The Point of Purity Podcast

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 Helping men and women find hope, help, healing, restoration and redemption
leading to lasting victory over sexual addiction through a growing, vibrant, powerful relationship with Christ.

Episode #142 - "The REAL Super Man"   

Transcript

Here’s a question for you to consider: As people watch you, are they getting a right view of God? Are you making a lasting impression upon them for the Kingdom of Heaven? In fact, there’s a deeper, more significant question you should be asking yourself. Do those people even know that they should be asking you to tell them who you really are and how you’re able to do the things you do for Christ?

Welcome to the Point of Purity Podcast! I’m your host Steve Etner – author, National Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor ^TM and Purity Coach for The Pure Man Ministry and this is Episode #142. In this episode we continue our journey through my book entitled "Are You a Super Man? Becoming God’s Man of Steel.” This week’s episode is entitled “The REAL Super Man.”

There is a scene from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back where the main character - Luke Skywalker - manages to escape from evil villain Darth Vader’s trap with an amazing acrobatic flip. In genuine surprise Vader says, “Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well.” Then a few moments later Vader taunts Luke with the words, “The Force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.”

Just as Vader did with Luke, Satan does with you. He wants to taunt you. He wants to distract and discourage you—to trap you. He tries to tell you that although God may be with you, you are not a Super Man yet. Don’t listen to his lies. Don’t get caught in his web of deceit. As a Christian, you already are a Super Man of God. Don’t ever forget that your real identity is Teknon Theos—son of God.

Okay, let’s hop back into our trans-universe machine and go back to the world of DC Comics. As a kid growing up, I loved Monday nights because I was allowed to stay up so I could watch reruns of The Amazing Adventures of Superman. Every week actor George Reeves would don the blue tights and red cape and soar through the air, saving damsels in distress while giving the bad guy the pounding he deserved. Every week, the show would open with Superman flying through the sky. Onlookers would shout out, “Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Superman!”

In the same way, the people with whom you rub shoulders every day should see your life and say “Look! It’s a Super Man of God!” But how does that happen? Do you have to wear red tighties over blue spandex and have a huge S (for Saved, Sanctified or Saint—take your pick) emblazoned on your chest? Nah. Although it would definitely cause you to stand out in a crowd, that’s just not practical (nor is it the kind of attention God wants you to get).

Let me take a moment here and repeat the question I asked you in the opener to this episode. As people watch you, are they getting a right view of God? Are you making a lasting impression upon them for the Kingdom of Heaven? In fact, there’s a deeper, more significant question you should be asking yourself. Do those people even know that they should be asking you to tell them who you really are and how you’re able to do the things you do for Christ?

The only way that answer can be “yes” is if you are living every moment of every day as a Super Man of God. If they can’t see your real identity, then they will never ask you to explain to them who you are and how you’re able to do the things you do. You will never be able to point them to Christ.

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

I can’t help but wonder if we have missed the most important part of this verse. Too often we emphasize the section that says we need to be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us why we believe what we believe. While it is true that we need to be prepared to share our faith with the world around us, and while it is also very important to give the Biblical reason for the hope we have, I submit that this is not the key point of the verse.

The most significant part of this verse is found in the words, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” You see, until you set apart (or sanctify) your heart, until you daily dedicate yourself completely to God, your life will be no different than the rest of the world around you. If IN YOUR HEART you’re not living a life set apart for God, how will anyone see that reflected in your words, your attitude, your behavior, and your choices? How will they know to ask you why your life is so different?

Let me state the obvious here: You are not Clark Kent. But you are also not (insert your birth-name here). You are Teknon Theos—son of God. So, live like it!

As people watch your life, they are seeing how you view God. Good or bad, your daily life IS showing to others who God is to you. How you relate to and interact with God on a daily basis will be reflected in every word you speak and everything you do.

What are your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors understanding about God as they listen to your words and observe your actions? Are you a mirror reflecting Him, or a wall hiding Him? Do you let your light shine for all to see, or are you hiding it somewhere deep within?

In Scripture God is often referred to as “the God of Abraham” (see Genesis 24:12, 26:24; 28:13-15; and 31:42). He is called “the God of Jacob” (see Psalm 20:1; 46:7; 75:9 and 76:6). He’s identified in some passages as “the God of Elijah” (2 Kings 2:14), and “the God of your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (see Exodus 3:6, 16-17; 4:5; Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26-27 and Luke 20:37-38). In each instance, whenever He revealed Himself in that way, the people responded in total awe.

With that understanding, let me ask you this: If God were to reveal Himself to your family and friends as the God of (insert your name), what kind of God would they see? How would they respond?

