Embracing God-Given Purpose: A Call to Men
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrated Father's Day by honoring all the men in our congregation and sharing some light-hearted dad jokes. However, the core of our gathering was a heartfelt message directed towards men, emphasizing their God-given purpose and the importance of stepping into their roles as leaders in their families, communities, and beyond. We discussed the pressures men face and how these pressures are not inherently bad but can become detrimental if not managed properly.
The central theme revolved around five critical questions every man must answer to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. These questions are: Am I healthy? Am I disciplined? Am I easily offended? Am I loving? Am I sharp? Each question delves into different aspects of a man's life, from physical and mental health to emotional resilience and spiritual connectivity.
We began by exploring the importance of health in four areas: heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus emphasized loving God with all these aspects, and we discussed how a healthy leader impacts many, while an unhealthy one impacts few. Discipline was the next focus, highlighting that without it, we are prone to compromise and failure. The third question addressed the issue of being easily offended, which often stems from insecurity and can hinder our relationships and growth.
We then moved on to the importance of love, as Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loved us. This love should be evident in our interactions, drawing others closer to Jesus. Finally, we discussed the need to be "sharp" or connected with others who can help us grow and stay accountable. The message concluded with a call to action for men to connect with others, join teams, and participate in life groups to build meaningful relationships.
### Key Takeaways
1. Health in Four Areas: Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Each of these areas needs to be healthy for us to lead effectively. A healthy leader impacts many, while an unhealthy one impacts few. Prioritize your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health to fulfill your God-given purpose. [39:36]
2. Discipline is Crucial: Discipline is essential for achieving long-term goals and avoiding compromise. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of running with purpose and disciplining our bodies and minds. Without discipline, we risk compromising our values and failing to lead others effectively. [47:48]
3. Overcoming Offense: Being easily offended often stems from insecurity. Offense can hinder our relationships and spiritual growth. Instead of holding onto grudges and past hurts, we should allow God to heal our bruises and lead us to a place of forgiveness and strength. [51:14]
4. Love as a Filter: Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loved us. This love should be evident in our daily interactions, drawing others closer to Him. Use 1 Corinthians 13 as a filter to evaluate your love for others—are you patient, kind, and selfless? [56:25]
5. The Importance of Connection: Proverbs 27:17 teaches that iron sharpens iron. Being connected with others who can help us grow and stay accountable is crucial. In a time where many men feel isolated, building meaningful relationships through teams and life groups is essential for spiritual and emotional health. [01:00:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:50] - Celebrating Men and Fathers
[31:24] - Special Gifts for Fathers
[32:09] - Dad Jokes
[34:09] - Introduction to the Message
[34:52] - God-Given Purpose for Men
[35:47] - The Pressures of Leadership
[37:13] - Five Questions Every Man Must Answer
[39:36] - Am I Healthy?
[47:48] - Am I Disciplined?
[51:14] - Am I Easily Offended?
[56:25] - Am I Loving?
[01:00:13] - Am I Sharp?
[01:08:26] - Prayer for Salvation
[01:11:09] - Prayer for Strength and Guidance
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:30 - "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
2. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
3. Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 12:30, what are the four areas in which we are commanded to love God?
2. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, what are some characteristics of love that Paul describes?
3. How does Proverbs 27:17 describe the relationship between individuals in terms of personal growth?
4. What are the five critical questions every man must answer according to the sermon? ([37:13])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength in Mark 12:30? How do these areas interconnect? ([39:36])
2. How can the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 serve as a filter for evaluating our interactions with others? ([56:25])
3. What does it mean to be "sharp" according to Proverbs 27:17, and how does this relate to the importance of community and accountability? ([01:00:13])
4. How does the sermon suggest that being easily offended is connected to insecurity? What are the implications of this for personal growth and relationships? ([51:14])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current state of health in the four areas mentioned in Mark 12:30: heart, soul, mind, and strength. Which area do you feel needs the most attention, and what steps can you take to improve it? ([39:36])
2. Discipline is crucial for achieving long-term goals. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with discipline. What practical steps can you take to become more disciplined in that area? ([47:48])
3. Think about a recent situation where you felt offended. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to avoid being easily offended? ([51:14])
4. Using 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as a filter, evaluate your interactions with others over the past week. Are there specific characteristics of love that you need to work on? How can you make these changes? ([56:25])
5. Proverbs 27:17 emphasizes the importance of connection. Are you currently connected with others who help you grow and stay accountable? If not, what steps can you take to build these meaningful relationships? ([01:00:13])
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of love in drawing others closer to Jesus. Think of a person in your life who may need to experience this love. What specific actions can you take to show them love this week? ([56:25])
7. Reflect on the pressures you face as a leader in your family, community, or workplace. How can you manage these pressures in a way that aligns with God's purpose for your life? ([35:47])
Devotional
Day 1: Holistic Health for Effective Leadership
A healthy leader impacts many, while an unhealthy one impacts few. Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This means prioritizing our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. When we are healthy in these four areas, we are better equipped to lead effectively and fulfill our God-given purpose. Neglecting any of these aspects can hinder our ability to serve others and make a positive impact. Take time to assess your health in these areas and seek God's guidance in areas where you need improvement. [39:36]
Mark 12:30 (ESV): "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Reflection: Which of the four areas (heart, soul, mind, strength) do you need to focus on improving? What steps can you take today to start making positive changes in that area?
