#113 - Joby Martin // Five Attributes of a Great Man

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #113 - Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson on "Five Attributes of a Great Man"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Daily Blade
• Hosts: Pastor Joby Martin (Church of Eleven22) & Kyle Thompson (Undaunted.Life)
• Description: A short-form devotional show that equips Christians to apply the Word of God to their everyday lives.
• Episode: #113 - "Five Attributes of a Great Man"
• Release Date: June 6, 2025

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Introduction to Episode #113

In episode #113 of The Daily Blade, hosts Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the essential qualities that define a great man from a Christian perspective. Drawing inspiration from Matthew chapter 20, they outline five key attributes that not only define greatness in the Kingdom of God but also provide a blueprint for men striving to live out their faith authentically.

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Attribute 1: A Great Man is a Ransomed Man (00:20 - 03:15)

Kyle Thompson initiates the discussion by emphasizing the foundational attribute of being a ransomed man. He references Matthew 20:1-28, particularly the passage where Jesus talks about service and leadership.

Key Points:

• Understanding the Ransom: Thompson explains that recognizing Jesus as the one who paid the ransom for humanity's sins is crucial. Without this acknowledgment, one cannot possess the "mind of Christ" or the power of the Holy Spirit necessary for true greatness.

  Kyle Thompson [02:15]: "If you don't know Jesus as your ransom, then you'll never be a great man."

• Participation in the Rescue Team: Being ransomed involves being part of the rescue mission. Thompson likens this to a hostage situation where a ransom is paid to secure liberation. Similarly, Jesus' act of redemption calls believers to join His mission in rescuing others.

  Kyle Thompson [03:00]: "A great man is the kind of man that knows that he's been rescued and is willing to do what it takes to rescue others."

Conclusion: Embracing one's identity as a ransomed individual empowers and obligates a man to actively participate in God's mission, demonstrating true greatness through sacrificial service.

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Attribute 2: Puts Jesus First (03:16 - 04:00)

Thompson outlines the importance of prioritizing Jesus in every aspect of life. This involves dedicating time each week to rest and worship, ensuring that one remains spiritually revitalized and aligned with God's purposes.

Key Points:

• First in the Week by Sabbathing: Setting aside time for Sabbath rest is portrayed as a way to honor and prioritize Jesus, maintaining spiritual readiness for His calling.

  Kyle Thompson [03:35]: "A great man puts Jesus first, including first in your week by Sabbathing. Finding your rest in Jesus so you're ready to do what he has called you to do."

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Attribute 3: Endures Suffering (04:01 - 04:45)

A great man must possess the resilience to withstand suffering. Thompson connects this endurance to the Christian's battle against darkness and worldly values, acknowledging that such a path is often fraught with challenges.

Key Points:

• Pushing Back Darkness: Engaging in spiritual warfare requires steadfastness, as confronting societal norms and evil often leads to personal and communal hardships.

  Kyle Thompson [04:10]: "A great man knows how to endure suffering because we push back darkness and we fight against the systems and the values of this world."

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Attribute 4: Lives Under Authority (04:46 - 05:30)

Living under God's authority is presented as a critical element of greatness. Thompson warns against the human desire for autonomy, highlighting that true authority is granted through obedience to God's will.

Key Points:

• Submission to Divine Authority: Greatness is not about wielding power but about recognizing and submitting to the authority that God has established in one's life.

  Kyle Thompson [04:50]: "Don't ever expect God to give you any modicum of authority until you learn to live under the authority that God has put in your life."

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Attribute 5: Serves Others (05:31 - 06:00)

The final attribute centers on servanthood. Drawing parallels to Jesus' example, Thompson emphasizes that true leaders prioritize serving others over seeking positions of power or prestige.

Key Points:

• Servant Leadership: Great men imitate Christ by taking on humble roles and serving others selflessly, demonstrating love and obedience rather than pursuing personal glory.

  Kyle Thompson [05:45]: "A great man serves. A great man is not trying to fight his way to the head of the table... being obedient is the end. And that's where the blessing is."

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Conclusion and Call to Action (06:01 - 06:00)

Joby Martin wraps up the episode with a prayerful exhortation, encouraging men to reject worldly definitions of greatness and instead embrace the qualities outlined in the discussion. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the Word but actively living it out.

Joby Martin [05:56]: "May we not be merely hearers of the Word and so deceive ourselves, but may we do what we have been taught."

He urges listeners to apply these attributes in their daily lives, striving to become men who reflect Jesus' greatness through humility, service, and unwavering faith.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kyle Thompson [02:15]: "If you don't know Jesus as your ransom, then you'll never be a great man."