Here’s the bottom line: when we set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts, He will be seen as Lord in our lives. That is when the real Super Man of God begins to stand up and stand out.

In a previous episode we experienced a brief glimpse into parts of Solomon’s journal (in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes) as he wrote about his failed attempts to find meaning and purpose to his life. Do you remember how he ended his account? He wrote, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

What a powerful conclusion! What a point for us to seriously apply to our own lives. Solomon’s painful discovery can be our opportunity to learn and grow. Meaning and purpose to life is found only when we focus our entire being around glorifying God. No matter what you’re doing, when you’re doing it, how you’re doing it or why you’re doing it, God is always to be glorified.

Never forget that God formed you, He made you, He created you for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). Glorifying God has been programmed into your very DNA. Are you functioning according to The Manufacturer’s specs? Are you living a life that glorifies Him? Are you daily walking in complete surrender and total obedience to your Heavenly Father at all times? Only then will you glorify Him. Only then will you find genuine satisfaction and fulfillment in life. Only then will you be a Super Man of God!

Listen closely as I quote the words of 1 Corinthians 10:31. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Okay, now here’s a simple yet very important question for you: According to that verse, how much of your life is to glorify God? The answer: all of it. Every bit of it. Focus on that word “all” for a moment. How would you define it? What does “all” mean exactly? Let me share with you a very simple definition. Hold on to your seat because this is going to blow you away with its profoundness: “all” means all and that’s all “all” means! Mind blowing!

God is always all about His glory—not ours. He says, “For my own sake, for my own sake I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another” (Isaiah 48:11). When we seek our own praise and glory, we are dethroning God and setting up King Me in His place. God will not tolerate that. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8).

Whatever you do, watch this now, whatever you do—it doesn’t matter whether it’s your actions or your words—make sure you always do them in a way that gives attention to God (Colossians 3:17). Nowhere in Scripture will you find a verse that says, “Oh, dear Christian, it sure would be nice if you would try your best to glorify God more often than not in your life.” No way!

You will, however, find the Biblical principle that everything you say, and everything you do in life is to be said and done in Jesus’ name! Not just some of the things you say and most of the things you do, but everything. To be a real Super Man of God, each and every individual word you say, as well as each and every particular activity you do—all of it, every part of it—must always be said and done to the glory of God. If they are not glorifying Him, you are sinning.

Let’s be real. How often do you closely examine your words and actions—before ever speaking them or doing them—to make sure that each and every one glorifies God? OK, I know that one was below the belt; yet that is what we are commanded to do. Plenty of room for improvement there for sure!

OK. Let’s hit the pause button until next week’s episode as we continue our journey through my book Are You a Super Man? Becoming God’s Man of Steel.”

As we conclude this week’s powerful podcast, I’d like to take just a moment and give you a glimpse into our ministry. You see, we do a whole lot more here at The Pure Man Ministry than just producing a weekly podcast. We have a free APP entitled My Purity Coach". This app is chocked full of powerful tools to help you in your walk of purity. You’ll find tons of Scripture. Audio and video lessons from the Bible. You listen to this podcast from the app. You can even watch the globally acclaimed video series called “The Chosen” from this app!

We also have designed an online training resource called ChristianGrowthAcademy.com. There you will find a growing library of video courses geared to help you learn how to grow in your Christian walk.

If you’re a subscriber to this podcast, then you’ve heard me talk about our Point of Purity Program” - a 12 week, 1-on-1, Bible-Centered coaching program taking you deep into Scripture to teach you how to develop a lifelong strategic plan for sexual purity. I’ve also talked on this podcast about the various books I have written which are all available both on my website (ThePurityCoach.com) and on Amazon.

As a faith-based, donor-supported ministry, all of this (and so much more) is only made possible by our team of ministry partners who give financially to this ministry. Without compromise The Purity Coach shows men and women how to have a continuous relationship with Jesus that is real and personal. To that end we need financial assistance from partners like you who are committed to providing hope and helping men and women across the globe win their personal battle against the beast of sexual impurity. I am personally inviting you to join us as we impact our world by equipping and training men and women how-to live-in purity, godliness, and integrity. To give your tax deductible gift to this ministry today, simply go to ThePurityCoach.com and click on the Donate button in the upper right corner. And thank you for partnering with us!

And if you haven’t subscribed to this podcast yet, let me encourage you to do so today so you won’t miss any of our upcoming episodes!

So, until next time this is Author, Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach Steve Etner reminding you that if you are going to glorify God in your everyday living, He must first be glorified in your every moment thinking.

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