Day 2: The Power of Discipline
Discipline is crucial for achieving long-term goals and avoiding compromise. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of running with purpose and disciplining our bodies and minds. Without discipline, we risk compromising our values and failing to lead others effectively. Discipline helps us stay focused on our goals and maintain our integrity. It requires intentional effort and commitment, but the rewards are worth it. Reflect on areas in your life where you need to develop more discipline and create a plan to strengthen those areas. [47:48]
1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV): "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with discipline? How can you create a plan to develop more discipline in that area starting today?
Day 3: Overcoming Offense
Being easily offended often stems from insecurity and can hinder our relationships and spiritual growth. Offense can create barriers between us and others, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and grace. Instead of holding onto grudges and past hurts, we should allow God to heal our bruises and lead us to a place of forgiveness and strength. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of our pride. Ask God to reveal any areas of offense in your heart and seek His help in overcoming them. [51:14]
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV): "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or an offense you need to let go of? How can you take a step towards forgiveness and healing today?
Day 4: Love as a Filter
Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loved us. This love should be evident in our daily interactions, drawing others closer to Him. Use 1 Corinthians 13 as a filter to evaluate your love for others—are you patient, kind, and selfless? Love is not just a feeling but an action that requires intentionality and sacrifice. Reflect on how you can demonstrate Christ-like love in your relationships and interactions with others. Let God's love flow through you to impact those around you. [56:25]
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: How can you show Christ-like love to someone in your life today? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate patience, kindness, and selflessness?
Day 5: The Importance of Connection
Proverbs 27:17 teaches that iron sharpens iron. Being connected with others who can help us grow and stay accountable is crucial. In a time where many men feel isolated, building meaningful relationships through teams and life groups is essential for spiritual and emotional health. These connections provide support, encouragement, and accountability, helping us stay sharp and focused on our spiritual journey. Seek out opportunities to connect with others and invest in relationships that will help you grow in your faith. [01:00:13]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who are the people in your life that help you stay accountable and grow in your faith? How can you strengthen those relationships and seek out new connections to support your spiritual journey?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We all have a dream. We all have something that we dream of, a vision for our finances, for our family, for our lives, for how we believe that this thing can grow. And I want to tell you that that is put there by God. I believe that God puts purpose, God puts vision, God puts ability in your life to accomplish great things in the world. I believe everybody. Everybody sitting in the room today, everybody watching online today, everybody at all of our locations today, everybody has a God-given purpose. Everybody has a God-given ability." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you're healthy you can impact a lot of people. Men, if we're leaders, if God's called us to be leaders and he's called us to lead our kids and our spouses and our communities ourselves, whatever, if we're called to be leaders. I want to give you this nugget: a healthy leader impacts many, an unhealthy leader impacts few." (20 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You are not a body with a soul. You are a soul with a body. That means your soul is vitally important and integral to the way of life. God created souls and wrapped it with a body. He did not create a body and just implant a soul. Take care of your soul. Let your soul be at rest with the identity of God." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Am I loving? John chapter 13 verse 34 says it like this, a new commandment, this is Jesus, I give to you that you love one another even as I have loved you that you may also love one another. In verse 35. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." (23 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You are supposed to connect with others, but you're not supposed to connect with everyone. Right? Some people you'll come into contact with and you just won't build that relationship. Can I encourage you to get out and join a team and jump in a life group and get around people and go bowling together and get on text messages together and have conversations. Don't expect them to do all the work. Don't expect it to happen overnight, but get to a place where you're building connection with other men that can carry life with you." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I believe, biblically, I believe logically, I believe practically, that bold, Godly, strong men are a key to success in the kingdom of God, in our country, in our communities, in our families, and in life. I believe godly bold strong men are a key to that and I believe that there's a reason that Everybody's trying to shut men up in that And I just want to tell you what if we just let the roar out a little bit What if we opened up and walked into the purpose that God has for us? What if we became everything God has for us to become what if we answered these questions?" (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Am I healthy? Health takes discipline. If I'm healthy in my heart, soul, mind, and strength, it means I'm disciplined to do things to create health in those areas which leads me to the second question that we have to answer: am I disciplined? Am I disciplined? It's a fair question. It's a great question. Am I disciplined? I love what the apostle Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 9 verses 26 through 27. He says therefore I run in such a way as not without aim I box in such a way as not beating the air in other words I'm not doing things just to do them there's a purpose behind it and then I love this but I discipline my body and I make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified in other words how can I lead others if I can't lead me." (52 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Am I easily offended? Am I at a place to where what people say and how they look to me and look at me and what they think about me, does it offend me easily? Am I walking around and it's just this opportunity where I can get. I don't want to get punched in the gut real, real quick. In fact, Ecclesiastes chapter 7 verses 21 through 22 talks about it. It says this. It says also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, praise God somebody, don't take seriously all the words that are spoken so that you will not hear your servant cursing you, right? So in other words, don't take what other people are saying and just make it a curse towards you. Stop getting offended at what everybody says." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Am I loving? John chapter 13 verse 34 says it like this, a new commandment, this is Jesus, I give to you that you love one another even as I have loved you that you may also love one another. In verse 35. I don't think it's going to come on the screen, but I'm going to read it to you. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. Can I, can I ask you a question? I know like this love gets this ooey gooey mushy kind of thought whenever we think about it, but am I loving others so much that they think about Jesus when they encounter me?" (23 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Am I sharp? Am I connected? Am I in relationship with people that can help me get better at the five questions I have to answer? Am I in relationship with people that can help me be healthy, that can help me be disciplined, that can help me be less offended, that can help me get to a place to where I'm loving? Am I in relationship with people that are going to help me get better?" (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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