Men Of Courage

Men of Courage

Matthew 5:13-16

Someone has come up with a Men’s Thesaurus. This Thesaurus is helpful for women to better understand men.

When a man says: “It would take too long to explain.”

He means: “I have no idea how it works.”

When a man says: “Take a break, honey, you are working too hard.” He means: “I can’t hear the game over the vacuum cleaner.”

When a man says: “That’s interesting dear.”

He means: “Are you still talking?”

When a man says: “It’s a guy thing.”

He means: “There is no rational thought pattern connected with this, and you have no chance at all of making it logical.”

When a man says: “Uh huh, sure honey,” or “yes, dear.”

He means: Absolutely nothing - It’s a conditional response.

When a man says: “I can’t find it.”

He means: “It didn’t fall into my outstretched hand, so I’m completely clueless.”

The Bible teaches that marriage is a sacred covenant and commitment between a man and a woman. “Two become one” means both have common goals and expectations. The expectations prior to marriage often get couples in trouble.

#Liz was sure her boyfriend Martin would make a great husband, especially when she met Martin’s parents. “They’re so nice to each other,” Liz remarked. “It’s great how your dad brings your mom coffee in bed every morning.”

Eventually, Martin and Liz got married. As they were heading for their honeymoon destination, Liz spoke of the loving home they would have, and mentioned once again Martin’s father’s habit of bringing his wife coffee in bed each morning. Liz asked jokingly, “And does this trait run in the family.”

“It sure does,” answered Martin, “and I take after my mom.”

#Darwin was entering his third month of marriage when he ran across a bachelor friend of his. “How’s married life treating you?” the friend inquired.

“It’s the best, man,” Darwin replied. “I think everyone should be married. I’m living a great life. Every day, I come home to a hot meal and a clean house. My slippers are right in front of the easy chair, and dinner is brought to me while I watch television. I’m really getting spoiled. Of course, we’re still living with my mother.”

In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus has a challenge for everyone, but this morning I want to apply the teaching especially to men. Jesus delivers His historic teaching from the side of a mountain. The first part of chapter five Jesus tells how to be blessed and how God’s blessing is on people who live Godly lives.

Then in verses 13-16 Jesus says in effect that since you have been blessed of God, now you are to bless others as salt and light in the world. This morning I want to challenge men to be salt and light to your family and to the world. It takes men of courage to be salt and light.

Men of courage who are salt and light -

I. Give Spiritual Leadership in the Home

Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT

Fathers give special attention to verse 4, “And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.”

God has ordained that husbands are to be the spiritual leaders of their families by their words and actions. Failure by the husband to show genuine love to his wife and children makes it difficult for the husband to grow in his own Christian life. Listen to what the Apostle Peter says, “You husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.” I Peter 3:7 NLT

The Biblical teaching is clear that fathers are to give spiritual leadership in the home. Listen carefully to I Timothy 5:8, “If any man provide not for his relatives and especially for his own family, he is worse than an unbeliever.” The primary provision Paul is talking about is providing spiritual instruction for the family.

God instructed Moses and Moses instructed parents, “And you must commit yourselves wholehearted to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

It takes courage to follow the commands of Jesus give spiritual leadership to your family. Jesus gives the call to men and women who are His followers: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28