Kingdom Men: Leadership Through Sacrifice and Love
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound responsibility and calling of men, particularly in the context of marriage and relationships. The journey of being a true leader and a "kingdom man" is not about dominance or authority but about sacrifice and love, mirroring the example set by Jesus Christ. Jesus, despite the immense burden of the cross, endured it for the joy and purpose that lay beyond it. This is a powerful reminder that true leadership involves seeing beyond immediate challenges to the greater purpose and joy that God has set before us.
Men are called to be saviors in their households, not in the divine sense, but as protectors and nurturers who are willing to sacrifice for the well-being of their families. This involves a deep commitment, much like Jacob's love for Rachel, which was demonstrated through years of dedicated service. Love is not merely spoken; it is proven through actions and sacrifices. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, which means giving oneself up for her, prioritizing her needs, and ensuring her growth and well-being.
The analogy of a sacrificial bunt in baseball was used to illustrate this point. Just as a batter sacrifices his chance for a home run to advance another player, a man must sometimes set aside his own desires to elevate those around him. This is the essence of biblical love and leadership. It is about moving others forward, helping them reach their potential, and fulfilling God's purpose for their lives.
As kingdom men, there is a call to action. This week, men are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to this calling, to show tangible evidence of their love and leadership. This is not just about words but about visible actions that reflect the heart of a true leader. Next Sunday, there will be an opportunity to reflect on these actions and hold each other accountable, ensuring that the commitment to being a kingdom man is not just a declaration but a lived reality.
Key Takeaways:
1. True leadership involves sacrifice and love, mirroring Jesus' example of enduring the cross for a greater joy and purpose. This means seeing beyond immediate challenges to the bigger picture God has set before us. [00:49]
2. Men are called to be saviors in their households, demonstrating love through actions and sacrifices, much like Jacob's dedication to Rachel. This involves prioritizing the well-being and growth of their families. [01:41]
3. Love is not just spoken but proven through actions. A husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church, giving himself up for her and ensuring her needs are met. [02:36]
4. The analogy of a sacrificial bunt in baseball illustrates the essence of biblical love and leadership. Sometimes, setting aside personal desires is necessary to elevate and advance others. [04:01]
5. Kingdom men are called to demonstrate their commitment through tangible actions, not just words. This involves accountability and ensuring that their leadership is a lived reality, not just a declaration. [03:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - The Call to Sacrifice
[00:33] - Jesus' Example of Endurance
[00:49] - Seeing Beyond Immediate Challenges
[01:05] - The Responsibility of Headship
[01:24] - Preparing for Marriage
[01:41] - Jacob's Dedication to Rachel
[02:00] - Demonstrating Love Through Actions
[02:20] - The Proof of Love
[02:36] - Loving Like Christ
[02:53] - Kingdom Men's Responsibility
[03:06] - Accountability in Action
[03:19] - The Call to Be a Kingdom Man
[03:36] - The Sacrificial Bunt Analogy
[04:01] - Moving Others Forward
[04:17] - The Essence of Biblical Love
[04:34] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
2. Genesis 29:20 - "So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her."
3. Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 5:25, how is a husband's love for his wife supposed to mirror Christ's love for the church? [02:36]
2. What actions did Jacob take to demonstrate his love for Rachel, as described in Genesis 29:20? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about love being proven through actions? [01:41]
3. In Hebrews 12:2, what motivated Jesus to endure the cross, and how does this relate to the concept of seeing beyond immediate challenges? [00:49]
4. How does the analogy of a sacrificial bunt in baseball illustrate the essence of biblical love and leadership? [04:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for men to be "saviors" in their households, and how does this differ from the divine role of Jesus as Savior? [01:41]
2. How can the concept of enduring immediate challenges for a greater purpose, as seen in Hebrews 12:2, be applied to the responsibilities of a "kingdom man"? [00:49]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love should be demonstrated through actions rather than words alone? How does this align with the biblical examples provided? [02:20]
4. How does the sermon challenge traditional views of leadership and authority within the context of marriage and relationships? [01:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had to set aside your own desires for the benefit of someone else. How did it feel, and what was the outcome? [04:01]
2. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to your family this week. What actions will you take to ensure this love is visible and tangible? [02:20]
3. Consider the concept of being a "kingdom man." What steps can you take this week to align your actions with this calling? How will you hold yourself accountable? [03:19]
4. Think about a challenge you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see beyond the immediate difficulty to the greater purpose God might have for you? [00:49]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of responsibility and commitment in your relationships, similar to Jacob's dedication to Rachel? What practical steps will you take? [01:41]
6. Reflect on the analogy of the sacrificial bunt. Is there an area in your life where you need to "bunt" rather than aim for a "home run"? How will you approach this situation differently? [04:01]
7. How can you encourage other men in your community to embrace the role of a "kingdom man"? What support or resources might you offer to help them on this journey? [03:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Leadership Through Sacrifice and Vision
True leadership is not about exerting power or control but about embodying the sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Jesus endured the cross, not for immediate gratification, but for the joy and purpose that lay beyond it. This example teaches us that true leadership involves looking beyond present challenges to the greater purpose God has set before us. As leaders, especially within the family, men are called to emulate this sacrificial love, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal desires. This perspective shifts the focus from self-centered leadership to one that seeks the flourishing of those around us. [00:49]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life can you shift your focus from immediate challenges to the greater purpose God has for you?
