Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #60 - Kyle Thompson // A Godly Man is Selfless

Introduction

In episode #60 of The Daily Blade, released on March 25, 2025, hosts Pastor Joby Martin of the Church of Eleven22 and Kyle Thompson of Undaunted.Life delve into the second element of a godly man: selflessness. Building on the foundation laid in the previous episode, where the preeminent quality of a godly man's surrender to Christ was discussed, this episode explores how selflessness contrasts with contemporary societal values and aligns with biblical teachings.

Main Discussion Points

1. Recap of the Ten Elements of a Godly Man

   Kyle Thompson begins the episode by reminding listeners that they are in the midst of a series exploring the ten elements that define a godly man. The first element focused on total surrender to Christ, setting the stage for understanding the foundational aspects of godly masculinity.

2. Element Two: Selflessness

   • Contemporary Self-Centered Culture

     Kyle emphasizes that we live in an age marked by unprecedented self-centeredness. He observes, "We live in the most selfish time perhaps in human history. Like, everything is about us and our comfort and what we want to do and what we want to accomplish" (02:15). Social media exemplifies this trend, with platforms dominated by personal achievements and moments: "Social media is all about where I'm going on vacation, the workout that I just did, the car that I just bought, I, I, me, me, my family, the things that I liked" (03:10).

   • Impact of Self-Help Culture

     Kyle critiques the pervasive self-help movement, noting its focus on personal advancement: "We've been in this milieu for probably two or three decades at this point where everything is about helping ourselves to do whatever it is that we want to do." He links this to the rise of "moral, therapeutic deism," which he argues has led to widespread cultural and ecclesiastical challenges.

   • Biblical Selflessness vs. Worldly Selfishness

     In stark contrast to modern norms, Kyle asserts that "the way that God wants us to act and carry ourselves is the exact opposite of how the world thinks that we should" (04:05). This dichotomy sets the stage for exploring biblical principles of selflessness.

3. Exegesis of Matthew 16

   • Significance of Matthew 16

     Kyle introduces Matthew 16 as a pivotal chapter, highlighting a major narrative shift. He references Stuart Weber's commentary to underscore that up to this point, the disciples had a limited understanding of Jesus's mission: "the disciples only have a limited understanding of who Jesus is and what he was sent here to do."

   • Jesus’s Revelation of His Suffering and Resurrection

     A critical moment occurs in Matthew 16:21, where Jesus begins to openly discuss his impending suffering, death, and resurrection: "From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things" (04:45). This marks a departure from his previous teachings, providing a more transparent view of his mission.

   • Peter’s Rebuke and Jesus’s Response

     The interaction between Peter and Jesus serves as a focal point for understanding selflessness. When Peter rebukes Jesus, saying, "This shall never happen to you, Lord" (05:00), Jesus responds sharply, "get behind me, Satan. You are a hindrance to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man" (05:15). This exchange exemplifies the rejection of selfish desires in favor of divine purpose.

4. Application to Being a Godly Man

   • Denying Self in Following Jesus

     Kyle reads and interprets Matthew 16:24, where Jesus instructs, "if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (06:00). He juxtaposes this directive with modern societal messages, such as "my truth" and "my safety," highlighting the tension between self-centeredness and godly selflessness.

   • Stuart Weber’s Insight

     Quoting Stuart Weber, Kyle reinforces the necessity of following Jesus on His terms: "Many people wanted to follow Jesus, but most wanted to do it on their own terms. Jesus said that only those who followed on his terms could be disciples and they would be rewarded for their loyalty" (07:10).

   • Conclusion on Selflessness

     Concluding the discussion, Kyle posits that embracing selflessness—focusing on God rather than oneself—is essential to embodying the second element of a godly man. "We don't focus on us, we focus on him who saved us. Amen" (09:00).

Notable Quotes

• Kyle Thompson on Selfish Culture: "We live in the most selfish time perhaps in human history. Like, everything is about us and our comfort and what we want to do and what we want to accomplish." (00:20)

• Joby Martin on Spiritual Warfare: "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." (00:01)

• Kyle Thompson on Matthew 16: "From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things..." (04:45)

• Jesus’s Rebuke of Peter: "Get behind me, Satan. You are a hindrance to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." (05:15)

• Stuart Weber’s Commentary: "Many people wanted to follow Jesus, but most wanted to do it on their own terms." (07:10)

Conclusions and Takeaways

Episode #60 of The Daily Blade effectively underscores the importance of selflessness as a defining trait of a godly man. By contrasting contemporary self-centered values with biblical teachings, hosts Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson encourage listeners to prioritize God's purposes over personal desires. The in-depth exploration of Matthew 16 serves as a foundational scriptural basis for this discussion, illustrating the transformative power of embracing selflessness in one's spiritual journey.

Listeners are left with a clear call to action: to deny themselves in pursuit of following Christ’s example, thereby embodying the selfless nature that characterizes a godly man. This episode not only provides theological insights but also offers practical applications for integrating these principles into everyday life.

Next Steps

For those inspired by this discussion, The Daily Blade invites listeners to apply these lessons by sharing the podcast, leaving a five-star review, and staying engaged with future episodes that continue to explore the elements of a godly man.