The Church Needs Men Who Will Stand

This summary and rewrite draws on a sermon by Jentezen Franklin, who uses the historical account of the Monuments Men from World War II to issue a compelling challenge to modern men: to become the protectors and preservers of their most priceless treasure—the godly family.

Historical Context: The Monuments Men of WWII

The sources introduce the true story of the Monuments Men, a specialized unit commissioned during World War II.

Key Facts about the Monuments Men:

• Composition: This group consisted mostly of volunteers from 13 different nations, including America, who allied against Hitler and the Nazis.
• Background: The volunteers were generally not traditional combat soldiers; they were primarily museum directors, sculptors, and architects—people with expertise in fine arts and culture.
• Mission: Commissioned by President Eisenhower, their task was to go into dangerous, live warfare zones to save and preserve the culture of Europe. They risked their lives to protect treasures like Michelangelo paintings and Da Vinci artwork.
• The Rationale: These men understood that preserving these treasures—art paintings, buildings, and cathedrals—was essential to keep the history and culture of the past alive for future generations. These priceless items played a significant role in the foundation and culture of those people.

The Root of Destruction: Hitler’s Failed Artistic Dream

The story of the Monuments Men is juxtaposed with the destructive motivation of Adolf Hitler.

• Hitler’s Ambition: As a young man, Hitler dreamed of being an artist and a great architect.
• The Rejection: His application to the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna was rejected, which led to great disappointment.
• The Bitterness: Hitler developed a root of bitterness, believing that Jews controlled the board that rejected him.
• Escalation: The sources emphasize how something small, like one man’s crushed dream and bitterness, can lead to destruction upon millions of people for generations.
• Theft and Glory: After becoming the German Führer, Hitler’s new dream was to build an empire and develop a “superhuman race”. He aimed to adopt the city of Lent, Germany, as the art capital of the world, making it a museum of the greatest art pieces stolen from the nations he had conquered. He was robbing and stealing the treasures from other nations for his own glory and the glory of Germany.

The Modern Treasure: The Family as a Monument

The sermon pivots from the historical preservation of art to the spiritual preservation of the family.

• The Family as Art: The message asserts that there is great art and treasure in the church and in the home that must be preserved for future generations.
• Priceless Possessions: Your family is a great treasure, and your children and grandchildren are your most precious possession.
• A Rare Commodity: A godly, intact family—not a perfect family, but one that loves, honors God, and maintains relationships—is a rare commodity and a treasure to be valued, appreciated, and protected in the current time.
• The Monument: A family that loves one another, spends time together, worships together, and prays together is both a treasure and a monument.