Traits of Great Men

“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”

Proverbs 20:6

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

Job 1:8

“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”

Luke 1:15

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Matt 11:11

Definition:

  1. You nor your family can measure your greatness: you must grow in favor with God and good men.
  2. God has given Hebrews 11 as a report card for many great men, who are watching us (Heb 12:1-2).
  3. There are great men by human standards (II Sam 7:9), but we measure by His rule from the Bible.
  4. Great men avoid meltdowns or folly (Ec 10:1). They cut losses before they are in a crushing event.

Purpose:

  1. We begin a new year in a few days, and we should be committing and planning to be great in 2010.
  2. God looks for single men who will stand and be counted for Him against compromise (Eze 22:30).
  3. If you are sick by the carnality, sins, or dysfunction of others, then condemn folly by greatness.
  4. There is only one way to take care of yourself for old age, sickness, and death … greatness now!
  5. This next year may be the last year you have by death or the Lord’s return. Make it count greatly!

Benefits:

  1. This is how you glorify God and Jesus Christ during your short life … aim for greatness for Him.
  2. This is how you build His kingdom and church and benefit the lives of all those around you.
  3. This is how you accrue God’s blessings in life: if you are great for Him, He will be great for you.
  4. This will surprise the carnally minded and weak … this is how to maximize your own happiness.

Reality:

  1. You can do this: it is not a matter of ability, but rather a matter of your commitment and choices.
  2. You can do this: it does not take much to stand out while living among effeminate compromisers.
  3. You can do this: some pretty weak and sordid characters made it to Hebrews 11 by their faith.
  4. You can do this: through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
  5. Everything in your past can be blown away with proper repentance, restitution, and reformation.

 

