Kingdom Man by Tony Evans

Chapter 1 - The Cry for a Kingdom Man

There are not just 2 teams represented on the football field, but 3. The third team is the referees. There would be confusion and no way to play football as we know it without the referees. Their authority is according to a rule book. If the official rules not according to the rule book authority is lost. Jesus has not asked me to simply be a fan, but cry to the officials to rule well, or in other words want God to rule according to His principles. Thus, there is a cry out there for a fan, a kingdom man.

The Greek word for kingdom in the New Testament is basileia meaning 'authority and rule.' The kingdom has 3 institutions that work together: family, church, and civil government. The authority of the ruler is key and Satan desires to reducing his authority, albeit subtly, by diminishing his name. God in relation to Adam in the garden was called Lord God, but Satan, in speaking to Adam and Eve simply said God. Thus, we men must put Lord back in God's name as this recognizes man's rightful relation to God.

God told the Israelites to come before him 3x a year to receive instructions and he referred to himself as Lord, GOD, God of Israel. He was in charge to the third power.

In 2009, Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III made a heroic decision to land US Airways Flight 1549 on Hudson river with 2 engines out and to avoid a disaster. His 4 decades of training brought him to the point of being able to do this. 2 years later, a 25 year old woman loaded up her 4 children, the first of which she had at the age of 15, and drove them straight into the freezing water of the Hudson. 1 boy escaped. Perhaps it was the father(s) of these children, not just the woman, who was often involved in altercations with the mother and was arrested and not paying child support that also played a major role in the demise of 4 people. One man operated with responsibility while another did not.

Like it or not, man is called to rule. God did not speak to Eve when she sinned, he spoke to Adam because Adam was ultimately responsible. We are called not simply to rule though, but to rule by the rule book (The Word of God; the Bible).

Chapter 2 - The Concept of a Kingdom Man

The stats: 70% of all prisoners, 80% of all rapists with anger problems, 71% of all high school dropouts, and 63% of all teen suicides occur in homes where the father is either absent or abusive. There is real pain, real emptiness, real longing, real anger, real loss, and real need because of absent or abusive fathers.

Tony Evans' father accepted God's salvation when Tony was 10 and his father immediately became an evangelist. His mother did not like her husband as a sinner, and even less as a saint, but he chose to love her unconditionally and swarmed her with kindness until eventually she wanted what he had. A father's impact can be dramatic.

Many men today are trying, consulting different helps and aids, but they must define manhood by the complete Word of God. A referee must govern by the entire rule book, not just parts. The Greek word for kingdom is mentioned 162 times in the New Testament. A kingdom man is a man who positions himself and operates according to the comprehensive rule of God over every area of his life. 

This book, like many, are reminders. We need them because our world daily distracts us with its messages and our natural sinful nature distracts us. Suddenly then, we are ineffective. Like Adam, I am to be responsible for my wife, for my family. Satan wants to be charge in our world. Adam, through his silence (passive living), let Satan take charge.

[I've noticed that besides being a policeman, primarily to my boys, when I didn't see them step up to the plate of responsibility toward their school work and life chores, what I have said or spoken to my sons? Have I really trained them?]

It is not enough to be busy all the time. Sports, pornography, can all be attempts to project oneself into another arena when you don't want to deal with yourself. A man can live vicariously through other people, wishing he were them or had them - in so doing he loses touch with his manhood. Then, as man goes to relate to his wife, he defaults to wanting to simply control her [I have done this often in controlling and hovering over the spending money of my wife].

The author in his family will often hold up 3 fingers to express to his family members, "I've got it." In other words, he communicates that he will take responsibility of a situation. As he does this, everyone else calms down and is free to rest. This is similar to what God says to us with concepts in His word such as don't worry, trust Him, pray, depend on Him.

Remember, ultimately that God and His Word "Has it." Make decision by seeking God and His Word. God says, "I've got it."

