Today, our society has reached the peak of its moral decline. Our political structure, and religous culture centered around compromise and the “opening of minds”, punishes any who dare stand up for what is right. The results of such compromise are both obvious, and appalling. 50% of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. A country that was founded upon Biblical, and moral principles, will no longer allow their public schooled students to pray. Approximately 8,300 unborn babies are murdered every day, in America alone. This country is in deep trouble, and godly men are the key to revival and recovery both politically and religously. While we see the blatant need for godly men in our culture, there is much debate over what godly manhood actually is. In this speech, I will define Godly manhood.
1. What is a godly man?
In Joshua chapter 1, Moses had just died, and God is giving the leadership of the people of israel to Joshua. In this passage, we find the definition of Godly Manhood.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land… Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
2. Godly men are strong
Merriam-Webster defines strength as “the quality or state of being strong : capacity for exertion or endurance”
So, is being a strong man dependent on physical exercise? Do we mean by “strong man” that every man must have large biceps? Or is God referencing a different type of strength in this passage?
1 Timothy 4:8 says “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
This verse does NOT say that bodily exercise doesn’t profit! However, it points out the fact that godliness IS more important than physical strength. Is this a mental strength, then? Perhaps the ability so speak elequently, or persuade everyone around you that your way is the best?
Ephesians 6:10 says “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.”
God is not talking about physical strength. There is an alternate definition of strength found in merriam webster’s dictionary that I believe says it plainly. Strength is “the power of resisting attack”. God provides men with strength to do the right thing even under the most difficult situations. God wants men to be morally strong. God is literally telling Joshua to resist attack! Now, this makes a lot more sense, really. Would God really be telling the leader of the people of Israel to do more push-ups?
Why do we need strength? It isn’t difficult to think of an example of the consequences of weak men. In fact, the very first sin commited on earth was a result of a man not having the strength to resist attack.
Adam was not morally strong, He forgot the only commandment of God, and caved in to peer pressure.
Similarly, today we often find weak men the cause of many problems. October, 2009, the US Congress met together to vote on an ammendment that would ban government funding of abortions from the healthcare bill. At least 50 Congressmen, claiming to be Christians, voted against the ammendment. Caving in, they allowed the political pressure to dictate their morals. This is called compromise, and it seems to have become synonymous with politics these days. Men who stand for what’s right, with strength from God, are few and far between.
Now we know what strength is, and its importance, how do we recieve strength?
David, one of the strongest and most uncompromising men of all time said in psalm 119:28 “My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.”
Strength comes from Christ, and the maintenance of this strength from the study, and application of His Word.
But moral strength is only good when we use it. Matthew 5 states “men do not light a candle, and put it under a bushel. But on a candlestick, it gives light unto all the house.” To actually practice strength, we need courage.
3. Godly men are Courageous
Just like a man who can run a 4 minute mile, and never uses his abilities in a race, God does not want men with their moral strength standing on the sidelines. Perhaps that is why in the passage from Joshua we find “be strong and courageous” together 3 times.
In perhaps one of my favorite movies of all time, Spiderman, a similar idea is recognized as the major theme. Multiple times in the movie, Spiderman is faced with conflict and feels like giving in. But each time, he is reminded of something his uncle told him once, long ago. “With great power, comes great responsibility.”
Merriam-Webster defines courage as a “firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty”.
My definition of courage is: the ability to recognize fear as your worst enemy and, through the power of Christ, defeat it.
This courage-lacking society is crumbling.
October 24th, 2009, Outside of the Richmond High School formal dance, A 15 year old girl was physically assaulted, and abused by 10 other students.
This is not the sickest part- at least 10 other teenagers were seen with camera phones, video-taping the event. None of them even considering stepping in, to save the girl.
Only after over two hours of abuse, did a “friend” of the girl call 9-1-1. Emergency vehicles arrived just in time to save the girl’s life.
This sickening display of the lack of moral strength in our society is only the very tip of the iceberg. After all, the most sickening part is not found in the fact that she was abused, but that there was not a single man on the entire campus with the courage to stand up for what was right and put a stop to it.
Godly men have the strength to resist attack, and the courage to act upon their beliefs in the face of adversity. Had there been one godly man at that high school that had known what was going on, the situation would have been much better. But instead, we got a glimpse of our upcoming generations. It was obvious that there were many people around, but no-one felt the courage or strength within themselves to stand up against the evil, so they compromised. Pulling out their cell phones, and video-taping the unspeakable act would make them popular with their friends.
Once again, we see the problems, and the necessity of godly men. But how do we have courage?
When Jesus went into the wilderness, and fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was subjected to the harshest and fiercest attacks satan could muster. During this time of temptation, Jesus showed considerable courage, and strength. First, having the power to resist, then, having the courage to say what was necessary.
Get you behind me satan!
Quoting verses from the Bible, Jesus not only defended His sinlessness, but also wounded satan and with courage, commanded Him to leave.
So, Courage comes from the Bible, too? Yes.
Psalm 31:24 says
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
4. Godly Men Love, Sacrifice
There is yet another characteristic that defines a Godly man. Love. This “love” bears not the same meaning as the common form of the word “love” used in today’s society. This kind of love is real, true, love. love in it’s purest form. Sacrifice. This characteristic is best described in the historic, tragic, and inspiring account of the HMS Birkenhead.
It was a cold February morning in the year 1852. The H.M.S. Birkenhead, commanded by a Captain Robert Salmon, was making a trip to transport over 600 troops to fight in the Frontier War- raging in South Africa. Along with the troops travelled some 20 women, and children.
It was an unusually calm night. Approaching a rocky outcrop aply named “Danger Point”– disaster struck. With everyone but The Watch in their sleeping quarters, no-one could possibly expect the disaster awaiting them. As the watch, scanned the clear glowing waters ahead, and just as the Leadman called “Sounding 12 Fathoms!”, the Birkenhead rammed an uncharted rock.
The churning paddle wheels of the Birkenhead drove her on with such force that the rock sliced through into the hull ripping open the compartment between the engine-room and forepeak. Water flooded into the forward compartment of the lower troop deck filling it instantly.
All the surviving officers and men who could, assembled on deck. The senior officer on board, Lieutenant-Colonel Seton of the 74th Royal Highland Fusiliers took charge of all military personnel. He immediately summoned his officers around him and stressed the importance of maintaining order and discipline amongst the inexperienced soldiers.
Realizing the hopeless position they were in, the captain ordered “Lower the lifeboats!”. To their dis-may, due to a lack of maintenance, much of the lowering equipment would not function.
That night under a clear starry sky the great naval tradition of “women and children first” was established as eventually 3 small boats were launched and the seven women and thirteen children were rowed away from the wreck to safety.
Only then did Captain Salmond shout to the men that everyone who could swim must save themselves by jumping into the sea and make for the boats.
Lieutenant-Colonel Seton quickly recognised that such a rush would mean that the lifeboats could be swamped and the lives of the women and children on-board would thus be endangered. He drew his sword and ordered his men “stand fast!”. The untried soldiers did not move even as the ship split in two and the gallant company slipped down into the waves.
The Birkenhead sank only twenty-five minutes after she had struck the rocks, only the topmast and sailcloth remained visible above the water with some fifty men still clinging to them.
Of the 634 people onboard the Birkenhead, only 193 were saved.
Some call it chivalry, I call it Love. I call it sacrifice.
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Sacrifice is the greatest act of love any man could accomplish. A Godly man sacrifices his wants, his desires, what he believes is important. He sacrifices his life for God, and those he is called to love.
Strength, Courage, and Love.
