Summary: An exhortation to men on Father’s Day. God has given each of us a voice, what will we proclaim with it.

Father’s Day- speak to fathers/husbands/men/yng men

Mt 11:12 … the kingdom of heaven has been

forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold

of it. NIV

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How would you like your wife to say …

I married one of the few good men!

God- looking for men- ready to forcefully advance the

Kingdom of God-

in their- own lives, families, etc.

It takes guts, self-sacrifice, perseverance, faith, a man.

God could advance His Kingdom without us.

God has a plan and He will succeed and we

have an opportunity to participate. RHammond

What are we doing w/opportunities God has given us?

Our opportunities are often just on the other

side of the obstacles we face. Dr L Kennedy

Look again at Matthew …

Mtt 11:11 NASU

John- better than Moses, Daniel, King David, etc.

You/I have been created for even greater purposes.

Mtt 11:12 NASU

The coming of John the Baptist- ushered in a new day,

new era- an era of the Kingdom of God.

Violent- those who make an effort to enter the

Kingdom despite opposition.

Mtt 3:1-3 (voice of one crying in the wilderness)

The voice of John the Baptist made a difference in

advancing and expanding the Kingdom of God.

God- given every man a voice- what will we proclaim

God’s voice made a difference at creation,

Our voice can make a difference today.

God- given us 3 voices to advance/expand- Kingdom-

(Don Williams)

1. The voice of prayer

Prayer is advancing the Kingdom of God in heaven.

Communicating w/God to build a relationship w/God.

Prayer which reaches the heart of God comes

from the heart of man. Ron Hammonds

Prayer is communication directed towards God.

Mtt 6:5-6

Prayer does not go to man.

No one worthy to receive our prayers but God.

Our prayers do not need to be heard by men to

be effective.

(corporate prayer-do not use to send- message to men)

Prayer consists of- intercession, petition, thanksgiving

Intercession- bring others before God.

Petition- praying for you/families needs.

Thanksgiving- acknowledging God’s goodness

The devil wants to silence the voice of men in prayer.

2. The voice of confession

Confession is advancing the Kingdom of God on earth

A. Make declarations

Job 22:28 "You will also decree a thing, and it

will be established for you; And light will shine

on your ways. NASU

We make declarations on behalf of God in the earth.

Declare what God says is true about you/your family.

B. Establish Boundaries

Josh 24:15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to

serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today

whom you will serve … but as for me and my

house, we will serve the Lord." NASU

Men- have you established boundaries in your family?

Is your house build on the solid rock of God’s Word

or the fickleness of your emotions and feelings?

Confession changes …

what you think,

what you feel,

what you want,

by causing what you believe to line up

with what God says. Ron Hammonds

Direct confession first at- ourselves, then others, God.

Ps 42:5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear

soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my

eyes on God — soon I’ll be praising again. He

puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. MSG

Learn to confess the Word of God over your lives and

the lives of your family members.

Declare before God what He says is true.

3. The voice of command

Command is advancing the Kingdom of God on earth

Command- confidence in God- who He is/we are.

Command is to …

Exercise dominion (where we have authority)

Affect change

Forcefully establish the Kingdom of Heaven

Jn 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them

He gave the right to become children of God,

even to those who believe in His name, NASU

Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the

Holy Spirit has come upon you … NASU

When I was saved, I received authority/right/privilege

I am authorized to live for God/effect change- earth.

When I received the HS I received power, or ability,

to bring about that change.

Use command in two areas …

A. Spiritual darkness and demonic powers

Lk 10:19 "Behold, I have given you authority to

tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all

the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure

you. NASU

B. The mountains of life

Mk 11:23-24

Mountain- any voice that says the Kingdom of God

cannot come here.

Mountains- move over- cancer, financial, etc.

Conclusion

Each one of us has been given a …

Voice of prayer- speak to God

Voice of confession- speak to ourselves/others

Voice of command- speak to devil/mountains

We live in a NT era- we have been given these voices

to advance the Kingdom of God in our generation.

The devil won’t lie down/quit because you are saved.

You will have to get forceful.

Advancing the Kingdom must be done purposefully.