Traits of a Godly man

Introduction

Happy Father’s day

Introduce Self

Dismiss children

I’ve never preached through a book of the bible the way I am with Acts right now. Truthfully, becuase of how my mind can be i thought /i would get bored. I like variety and mixing it it up with series and topics but hoenstly, what I’ve seen God do so far and even with todays message reinforces why many have went to this preaching method.

I expect i’ll stay with this even after we finish Acts.

I broke away from it on Mother’s day and will do that from time to time I’m sure. I expected to do that today yet as I read on in Acts 2 I saw some things we fathers and men in general need to take notice of in Peter.

Character- Men in church

My message will be very pointed today. I’m talking to men. Ladies, leave your ears and heart open not to hear ways of accusing your man of not living up to who you think he should be, or how he needs to fix himself. That would not be wise. A wise woman would listen first for her own heart to be conformed to Christ and then on ways she can encourage her husband and support Him in being the man God made Him to be.

I had a conversation recently about mothers day and Father’s day in church. Mother’s day is always sweet and supportive and Father’s day the pastor rips the face of every man for not doing what he is supposed to do.

Today I wan to not necessarily be sweet, but encouraging, equipping, and empowering to men become the man God made you to be. That won’t happen unless you are intentional about it and challenged on it.

Problem-Men not actively engaged in gospel ministry

In my research and writing over the last year or more I’ve found some disturbing statistics about men in church.

The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories. [1]

On any given Sunday there are 13 million more adult women than men in America’s churches. [2]

This Sunday almost 25 percent of married, churchgoing women will worship without their husbands. [3]

Midweek activities often draw 70 to 80 percent female participants. [4]

The majority of church employees are women (except for ordained clergy, who are overwhelmingly male). [5]

Over 70 percent of the boys who are being raised in church will abandon it during their teens and twenties. Many of these boys will never return. [6]

As of June 2022, 36 percent of women say they went to church last week (either in person or online) whereas only 24 percent of men did. [7]

Churches overseas report gender gaps of up to 9 women for every adult man in attendance. [8]

Christian universities are becoming convents. The typical Christian college in the U.S. enrolls almost 2 women for every 1 man. [9]

Fewer than 10% of U.S. churches are able to establish or maintain a vibrant men’s ministry. [10]

I’ve also found that

80% of men are emotionally impaired

60% of men are financially unstable

50% of men who attend church actively seek pornography,

40% of men get divorced.

The effects of these types of men leading homes, churches, and communities are having a broader and more significant impact than leaving the church house to be full of women. Mr. Morely also provides the collateral damage seen because of men's lack of spiritual maturity, development, and leadership. He presents a list of collateral damage in his book that shows

(1) only 46% of men married between 1970-1974 were still married after thirty years,

(2) 41% of babies are born to single mothers,

(3) 36% of children live in homes without their biological fathers.

^^^^ each of these should be on their own slide. don’t include the number at the end

Men, this is a problem. And I’m the first that can tell you that it’s becuase men need to step up, quit being lazy with their spirituality and overall, they need to own their christianity and begin leading their homes towards Christ.

I can tell you that it’s the individual responsibilty of every man to do these things but here are the facts. Somewhere along the way men, in general, seem to have lost their way. We have allowed our wives to take the lead in our home and many of them do it becuase they don’t think you are.

and the biggest problem, the one I want you to see today and address in your hearts is that men have stopped investing into the enxt generation and their peers becuase we have left that up to women. We are too busy, they are too disrespectful, we can’t connect, when in reality the only reason we have to not be discipling someone is “I’m disobedient to Christ.”

ok, maybe I do preach a little more direct on Father’s day. Just know, I’m preaching to myself too men.

Agitated-Dying churches, broken homes

What happens if this continues? What happens if men don’t take up the responsiblity given to us by God to lead our homes, invest in others, be bold for Jesus, know the bible, and live out the gospel?

Good churches will die. Homes will continue to break. Little boys will continue to be raised without good men in their lives to only become little boys with a little more age on them.

The gospel influence in our community and in our country will be diminished.

Is it your responsiblity to lead someone else’s home? no.

HOwever, can I tell you something I’ve learned recently. I was actually talking to my dad a few weeks ago.

