Dear beloved of God, I greet you with love and light, in the name of our Lord Jesus the Christ. I would like to thank Pastor Onesmus Ngoboka for choosing to do God’s work and for choosing to serve God’s great people of Rukungiri. I thank God for the co-pastors and you the people of God for the continuous efforts to illuminate the truth of God in this part of the world. I am humbled that Pastor Onesmus who is also the regional Bishop of Kigezi NFPBC thought me worthy and invited me to come on this special day to talk to a special people about Godly men.
Pastor Onesmus and I studied together in the Mass Communication class at Makerere university from 1990-2002. I last saw him around July 2002. I have however been privileged to know of his work in God’s vineyard over the past more than 20years. I went into active journalism work from university, became a consultant and and entrepreneur (I am the Managing Director of Ultimate Multimedia Consult and Yaaka Digital Network). After graduating from the University of California (USA) in 2010, I came back and lectured at our former department for 10 years as I continued our consultancy work in multimedia journalism, digital communication and digital education. Me and Pastor Onesmus haven’t talked much about God’s work in these years. Though I do share a daily prayer in our Mass Comm class group, I was pleasantly surprised when Pastor Onesmus asked me to find time and come here to share God’s word with his people.
As Jesus said of Simon Peter in Matthew 16: 16-18, Pastor Onesmus you are blessed. “…Because my father in heaven has revealed this to you”. The Lord has been knocking on me for years to teach his people the great news: that we are one with God. I was born Catholic and have been devout since. Jesus has for long been communicating to me the oneness of all God’s people and the sanctity of all good ways to seek Him. I am happy for God’s revelations and I have published a book on Becoming Ultimate Masters and started a website www.ultimatemasters.org and a YouTube channel @ultimatemasters and have been growing as a Master of God’s word. But I have been asking God to show me a sign or signs of demand for this message and service of teaching the Truth. I am blessed to be so good in my profession with awards and commendations in my industry that it wasn’t obvious that I was meant to teach or minister to people about God and his everlasting love, as well as our oneness with Christ and God’s power. I am therefore happy to be here, to explore God’s word with you and to illuminate in your pastors God’s truth.
For this service today, we embark on a journey to explore the divine roles of men within the family and the sacred realm of ministry. While the world may present varied images of masculinity, the Scriptures unveil a blueprint for men to be stalwart leaders in their homes and pillars of strength in God’s kingdom.
Responsibilities of a man according to the Bible
The responsibilities of a man according to the Bible are vast, as are the benefits of following God’s commands. Let us delve into what the Bible dictates for being a righteous and worthy man.
What is man’s responsibility to God?
Man’s (human’s) major responsibilities to God are :
- We are to worship God
- We are to obey God’s commands
- We are to represent God on earth (Genesis 1: 26)
What is the role of men in the family and society?
The role of men in the family and society includes:
- Head of the family unit.
- Father and husband.
- Protector and defender of the community and country.
For our reflection today, we are discussing men in reference to a matured male. One such sign of maturity is marrying and running a family. Being a husband entails a great deal of responsibility. To successfully handle the responsibilities and expectations that God has set on spouses, it takes a character that has been molded by God and is in the process of ongoing improvement. Many men here can admit that being a man today isn’t easy at all. Many men feel they are misunderstood, undervalued, and criticized in our society. But it is also true that some men fail to understand their role as a man in a family, in their community, and at their workplace. Below are some roles of Godly men in their families and in the church.
Godliness:
The greatest role of men and to manifest Godliness on earth. The men are expected to be in charge and to know what they want or desire and have God bring it to fruition.
Genesis 1: 26-28
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
To be a protector
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15
When God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden, his job was to keep watch and to protect everything entrusted to him from the devil’s deception. Man is expected to care for and protect what he has been given. The first sin happened because Adam was not with eve, which led to the serpent to tempt her. Adam’s role back then is a man’s role now. We need to protect our “garden” from the deceptions, dark acts, and destructive works of the devil. Your personal garden is wherever God has assigned you to live, work, and play. The people who inhabit your garden, especially the women and children entrusted to your leadership, are your responsibility to protect.
Don’t be like many men in our culture who, like Adam, have shunned the call to protect. Instead, they have become vultures, preying on those who need their strength. Some men today are even demanding that the women and children protect them! Something is desperately wrong with this picture.
