Stirring the Lions

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12  The Kingdom of God, our families, the church and society do not need nice/soft guys. What it needs are VIOLENT MEN!

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Genesis 1:26 NKJV)

the core of our competitive nature “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for an overflowing victory! Horse and rider he threw into the sea! The LORD is my strength and my power; he has become my salvation. This is my God, whom I will praise, the God of my ancestors, whom I will acclaim. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.” Exodus 15:1-3 CEB   POWERFUL the core of our competitive nature

The LORD goes out as a warrior, He stirs up zeal like a man of wars; He shouts, yea, roars; He overcomes His enemies. Isaiah 42:13 MKJV When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. John 2:15 NKJV  

“Every man is a warrior inside, but the choice to fight is his own.”

A man must know he’s powerful and that he has what it takes to win, succeed, and to be the champion. Every boy or young man goes on a journey to find and unleash his power/strength. His instinct is to measure himself against a man.

the core of our fearless risk taking nature Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:39-44 NKJV)   ADVENTUROUS the core of our fearless risk taking nature

Men need something to get excited about, without it we get bored easily.

“All men die, but not all men live.”

Men are naturally adventurous & ambitious Men are naturally adventurous & ambitious. We possess a strong desire & determination to explore and to achieve success. Success is helping people to buy into what matters most to God rather than themselves.

“Knight in Shining Armor” nature For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5 NKJV)   CONQUERING the core of our “Knight in Shining Armor” nature

The Father is driven by an unquenchable passion for His bride The Father is driven by an unquenchable passion for His bride. So too it is with a man. We possess a driving inner passion to discover, to rescue, and to be the hero for the beauty in our lives.

Three things are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I do not know: the way of an eagle in the air; the way of a snake on a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden. (Proverbs 30:18-19 MKJV)

“Let people feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it.” When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:1-6 NKJV) “Let people feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it.”

Next Steps: New around Impact? Get on the Growth Track today from 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and get to know God better. Held in the Growth Track Auditorium. Men! Join me for a short reception this morning in the KidScope Auditorium beginning at 11:10 a.m. as we continue to “Stir the Lions!” Get CONNECTED in a Small Group today. There are men’s, women’s, student (teen), and marriage & family groups meeting every week. Stop by the Small Group Table or visit our website at icsofl.com/groups to get started.