“What is a Hero?”
Ephesians 5:25
Every summer, Hollywood tries to top its previous year’s revenues by producing a new set of “must-see” movies.
The most popular of these are often from the superhero genre. Characters like Superman, Batman and Spiderman have captured generations of imaginations and often produce a rather large following both in print and in film.
Children and adults alike love the idea of a hero swooping in from the air and saving the day; moreover, many of them like to dream of being such a hero themselves.
However, as almost every child realizes from a very early age, superheroes are characters of fantasy.
There are no flying men who can stop bullets and bend steel with their bare hands.
There are no millionaires who dress up as bats or don iron suits and catch bad guys.
There are no radioactive spiders just waiting to endow us with super powers.
This is not to say, though, that heroes do not exist.
Just because there is no incredible hulk does not mean there are no incredible people in the world.
Just because a person may not possess extraordinary powers, does not mean that he cannot be an extraordinary person.
This morning, we are going to look at one of the most important roles in the world - the role of the husband and father.
We are going to examine some of the responsibilities of this role, and the blessings which come with it.
We are going to see that the most important hero a wife and children can have does not wear a cape, or special costume, or even super powers.
The best hero a family can have is a husband and father who stands for the Gospel of Christ… who manages his home with the principles of Scripture… who understands His duties to his wife and his children.
… in short, the best hero a family can have is a godly man in the home.
READ: Ephesians 5:25
Ephesians chapter 5:22 begins a lengthy section of scripture which runs through the beginning of chapter 6.
This section spells out for us how the Christian family is supposed to be set up.
It tells us that the:
Wife is to submit to the husband.
The husband is to love the wife.
The children are to obey their parents.
The father is to discipline and instruct his children in love.
And just in case someone were to think for a moment that this is an isolated section of text, almost the exact same things is said in Colossians.
Colossians 3:18-21 “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged”
This is the simple model for the Christian family, repeated twice in holy Scripture so that we would not miss its importance.
Every year on Father’s day, I try to remind us of these passages and especially of the role of the father in the home.
The reason for this is that there is a movement in our nation to change this biblical order, circumvent God’s plan, and to reinvent what the family is supposed to look like.
Just watch any modern television program which depicts the family.
Rarely is the family depicted as father, mother and children - with the father in a leadership role.
If the father is even in the picture, he is often shown to be a bumbling buffoon or prone to misbehavior.
He is always in trouble, he is always acting foolish, he can never make sound decisions.
In fact, the only wise one ever depicted on television is either the mother or the children… it is almost never the father!
But the Bible paints a much more encouraging picture of what manhood should look like.
The Biblical man is not a fool who cannot manage his family.
The Biblical man is a man who loves his wife, who trains his children, and who through these qualities encourages both their respect and admiration.
The Biblical man is not a family punchline… he is his family’s hero.
QUESTION:
What qualities does the Biblical Man possess? How does the bible describe the Biblical husband and father?
ANSWER:
The Biblical man seeks to emulate Christ in management of his family.
Let’s look first at our passage:
Ephesians 5:25 ESV “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”
Note how this passage tells us that the husband is to relate to his wife - “as Christ”
His love towards her is supposed to be “as Christ loved the church”
Every time I read this, I think about the three “ps” of biblical manhood.
Many of you have heard these, but they should be often repeated and never forgotten.
The three “ps” are:
Provider
Protector
Pastor
If a man is going to show the love of Christ to his wife (and by extension his children), these are the three areas which must be considered.
Let’s break them down: First, the Biblical man is emulate Christ as a...
Provider
Christ is the ultimate provider to us
He provides salvation through His finished work on the cross
He provides eternal hope to us, who would otherwise have none
He provides us with the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily walk
Christ is the model of a good provider
Husbands and fathers are also called to be providers
I Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
These seem to be harsh words
Especially in a day when men seem to be more interested in providing for themselves than for their families
Now I realize that in today’s society many families have both parents working and this is not necessarily inappropriate.
But realize though, in God’s economy, it is primarily the husband’s and father’s responsibility to provide for the physical needs of the home
Of course there are always exceptions
A father who has a crippling disease or a debilitating ailment would not be expected to work and provide
But the Bible is providing the model for a Godly home – which is a providing father
Does this mean the mother provides nothing?
Quite the contrary
The mother has also the responsibility to provide for the family
She provides on the same level as the father – just not always in the same way
QUOTE: But the masculine pronouns used in this verse (he, his) are not an accident, but an accelerant to light the fire under men who do not provide for their homes
Men, know this:
We will face God and answer for how we provided for our families
This verse says that those who do not provide are worse than unbelievers
I believe this verse is a wake-up call to men about their responsibility as a provider!
