The E in H.E.R.O.E.S. = Engaged

Engage

Face

Meet

Encounter

Connect

Imagine the expression of the Lord's concern in sending Jesus to engage life with us. That is how Everyday Men H.E.R.O.E.S. engage. No, we are not Jesus, but the life we live in this world we live by His faith.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

There is purpose to our engage in the lives of others. Stay with me. We are going to explore purposeful engagement, seeing, facing, meeting and connecting.

Read this section of Phillipians and then we will break it down.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11 NKJV

1. Connection of comfort, fellowship, and affection.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

Our world is broken. An epidemic of attachment disorder plagues. Connection heals. It gives each individual comfort, fellowship, and affection. Family and friendship thrive from it.

2. Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

fulfill my joy by being like-minded,

having the same love,

being of one accord of one mind.

Meeting of mind and hearts brings unity and peace. Face time brings us to understand the heart of another. As I listen to a fellow struggle through current politics and culture, I hear his heart, his yearnings.

3. Encounter humbly to serve

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each of us esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Bouncing through social media I see an enormous fluff in self-serving posts. Folks want to be seen. Few want to encourage. Encounter to serve and understand more and to be understood less.

4. Face the sacrifice

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

A friend Pastor and I bantered across the high table at the coffee shop. I faced him to apologize. In my haste to promote an activity, I mistakenly attached myself and him to the wrong partners. It was time to crucify some flesh and listen and apologize for my mistaken living.

Examine

·         Where do you feel you need to work on connection, unity, serving, or humility I in a relationship with a spouse, partner, child, grandchild, friend?

·         Pick one of those areas and one of those people and begin the work.  Make a phone call. Schedule a coffee.  If you can take action take it.  Begin to engage deeper.

Let’s Pray

Father, sometimes I just want to walk alone.  I know You never designed us that way.  Being alone can get us into quick trouble.  We need to engage.  Everyday Men engage in the lives of family and friends and help and serve and make a difference. Prompt me.  Speak into my heart and mind and lead me to engage and not stand aside on my own.

This is engagement. Everyday Men H.E.R.O.E.S. engage.

Phil Larson #thethinkdirector @everyone #heroeseverydaymen