Valiant Men (sermon)

1. Introduction: John Stephen Ackwon
   · John Stephen Ackwon – a Valiant man
   · Represented Tanzania in the Olympics in Mexico City in 1963
   · Cramped up due to high altitude of Mexico City.
   · Not trained in such a high altitude in Tanzania.
   · At 19/42km position in the race there was jostling for position and he fell badly wounding his knee, dislocating the joint, and injuring his shoulder.
   · He was repeatedly asked to quit the race but he refused.
   · He finished last 57/75 that started. (18 did not complete the race).
   · At 7 p.m. over one hour after the race was completed lone runner hobbled in – police sirens.
   · “My country did not send me 5000 miles to start the race; my country sent me 5000 miles to finish the race”.
   · He is a Valiant Man
   · He refused to give in or be limited by personal injury.
   · He refused to quit when others did and he could easily have done so.
   · He remained loyal to the trust that others had put in him to represent the country.
   · He persevered and fulfilled his commitment.
   · He was a valiant man – not because of performance but moral courage.
   · He is honoured and respected by his nation for his courage in adversity
   · Awarded Nation Hero medal of honour.
   · Foundation named after him to support Olympic athletes.
   · Torchbearer for Olympian relay through his country.
   · Goodwill ambassador for Beijing for 2008 Olympics – a video and song “The Hero” written for him.
2. God is looking for Valiant Men
   · Our city and nation is desperately in need of Valiant Men
   · Valiant = to be bold, courageous, strong in the face of adversity
   = to carry out responsibilities with courage and determination
   · Courage = begins within – battle against fear – never retreat from disheartening or difficult tasks – inspires others.
   · God is aware of the flaws and faults in every man but sees potential.
   · God treats men with respect! – calls forth their potential.
   Examples
   · Jud.11:1 Jepthah – Megitmantle, rejected – mighty man of valour.
   · Jud.6:2 Gideon – fearful – valiant man
   · Heb.11:32 Samson – secual sin – valiant man
   · Heb.11:24 Moses – murder, anger – valiant man
   · Heb.11:17 Abram – lied, fearful – valiant man – Abraham (Father of Nations)
   · Mt.16:8 Simon – fearful flip flop – Valiant Man – Peter (Rock)
   · God sees beyond the flaws to the real man within – the Valiant Man.
3. Jesus: Our Example of a Valiant Man
   · Valiant = showing courage in the face of opposition, difficulty, pain
   · Physical courage – facing fears, facing the unknown
   · Moral Courage – saying and doing what is right.
   · Jn.17:3-4 “I have finished the work you gave me to do!”
   · Remained loyal and faithful to God given purpose.
   · Placed the message and values of the Kingdom of God before all else.
   · Refused to conform to the expectations of others.
   · Refused to quit or retaliate in the face of opposition, rejection.
   · Demonstrated courage in the face of pain and death.
   · Forgave when abused on the Cross.
   · Showed compassion to others in face of imminent death.
   · Honoured his mother as he was dying on the Cross.
   · Invested His life into others.
   · Gave His life so we could become valiant men.
   · Jn.1:12 “To as many as received him, who believed on his name he gave power to become children of God”.
   · Inside the heart of every person is a valiant man waiting to be released.
   (1) Receive: Welcome Jesus Christ into your life unconditionally.
   (2) Believe: Embrace his words – what he has done and will do in you.
   (3) Achieve: Give yourself to becoming a valiant man – become like Christ
   Speak the truth
   Do what is right
   Show compassion
   Persevere in adversity
   · God did not send you into this world to start your race He sent you into this world to finish your race valiantly.