The Godly husband and father should emulate Christ as a provider and a…
Protector
Christ protects the church (His body of believers)
He protects us from God’s wrath which will be poured out on sin
He protects us from eternal separation from God
He protects us from overwhelming temptation
Christ is the model protector
When our verse for today says “as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her” it is referring to the divine protection given by Christ to the church
It is interesting just how deep this goes if you think about it
The Bible is telling men to have a love that runs so deep they are willing to give their own lives to protect their wives
And I believe this also stems to the family
NOTE: The verse on providing we read earlier [I Tim 5:8] could also include providing “security for the family”
Peter echoes Paul’s comments in his epistle:
I Peter 3:7 “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel...”
Now, if ever there were a verse that angers the women’s movement, it is this one
What does he mean, “Weaker vessel”???
Here is the answer:
Men and women are equal, but different
Remember I teach self-defense classes here at the church and I deal with this issue all the time
Men’s exteriors are designed to withstand more injury, absorb more shock and endure more punishment than women’s
NOTICE: I did not say, “endure more pain” – because, trust me, men couldn’t imagine what child birth is like
That is why I said, “Equal… but different”!
And this rule doesn’t always apply; I have seen some strong women!
JOKE: Two boys were arguing about their fathers. One said, “My dad can beat up your dad!” and the other replied, “Big deal, so can my mom!”
We are designed very differently – and generally the male is the physically stronger of the two
Illustration: “The Porcelain Vase and the Steal Vase” Imagine you have a steel vase and a porcelain vase. Which would be stronger? The steel one, of course. But which would be more valuable? The precious porcelain.
QUOTE: The Bible pointing out the man’s natural tendency to be the physically stronger of the two should not be insulting to women, but encouraging to men to realize their God given responsibility to be protectors of their wives and their families
The Godly husband and father should emulate Christ as a provider, protector and a…
Pastor
Christ is our High Priest
He assures a constant connection with God the Father
He prays to the Father (intercedes) on our behalf
He comforts us through the Person of the Holy Spirit
Likewise the father is called to be the ‘Pastor / Priest of the Home’ or an example of ‘Christ in the Home’
A Godly father should assure a constant connection with God
Men, it should not be our wife’s responsibility to make sure we’re in church on Sunday
We should be the ones who get the kids up and ready
Who don’t take no for an answer when it comes to church
Instead of sleeping in and letting the wife go do her ‘church’ thing
For years women have been the backbone of churches because the men were too busy playing with the world
Did you know: The Bibles says if your wife has a question about her faith, she is supposed to ask you first?
That verse indicates that you, as the Godly father, are supposed to have an answer!!!
Now, how are you gonna have an answer for her when she has a question about the Bible when the one that she bought you ten years ago is still in its original wrapper???
You not only have the responsibility for your own connection to God, but to keep your family tapped into the things of God
You can’t force your kids into the things of God
But you can sure make it easier for them by keeping their connection to the things of God constant
A Godly father should intercede for his family
Let me ask a question to the fathers in the room:
How many times can you remember hitting your knees and going to God in prayer concerning your kids?
Now if your kids have ever been sick, I am sure you’ve been there
But I am talking about just going to God about their lives
Interceding means to “plead on another’s behalf”
If you are a father, you should be daily interceding for your children
Even if they are grown – go to God daily on their behalf
A Godly father should be a comforter
Remember, the Scripture that is translated comforter, means ‘one who walks beside’
A Godly father should be a man who stands with his wife and children
Someone they can count on
But, Scripture also indicates that the ‘Comforter’ reproves of sin and righteousness
The role of a Godly father (and mother) is also disciplining the children
It is up to you to explain to them what is right and wrong
They may not appreciate it now – but they will
Proverbs 23:13 “Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.”
Now that’s better advice than Dr. Spock ever gave out!
Illustration: “Daddy’s Hands” That country song really had it right; “Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was crying. Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I done wrong. Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle, but I’ve grown to understand, there was always love in daddy’s hands”
Quote: Sometimes discipline is the greatest love a father can show for his child
CONCLUSION: I began this day talking about heroes.
I talked about fictional heroes…
And I talked about fathers being heroes…
I want to finish with a story:
One day not too long ago, I was riding in the car with Cody my son, and he and I were discussing the subject of heroes.
He asked me if Superman were my hero, because as a child I collected superman comic books and I still enjoy looking at them from time to time.
But I said, “No, son. Superman is no my hero. He’s just a character.”
Then I thought for a minute, and I said, “Cody, do you have a hero?”
Now, I want you to know, part of me really did want him to say it was me.
I strive to be a man my son could look up to, and want to be like.
But he didn’t say me.
What he said, though, was much more precious.
He said, “Dad, my hero is Jesus.”
At that moment, my son taught me a valuable lesson.
You see, I want to be his hero.
And to be be his hero, the one thing I need to do most of all… is to try to be more like Jesus for him, for his mother, and for his sisters.
That’s what they need… a man who’s desire is to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Brothers, if you are a husband and a father… Christ is your model.
You should seek to love them as Christ loves His Church.
