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Man of STEEL & Velvet
Introduction:
Carl Sandburg said of
Abraham Lincoln:
"Not often in the story
of mankind does a man arrive on the earth who is both STEEL AND VELVET; who is as hard as a
rock and as soft as drifting fog. Who
holds in his heart and mind the paradox of a terrible storm and peace
unspeakable and perfect."
1. He forced drafting of soldiers - first time
in American history
2. Almost a dictator at times
3. Commander of Army
4. Issued the controversial "Emancipation
Proclamation"
5. Stood by what was right EVEN in the threat of
Civil War
HE WAS TRULY A MAN OF STEEL!!
And, yet, Sandburg says,
"He was known to weep in a way that made weeping appropriate, decent,
majestic."
HE EXEMPLIFIED THE WORD HERO!!
Today....WE NEED HEROES!!
Today is Father's Day. Every child has a common hero. THEIR FATHER!
(i.e. "My father can beat your
father." My father is smarter,
faster, better, etc.)
NOT LIKE TODAY’S HEROS:
Sylvestor Stillone;
Bruce Willis; "The TERMINATOR," or Bart Simpson, Dennis Rodman
We have seen heroes like
Michael Jordan & O. J. Simpson fall before our eyes
TODAY’S HEROS:
Men who chase women; defy
the law; selfish; bull-headed
Today's heroes lack
chivalry; valor; principle; self-control; decency.
These were once important
qualities of being a HERO
OUR CHILDREN ARE BEING
EFFECTED BY SOCIETY'S HEROES
We can fall into Satan's
trap by thinking we need to emulate these men.
WE SEE MEN TODAY LACK SENSITIVITY:
1. Men
tell their children - "Men don't cry."
(If man weeps, even at the death of a family member, he
feels he must hide it)
2. We
have terms like "macho" - be a real "man's man"
3. "Sissy"
& "Whimp" if you show any kind of
emotion
4. Now
- Almost any service or allegiance to God, country, job, or even family is considered
UNMANLY
THE DEVIL IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS - WHERE ARE OUR HEROES??
WHERE ARE THE ABRAHAM LINCOLNS OF TODAY??
MEN OF STEEL AND VELVET??
GOD'S PEOPLE WERE HEROES LIKE THAT -
GET TO KNOW THEM
TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN
JOSEPH (Gen. 39 - 50)
Made it through all his
brothers did to him
survived prison in
Given charge of all
Even given Pharoah's signet ring (seal legal documents)
King parades him around to
show this man in authority
BUT:
Refused the sexual escapades
offered by Potifer’s wife
He desired to be with his
family (who treated him so badly)
(chap. 43) when brothers
returned to
(chap. 45) when he finally
revealed to his family, "I am Joseph" - he wept
(chap. 50) when Jacob died,
Joseph's brothers were afraid
Joseph holds no malice, but recognizes God's plans
v. 23, we see Joseph with 3rd generation on his
lap
We
need to teach our children about Joseph
JOSEPH
WAS A REAL HERO
TRULY
A MAN OF STEEL & VELVET
Men....we should be strong -
discipline your children - control your home – And yet gentle
Kids need to see our
grief - ------our love for our family –-------- on our knees praying –------Reading
our Bible------showing respect for authority------showing respect for women as
the weaker vessel
MEN NEED TO BE…..
WITH KIDS: splinter in knee - hurt feelings – (put arm
around)
show concern
WITH WIFE: wrecks car - understanding, sympathetic
1 Peter 3:7, "You husbands likewise, live with your
wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman;
and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers
may not be hindered."
Kids need to see our willingness to forgive
– Like Joseph.
Others.....wife....them
ABRAHAM
(Gen.
12 - 25)
Rich - provided for family -
had respect by all
controlled a lot money, cattle, family
& servants, etc.
