Mail Men: Guys That Deliver | Becoming Men of Steel

Mail Men: Guys That Deliver, Part 2 Becoming Men of Steel. Guys the Deliver 2 Tim. 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Gen 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall The Greek word for “pattern” is “typos” 1) It is the mark of a stroke or blow, like old style printing. 2) It is a figure formed by a blow or impression 3) the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of faith and represents it to the mind. Pattern defined: 1) pattern, plan, form, construction, figure, a) construction, structure A pattern is an exemplar which is “a person or thing serving as a typical example or excellent model.” A “model” is a system or thing used as an example to follow or imitate. Men of Steel are males who are transformed by God, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. Like the process that transforms raw iron into steel, God transforms males into men. Definition: “Steel is the most refined metal that can be made from iron. In the blast furnace, where impurities are removed from the iron, and other key chemicals are added, the iron becomes a much stronger metal.” Eze. 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. God created men to get things done. Guys that sit around doing nothing, or doing harmful things, is contrary to God's nature and to His purpose for men and boys. Remember that boys are just little men in development. A male or man is not only matter of physical attributes or outward appearance. There are also factors in the soul that define a man. The things I'm going to share may sound a little overwhelming. It will sound like a tall order. But this part of how God deals with men. He wants us to accept challenges that seem to hard to do. We have to be challenged to go higher and to do more. It's the only way to develop and grow. The called NBA basketball player Karl Malone, "The mailman", because "He delivered." I'm also thinking about mail carriers that also call mailmen. We know the motto, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” We are living in a day that is not unlike the day that not unlike the day the Ezekiel lived in. In fact, because of fallen human nature, sin and corruption have always plagued our people and societies. “I looked for a man.” This Hebrew word of man is not the word meaning person, man or woman. It is the Hebrew word meaning “Male.” God said, “ 30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” God looked for a man to “build up the wall” and “stand before Him” (as an intercessor, helper, and change agent) “in the gap on behalf of the land.” Sadly and amazingly, God’s response to his own inquiry was, “But I found none!” It was not that God could find no “males,” but that he did not see a MAN who was prepared, willing and able, through God, to be counted on in a time of need. There were plenty of males around, but not many men. Why guys don't deliver: 1. Discouragement: Experiences that sap energy and courage 2. Lack of support or reliance: Men like to be needed and depended upon. When guys are neglected, overlooked or not called on, their God-given ability goes unused 3. Disrespect: Failure to acknowledge purpose and role. Overlooking position of honor 4. Bad habits: Things guy do that undermine themselves, their abilities, and their purpose 5. Misplaced or distorted identity: Unhelpful role models 6. Emasculation: Direct attacks on manhood; to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit : weaken: to deprive of virility or procreative power: castrate: to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process of artificial cross-pollination