This weekend at church I'll be speaking to the men about living as the warriors that God has created them to be. I don't think the women will mind me speaking to the men; it's my perception that women long to have men step up and lead in a godly and loving way.
As men, we have a divine cause placed within us by God to defend and protect our families, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. There is something in us that calls us to be the hero in the battle sacrificing our life for something great, not for ourselves but for our families. Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
We also have a divine call to advance the kingdom of God. I absolutely love Matthew 11:12, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." There's just something about that verse that makes me want to paint my face and storm the gates of hell yelling, "FREEDOM". Too many Christian men have been "sissyfied" by the church or by our culture and we assume we have to suppress what God has placed within us.
Kris, the problem is that we have not taught men how to be manly AND Christian at the same time. They have the idea it's one or the other. We need to teach them how to be "Calebs"...bold, Godly men who will fight for the right things and be willing to die for them. I'll be praying for you. What text are you using?
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteI agree.
We will be using several texts to drive home the point that God has given us a family to protect and a kingdom to advance... Nehemiah 4:14, Eph. 6, 2 Cor. 10:3-4, the call of Gideon (Judges 6).
Thanks for the prayers.