Message for Impact Men’s Ministries by Pastor Barron Greenwalt, En-Joy Ministries July 25, 2025

Men of Impact Men’s Ministries, it’s an honor to stand before you today. As men, we know life isn’t fair. The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45). We face storms, ridicule, discouragement, threats, and division, just as Nehemiah did when he rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 2:19, 4:6-11). The enemy’s tactics haven’t changed; he aims to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). But we’re not called to shrink back in fear, anxiety, or depression. We’re called to be calm in the storm, strong for our families, and committed followers of Christ, not mere volunteers, but warriors equipped by the Holy Spirit, grounded in God’s Word, and transformed by an encounter with the resurrected Lord.

The Power of an Encounter with the Resurrected Christ

In Acts 20, Luke, a later follower of Christ, urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem, sensing the danger ahead. Paul, however, pressed on, undeterred. Why? The difference between Paul, the original twelve disciples, and others like Luke was a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. Paul’s Damascus Road experience (Acts 9) and the disciples’ meeting with Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:45) changed everything. As Luke 24:45 says, “He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” That encounter transformed them from casual believers into die-hard followers, willing to suffer, die, and press through any circumstance.

This is the faith we need as men, not one bound by comfort zones or convenience, but one that relies on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, stands firm against the enemy’s chaos, and trusts God’s Word as His will. As I’ve shared, “I’ve never grown in a comfort zone” (The Making of a Strong Testimony). Growth comes through adversity, seeking God’s truth relentlessly, and surrendering to His call. Like Paul, the disciples, and Nehemiah, we’re called to a mindset for spiritual warfare, one that doesn’t flinch at the enemy’s tactics.

Facing the Enemy’s Tactics with Courage

Nehemiah faced ridicule that shook confidence, discouragement that drained strength, threats that sparked fear, and division that sowed conflict (Nehemiah 2:19, 4:6-11, 5:1-13; Tactics Used by the Enemy). Yet, he stood firm, confronting issues with wisdom and reliance on God. Jesus faced similar opposition but remained calm, wielding the Word as His sword (Matthew 4:4; Ephesians 6:17). As men, we’re called to do the same. The devil targets us, our families, our communities, our faith, using confusion, chaos, and threats. But as I’ve learned, “Fear and intimidation lose their grip when the Holy Spirit directs my steps” (The Making of a Strong Testimony).

2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” When anxiety or depression creeps in, we counter it with God’s Word, which instructs us to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6) and to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Our families look to us to be strong and calm in the storm, anchored in hope (Hebrews 6:19). We don’t let the enemy’s tactics of ridicule, discouragement, or division derail us. Like Nehemiah, we confront issues head-on, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Committed, Not Volunteers

We’re not called to a volunteer mindset, showing up only when it’s convenient. We’re called to be committed followers of Christ, serving our families, communities, and churches with the selfless love of Jesus. At En-Joy Ministries, we emphasize that service reflects God’s heart (We Serve Together). Just as the disciples distributed food in the miracle of the loaves and fish (John 6:1-15), we offer our time, resources, and faith, trusting the Holy Spirit to multiply our efforts. Whether it’s caring for the vulnerable (James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:8; Caring for the Vulnerable) or confronting division in our churches (Tactics Used by the Enemy), we step up, led by the Spirit, to reflect Christ’s love.

This commitment starts at home. My family’s legacy of caring for five generations taught me the sacred duty of providing for our loved ones with dignity (Caring for the Vulnerable). When family isn’t enough, the church steps in, but it begins with us as men taking responsibility. We don’t outsource our calling to government programs or facilities; we honor God’s design by being His hands and feet, serving together to transform our communities (Proverbs 19:17; We Serve Together).

Grounded in God’s Word

To know God’s will, we must study His Word. As I’ve written, “My secret to overcoming? Daily, prayerful devotion, feeding on and meditating in the Word, letting the Holy Spirit reshape me” (The Making of a Strong Testimony). Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Jesus countered temptation with “It is written” (Matthew 4:4), and we must do the same. When the enemy brings confusion or threats, we wield the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Isaiah 40:31 promises, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,” and John 8:32 assures us, “The truth will set you free.” These aren’t just verses, they’re lifelines for the battles we face as men.

A Call to Encounter Christ

Men, the question is simple: Do you want an encounter with the resurrected Lord? The kind that transformed Paul on the road to Damascus and opened the disciples’ minds to understand God’s truth? That encounter doesn’t just save us, it sells us out for Christ, building the commitment, faith, and courage to stand firm no matter the cost. It’s the difference between being a casual believer and a die-hard follower, ready to face the enemy’s attacks and lead our families with strength.

Today, I’m inviting you to take a step. If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or if you’re a believer longing for a deeper walk with Christ, come forward. Let this be the moment you seek an encounter with the resurrected Lord, a real relationship that builds the kind of faith Paul and the disciples had. The enemy is after us, our families, and our communities, but through Christ, we have victory. Step forward, surrender to Jesus, and let Him open your mind to His truth, equipping you to live boldly for Him.

Prayer Over the Men (For the Speaker to Pray):

Heavenly Father, I lift up every man here today. For those who don’t yet know You as Lord and Savior, I pray You draw them to Your Son, Jesus, revealing Your love and the power of His resurrection. For those seeking a deeper walk, open their minds as You did for the disciples, igniting a fire of commitment and courage through Your Holy Spirit. Equip these men to stand strong against the enemy’s tactics, to lead their families with faith, and to serve their communities with selfless love. May they encounter the resurrected Christ, finding strength in Your Word and guidance in Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.