Chapter 3 - A Man's Call to Greatness

Men everywhere want to be great. Generally, more men than women are at sporting events. There is a tug in man's heart to be the victor, to come out on top. It is men that gravitate towards wearing the MVP's jersey on their back. There is a prize with men in having a beautiful woman on their arm, for all the world to see. Women often fantasize about relationships, men often about greatness. The Apostle Paul told the church at Thessalonica to "excel still more", the Corinthians to always abound in the work of the Lord, and to seek greatness in all that they did for the glory of God.

What was key about Moses and his ministry was his meekness, or his willingness to submit and surrender himself to God. John 14:12 - Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do. Meanwhile, the world has switched the price tags on what is great, instead saying that fame and fortune is what is important and integrity and a high moral character is not as important.

Like a punter on a football team, that many can't name, I need to be great, not just for my own benefit, but to benefit the team. Man gets great by serving others, thus reflecting Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life (Matt 20:28). I am to reflect Jesus and His light.

Chapter 4 - The Power of One Real Man

The story of Shamgar in the Bible. He lived in the time of the judges when every man did what he thought was right in his own sight. Shamgar struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. Chances are Shamgar was an ordinary man, a farmer, trying to provide for his family. An oxgoad was a farming tool used to prod an ox along when it became sluggish. Why did he rise to prominence? Not sure. But he was just a farmer, so at the right time, he knew he had to do something.

Don't make excuses. Don't wait until you are a big shot to do big shot things. God can use you right now; you don't need to wait for the next big thing in your life for you to do something.

We tend to want the results without having to do the leg work, but often we have to start small to get big results later. Sometimes that means getting started with something small, to get the ball rolling. Make the most of where you are. Few will take the small steps necessary to achieve greatness.

We live by the definitions God has given us through his Word. God can make you great. My background and my current standing does not determine my purpose. 

Note: I did finish this book in September 2020, but I didn't continue to summarize the chapters. 

Willow Creek Assessment

I need something to add to my blog. This is a response I put forth on Lance's blog regarding the Willow Creek Performance Report. It's still got me thinking and concerned about what the church calls church.


First of all, I appreciate WC and their honesty and frank talk on this subject. Its refreshing for a church to honestly speak of their perceived mission. At the same time, I think we as disciples need to be very careful as to what this church is saying, reporting, and proposing. It seems disheartening to hear WC say that their mistake or the results from their survey are consistent with the other churches they have surveyed. I guess I'm saddened that the church is looking more like a business and looking less and less "not of this world."

A couple of things I heard Hybels say, "We should have taught people to read their Bibles between services."

He mentions the idea that people need to be self-feeders. His remark is that as people mature in their faith, they want the church to feed them more.

He then remarks that people need to be "coached" using "customized spiritual growth plans."

Wow. This is sad. This church continues to think that they are the answer. I really have to be honest here but I'm really concerned these days that the church is trying to play God. And not only the church, but many that support the church as well. I'm referring to christian book sellers and the publishing companies as well. Churches have trained people in the idea that nourishment is acquired at church or acquired by reading a book.

Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
I John 3:18, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

If people in the church are not active in their faith and their spiritual life has just become a part of their life like their job, their school, their recreation, their family time---then something is really wrong. And my concern is that the church is made up of people that know the right answers, but are not reading God's love letters to them and therefore, are not living His words throughout their lives. Thus, we have a church full of false converts. Who have come to Christ for the wrong reasons.

Church, open up God's letters and read them. And then you will pray. You will then repeat this not because you are following a customized spiritual growth plan, but because the Spirit is confirming your faith and you are moved to greater devotion. And we will walk away Praising God not elevating a church and its fantastic work.

WC's assessment confirms more and more my feeling that God and His Word are not people's oasis, but rather their last resort. And people have misrepresented the Church expecting it to do what only the Holy Spirit is capable of doing: change hearts.

Lance, I think your questions are right on. Church is too complex. And yet we are avoiding the central truths: Love God. Love One Another. (How can you love your neighbor and yet never ask him where he is going when he dies? How can you love God and yet not read His words?) Once again, its no different from the activities in our lives (work, play, food); we are trying to please everyone. God never promised a happy and problem-free life. Peace doesn't mean tons of worldly blessings. There is a lot of pain in being a disciple. Just ask the disciples. I mean, how many died of natural causes?