Commanded his entire
household to leave country to an unknown place
They trusted him &
left….. THEY RESPECTED HIS STRENGTH
Led his family through
battles….through travels in wild areas
BUT:
He also - kept God's laws –
Honored & respected God – Worshipped God
Loved his wife Sarah so much
- thought King Abimilech would demand her
(couldn't
imagine anyone not wanting her)
Rich and in control - yet
gave
Recognized Sarah's feelings
when Hagar mocked her - sent Hagar away
Willing to obey God – no
matter what God asked of him
sacrifice Isaac - Think of strength
(only son-God's promises-etc)
Isaac asks, "where is the lamb for the offering?"
Gen 22:8, "And
Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together.
We
need to teach our children about Abraham
ABRAHAM
WAS TRULY A MAN OF STEEL & VELVET!!
Men.....we need to
unashamedly show our love and respect for our family
Like Abraham
We need to provide for our
family – not just things – protection – love – security – leadership – like Abraham
In 1 Tim 5:8, God said that
a man who "does not provide for his
own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is
worse than an unbeliever."
BUT: Not to put
money 1st – We are to put family first.
Eph 5:25; 28-29, "Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for
her" ....."So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their
own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh,
but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church"
Be like Abraham & follow God's laws - no matter where they lead
Be the strong leader of your
home ..... but, like Abraham,
unselfishly put your family's wishes first
DAVID
– WAS A REAL HERO! - "A man after God's own heart"
As young shepherd – killed
lion & bear
killed Goliath as a lad - trusted
in God - courage
king of
Could command of anyone in
his kingdom – they would obey
He was respected by his
subjects --- feared by his enemies
He had Bathsheba sent to him
– she came
After sin with Bathsheba
& having her husband killed.....
BUT:
God sent Nathan to tell the
story that touched his heart....."thou art the man"
Powerful enough to make
mistakes, too.
He also becomes our example
of how to handle mistakes.
David repented
Look at the Psalms & see
his gentleness; his humility
The Psalms display his
anguish of his sin with Bathsheba
Ps. 32:1-5
Ps 38:1-10
Men....we need to be strong
leaders of the family –as David was over God’s family
MOST IMPORTANTLY: - like David
- admit when you are wrong. Too many men
will dig their heals in......not admit made a mistake.....think
it is sign of weakness....
Our children need to
hear..."I am sorry"..... Need
to see father admit wrong!
Need to be the kind of man
who will listen to correction – from God – from fellow Christians – from his
wife – even from his children
Like David – we need to feel
the burning anguish inside us when we sin
We
need to teach our children about David!
DAVID
IS A HERO
TRULY
A MAN OF STEEL & VELVET!!
Paul was a man "OF
STEEL AND VELVET"
As he looked at his life he
could say WITH PRIDE, "I have fought
a good fight...I have kept the faith"
BUT
Not arrogant...."I buffet my body daily" "Take heed lest you fall."
==========
CONCLUSION:
Women: You need to help your husband be a man of
steel & velvet:
1. Don't ever belittle him to children or others
- rather stand behind his decisions
2. Encourage your children to take problems to
their father.
3. Make sure that you understand and obey God's
command:
Eph 5:22,
"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as
to the Lord."
4. Love & encourage him; respect him;
respect his decisions.
JESUS
WAS A MAN OF STEEL & VELVET:
Overturned the tables of the
money changer in the temple...
willingly took the punishment for sin
on the cross
BUT....
Mat
Jesus will judge those who
disobey Him. God has given Him "all
authority"
Don't ever doubt His
strength to do what He has promised
1. Those who choose to
follow their own way & not submit to Him
2. Those who only make a cursery
attempt at following Him
3. Those who go back
into sin
But Jesus is always waiting
to forgive......Arms wide open to welcome the lost
....Always out looking to
restore the lost sheep back to the fold.
Jesus is the epitome of
strength.....He is God Almighty
But Jesus loved you enough
to submit to the humiliation of cross - FOR YOU!!
....spit
on...slapped....crown of thorns...etc.
WILLINGLY
BUT, TO BE SAVED, YOU MUST:
Believe in Him......Repent
& turn to Him.....Confess Him.....Be baptized into Him...
SPEND YOUR LIFE BEING LIKE
HIM!!
As we stand and sing this
song....He is waiting for you to come to Him