Day 2: The Role of a Protector and Nurturer
Men are called to be saviors in their households, not in a divine sense, but as protectors and nurturers who prioritize the well-being and growth of their families. This calling involves a deep commitment, akin to Jacob's love for Rachel, which was demonstrated through years of dedicated service. Love is not merely spoken; it is proven through actions and sacrifices. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, which means giving oneself up for her, prioritizing her needs, and ensuring her growth and well-being. This commitment requires a daily choice to put the needs of others first, reflecting the selfless love of Christ. [01:41]
Ephesians 5:25-26 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your commitment to nurturing and protecting your family today through a specific action?
Day 3: Love in Action
Love is not just spoken but proven through actions. A husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church, giving himself up for her and ensuring her needs are met. This kind of love is active and sacrificial, requiring a willingness to put aside personal desires for the sake of another's well-being. It is a love that seeks to uplift and support, mirroring the selfless love of Christ. This week, consider how you can embody this love in your relationships, showing through tangible actions that your love is genuine and deep. [02:36]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can show love through action to someone close to you today?
Day 4: The Sacrificial Bunt
The analogy of a sacrificial bunt in baseball illustrates the essence of biblical love and leadership. Just as a batter sacrifices his chance for a home run to advance another player, a man must sometimes set aside his own desires to elevate those around him. This is the essence of biblical love and leadership. It is about moving others forward, helping them reach their potential, and fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. This week, reflect on how you can make sacrifices in your own life to help others advance and grow. [04:01]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: What personal desire can you set aside this week to help someone else move forward in their journey?
Day 5: Commitment to Action
Kingdom men are called to demonstrate their commitment through tangible actions, not just words. This involves accountability and ensuring that their leadership is a lived reality, not just a declaration. This week, men are encouraged to show tangible evidence of their love and leadership, reflecting the heart of a true leader. Next Sunday, there will be an opportunity to reflect on these actions and hold each other accountable, ensuring that the commitment to being a kingdom man is not just a declaration but a lived reality. [03:19]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate your commitment to being a kingdom man?
Quotes
"Jesus wasn't all that excited about what he had to go through to save you or me cuz remember in the garden he said if it's possible let this cup pass from me so I hear many of you saying if it's possible get me out of this all right if it's possible Deliver Me Jesus wasn't all that excited about a cross either but what took him to the cross on Friday was he didn't lose sight of Sunday for the joy set before him he endured the cross he saw something bigger he saw something bigger than what he was going through." [00:28:56]
"When we as men me you us see that we have the opportunity to be deliverers all of a sudden headship is a bigger job and a bigger responsibility that's why men who are single you should not be in all that hair to get married until you develop responsibility un God so that you know how to carry out that role and not just jump in that role without being responsible for that role messing up you and anybody else who's following you." [01:05:40]
"The Bible says Jacob loved Rachel so much he worked 14 years for her 14 years to get her hand in that's how much he he love in other words he was willing to to work for it he was willing to earn it he had to sacrifice time and energy to demonstrate his love not just wrap his love he had to prove it brother had to show up he had to demonstrate it ladies don't believe it cuz of sound good believe it because it's demonstrated to be good don't believe it because it wraps nice believe it because there is proof in the pudding that demonstrate that the Love is Real is not going to be here today and desert you tomorrow." [01:41:56]
"He says a husband is to love his wife like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for it this week this week this week Kingdom men you have some responsibility right oh I it got low right all right you taking care of business all right now just to show you we serious about this on next Sunday I'mma go up and down the aisle I'mma have all the the kingdom men stand up then I'mma ask the woman what did you see this week I'm going to go up and down the aisle and you better not stay home talking about I'm sick I'mma go up down there I'm going say you stand then I'm going go to the lady did did you see anything this week okay cuz you're supposed to see something okay you're supposed to see him begin to operate this way why because he said I want to be a kingdom man I want to be a man who represents the king in relationship to what God expects." [02:36:16]
"In baseball the a batter sometimes is called upon to lay down a sacrificial bunt it's a sacrificial bunt now he's up there and he wants to hit a home run over the fence but the the the the third Bas coach may may may may may give him a sign and that mean lay down a sacrificial bunt I wanted to hit it over the fence but he says instead of doing what I want to do let me sacrifice my home run swing and just do a little bunt in order to move the man off from first base to second base or from second base to third base or the third base the home PL sacrifice what I want to move somebody else ahead that's what a Biblical lover does he lays down a sacrificial bunt he's willing to forgo some of his home run Desires in order to move somebody else from where they are to the next level of life." [03:36:04]
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