Many of you know ym story, read that book and you’ll know more of it. My dad and I haven’t always been close. We were talkingg a few weeks ago and discussing something that has been said to me by people that have met or know my family. I’ve been looked at before and asked “how did you become who you are?” I joke about the trailerhood and things but please know there is alot of truth in those statements. Also, I’m a pastor with a past that could have turned into a future if it wasn’t for the grace of God.

Now that sounds very spiritual to say doesn’t it? It’s true. but the question you shoudl ask is “what did the grace of God look like in your life at that time?”

His name was Gerry Brady. I’ll be honest. I don’t know that I’ve really thought about him in a long time. I often think of my pastor in yuma and his invetment which was substantial. I think of a guy named Dwayne but I had really forgot about Gerry, until preparing this message.

When I was just coming back to my faith, Gerry took me under his wing. He had lunch with me at BW’s, talked to me about aliens in the bible becuase I used to actually ask that question, talked about serving in the ministry as a lay person, how he and his family would live for Jesus, and he shared his life with me.

Did you know I didn’t have to invite Gerry out? I don’t remember asking him to do these things. He did it on his own. He wasn’t a pastor. He was a chef at a golf course club I think.

Solution-Be the man God called you to be and invest in others

He did what we need to do men. He loved Jesus. He intentionally sought someone to invest in. And is now part of my story. Whose story will you be apart of?

Guide-Peter

In Acts 2 Peter was apart of many peoples story that day. He has received the power of the Holy Spirit, He and 119 other disciples have spoke in tongues, and now he is preaching to a multitude.

Peter is a man that has experienced failure, embarrasement, and has been restored through Jesus. I identify more with the failing peter than the preaching peter most days however the Peter that is preaching in our text today demonstraits some traits a godly man should desire.

Men, I’m going to ask a question and i want you to respond. Men, I know how well you listen so I’m going to say it again, I’m going to ask a question and I want you to respond.

Do you want to be a godly man or as i like to put it a man after God?

Then get out a pen, or note taking device and take notes. As we dive into this text to see who Peter is at this point and who God has molded him into

Journey-Acts 2:14-24

Acts 2:14–15 “14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.”

Notivce first that

1. Godly Men are Bold for Christ

Peter is apparently in a position where the multiude can see him. he stands up with other 11 men around him and begins to boldy address the people.

Peter wasn’t always bold though.

Well, he kind of was but not for Jesus.

He cut off a mans ear, he would tell Jesus he woudl die for him, but when challenged after the crucifixion…he denied Christ.

how did he become soi bold? How can you?

After the resurrection JEsus came to the disciples a few differnt times but one of the most memeroable was his interaction with Peter when he asked him what appears to be the same question three times.

John 21:16–22 “16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.”

Jesus first asks “Do you love me?”

Men, do you love Jesus? Can you say it? if you are aman in this building right now let’s say I love Jesus together…”I love Jesus”

We first have to identify the problem with our lack of boldness. A lock of boldness for Christ is a lack of love for Christ.

If you don’t love your wife you won’t stand up for her. If you don’t love her more than yourself you won’t put yourself in harms way for her. Same for your children. DO you lvoe your wife? Do you love your children? Do yo love Jesus?

You do? GReat! now what..?

Do you love Jesus more than these?

Peter is now asked if he loves Jesus more than he loves the other disciples? DO you care more about what Jesus thinks than you do what other men think? Do you care more about what Jesus thinks than what your parents think? What about your best friend? Golfing buddies? work buddies? Wife? Children?

Come on…do you care more about Jesus than you do yourself?

Cause if you do then what those other peopple think including you don’t matter.

That’s how you get to the place you can forgive someone who might not deserve it in the world’s eyes. That’s how you get to the place of helping those the world despises. That’s how you get to the place you can walk up to another man and say “Hey, Let’s grab lunch, coffee, or something” for you to have a conversation to share Jesus with them. who he is, what he’s done, and even ask how they are doing in their walk.

BEcuase that’s what he tells peter to do next:

Feed my sheep

Take up your ministry, serve others, do what I’ve called you to do. Stop sitting around waiting for soemthign to happen…This is Jesus with the stick saying…Do something

Then he leaves him witht his.

