The Pursuit in Maturity: Act Like Men

Dual Purpose today: 1) Youth just came back from camp 2) Father’s Day

Start with Camp Recap

“What we just witnessed from our students is a glimpse of spiritual hunger, of awakening, of boldness. But what they experienced at camp isn’t just for youth. It’s the call of God on all of us — especially the men in this room.”

We’ve been in a series called The Pursuit — the pursuit of His presence, His praise, and His Spirit. And today, we’re continuing that pursuit — not with hype or noise — but with something we often overlook: maturity.

Real pursuit always produces growth.

Today, I’m calling the men in the room, and all of us, to the next step in the pursuit — a pursuit in maturity.

Our culture is confused about manhood. But Scripture is not.

Maturity in Christ is not a destination — it’s a pursuit. And real manhood is defined by that pursuit.

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NASB95

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

5 Marks of Pursuit in Maturity

I. BE ON THE ALERT

“Be watchful.”

Like a shepherd watching over a flock — protection is part of your role.

Elders are called to guard the flock (Acts 20:28).

Dads: Are you alert to what’s shaping your family spiritually?

Young men: Are you alert to distractions that numb your spiritual hunger?

🔹 Application: Alert men don’t just react — they anticipate.

II. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

“Unshakable conviction in shaky times.”

Titus 1:9 – Hold firmly to sound doctrine.

Titus 1:9 NASB95

9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Real men don’t shift with culture. They stand planted in Christ.

Make statement about divided perspectives, rooted in divided perceptions on reality.

Church, I’m not here to tell you which political side is right. But I am here to point us to something deeper. What I see isn’t just division—it’s disconnection. We’re not just disagreeing about values—we’re seeing different realities. That should humble us.

As disciples of Jesus, our first allegiance is to truth—not to our side. That means we don’t just react; we discern. We don’t just repost; we listen. We don’t just argue; we pray.

The world needs a Church that isn’t captive to one echo chamber or another—but is rooted in the Word, led by the Spirit, and shaped by truth that doesn’t change.

That’s how we become salt and light, mature believers—not just noise.

Students just spent a week learning to stand for God in a culture pulling the other way. But it’s not their job to lead the charge in this pursuit…

In fact, it is described in prophecy that part of the preparation of the coming of the Lord is…

Malachi 4:6 NASB95

6 …restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers…

Fathers, according to scripture, you are to lead the charge in this pursuit so that your children will follow…

🔹 Application: Your kids don’t need you to know everything — they need you to stand for something.

III. ACT LIKE MEN

“Step into responsibility, not away from it.”

This isn’t a call to toughness; it’s a call to maturity.

Paul is saying: Grow up. Be responsible. Take initiative.

1 Timothy 3:4–5 – A man’s first ministry is his household.

1 Timothy 3:4–5 NASB95

4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

🔹 Application: Masculinity isn’t about dominance — it’s about taking spiritual responsibility.

IV. BE STRONG

“Spiritual strength requires grace…”

Strength isn’t brute force — it’s the reliance on God’s grace to lead in love.

2 Timothy 2:1 NASB95

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

🔹 Application: Godly men are strong in conviction, not in ego.

V. LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE

“Love is the measure of your manhood.”

If your strength isn’t rooted in love, it’s not biblical strength.

Ephesians 5:25 NASB95

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Your family doesn’t need a boss — they need a Christlike servant-leader.

🔹 Application: Real men love first, lead with grace, and serve sacrificially.

CLOSING CHALLENGE

“This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. Our sons need fathers and father figures who are spiritually alert. Our daughters need men who stand firm. Our youth need examples of maturity in action.”

Call to Action Options:

Call up all the men to pray together.

Send the men back to their families to lead a prayer over them.