Sermon Central
-
Men Of Valor Series
Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jul 27, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: 2 of 4 messages on the Mighty Men of God. This message focuses on the importance of giving ourselves to those we love.
Mighty Men of God
Mighty Men of God are Men of Valor
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (NIV)
When the Titanic went down on April 15, 1912 74% of the women passengers survived. 80% of the men did not. This was because the men believed that they lived to protect and care for their loved ones. The believed that women and children came first.
The Knight in Shining Armor is a fabulous image of Might. It speaks to chivalry, integrity and valor. But to what end? For what purpose? For what reason does a mighty man exist.
That’s the question, Men. The answer is that you were created to give your life.
A Father is a man who has learned to give his life for others. A Mighty Man of God is a man who gives his life with strength, honor, and passion.
A Mighty Man of God Protects those he Loves
His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.
Are you strong enough to be involved? Are you strong enough to be vulnerable? Are you strong enough to protect? Are you strong enough to always persevere and never quit on those you love?
“(Love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” according to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:7.
God has called us as fathers to protect those we love.
A Mighty Man of God Honors those he Loves
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect…”
The word for respect here is also translated as “Honor”. The original Greek word refers to the act of giving high esteem and value to the object of our love.
Father’s the best gift you can give your children is to treat your wife with honor.
You honor your wife with your words. You honor your wife with your affection. You honor your wife with your faithfulness. You honor your wife with your kindness and attention to her needs.
A Mighty Man of God Pursues those he Loves
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
The word united here is a word in the Hebrew that means to cling to or adhere to. It speaks of being glued to her and beyond that to catch her by pursuit. It can be translated as following close or coming hard after a person.
In other words, this is not a matter of accidental connection to your wife. It is the pursuit of her soul and the weaving together of your spirits.
One does not do this haphazardly but with commitment and passion.
The characteristics of a Mighty Man is an Image of our Heavenly Father
He loves us with all his strength
He honors us with the life of his son Jesus
His Holy Spirit pursues us with all his heart