TraitDefinition & DescriptionGreatLosers
Keep HeartThe basis of all speech and action is the heart, so great men keep their heart with all diligence, for from it comes your whole life (Pr 4:23; Matt 12:35).David, DanielSaul, Demas
MeekHumility, modesty, submissiveness; patient and peaceful in injury. Content with backseat; unruffled by foes; avoids public acclaim (Mic 6:6-8; Ep 4:2).Moses, PaulDiotrephes
LoveAffectionate compassion and sacrificial service to others - a more excellent way to serve God than as an apostle (I Cor 12:28-31; 13:4-7; II Cor 12:15).PaulEliphaz, Jonah
ServiceGetting outside yourself to help others, who cannot repay; the greatest in the kingdom are servants (Matt 20:25-28; 23:11-12; Luke 14:12-14; Ac 20:35).Gaius, PhilemonMark
RichFinancial prudence is the goal to work hard, control expenses, and save to build estate and help others (Pr 11:16; 21:17,20; Ep 4:28; I Thes 4:11-12).Job, AbrahamNabal, Rehoboam
GenerousCheerful and quick liberality in giving; the opposite of stingy; it involves a supernatural principle that blesses or curses men (Pr 11:24-28; II Cor 9:6).Barnabas, AraunahJudas
SpeechRule your tongue to avoid foolish talking, harsh or impetuous words; only a few perfect men rule the tongue (Ep 5:4; Pr 17:27-28; 21:23; Jas 1:19; 3:2).DavidNabal, Ishbosheth
WorshipThe desire, delight, and action of praising God for His nature, works, word, which should be a joy and priority for every believer (Ps 37:4; Jer 9:23-24).DavidSnuffers
LeaderThe conviction, confidence, and commitment to get out in front of family, friends, or church and be an example of walking with God (Ezek 22:30).Abraham, JoshuaRulers
PrayerConsistent supplication of God for blessing on church, nation, and family for spiritual and natural needs (I Thes 5:17; Col 4:2; Jer 15:1; Ezek 14:14).DanielJoshua
VirtueVirtue is manly strength to be holy, noble, and pure in life against your own lusts and the tempting offers of the world toward sin (II Pet 1:5; Ps 24:4).Joseph(3)Amnon
InfluenceAre you a tree of life to others? Family, friends, colleagues, neighbors? Do they respect your life and want to emulate you and learn more (Pr 11:30)?CorneliusLot
FaithBelief, confidence, and trust in God overcoming the world, circumstances, doubts from the devil, and others’ negative thinking (Heb 11:1,6; I Jn 5:4).AbrahamThomas, Saul
GraciousWe are to be kind, modest, agreeable, friendly, and charming as the servants of Christ (Col 4:6). And this form of speech will pay dividends (Pr 22:11).David, JesusNabal
ZealPassion for the things of God consuming your heart, life, and activities, so that you stick out to the average as strange (Eccl 9:10; Gal 4:18; Col 3:23).Phinehas, JehuEphesus, Laodicea
HospitableWhy do you have money? To help others (Eph 4:28). Why do you have a house? To entertain and house others (Heb 13:2).AbrahamAn inn
HonestyAll dealings with all men should be in scrupulous honesty and truth, so that your person and words are absolute trustworthy (II Kgs 22:7; Tit 2:9-10).JacobAnanias
CourageThe boldness and confidence to do what needs to be done without regard for what men or circumstances may do (Josh 1:1-9; Pr 29:25).Caleb, JaelPeter, Pilate
PatienceSuffering or enduring pain or trouble with calmness and composure; it is continuing without quitting in the face of difficulties (Rom 12:12; Gal 6:9).JobStony
ThankfulInstead of complaining and whining about things, and instead of thinking too much, give yourself to thanksgiving for everything (I Thess 5:18).Jacob, A leperA butler, 9 lepers
GentleMild in disposition or behavior; kind, tender, courteous. It is a fruit of the Spirit; we are to be tenderhearted; and Jesus was gentle (Jas 3:17; Tit 3:2).JosephZeruiah
DiligenceLife is short, and you should do everything with your might. Why pace yourself? God will bless the diligent (Pr 22:29; Gal 6:9; I Cor 15:10).JeroboamSodom
TemperateSelf-discipline is necessary for greatness in any endeavor. The world seeks a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one (I Cor 9:24-27).Daniel, PaulDemas, Samson
ForsightGreat men look ahead, not just work, eat, play, and sleep everyday. They are looking to help family and church in the future (Pr 6:6-8; 13:22; 22:3).DavidRich man
NeighborYour neighbor (those God puts around you and in front of you) trusts you, and great men never violate that trust (Pr 3:27-30; Luke 10:25-37).HiramAhab, Edom
PrudentSome procrastinate, take risks, stay unorganized, ignore the future, etc. But others guide their affairs with discretion (Ps 112:5; Pr 13:23; 17:18; 24:27).DavidFlood
ContentThe world measures success by lots of stuff, but God measures by how happy you are with what you have (I Tim 6:6; Heb 13:5; Pr 30:8; Phil 4:11).AgurAhab, David
AnswersYou must be able to teach others and defend the truth, and this is not hard, if you pay attention and practice (Pr 22:17-21; 24:26; I Pet 3:15; He 5:12-14).Elihu, AquilaHebrews
HolyGod is holy, and great men must be holy as well, which is to avoid sin and hate it in every respect (I Pet 1:14-17; II Cor 6:14 – 7:1; I Thess 4:3-7).JosephLot
JustThis is fairness, where you deal fairly with all, doing what is good and right, without partiality for any reason (Is 59:14; Col 4:1; Jas 3:17; Matt 1:19).Joseph, AbnerJoab
PeacefulGod and good men love peace, and great men are peacemakers whenever they can calm tempers or cause reconciliation (Matt 5:9; Eph 4:3; Jas 3:18).BarnabasSaul
FaithfulCan others rely on you for actions assumed, requested, or promised? Great men always perform as expected (Pr 13:17; 25:13; Lu 16:10; I Cor 4:2).DavidMark