Man Enough To Stand Alone Series

I gave you some negative examples, but there are some positive ones. I know you have heard the phrase “remember the Alamo.” It is a story that illustrates what we, as men are all about. 187 men against the Mexican army of over 6000. They were extraordinary men, but they knew they couldn’t win with those odds. They had sent out pleas for help, but they had gone unanswered. At some point Captain William Barrett Travis realized that reinforcements would not arrive in time and they were sure to be defeated. In a stirring speech he explained to his men the gravity of the situation. He told them that they could surrender or fight and face certain death. He drew a line in the dirt and said, “as for me, I have decided to fight until I die. Anyone who wants to join me, step across this line.” All but one crossed the line. Those included Davy Crockett, and even Jim Bowie, the man who had commanded the volunteers, but had to step aside because he was suffering from pneumonia. He asked to be carried across the line on his cot.

They knew they couldn’t win. They fought anyway. And they all died. Because of that they are all heroes and thousands visit the Alamo every year.

Why did they do it? Why didn’t they all like that one, slip out the back during the night and get away? I’ll tell you why. Because a man loves that challenge. A man loves to give himself to something greater than himself if he can just find it.

Do you realize that is how this country was founded? When those men signed the Declaration of Independence, they weren’t sure we could defeat England. But they were sure that it was worth dying to try.

Men, I have a challenge for you today. Like William Barrett Travis, I am going to draw the line in the sand. But I am not asking you to cross the line to die. I am asking you for something greater and tougher. I am asking you to step across the line and give yourself, but live.

Rom 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.

Rather than die for your wife, why don’t you live for her? Rather than die for your children, why don’t you live for them? Rather than die for Christ, why don’t you live for him?

Perhaps the day will come when we have to die for one or more of those things. Maybe we will see persecution in our lifetime.

Maybe one of us will have to give our life for our wife or children in the midst of some crime. Maybe one day that will happen. When it does, if it does, I pray that I am ready and willing to stand alone. I pray that you will be willing too.

But that day is not today. Today we are called to step forth and live.

The invitation today is a little different. Men, I am challenging you to come up to the front and say, “I am going to follow all four of those traits.” I am not asking to work on one, or even the one where you are weak, that would be too easy and I don’t want to give you an easy challenge. I want you to come up and say, “I am going to do all 4.” Will you come and live?