Looking For A Few Good Men
Notes
Transcript
Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”
Looking For A Few Good Men
The Marines often say they are looking
for a few good men; men who will suit
up, stand up, and serve. Imagine
where our country would be without
these type of men that serve to protect
this land that we live in.
In this scripture verse from Ezekiel, it is
God who is looking for a few good
men. God is looking for a few good
men to serve as intercessors for the
people of Israel and stand in the gap
between them and God.
In the natural, this word "gap" refers
to an opening or space in the city wall
that was designed to shield the people
living there from the dangers posed by
their adversaries. In the spiritual, the
word “gap” refers to the spiritual gap
between God and the people.
In ages past, when the city wall was
broken through, it was interpreted as a
symbol of the city's weakness and
vulnerability. It increased the
likelihood that the city would be
destroyed.
Ezekiel says God was looking for a
man who was ready to stand in the
gap, to build up the wall’s protection
and improve the people’s connection
with their Creator. God was open to
sparing the nation from destruction if
he could locate a faithful man suitable
for the job. But God concludes that He
found none!
For us, this scripture verse is a call to
action. God still needs a few good
men…men who will be leaders,
defenders, and intercessors in times of
conflict. He needs men who will not
fail, because the repercussions for the
country are catastrophic. God warned
Israel that He would scatter them
among the nations due to their many
crimes. In verse 31, He adds, So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD." (NIV)
We don’t think of God as vengeful. We
prefer to think of Him as all-loving. But
God’s tolerance has a limit. He is still
looking for men who have learned to
lean on Him for guidance and
direction…men who will act as
protectors of the Word…and stand in
the gap between Him and the
unfaithful.
What should we look for in these few
good men? Should it be the clothes
they wear, the house they live in, the
size of their bank account? NO!
The main trait for these few good men
is that they love Christ, and have
learned to lean on the Lord. Proverbs
3:5-6 says that they should "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
SERMON POINTS
- God wants men who know how to
listen.
I believe I have a few good men here
today. On this Sunday, are there a few
good men who have worn their armor
in the heat of battle and come out
victorious for the Lord? They’ve
learned not to trust their own wisdom,
but to trust in Almighty God. They
may not completely understand all
that God is up to…but they are willing
to put all their trust in and take all
their direction from Him.
We don't always comprehend what
God is up to. We may see a portion of
God’s big picture, but we can’t see
everything. God says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8).
That’s why it’s so hard to find good
men. As the head of our families, we
want to take control and be the boss.
We want to be in charge. And God
understands that. But we cannot
elevate our rights above His right to
steer the course of our lives in the
manner He deems most appropriate.
When we insist that God explain
Himself to satisfy our limited
comprehension, we are laying the
groundwork for a spiritual struggle.
God wants men who know how to
listen.
- God wants men who know how to lead.
Men who have learned to lead have
developed the character, skills, and
vision to inspire and guide others
toward a shared goal or purpose.
Those who have be known to lead well
are men who have developed the
character, skills, and vision necessary
to lead. They can effectively
communicate, cultivate solid
connections, take responsibility for
their actions and decisions, and
inspire and motivate others.
I believe we have a few good men who
have developed the ability to inspire
others by setting an excellent example
in whatever they do; by acting with
honesty, modesty, bravery, and
compassion. They recognize that
leadership is not about power or
control but service and sacrifice. They
know how to scrap their boots on and
go to work.They are dedicated to using
their unique gifts and abilities to
impact the lives of others around them
in a positive way.
Men that are Believers learn how to
trust and rely on God. They are
entirely devoted to pursuing God's will
and direction in everything they do
because they know that genuine
leadership depends on the wisdom,
guidance, and provision that can only
come from God. These are the men
who have mastered the art of
leadership, not only in their own lives
but also in their families, their
communities, and in the world. These
are the kind of men whom God seeks
when He searches for a few good men.
These are the men God chooses to
advance the Gospel message here…
and around the world.
God wants men who know how to lead.
- God wants men who know how to love.
He needs men who love God above all
things; men who have a close and
enduring relationship with God and
have witnessed the life-altering effects
of God's love in their journey through
life.
These few good men realize that
loving God involves a total dedication
to Him and a readiness to subject their
goals and aspirations to His will. They
realize the importance of putting their
relationship with God first, in every
aspect of their lives. These are men
who have developed a profound sense
of thankfulness, reverence, and
humility, and they are not afraid to
openly demonstrate their adoration of
their heavenly Father. They know that
their connection to God is founded on
His love and mercy toward them, so
they have decided to lead a life that
honors and celebrates God in every
way. These men love their wives and
their families.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my
commandments.” (John 14:15). And we
have a few good men right here that
know that loving God entails
obedience to his commands. As a
result, they have committed
themselves to obeying his will; even
when their obedience presents
challenges or causes discomfort. *
As witnesses to the life-altering effects
of God's love, they are determined to
pay this blessing forward. They have
realized that loving those around them
is a natural extension of their love for
God; thus they have decided to serve
and care for those in their community
with the same selfless love that Christ
exhibits toward them. *
Yes, we have a few good men. But
there is always room for more.
· We need a few more good men who
find it natural to adore their Heavenly
Father.
· We need a few more good men who
want to discover the profound sense
of joy and peace in knowing and
serving God.
· We need a few more good men who
will find their ultimate satisfaction and
purpose in serving Christ, and leading
a life that reflects His love and grace to
the world around them.
God is still looking for a few good men;
Holy men who will stand up for Christ
and His Church. He is not looking for
macho men or men with a great
personality. He is looking for men
who are faithful. God honors the
faithful. And His reward is this: Eternal
life. One day, the faithful will hear Him
say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of the LORD." (Matthew 25:21). His voice will
be a familiar voice; one that sounds
like the voice of a Shepherd. And a few
good men will recognize it because His
sheep know his voice.
Israel needed a few good men. God
would have settled for ONE GOOD
MAN. But God could find none…no not
one. So He wrapped His son in
swaddling clothes and sent Him to
earth as a baby, to experience all that
weak, sinful men were suffering. And
while they continued to fail, He
endured. He endured in perfection, all
the way to the Cross…obedient unto
death. When God could find no one to
save the children of Israel, He provided
a Savior…a Messiah….to take the
weight of the sins of the world on His
shoulders and pay once…for all.
This man was called Jesus; He is the
Word, and the Word is with God.
This man was called Emmanuel which
means GOD with Us.
This man was called the Rose of
Sharon and the Bright and the
Morning Star.
This man was called the Prince of
Peace and the Lord of Lords.
This man was not of this world, but He
came down through forty-two
generations.
As the promised Messenger of God.
I need a few good men who know Him
to say “Thank you, Jesus!”
Thank you for seeing our thirst and
quenching it.
Thank you for sensing our burden and
relieving it.
Thank you for discerning our trials and
helping us to face them.
Thank you for perceiving our battles
and winning them.
When we are weak, you strengthen us.
When we are empty, you fill us.
When we are in bondage, you release
us.
When we question you, you answer us.
When we are at fault, you forgive us.
When we are guilty, you pardon us.
Help us to be the few good men you
are counting on…until Eternity. Amen!
God wants men who know how to
listen.
- God wants men who know how to lead.
- God wants men who know how to love.