Give Us Men of God

1 Timothy 6:1–12 NKJV

Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Men Matter!

Godly men matter more!

Men of God matter most!

Illustration by Tony Evans:

If you're a messed-up man and you have a family, you're going to help make a messed-up family.

If you a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family, and our messed-up family goes to church, then your messed-up family's gonna make its contribution to a messed-up church.

If you a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family resulting in a messed-up church, and your church is supposed to be the light to the neighborhood, then your messed-up church is gonna make its contribution to a messed-up neighborhood.

If you're a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family resulting in a messed-up church causing a messed-up neighborhood, and your neighborhood's part of a city, well, now, your messed-up neighborhood's gonna make its contribution to a messed-up city.

If you're a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family resulting in a messed-up church causing a messed-up neighborhood that resides in a messed-up city, and your city's part of the county, well, now, your messed-up city's gonna make its contribution to a messed-up county.

If you're a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family resulting in a messed-up church causing a messed-up neighborhood that resides in a messed-up city that's part of a messed-up county, and your county's part of the state, well, now, your messed-up county's gonna make its contribution to a messed-up state.

If you're a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family resulting in a messed-up church causing a messed-up neighborhood that resides in a messed-up city that's part of a messed-up county contributing to a messed-up state, and your state's part of the country, well, now, your messed-up state's gonna make its contribution to a messed-up nation.

If you're a messed-up man contributing to a messed-up family resulting in a messed-up church causing a messed-up neighborhood that resides in a messed-up city that's part of a messed-up county that's contributing to a messed-up state that's contributing to a messed-up country, and your country's part of the world, well, now, your messed-up country is gonna make its contribution to a messed-up world.

So, if you want a better world composed of better countries inhabited by better states 'cause they're made up of better counties composed of better cities inhabited by better neighborhoods illuminated by better churches that are made up of better families, we got to start by becoming better men.

The War on Manhood

Satan has launched a war on manhood!

He has sought to disengage manhood. (Absentee Men)

He has sought to distort manhood. (Macho Men)

He has sought to delay manhood. (Irresponsible Men)

He has sought to destroy manhood. (Feminine Men)

e. Where are the Men of God?

The Call to be a “Man of God”

1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

What is the Biblical model for Manhood? It is Man, Jesus Christ!

It is time for men of God to arise and lead their the families, churches, and communities.

The Man of God flees what is evil.

The worldly man is known for his participation and pursuit of evil.

The man of God is known for his aversion toward evil.

Joseph fled from the seduction of Potiphar’s wife.

A man of God will flee youthful lusts.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

A man of God will flee from evil and refuse to participate in it.

A man of God will flee friendship with those who love and practice evil.

A man of God will flee from proud and insubordinate men who stir up debate.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 NKJV

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

2 Timothy 2:23–26 NKJV

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

A Man of God will flee from the love of money and pursuit of materialism.

1 Timothy 6:6–10 NKJV

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

The Man of God pursues what is good.

He pursues honor and submission to those over him in the Lord.

He pursues wholesome teaching that produces godly attitudes and a godly lifestyle.

He pursues contentment as a steward of what God has entrusted to him.

He pursues godly virtues from a pure heart.

1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

He pursues eternal life.

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

His pursuit of eternal life rather than this earthly life.

His pursuit is in response to his “calling”.

His pursuit is anchored in his “confession”.

His pursuit is evidenced by his “fight of faith”.

Response to the Word

Do you want to change your family? Your church? Your community? Your state? Your nation? Your world? Commit to be a man of God!