Dr. Tony Evans on "Kingdom Men Rising"

Biblical Manhood

Men today are often stuck in a cycle of rebellion, addiction, and confusion which has resulted in the spiritual, social, racial and political decline in our culture. Tony says it is time for men to step up and become the kingdom men God created them to be. A kingdom man is someone who pursues a relationship with Him as well as represents Him in all that he does. God wants His kingdom men to accept the responsibility of reversing the decay in society. 

Biblical manhood can only take place when you learn to fear God or take Him seriously. As you begin to apply God’s Word to your decisions and allow the Holy Spirit to empower your choices there are three benefits you can expect:

• Spiritual guidance – God will tell you the way you should go in order to live a life of success. 
• Prosper your soul – When you make wise decisions you affect your future success.
• Legacy – Leave a legacy of excellence by doing three things: (1) Show up in life day in and day out; (3) Be present in relationships, and (3) Stay consistent (put forth the effort on the job, commit, give, apply diligence, study the Word, invest in others). The small things you do are what creates the heritage you leave behind.  

Becoming Unstuck 

To unleash your full potential as a kingdom man you must get unstuck in life (ex. circumstances or maybe a painful past) and move forward. Tony offers the following tips to help you on the journey to Biblical manhood:

• Master your emotions and you will overcome any addiction or stronghold that enslaves you.
• Tear down strongholds in your life by identifying Christ’s thoughts and aligning your own thinking under the rule of His truth to be set free.
• Do what God says even when it doesn’t make sense. We live in a pagan nation, but it is not impossible to take back ground for Christ. Men can start by repenting, cleaning up their homes, trusting God, and doing what He says. 
• Learn to get along so God’s kingdom can be advanced. Unity is critical in the body of Christ for all races. Tony says, “The racial divide in our nation stems from a theological issue first, not a sociological reality. We must see ourselves as God sees us and embrace His oneness.” The church must preach and live out the whole gospel, not just a portion of it.

Transfer the Faith 

When individuals or communities face challenging circumstances a unified approach to the solutions at hand must take place. The problem is that truth and values are often not being passed down to the next generation which results in a culture full of chaos. “When men fail to transfer the faith, we wind up with a generation of young people who do not know the Lord, His heart or His rule,” reveals Tony. It is the responsibility of a kingdom man to remind every person within his influence about the values of the Kingdom of God. Discipleship is necessary for a kingdom man to achieve and pass on. Ways for a kingdom man to transfer the faith:  

• Remind others of Kingdom values – A kingdom man seeks to transfer the values of the kingdom of God to those under his care. When values are not transferred it shows up in society. For example, many men today have chosen to bail out on fatherhood. The father may leave his responsibilities or fail to engage with the family. Ex. A father might put on the headphones, play video games or run to the gym or to play golf. As a result, our churches and culture end up broken struggling with issues like anxiety, anger, and blame. 
• Transfer Kingdom principles – equip others so it can ultimately lead to spiritual leadership. Even if you never had someone pass on kingdom values to you it is not too late. As a child of the King divine favor, dominion and authority are rightfully yours. All you have to do is ask. 
• Remember who God is and what He has done is critical – Be intentional in sharing the times God showed up and showed out. When you talk about the spiritual victories in your life it encourages others.  
• Discipleship doesn’t take place only through discourse. It comes through relationship, partnering, and doing life together. 

Leaving a Legacy

"Each of us plays a part in caring for and influencing the next generation,” says Tony. The inheritance of God or the blessing is a declaration of divine benefit, divine protection, and divine dominion. This is what we are to pass to the next generation. It was important in the Bible and it is a big deal today. Tony reveals, “Each of us can leave a legacy of greatness wherever we are as we rise up as kingdom men.”  

Tony's Info.

In 1973, Tony was contacted by a radio show producer from Houston (KHCB) where he was a junior in the Dallas Theological Seminary. The producer was asking for great preaching content to put on his program for free. Tony was recommended by a professor. He recorded in a tiny studio on the seminary campus and spent the next few years faithfully preaching into a microphone for a crowd unseen in Houston. Nearly a decade later, The Urban Alternative was formed (1981). In 1986, Tony was invited to preach at the National Religious Broadcasters annual conference. Afterwards, his radio ministry grew nationally and internationally. Today Tony’s preaching can be heard around the world with his broadcasts airing on over 1,400 radio outlets and in over 130 countries, reaching millions each week. 

After graduating as the first African American with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), Tony served as an associate professor in the Pastoral Ministries Department at DTS in the areas of evangelism, homiletics and black church studies. He continues to serve DTS on the Board of Incorporate Members. He is also the former chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys and served as chaplain of the Dallas Mavericks for over three decades.

He has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for over 40 years, witnessing its growth from ten people in 1976 to now over 10,000 congregants with over 100 ministries. He promotes a kingdom agenda philosophy that teaches God’s comprehensive rule over every sphere of life as demonstrated through the individual, family, church and society. This philosophy connects biblical spirituality with social responsibility. Tony was married 49 years to Lois, his wife and ministry partner, who passed away on December 30, 2019.