“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”- Paul, 1 Cor. 16:13
I’ll never forget how excited I was when I first came to Crosslink. I was stoked because during my first month here, we were preaching to men about being Courageous. Based off the movie, we talked about what it meant for men to be men; pursue God intensely, to lead their family, love their wives, and put themselves last. We even had a banquet in which we called the men to account and had them sign a resolution. Knowing that I was coming on board as the Family Pastor, I was ecstatic to see that we were kicking things off with a bang by focusing on men and their families. It was awesome.
Now, almost a year later, where are we? Men, let me ask you, are you still being courageous? Are you still pursuing God like a mad man? Are you making strides in leading your family and loving your wife? In essence, are you any different? Have things changed?
In the first verse I listed above, Joab is leading the Israelites out to battle against Ammon and Aram. He is giving them a pregame speech, much like William Wallace did in the movie Braveheart. He then tells his warriors that they need to be courageous. Why? Because the livelihood of the people depends upon them.
Furthermore, Paul closes his letter to the Corinthians by telling them to “act like men.” How does a man act? He is brave, courageous, strong, and unbending. He is spiritually alert and sober; sacrificial and immovable.
Men, are you acting like men, or piddling like boys? If we are not waking up every morning and living as if God is first and we are last, then we are piddling. The Holy Spirit is constantly in my face about this. “Everyday” is the word He speaks to my heart. “Everyday; there is no day off. The livelihood of your family and your church depend on that.”
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells them, “For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you” (2 Cor. 4:11-12). If the life of Jesus is not being manifested in us it is because we are not dying. Is death working in you? If not, you will never be able to give life to others.
As long as men live self absorbed lives, families will suffer. As long as men continue to act like little sissies, righteousness will wane. As long as men whine and complain and moan about how hard things are, no one will give respect. As long as men continue to react to life like children rather than warriors, there will never be change. There will never be change in the family, never be change in the church, and never be change in society.
So, are you still Courageous? It is time to sober up spiritually and stop being intoxicated on the world and self. It is time for us men to take the initiative; curl our brows, grab our swords, and get angry.
Angry? Yes, angry. I am not talking about vengeful, unbridled, selfishly fueled anger. I am talking about a righteous anger, That kind of anger that tosses temple tables and cleanses out what doesn't need to be there; the kind of anger that drives a man to confront 450 prophets of Baal. Martin Luther once said that he” never did anything well until his wrath was excited, and then he could do anything well.” We need men who have a sanctified ticked-offness that drives them to rid their lives and their families of anything that diminishes the glory of God. We need men who have a sanctified ticked-offness that leads them to stand up, be brave, and suck it up. We need men who aren't going to cry when things get hard, pout when they don’t get their way, and sulk when called to account.
Christianity needs men.
So, my brothers, are you still Courageous? Have you fallen down? Lost your focus? All is not lost. We are here to pick each other up and dust each other off and stand shoulder to shoulder in the trenches and go toe-to-toe together against the enemy. That is what men do. So, men, where are you? Let me hear you bang your swords against your shields! Let me hear you scream in the face of your enemy! Let me see you hit your knees with your Savior.
Maybe you are a man reading this and you just don’t know how to get started. Please, come see your pastors here at Crosslink. We would love nothing more to equip you and disciple you. That is what we are here for. Men, we love you in Christ and want to see you flourish in Christ! Take courage, for the Spirit of God dwells in you and will empower you to be courageous!
Below are a few poems that I have written. I hope they inspire you:
Warrior
I am a warrior;
that means I have heard the battle cry;
it means that I have one concentration and one aim;
Victory!
That means that I know how to fight;
I know the thrill of victory and the pains of defeat;
Perseverance!
That means that I thrive in suffering;
It means that I am my best in the worst;
Ironic?
That means that I endure pain;
Internal and external, blows to the head and heart;
Toughness!
That means I am a protector;
I lay my life down for those entrusted to me;
Sacrifice!
That means that I never give up;
You will never defeat me or stop me;
Indomitable!
One hundred percent grit and guts;
I have made my home on the battlefield, but long for a land of peace.
I am a disciple of Christ- through and through.
One hundred percent born and bred from above.
Filled and overflowing with his resurrection power;
Smashed and conformed to the image of his death.
A warrior of the noblest breed.
A man after the heart of God.
My weapons are the word and prayer,
And my armor is from the Lord.
You better believe it!
The battles I face are immense.
Intimately.
Only for the glory of God.
You better believe it.
That means I wait for the trumpet sound;
That means I have once concentration and one aim;
Jesus!
-Jared Hill
Down in the valley, with tears and dirt covering my face;
Arms tired, feet dragging. I am worn; a hurting man.
I am numb. No emotion, no expression. Like a machine, I simply go until I break.
There is no light here. No springs, no oasis, no life.
When I walk, doubt antagonizes me; when I run, fear chases me. No rest, no end.
When I talk, no one listens, and when I cry, no one hears.
Desert jackals track me, waiting for me to fall so they can devour me.
The traps of my enemy are everywhere. I am overwhelmed by his onslaught.
Others roam around like mindless zombies; driven insane by this insipid environment.
At the sight of their plight, a new grit vehemently shakes me.
Over the darkness I will prevail! Out of the ashes I rise!
I am His chosen; His elect. His plan for me will be accomplished. His promise will not fail!
Confidence floods my soul again as I laugh at my enemies and my surroundings.
I taunt my foes with my indomitable spirit and unconquerable resolve.
I take my battle ax and dismember fear. Never will he chase me again.
I beat discouragement and dejection down with my fist until they stop twitching.
A sense of shock runs through me as I wonder where such strength and ability came from.
The earth shook, and an immense light pierced the darkness.
Out of His mouth came a sharp sword and He was wearing a white robe dipped in blood.
His eyes are like flames of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He is the Word of God.
Indeed, now I know that I will make it. Now I know I will prevail.
He has the last laugh; the final word; the closing statement.
A door appears in our midst and He takes a key and opens it.
The Great Warrior says, “Here is your destiny. The place of blessing I promised you.”
The Great Warrior now becomes my closest friend. He kneels down and embraces me.
He sends me out as one who has been tested and approved by God.
Thus, once again, He has proven Himself faithful.
Thus, once again, He has shown His love. To Him be the glory forever.
-Jared Hill