• Kyle Thompson [03:35]: "A great man puts Jesus first, including first in your week by Sabbathing. Finding your rest in Jesus so you're ready to do what he has called you to do."

• Kyle Thompson [04:10]: "A great man knows how to endure suffering because we push back darkness and we fight against the systems and the values of this world."

• Kyle Thompson [04:50]: "Don't ever expect God to give you any modicum of authority until you learn to live under the authority that God has put in your life."

• Kyle Thompson [05:45]: "A great man serves. A great man is not trying to fight his way to the head of the table... being obedient is the end. And that's where the blessing is."

• Joby Martin [05:56]: "May we not be merely hearers of the Word and so deceive ourselves, but may we do what we have been taught."

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Final Thoughts

Episode #113 of The Daily Blade provides a profound exploration of what it truly means to be a great man in the eyes of God. By unpacking Matthew chapter 20, Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson offer actionable insights that challenge listeners to align their lives with Christ's example. The emphasis on ransom, prioritizing Jesus, enduring suffering, living under authority, and serving others serves as a comprehensive guide for men seeking to embody genuine greatness rooted in faith and humility.

For those seeking to deepen their understanding and application of these principles, this episode serves as an invaluable resource, encouraging active participation in God's mission and the cultivation of a servant's heart.

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This summary captures the essence of episode #113, highlighting the key discussions and insights shared by the hosts. Whether you're a regular listener or new to The Daily Blade, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the "Five Attributes of a Great Man."

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.

[B]

All right. Welcome back to the daily blade. Day five. In Matthew, chapter 20, we've talked about the five attributes of a great man. This is not an exhaustive list. These are just five things that I see in Matthew chapter 20. Hope and pray. They have been helpful and challenging. Number five is this. This is really the foundation of the whole thing. A great man is a ransomed man. We're going to read the whole text again because we need to hear it again. Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked him for something. And he said to her, what do you want? And she said to him, say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left in your kingdom. And Jesus answered, you do not know what you were asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink? And they said to him, we are able. They've been there the whole time. And he said to them, you will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father. And when the 10 heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers, probably because they wished they would have had the idea to go ask to be senior VP of Jesus Incorporated. But Jesus called them to him and said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 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. All right, two things. One, if you don't know Jesus as your ransom, then you'll never be a great man. You see, because if you don't know Jesus as the one that paid your sin debt, if you don't know Jesus as the propitiation for your sin, the one that came and satisfied the law and justice of God on your behalf, so that you could receive by grace freely the salvation that he offers you and the adoption into his family, then you will never have the mind of Christ or the power of the Holy Spirit Spirit in you. So you, by definition, will never be able to be a great man in the kingdom of God if you are not in the kingdom of God because you've never surrendered your life to the lordship of Christ. Secondly, the moment that you are rescued, that you become a part of the rescue team. You see fundamentally why a great man is a ransomed man is because a ransom, like you've seen those movies where somebody gets kidnapped and the kidnapper asks for a ransom, and so the person comes and pays off the kidnapper to buy back the person who has been kidnapped. We have been ransomed that Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves. And the moment we realize that we are a ransom people, then we realize that, I ain't got this. I need somebody to do something for me that I can't do for me. That's what Jesus does. So let me ask you this. The moment you are rescued or ransomed, you become a part of the rescue team. A great man is the kind of man that knows that he's been rescued and is willing to do what it takes to rescue others. Are you willing to lay down your life for others? You see a great man. Here are the 5. A great man puts Jesus first, including first in your week by Sabbathing. Finding your rest in Jesus so you're ready to do what he has called you to do. A great man knows how to endure suffering because we push back darkness and we fight against the systems and the values of this world. And that's going to cost us lot. A great man lives under authority. Don't ever expect God to give you any modicum of authority until you learn to live under the authority that God has put in your life. A great man serves. A great man is not trying to fight his way to the head of the table. But a great man like Jesus dresses himself as a servant, takes the lowest job, takes the most humiliating job, and to demonstrate his love for others, because Christ has loved us, dresses himself as a servant and knows that that's not a means to end, but being obedient is the end. And that's where the blessing is. And a great man has been ransomed by Christ and is a part of the rescue team. Men of the Daily Blade, I pray that we would shake off whatever this world has taught us that it means to be great, to have a great name, or to have a great fortune or have some kind of great accomplishment and that we would be great men like Jesus has called us to be great. Men just like he was and is now. I want to warn you, a warning that that James gives us. May we not be merely hearers of the Word and so deceive ourselves, but may we do what we have been taught.

[A]

Amen. Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.