A Leading Man, A Women’s Dream, A Man’s Man, is someone that is adored by the women and respected by the men.
Who is this man?
A leading man attracts ALL kinds of people to themselves.
When looking for a leader, don’t mix-up Meek with week.
Meek; mild: showing mildness or quietness of nature, is not Weak: not strong or fit: not physically fit or mentally strong, so which one of these men would you follow?
Is it Pee Wee Herman, Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor or Mr. Rogers? What if you were going to into battle, would you follow them or would you want some one that is a little stronger, a little more forceful. Would you want a leader or a wimp?
What do you think about a leading man; Rob Lowe, Frank Sinatra, or John Wayne? Maybe you would want someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone?
What if you could choose General George Patton, General Dwight Eisenhower, General Douglas Macarthur, or a strong President, would you be more willing to go?
The leader is someone that commands respect by all.
A Young man from Texas is a good example.
Audie Murphy, at 19 years old, won the hearts and respect of everyone that knew of him.
Audie Leon Murphy, son of poor Texas sharecroppers, rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II.
Among his 33 awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America, for "conspicuous gallantry and in•trep•id at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty."
He also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including 5 decorations by France and Belgium. He was credited with either killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others, he became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division.
Beginning his service as an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a "battle field" commission as 2nd Lieutenant.
He was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war.
During Murphy’s 3 years active service as a combat soldier in World War II, Audie became one of the best fighting combat soldiers of this or any other century.
What Audie accomplished during this period is most significant and probably will never be repeated by another soldier, given today’s high-tech type of warfare.
The U.S. Army has always declared that there will never be another Audie Murphy.
On 21 September, 1945, Audie was released from the Army as an active member and reassigned to inactive status. During this same time, actor James Cagney invited Murphy to Hollywood in September 1945, when he saw Murphy’s photo on the cover of Life Magazine.
The first couple of years he received token parts in two films.
His first starring role came in a 1949 released film by Allied Artists called, Bad Boy. In 1950 Murphy eventually got a contract with Universal-International (later called Universal) where he starred in 26 films, 23 of them westerns over the next 15 years.
His 1949 autobiography “To Hell And Back” was a best seller. Murphy starred as himself in a film biography released by Universal-International in 1955 with the same title.
The movie, To Hell and Back, held the record as Universal’s highest grossing picture until 1975 when it was finally surpassed by the movie Jaws.
In the 25 years that Audie spent in Hollywood, he made a total of 44 feature films.
Audie Murphy wrote some poetry and was quite successful as a songwriter. Dozens of Audie Murphy’s songs were recorded and released by such great performers as Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Jimmy Bryant, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Wallace, Roy Clark, Harry Nilsson and many, many others.
His two biggest hits were Shutters and Boards and When the Wind Blows in Chicago. Eddy Arnold recorded When the Wind Blows in Chicago for his 1993 album Last of the Love Song Singers which is currently in release by RCA.
Murphy was always an advocate for the needs of veterans; he broke the taboo about discussing war related mental problems after this experience.
While on a business trip on May 28, 1971, (Memorial Day Weekend) he was killed at the age of 46. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia.
On June 7th, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.
His gravesite, near the Amphitheater, is second most visited gravesite year round. President Kennedy’s grave is the most visited.
In 1996 the Texas Legislature officially designated his birthday, June 20th, as Audie Murphy Day.
A “Man’s Man” and A Women’s Dream and a Leader and a Nation’s Hero”.
Women adored him and men respected and followed him.
What were the characteristic of this man?
1. Strong
2. Forceful, but not to forceful
3. Kind, but not mushy
4. Gentle, but firm
5. Aggressive, but not pushy
6. Loving
7. Slow to Anger
8. Rational
All this is to show that people will not follow a wimp. To be followed, the leader must have some back-bone.
Jesus was and is that kind of man.
I want to share with you a side of Jesus that you may have missed.
As we look at what has transpired in Jesus’ adult life so far.
1. John writes, from the beginning of the beginning
2. John the Baptist denies being the Christ.
3. John baptizes Jesus; the Spirit of God comes down as a Dove.
4. Jesus’ time in the desert, temptation from Satan.
5. Jesus calls His first Disciples.
6. The Wedding in Cana, Water into Wine.
7. Now Jesus comes to the Temple.
That’s just a real quick outline of what is going on at this time.
A TIME FOR CHANGE
When a new leader comes into power, things have to change. If it is a new president, the cabinet is changed. The Congress, they have a new leader, Nancy Pelosi. The same goes with a new governor or a new boss.
I remember when I started a new job, the best employee in the department said that she was glad I was there. She said that she would do all she could to help me, but I was not to change anything in her part of the room.
Well you know what I did that Saturday, the entire room was moved around, especially her part of the room.
I was her supervisor, she was not mine. Things changed.
There were wrongs being done in the Temple Courts and they needed to be stopped.
Jesus did not sneak in and start asking quietly each individual to move to the out side and change their way of doing business.
He came in and got every ones attention. He had started His ministry and they got the message.
They were making a business out of religion. They were robbing the people that came to worship. The Gentiles were being selected and being charged adsorbent prices for the animals for sacrifice.
When Jesus came in and started turning over tables and ordering them out of the Temple Courts, He got there attention.
He was not a weak mealy mouthed wimpy man asking them to leave and change there ways; He was ordering them out of the Temple and accused them of robbing the people. GET OUT!
He was taking the lead; He was the Man’s Man. To follow someone, they must be able to take charge.
He claimed His position as the Son of God. He said, My Father’s house, “My Father, not God’s House, but My Father’s House”.
We want a strong leader, some one that is not afraid to take charge.
Quote from David Murrow’s book; “Why Men Hate Going To Church”:
Churches have re-created Christ as a benevolent Teacher who is always gentle, tender, and accepting. This Christ would never offend anyone, never judge anyone, and of course, never send anyone to hell. If this Christ were a radio station, His slogan would be “all tenderness, all the time.”
There are two problems with this view of Jesus: 1. it’s not accurate, and 2. no man wants to follow a feminized man. Men are looking for a real man to follow: dynamic, outspoken, bold, sharpe edged. They want a leader who is decisive, tough and fair. They respect a man who tells it like it is and doesn’t mince words, even when it makes them mad. Men most respect a leader who doesn’t care what others think of him.”
Jesus of scripture was exactly this kind of man. He was fearsome: the Bible says the disciples were “terrified” of Him. (Mark 4:41) and no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:34). He was abrasive: He regularly ridiculed His disciples for their thick headedness (Matt. 15:16). He insulted His host at dinner parties (Luke 11:37-53).
He is a Man’s Man, He is a leader.
Have you ever watched a police officer in the line of duty? They are kind, they are caring, they are helpful, but in an instant they can have you face down on the ground. They can lead with a soft hand or they can twist your arm around to the back of your neck. They are a take charge person, the same way as Jesus, soft and gentle or face down on the ground.
Towards the end of His ministry, Matthew 21:12-13;
Again, Jesus drove out the money changers and the animal suppliers. “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
Forcible taking charge, He was under the power and leadership of His Father.
We are serving a kind and caring Savior, but if you think being a follower of Christ is just passive, soft and cuddle, you need to re-examine the scriptures.
We have a take charge Savior. He can and is a soft and loving God, but He has a back bone.
Do you want to be strong in our faith?
You can be sure that we have the strongest leader and He has walked this road before.
He knows where the pot holes are, He knows your weakness and He is there to protect you.
A strong leading man, a Man’s man.
Live in the knowledge that His strength is with you all the time.
2 Corinthians 12:10: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Close with altar call and a time for recommitment.