To be supportive
A man’s responsibility is to work. After man’s fall ( Genesis 3: 1-24) a man’s primary responsibility is to work. God didn’t create man to sit around doing nothing or to watch Arsenal and Man U; God made man work with His hands. One of the most essential things a man can do is labor. Work is not simply something he must do to support himself and his family; it is also more than just a means of earning money. All work is a divine blessing.
Genesis 2: 2:0-22 20The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh. 22And from the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man, He made a woman and brought her to him.
Stewardship
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10
The quality of one’s maturity and integrity, as well as how that maturity and character are played out on a daily basis, is said to be stewardship. One of the most prevalent complaints women have about their husbands today is that they do not follow through on their roles and responsibilities in the marriage.
Essentially, stewardship entails faithfully managing everything God has entrusted you with on this planet. That is a lot in a marriage partnership. God has blessed us with a wife, children, money, time, assets, and many more blessings that we must carefully manage.
To Be a Husband
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
According to the Bible, a husband and wife should be one flesh through marriage. This implies that they will merge into one unit. They will be able to love one other more than anyone else. But like God who is the husbandman of the Vine (John 15: 5-7) that we are all part of, the man is the head, modelling the wife and all they bring forth.
To Serve Sacrificially
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
A man’s responsibility is to lead by example. In this case, Paul is saying that we should love our wives as Christ loved us. This means that we must serve selflessly. We must be willing to relinquish our rights in order to do what is best for others, without expecting anything in return. This is significant because when a man gives up his life for his wife, he is teaching her how she should treat him as well. If he serves her selflessly, she will learn how to serve him selflessly as well. Children are the same way; if you want them to learn how to serve others, you must first serve them.
To Provide
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8
The role of a man is to provide. He should be able to meet his family’s basic necessities at the very least. The word “provide” refers to the act of supplying or furnishing. This passage is about providing resource (financial) security for your family. God has given you the ability to earn a living, and it is your obligation to invest properly in order to meet the requirements of your family. It’s also not just about money; it’s about meeting your family’s needs in every way: physical, emotional, spiritual, and so on.
Love – Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” Ephesians 5:25
Love which is commonly associated with romantic feelings, sex, or physical attraction is not the kind of love the Bible talks about. Although these things can be wonderful, they will ebb and flow over time. All of these qualities are desirable in a marriage, but none of them are unconditional. Biblical love is neither a feeling nor a motivation. It is constantly considering the other person, in this case, the wife. Christ’s love for the Church is an example of true biblical love.
Leadership – Matthew 20:26-28
“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
The Bible makes it plain that the husband is to be the head (Leader). This is not worldly leadership, but Christ-like leadership, as Jesus exemplified in the Bible. The leadership of a husband is not the same as worldly leadership. This is primarily because, as Christ demonstrated, a biblical spouse is a servant-leader. Christ was the perfect example of a servant while being the ideal leader. This selfless style of leadership that husbands are expected to demonstrate involves the ability to make decisions and take action when necessary. The main goal of a husband’s leadership should be to lead his family in the proper direction.
Service – Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Serving your wife entails humbly placing her needs ahead of your own and continually prioritizing her in your marriage partnership is the secret of a man’s power. A godly husband prays on a regular basis for the capacity to put his natural pride aside and focus on his wife’s needs. Jesus is a great model for humble service. A husband should strive to have Christ’s perspective, which is to put others first without seeking acclaim or acceptance. Christ was always attempting to glorify God by helping others selflessly and without regard for his own needs. A godly husband should seek to have this attitude toward his wife.
Communication – Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6
This is a crucial component, as poor communication is one of the most significant roadblocks to a happy marriage. There are numerous elements that go into effective communication, both on the giving and receiving sides. However, men, in particular, struggle when they’re on the receiving end. We don’t pay attention. Whatever the cause, listening is a vital element of communication, and a husband who wants to improve communication in his marriage should learn to develop the ability to listen.
Accountable to God
It is the responsibility of the man to be of loving authority rather than a harsh authoritarian role. And, as a loving authority, the man is accountable to God for his family’s well-being. Men are expected to be responsible stewards of the resources that God has bestowed upon them. They are to utilize their power to lift others rather than tear them down. This is how men demonstrate their love for Christ through treating others. Men must model godly behavior in their homes, churches, and communities for others to realize what it means to be a godly man who walks after Christ.
Role of a father
The responsibility of a man according to the Bible as designed by God is to be a father. “The best gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother,” says an adage about parenthood. When a man and a woman become husband and wife, they form a family.
A father is responsible for raising and providing for his children. Father in the divine sense means “source”. The father should be the source of everything good.