Follow thou me…or you follow me

Let me lead…Let me have control.

Adn when

Peter gave Jesus control, He became bold for Christ.

Is that your problem men. Jesus doesn’t have contorl of you rlife? Are you part of the 50% of christian men in church that still seek pornography? Are you still seek comfort and laziness spiritually?

Or have oyu given Jesus full control? Men if tha’ts you, thank you. You men that are bold for Jesus and growing into men that are bold fgor Jesus thank you. YOu are wise men. YOu are loving men. You are men that make the gospel the priority in your life and the life of your family.

That’s mos tlikely becuase you are a godly man that knows the bible

2. Godly men know the Bible

Acts 2:16–21 “16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Peter, from memory, quotes passages from the book of Joel in the Old Testament concerning the last days. When he said he was in during his time.

The spirit of God was poured out on allflesh.

This was a huge deal to the jewish audience. The Holy Spirit of God had been reser ved for a few people for specific purposes up until this point. The judges, Prophets, and kings. But now, now the Spirit of god is resting upon these 120 followers of Jesus who ahve jsut spoke in languges they didn’t know.

They were not the most educated people. They were not academics. Theyw ere fishermen, they were common people like you and me that thorugh the power of God were going to do uncommon things.

Peter stood to proclaim the scriptures becuase they were on his heart.

When David psalm 1 he swas writing to a man and he says these things

Psalm 1:1–2 “1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

His delight is the law of the Lord. The law at the time was the only word of God they had. We can delight on the law, on the gospels, on the book of acts, on the epistles, on any part of scripture as we have all of it.

WE meditate on it day and night. That doesn’t mean to crack it open and read it all day every day. It does mean that it shoudl be on our hearts, in our minds. Whenw e respond, it’s best to ask, how does God call em to respond.

Wehn we go about our days are we thinking on the things of God or the things we’ve got to get done.

Most of you men work hard, long hours, short nights, manual labor, mental labor, whatever it may be. I know you are godly men too that get in the word, you talk about Jesus in your homes, you encourage your friends, and you love your wives.

That comes from your knowledge and udnerstanding of God through His Word as he has revealed Himself.

Peter knew the word and Peter, like godly men today, live the gospel.

3. Godly men live the gospel

Acts 2:22–24 “22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

Here it is…the gospel

Jesus was the son of God, you jews killed him, and God raise dhim from the dead.

Such a simple truth but there is so much to unpack when ti comes to the good news of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection.

First is that godly men know they are sinners at heart.

Second, You did not deserve to be saved, you think to highly of yourself if you believe God did you a favor because of how great you are you are wrong.

Godly men know their worth without Christ is worthless and that with Christ are they are priceless

The God of the universe who gave you everything and had His creation turn their back on Him chose to spare them rather than destroy them. He chose mercy over wrath, grace ver justice, and yet we act as though there is a good reason not to live for Him wholly.

We still choose fishing, golfing, sleeping, working on the yard, going to the race, and any other event rather than coming together to worship Him and strengthen those around us.

Men, some of you are allowing your lives to be consumed by everything else except Jesus and the things of God.

This is keeping you from living out the love, grace, forgiveness, and making a difference for Christ because you don’t believe your able to.

Maybe you dont’ believe God can us eyou and that you can make a difference.

A man who doesn’t believe he can make a differnce never will. A man who knows His God will make a difference, wont’ be stopped.

Which one are you? What type of man do you want to be?

Do you want to be a man that God uses to make a difference? Do you want to be a godly man? Do you want to be a man after god?

Then you have to do the things a man after God does. Pursue Jesus, Be bold, Know the Word, and Live the gospel.

Who are you men? Who do you want ot be?

Resolution-Pursue Jesus Daily and become who God created you to be

Then start doing the things a godly man does and watch what happens.

Be bold for Christ in your home. Be bold for christ in your workplace. Do the things a godly man does.

godly men read the bible. Or have it read to you with an audio version. Just don’t make the excuse that you don’t have time…no, your not making time.

Be the man God made you to be because of the gospel.

Impact:neg: Continued downward spiral of Christianity Positive:revival

Time of Response