Act Like Men
Notes
Transcript
Announcements:
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Worship:
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INTRODUCTION:
In 1Co 16:13, Paul commands the Corinthians to "be courageous” (CSB), also translated as...
13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
"quit you like men" (ASV, KJV)
"act like men" (ESV, NASB)
"be brave” (NKJV),
"be men of courage" (NIV)
The Greek word is andrizomai, and is defined by Thayer...
to make a man of or make brave
to show one's self a man, be brave
This morning, I would like to focus on the idea of acting like men...
What is involved in showing oneself to be a man (besides bravery)?
Especially as a man in Christ, what does it mean to be a real man?
[The answer is to be found in the New Testament, where men of God are often commanded to behave a certain way. For example, consider how a man of God should conduct himself...]
Transition:
BODY:
I. AS A BACHELOR
BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER CHRISTIANS...
This is the charge given to Timothy, who was single - 1Ti 4:12
Likewise to Titus - Tit 2:7
Even as Paul did himself - 1Th 2:10
-- A single man should provide an example of what it means to serve Christ
USE YOUR FREEDOM FOR THE LORD...
Paul wrote that the unmarried can do more for the Lord - 1Co 7:32-34
They do not have spousal and parental duties
-- A single man should utilize the extra time and energy they have for the Lord
[Of course, many men do not remain bachelors, they marry and have a family. How then does one act like a man...]
II. AS A HUSBAND
LOVE YOUR WIFE...
Husbands are charged to love their wives - Ep 5:25
As Christ loved the church - Ep 5:25-27
As they love their own bodies - Ep 5:28-29
-- A real man is one who unselfishly loves his wifeTREAT HER WITH RESPECT...
Render the affection that she is due - 1Co 7:3-4
Seek to understand her, give her honor - 1Pe 3:7
-- A real man is one who is considerate and seeks to exalt his wife
[When children come along, acting like a man involves accepting responsibilities...]
III. AS A FATHER
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN...
Fathers have the duty to bring their children up in the ways of the Lord - Ep 6:4
As God expected of Abraham - Gen 18:19
As God command Israel - Deut 6:6-7
Providing the kind of leadership Joshua did for his family - Josh 24:15
-- Fathers who act like men will provide spiritual leadership for their children
BE PATIENT WITH THEM...
Fathers are not to provoke their children to wrath - Ep 6:4
Fathers must not be so overbearing as to discourage their children - Col 3:21
This does not mean there is never discipline - He 12:5-11
-- Fathers who act like men will seek to provide the proper balance between love and discipline
[Even after a man has become a husband and a father, acting like a man still involves some duties...]
IV. AS A SON
HONOR YOUR PARENTS...
A duty for all children - Ep 6:1-2
A duty that involves providing for them in old age - cf. Mk 7:9-13
-- A son acting like a man will not try to avoid caring for his parents
SUPPORT YOUR WIDOWS...
Children (including sons) are to provide for their mothers and grandmothers - 1Ti 5:4,16
Failure to do so makes one worse than an unbeliever - 1Ti 5:8
-- A son will see that his mother or grandmother is cared for - e.g., Jn 19:25-26
[Finally, some thoughts on what one acting like a man will be...]
V. AS A CHRISTIAN
EXERCISE YOURSELF TO GODLINESS...
So Paul charged Timothy - 1Ti 4:7-8
Which involves fleeing some things, while pursuing others - 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 3:16-17
Fleeing the love of money and youthful lusts - 1Ti 6:10; 2Ti 2:22; 1Co 6:18
Pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness - 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:22
-- A man of God will make every effort to be a true child of God
UTILIZE YOUR GIFTS...
By God's grace, we each have gifts, differing abilities - Ro 12:3-6
We should therefore use them in service to one another - Ro 12:6-8; 1Pe 4:10-11
-- A man of God will make the effort to discover his gift(s) and use them in service to the family of God
Transition:
CONCLUSION:
More can certainly be said, for the scriptures are full of wisdom and instruction of what it means to be a real man of God
Sadly, the world often presents an entirely different picture of what it means to be a man, confusing machismo (exaggerated masculinity) with true manliness
As noted in the beginning, the word translated "act like men" conveys the idea of being "brave, courageous". Will we who are men be brave enough to behave the way God wants us to, and not just imitate those "models of manhood" who are often spiritually and emotionally immature...?
"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." - 1Ti 6:12