A man do not provoke children to wrath
Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
This does not imply that a father should never bother or correct his children. It is difficult to teach without at least some form of correction! When our children disobey, the Bible plainly states that we should chastise them (Proverbs 13:24). The issue arises when we punish them out of rage or frustration. We are inviting people to fury and pushing them away from God rather than drawing them closer to Him when we do this.
A father’s responsibility to teach children
A father’s primary responsibility is to teach his children. The most important thing is to teach children God’s way. In Deuteronomy 6:7 and Deuteronomy 11:19 we discover that parental guidance should be a continuous process, When you sit in your house, when you walk along the way, when you lie down, and when you rise. While there should be moments when you more explicitly teach your children, these verses imply that teaching should be a natural part of life. The father should model God’s way of life for his children through all he does and says each day. A father’s focus must be to spend time teaching, leading, playing with, and working with his children. It is a divinely entrusted responsibility.
Honor and responsibility
In the family, God has given the man a unique and specific function. His role in the family is to mirror the role of Jesus Christ. He is tasked with nurturing and caring for each member of his family, and with exercising the same gentleness and loving control over them that Christ does for His Church.
The Bible says a man is required to lead his household in the ways of God Almighty by exercising self-control, patience, love, kindness, charity, and wisdom. As a result, he reflects Christ in his home, and God’s desire is fulfilled. “For the husband is the head of the woman, just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior,” says Ephesians 5:23
Treat your wife with understanding and honor
No matter what the situation or how she acts, a man should treat his wife with respect. A man should not only vocally communicate his love but also demonstrate it by his deeds. When a man treats his wife well, he demonstrates that he regards her as a vital part of his life. And by that he plants well and harvests well. This means that every husband should love his wife as much as possible and do everything in his power to make her feel cherished every day of their marriage.
“Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:28
To Be the Head over His Wife
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5:23-24
The Bible is clear that men are to be the head of their wives. For many individuals today, this is a difficult concept to grasp. In this verse, the word “head” refers to the man’s authority over his wife. It is in no way implies that he is her employer or superior. The idea is that husband and wife share equal value as human beings, but the husband is the source of strength for his wife and family. He is in charge of giving his home with love, safety, and guidance.
Care
Furthermore, in Colossians 3:19, we’re reminded, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” It underscores the importance of respect, gentleness, and nurturing care that godly men must offer within the sanctity of marriage.
Exemplary
Just as men are called to lead in the family, they are also entrusted with pivotal roles within the church and ministry. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 outlines qualities of church leaders, emphasizing characteristics such as being above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, gentle, and respectable.
Shepherds
Men are encouraged to “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (1 Peter 5:2). This serves as a reminder for men to lead with humility, integrity, and a servant’s heart, guiding and nurturing the spiritual well-being of the community. In many families, there is struggle of authority. Jesus taught in Matthew 20:26 that whoever wants to be great should first be willing to serve others.
Role models
Moreover, in Titus 2:7-8, it’s written: “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned.” This underscores the importance of exemplary conduct and a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. Men are expected to be good examples, especially to their children and through their actions model the characters of your wife.
Knowledgeable planter: Remember a Woman multiplies what you give her as a man. Give her a house, get a home. Give her food stuffs, you get a meal. Give her love, you get respect and obedience. Give her trust, she gives you loyalty. Give her shouting, she gives you war, give her doubt, headache you will have. She is your womb. Plant in her only what you want her to multiply. As a man, do this with effort and dedication
Proclaim the word
A man of few words is usually a wise man. But a man who has nothing to say at critical times is a weak man. It is amazing how, throughout history, God has used a man who was willing to speak up when the times demanded a voice of righteousness and justice. Though Moses was afraid to speak, he said what God told him to say to Pharaoh—and the children of Israel walked on dry land through the sea. Many centuries later, Jesus spoke out against the religious oppression of the Jewish leaders in His community, and Christians around the world now walk into the presence of God through the red blood of Jesus. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against the injustices of racial segregation and the oppression of the poor in America. Nelson Mandela spoke out against unfair segregation of indigenous people in South Africa and the world acclaims his fight against apartheid and promoting love not hate. When men speak up rather than being passive, the social, political, and spiritual plots of the devil are exposed and defeated. Imagine if Adam had spoken up when the devil tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden? The Bible says, “She also gave [fruit] to her husband with her, and he ate it” yet Adam knew God had told them not to (Genesis 3:6 NKJV).
