Men are equipped to be SAVIORS, delivering from evil.

Men have a deep desire to deliver and save.  Men have a deep desire to defend something; to represent someone in battle.  That is why we are drawn to the examples of William Wallace and Maximus.

Jesus is the great example of a Savior.  His deliverance was promised from the beginning of creation, “The Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he (Jesus) shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:14-15)

The serpent—dragon—was the tempter and deceiver that tricked Adam and Eve to sin.  God promised here a curse on the serpent, and in that curse we see the salvation of the world.

Men who follow Jesus follow the dragon slayer.  Jesus has promised to you he is defeated and he has promised you all the weapons you need to defend the serpent until Jesus delivers his final blow.

The Christians man is not a pacifist.  The battle is not over.  There is a Chadian proverb that says, “The camel is running and you bring luggage?” Which means, do not speak about reconstruction if the war is not over.  The Christian man is an activist for the kingdom of Christ to reign in this world, in his life, marriage, and family.  The Chadian also say, “You cannot collect fruit, sitting in a shade.” Meaning: You need to suffer in order to enjoy the fruit of your work or fight. In other words, “No pain no gain”. The peace that our Prince promises was fought for by his blood.  Jesus sacrificed himself in the war.  He laid down his life as an example for you to continue in his armor.

I have seen this battle through new eyes living in Chad.  The challenges and transitions of living in a new place were like adding miracle grow on my sin.  I didn’t realize how angry, impatient, and self-serving I was.  Same struggles in new skin.  I was on enemy turf and the dragon doesn’t go down easily.

In the Scripture, God calls us to fight evil on two fronts.  First, God charges us to fight tolerated sin or open sin.  It is the sin which we know we often do but confess we don’t want to do.  Second, God charges us to fight secret sin.  Why fight secret sin?  Because God is omniscient and omnipresent and holy.  Secret sin is built on a false theology of God.  He sees all and knows all (Num. 32:23; Heb. 4:13; Lk. 12:1-3).  God is invasive and he hates sin.  Secret sin is only temporary secret sin. Tolerating a little secret sin is like being a little bit pregnant (2 Sam. 11:3-4, 14-15).  You can’t tolerate too much before it is seen.  Sin breeds sin.  Hidden sin breeds more hidden sins.  Until it becomes too big to handle or manage.  Hidden sin grows and as it grows it becomes a form less pleasant than the sin originally was.  In other words, the initial sin commits other sins it didn’t intend to commit.  If not stopped it will destroy.

Proverbs 28:13 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”  The principle is this: What I cover, God uncovers, but what I uncover, God covers with his mercy.

I have learned a lot about saviors and warriors living among the northern Chadians.  I have heard many stories about bravery in battle.  The people are a warrior people group.  They pride themselves on their toughness.  They train their children to defend themselves from a young age.  They enjoy find strength through testing, challenges and competitions of strength and endurance.   The way to their heart is stories about courage, victory and doing what is needed.

What is needed for Christian men is to band together with other men.  The I-can-do-this-on-my-own mentality is a quick way to die.  That is to drink diesel fuel.  Men need other men.  Jesus is the only hero who can do it alone.  He made us to need community.  When sin is wounding you fight with you Band of Brothers,

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

“Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-13)

DISCUSS:

• What are the characteristics of a savior? (strong, sacrificial, courageous, good) 
• What do you learn about being a savior from Jesus? 
• Why must men never keep their guard down from sin? 
• How is having a wartime mentality necessary for men? 
• What are common tolerated sins for men? 
• Why is their healing in confessing your sins to God AND other men?

REVIEW: 5 Aspects of Biblical Masculinity

1. lords of the earth
2. tillers tending the earth
3. saviors delivering from evil
4. sages seeking wisdom
5. bold and brave image-bearers