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The Kind of Godly Man Your Church Needs

The Kind of Godly Man Your Church Needs

As Father’s Day rolls around this month, you’ll have the attention of men in your community in ways you might not have for the rest of the year. I encourage you to use this opportunity. The mission of your church depends upon it.

Your ability to engage the mission of God in your community is tied to awakening the men in your church. So, what are the characteristics of a faithful man of God, the kind you need to build a community revival?

Take a look at an often overlooked passage from Philippians 2. As Paul writes about Timothy and Epaphroditus, he tells us the characteristics found in a man of God.

He tells us:

1. A faithful man of God cares about others.

Paul describes Timothy like this: “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:20-21 NIV). Timothy was unselfish in that he put Paul’s needs before his own. We live in a world where movies, songs, TV shows, advertisements, video games—they teach that it’s all about you. You should look out for number one! Society doesn’t teach you to think about other people. However, you can’t be a faithful man of God until you take your attention off of yourself and learn to truly care about the needs of others.

2. A faithful man of God is consistent.

We don’t just need men in our churches to serve once a year on a mission trip. We need consistent, reliable servants. Paul described Timothy as someone who had “proved himself” (Philippians 2:22). The Bible says trustworthy men are rare (see Proverbs 20:6).

Men of God keep their word and have deep convictions. We have lots of men who have opinions. Just turn on talk radio, and you can’t miss them. But an opinion is something you’ll argue about. A conviction is something you’ll die for.

Men of God who are consistent and dependable have convictions they’ll die for.

3. A faithful man of God cooperates with others.

As you look at Philippians 2:19-30, you’ll see that Paul wasn’t a lone ranger. He worked with both Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul said of Timothy, “I have no one else like him.” He also had high praise for Epaphroditus, and called him, “my brother,” “my fellow worker,” and “my fellow soldier.”

The men in your church can’t do life on their own. They need other men. Otherwise, they’ll burn out in their relationship with God and in their ministries to their family and community.

4. A faithful man of God is concerned about the feelings of others.

In Philippians 2:25-27, Paul tells us that Epaphroditus got sick, but he was more interested in helping others than his own illness. Why? Men of God like Epaphroditus aren’t just strong—they’re sensitive.

I run into men all the time who brag about the fact that they say what they think and “let the chips fall where they may.” They think it’s a badge of honor. But it’s not. It’s immature. It takes no brains to just say whatever you think. Godly men consider the feelings of others. They put their mind in gear before they put their mouth in gear.

This Father’s Day, as you mobilize men in your church, encourage them to take the challenge of becoming the faithful men of God that their families, their church, and their world need.

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