Praise
Praise is more than words. Praise is a man’s heartfelt response to the God who created him. It’s his first and most fundamental role in life—to offer God unabashed applause for who He is and what He’s done. Even long-time Christians underestimate the importance of praise. But the man who strives to let praise flow from his life to God’s throne is poised to fulfill God’s destiny for his life. He will achieve this destiny because his life is based on an authentic relationship with his Boss and King. The truth is, men do understand praise. Our praise is often misdirected. Our homes and our churches need men who will lead the way when it comes to cheering the mighty works of God, including our women.
In too many churches now, the women praise ecstatically, while the men sit uncomfortably, waiting for the worship service to end. And the children take note: “Daddy doesn’t like church.” Who convinced men to shut down emotionally in God’s presence? But David, a great king and “a man after God’s heart”, danced before the Lord and committed to proclaim His goodness among the people. Men, if David can do it, we can too. The world is waiting for us to applaud God in the public square, in our homes, and in the house of God. When men offer praise to God, everyone takes note. We are the tone setters in our culture. Like it or not, what we do, everybody does. So, “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15 NKJV).
Foster Faith and Hope:
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” From this particular passage we see that the central feature of faith is confidence or trust. Men are expected to provide confidence and trust to those under their care. Men must thus also live trusting the Lord for all their wants and desires, and those of the people under their care (seeing themselves as vessels of the father not the primary source).
Fasting and prayer: As a man, ask God to reveal to you what you need to know becaue you are your good and that of your family…for divine direction, divine alignment, divine understanding. Fast for 3-5days while asking God “Father, my desire is to know what I should do next year for my own good, the good of my family, the good of this ministry and the community…” be single minded and precise. Talk to God in your heart, in quiet he will answer.
Sacrifice/ giving: You have to lead offering, tithing, seeding, thanksgiving for yourself and your family. Gratitude is the best prayers in the sight of God. It is necessary for God to increase you in the manner and intention of God… seeding is for you to increase what you have …you have to plant a seed in order to provoke a harvest… to increase your level. You still have to tithe as an honour to God for the blessings (harvest) But in the new testament we are under grace, not under the law …we are only under the law of love … Genesis 8: 22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” You tithe to honour God for what he has given you or enabled you to do… Malachi 3: 6-10… practice thanksgiving. Gratitude is a master key opener of destinies.
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, the role of godly men within the family and ministry is not about dominance or power but about servant leadership, sacrificial love, and a life that mirrors Christ. As men embrace these roles with humility and dedication, they become vessels of God’s grace, impacting their families and communities with the transformative power of love and righteousness.
May each man here today be inspired to embrace these divine roles, anchoring their families in love and serving as pillars of strength in the tapestry of God’s kingdom. Let us pray for God’s guidance and empowerment as we embark on this noble journey of fulfilling our roles as godly men.
I John 4:16 : We have known and believed, the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.
Prayer for Men
“Heavenly Father,
We come before You, humbled by Your grace and seeking Your guidance and wisdom. Today, we lift up the men of God’s Embassy Ministries before Your throne of grace. You have called each one to unique roles within their families and in the sacred ministry.
Grant them, O Lord, the wisdom to discern their roles clearly. Enlighten their hearts and minds to understand the depth of Your divine design for them as husbands, fathers, and leaders within their households. May they find strength and courage in You to lead their families with sacrificial love, just as Christ loved the church.
Father, we pray for a deep revelation of their roles in ministry. Help them comprehend the importance of their leadership, not through dominance, but through servant-heartedness, humility, and grace. Empower them to be spiritual guides, leading by example and nurturing the flock entrusted to their care.
Bless them with discernment to balance their responsibilities, both in their families and in ministry. May they prioritize their relationship with You above all else, seeking Your guidance in every decision they make.
Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate example of servant leadership. Help these men model their lives after Your character, walking in integrity, compassion, and unwavering faith.
Holy Spirit, come alongside these men, filling them with Your wisdom and strength. Illuminate their paths, and grant them the perseverance to stay steadfast in their roles, even amidst challenges and uncertainties.
Encourage their hearts, Lord, when they feel weary or inadequate. Remind them that Your strength is made perfect in weakness, and through You, they can accomplish all things.
May they find joy and fulfillment in fulfilling their divine roles, knowing that they are contributing to Your kingdom and glorifying Your name.
We commit the men of God’s Embassy Ministries into Your loving hands, trusting that You will guide and empower them each step of the way.
In the mighty and precious name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen.”
With Love and Light,
Master Gerald Businge Ateenyi, gbusinge@gmail.com 0772627676/0751627676
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