The Power of a Man Erindale Men Alive

Perhaps you have been following the Olympic Games from Sydney, Australia. There have been some incredible performances already. But I will never forget something that happened in the Barcelona Olympics of 1992.

It happened on the track in the men’s 400 meter semifinal. The runners lined up in the starting blocks. One of the semifinalists was from Great Britian. His name was Derek Redmond. Although he had been plagued by injuries thoughout his track career, on that warm summer evening in Barcelona, Spain, Derek Redmond had never felt stronger.

As the starter’s gun sounded, Derek broke quickly from the blocks in lane 5. He quickly made up the stagger on the runners in lanes 6 through 8. But suddenly, Redmond felt something pop in his right leg. He had severely torn his hamstring muscle. He hobbled to a stop. Searing pain shot through his leg. He couldn’t put any weight on it.

The other runners finished the race, and the crowd roared for the winner. But then all eyes turned to Derek, who was still standing on one leg, helpless and motionless on the track. His face was contorted in pain and despair. Tears rolled down his cheeks. Somehow, in spite of his injury, he summoned up the courage to try and limp to the finish line.

Just then there was a commotion at the side of the track. A heavyset man in a white t-shirt appeared next to the injured runner. That man was Derek Redmond’s father. He had been watching in dismay from the grandstand. When his son hobbled to a stop, he instinctively jumped out of his seat, leaped over the barriers and ran onto the track. An Olympic official ran after him, trying to pull him back, but Derek’s Dad just brushed him away. He wanted to help his son.

I will never forget the image of that father providing a much-needed shoulder for his son to lean on as together they limped in shared agony down the track. The crowd stood and roared in unison as they watched the father-son team crossed the finish line.

Derek Redmond may not have won a medal, but he and his dad provided one of the most glorious finishes in Olympic history.

Derek’s dad demonstrated the power that a man can have when he comes alongside another.

I think you men realize that we live in a world where men are often isolated and alone. Our culture teaches us that we should be rugged individualists who can stand on our own two feet—men who don’t need the help and support of anyone. Some of you may not have had the benefit of a close relationship with your father. Those of us who have sons sometimes struggle to communicate with them.

But if we can commit to coming alongside the men God puts into our lives, God can do great things through us.

Barnabas - the Son of Encouragement

• when Paul was converted, he came to Jerusalem. The disciples were afraid of him. But Barnabas came alongside him and “sponsored” him. - Acts 9:26ff

• Stephen’s stoning - persecution - church at Jerusalem scattered - Antioch

• believers at Jerusalem sent Barnabas there - he encouraged the believers to remain true to the Lord because “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”

• He immediately went to Tarsus to look for Paul and he brought him back to Antioch with him. Acts 11:25 (may have been 10 years later)

• the church at Antioch sent out Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas made sure that they brought along John Mark, who was his cousin, as a helper, but he “deserted” them in Pamphylia. Later, when a second missionary journey was planned, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark again. Paul insisted they not. A sharp disagreement ensued. So Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus, while Paul and Silas went to Asia Minor. But later in Paul’s ministry, he asked Timothy to bring John Mark because he was “helpful” to his ministry. (2 Tim. 4:11)