Prophets, Priests & Kings

Defining Manhood, Part IV

My brothers,

Your Creator has called you to leadership.  In fact, you are called to lead courageously.

You were made in the image of God.  You were designed and commanded to be productive, to increase and to subdue the wild.  You were made to rule in a way that brings the best out in others.

When humanity fell into sin, we fell away from our Creator and even from each other.  The image of God was broken and with it our original design.  But the spiritual darkness has been penetrated by the light of the world; Jesus Christ.  In Christ we are new creations.  We are born again by the incorruptible Word.  We have the Spirit of Prophecy.

Who said you weren’t meant for greatness?  Who said you weren’t designed for leadership?  Guess what?  God the Father has called you to lead just like His Son.  Jesus Christ was and is the complete fulfillment of the three Old Testament roles of Prophet, Priest and King.  And because He is all three, I want to share briefly with you how you are called to do the same.  This is part of what it means to lead courageously.

First, be prophetic.  This means becoming at home with the Scriptures.  Speak life over your situation!  I’m not talking about being bubble headed or ignoring your troubles.  But cursing, complaining and a negative attitude only worsen your situation.  The greatest spiritual gift you can share with yourself, your family and others is to speak prophetically.  What do I mean?  Words of encouragement, strength and comfort should flow from your lips!  There is enough negativity in the world!  Be a son of light by speaking light!

If you are a single man, learn to speak life in the midst of your storms...

If you are a married man, speak God’s Word over your wife and words that will demonstrate her uniqueness, beauty and your love...

If you have a son then call forth his masculinity, bless him and help him to picture a special future...

If you have a daughter, then bless her femininity and speak to her inner and outer beauty and her bright future...

Second, be a priest like Jesus.  This means becoming a man of prayer.  Understand that your source is in God.  Men should be bold before the Enemy of our souls but humbly dependent on God.  Do you realize that God has given you authority over spiritual snakes and scorpions?  Brother do you know that our Father wants to help you with the Holy Spirit so you can know and choose what is best for yourself, for your family, and even on the job?  Don’t grieve the Spirit by thinking you can rely on your own wisdom and strength!

If you are single then begin now to live a life of service and generosity toward others...

If you are married then actively pray for and with your spouse...

If you are a father then pray for your children, hug them, carry them and tuck them in at night...

Finally, be a King.  No matter what it looks like around you or what you see in the mirror.  King’s have vision.  Walk by faith and not by sight.   Let the Spirit help you study the Word to renew the way you think about yourself; moving you from the negative to the positive!  In Christ you are called to have a rich and satisfying life!  Kings live with a purpose greater than themselves, subdue their desires through spiritual disciplines and look to bring the best out in others.

So...

Are you single; now is the time to develop your gifts, talents and abilities so you can lead your future family with a vision big enough for their happiness...

Are you married; it means carrying yourself in a way that is worthy of your wife’s respect...

Are you a father; then learn how to bring the best out in your children...

God has called us to lead courageously.

Lead my brothers by making the life of Jesus Christ a study.

I have taken a bold step and made a bold claim.  Some theologians might say that I’ve minimized the role of Jesus Christ as Prophet, Priest and King by connecting it with our day to day life as men.

But He is the blueprint.  Jesus is the ultimate Prophet, Priest and King.  But because of Him we are the sons of God.  And by the Spirit we can pattern our lives after His.  We can love our wives the way Jesus loves his bride, the church.  He is our High Priest and we are a royal priesthood.  Every knee will bow before Jesus and one day we will be given new authority in the Kingdom.

And so, as men we are called to be prophets, priests and kings!

Your brother,

Minister Onorio