrack to Series 1.

Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky?
He got an ice pick
That made his ears burn

Whatever happened to dear old Lenny?
The great Elmyra,
And Sancho Panza?

Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?

Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn

Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?
No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more

Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn

Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?
No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more

This single was released from The Stranglers in 1977 when society was changing and teenagers were in a place of rebellion against the old ways. From 1975 onwards culture was about to change and was changing in a big way by the release of "No More Heroes". Personally, when I first heard it I bought the single and I was hooked. The scripture passage that we are going to look at this morning is taken from Matthew 10:1-20.

The apostles were members of the family of Jesus, and they had accompanied Him as He traveled on foot through Galilee. They were to be the Heroes of the New Testament. They shared with Him the toils and hardships that overtook them. They had listened to His speaking, they had walked and talked with the Son of God, and from His daily instructions they had learned how to work for the salvation of the broken. As Jesus ministered to the vast multitudes that gathered about Him, His disciples were in attendance, eager to do His will and purpose. They assisted in arranging the people, bringing the afflicted ones to Jesus, and comforting those who were sick. They watched out for those who were coming to Jesus, explained the Scriptures to them, and in various ways helped them. They taught what they had learned of Jesus, and were every day learning more.

They needed also an experience in going it alone with out their master. They were still in need of much instruction, great patience and tenderness. While they had been with Him, the disciples had often been perplexed by the teaching of the priests and Pharisees, but they had brought their questions to Jesus. He had set before them the truths of Scripture in contrast with tradition. He had strengthened their confidence in God's word, and in a great way had set them free from their fear of the rabbis and their bondage to tradition. In the training of the disciples the example of Jesus' life was far more effective than any mere doctrinal instruction. When they were apart from Him, every look and tone and word came back to them. Often when in conflict with the enemies of the gospel, they repeated His words, and as they saw God work in impossible situations, they rejoiced greatly.

Calling the twelve about Him, Jesus encouraged them go out in pairs through the towns and villages. None were sent alone, but brother with brother, friend with friend. They could help and encourage each other, counseling and praying together, each one's strength balancing out the others weakness. In the same way Jesus sent forth the seventy. It was the Jesus' purpose that the messengers of the gospel should be serving in this way. The disciples' message was the same as that of John the Baptist and of Christ Himself: "The kingdom of God is at hand." They were to enter into no controversy with the people as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah; but in His name they were to do the same works of mercy as He had done. He challenged them, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

During His ministry Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching. His miracles testified to the truth of His words, that He came not to destroy but to save. Wherever Jesus went, the news of His mercy preceded Him. Where He had passed, people who were broken were now rejoicing in health. His voice was the first sound that many had ever heard, His name the first word they had ever spoken, His face the first they had ever looked upon. Why should they not love Jesus, and rejoice in his miracles? As He passed through the towns and cities He was like a vital current, wherever He went. The disciples of Jesus were called to do what he did. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. To minister to the despairing, and inspire hope in the hopeless. Through His disciples, Jesus makes sure that the sick, the unfortunate, those possessed of evil spirits, will hear His voice. Through His people Jesus desires to be a Comforter such as the world knows not. All over the broken were awakened to their need, and hungering and thirsting for the truth. The time had come to send the tidings of God's love to these longing hearts. To all these the disciples were to go as His representatives. His Apostle  - Ambassadors.

On this first tour the disciples were to go only where Jesus had been , and had made friends. Their preparation for the journey was to be simple. Nothing must be allowed to divert their minds from their great work, or in any way excite opposition and close the door for the gospel. They were not to adopt the dress of the religious teachers, nor use any grand clothes to distinguish them from the humble peasants. They were not to enter into the synagogues and call the people together for public service; their efforts were to be put forth in house-to-house ministry. They were not to waste time in needless greeetings, or in going from house to house for entertainment. But in every place they were to accept the hospitality of those who were worthy, those who would welcome them heartily as if welcoming Jesus Himself. They were to enter the dwelling with the beautiful salutation, "Peace be to this house." Luke 10:5. That home would be blessed by their prayers, their songs of praise, and the opening of the Scriptures in the family circle and there relentless stories about Jesus.

These disciples were to be heralds of the truth, to prepare the way for Jesus. The message they were to give out was the word of eternal life. Jesus impressed the urgency of this message.  "Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city." Jesus can see the future; He knows the exploits the disciples will have in the future when he has departed from among them.  He shows His followers the the trouble that will come. He reveals the character and plan of the battle. He lays before them the persecution they will experience, the self-denial that will be required. He wants them to succeed and for them to count the cost, that they may not be taken surprise by the enemy. Their warfare is not to be waged against flesh and blood, but "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Eph. 6:12. They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they will know the power of God.

Our infirmities may be many, our sins and mistakes many; but the grace of God is for all. The power of God is poured out for those who trust in God. "Behold," said Jesus, "I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves: be as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Jesus did not hold back one word of truth, but He spoke it always in love. He spoke with thoughtful gracious power. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to the broken and needy. He spoke out against hypocrisy, unbelief, but tears were in His voice as called people to himself. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved. People refused to receive Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They rejected Him, the Saviour, but He had only tenderness, and sorrow so deep that it broke His heart. Every soul was precious in His eyes. He often bowed with grace to fallen souls. His Disciples are to do the same. The Disciples are called together by Jesus and are sent out to become the Heroes of the New Testament. All of the apart from John the Apostle were eventually martyred. all laid down their lives for the sake of Jesus. All of them were faithful till the end. Even John in his old age spoke of the call of Jesus not only on his own life but to all who would hear. All of them were heroes of the faith and as such they would be remembered. The strangers speak of "No More Heroes" in their 1977 single. Here we find heroes in Matthew 10. Jesus calls up to be heroes to this present and coming generation. He sends us out for more of the same.