The Journey Of Manhood

In this sermon we will be taking a look at manhood, specifically the Journey of Manhood. It’s best to view manhood as a journey rather than something that happens at a particular point in time. When you view manhood as a journey you will realize that there is a particular path you must follow to reach the pinnacle. The problem with most men their either trying to figure out what it means to be a man on their own, or they’re following the wrong examples.

I’m here to tell you that the pattern of genuine manhood can be seen by following the example of Jesus Christ. The Bible describes Adam as the “first man” and Jesus as the “second man.” That tells me that the closest version to what God intended in the first man was Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential example of what it means to be a man!

When we examine the life of Jesus we discover that there were 3 significant stages that Jesus walked through in life: submission, strength and sacrifice. I submit to you that these three stages represent 3 essential stages of manhood. In other words, any man who ultimately wants to be a great man and fully live out the experience of true manhood, he must pass through these 3 stages.

Second, it gives us a means of measuring our progress. It’s easy to gauge your progress on a mountain because they have a distinct beginning and ending. And men need a way of evaluating their progress. On the job this is easy because your boss gives you raises or promotions. However, in the home or even personally this is more difficult. Sometimes the only way for a man to know he’s doing a good job at home is by the happiness of his family. But, what do we have to let us know that we’re making progress personally? Comparing ourselves with others? How do we know that they are doing it right?

What does genuine manhood look like? How do we climb this mountain of manhood and reach the top (become a great man)? First, we must solicit the help of a guide, because the getting to the top of any mountain requires that we take a specific path. You don’t just travel straight up a mountain! Who is our guide?

Christ is our guide. Christ is the quintessential man. In fact, the Bible calls Jesus the “second man” (). In the eyes of God, Jesus is the only legitimate pattern of what a true man is since Adam! Jesus is the pattern, not only of godliness, but of manliness. Therefore, if we examine the life of Jesus, particularly from the Book of Matthew (Matthew wrote his gospel to prove that Jesus was the Messiah, or the SON OF MAN) we will discover that Jesus passed through 3 significant stages of His life. These 3 stages represent the essential stages of every man who wants to reach his full potential and become a great man.

The essential stages of manhood (or becoming a great man) are: submission, strength and sacrifice.

SUBMISSION

This is where Jesus begins His journey. In fact, the first time we see the word “submission” in the NT it’s in the life of Jesus ( ESV)! Jesus was “submissive” meaning even though Jesus knew at age 12 what His mission was in life, he surrendered His will (plans) and obeyed His parents.

That’s a clue to you young men out there. Your path to manhood has already begun!

Submission didn’t end for Jesus with childhood. He continued to submit into adulthood. For example, He submits to baptism even though He has no sin, and He submits to temptation/starvation even though He is able to turn the stones to bread!

This is a reminder that submission is not just something we do because we lack the resources or ability to act. Just because you seemingly have it all together doesn’t mean you can bypass this stage of development.

If we’re seeking to journey towards manhood, we must learn the value of true submission (, ). Many want to skip over this stage and move straight into the strength (authority) stage, but without submission you will lack the foundation needed to operate in God’s power. Submission is the character building stage of the journey of manhood. This is where the foundation is laid to support and sustain the power we will be expected to walk in the next stage!

This stage is about unpacking everything we’ve learned and submit it to the authority of God’s word. This is the character building stage of manhood.

“If you want to test a man’s character give him power.” — Abraham Lincoln

The journey of submission is the part of the journey where we unpack everything that weighs us down and might keep us from reaching the summit. This is the time when we replace our heavy burdens with God’s lightweight alternatives.

This is why many men make shipwreck (both as a disciple and as a man), because they won’t submit to the process and try to pursue the path of strength before the proper time.

STRENGTH

This is the stage that most of us are most familiar with. This is the “doing” and “accomplishing” phase of our journey. This is the part of the journey where we learn to embrace God’s power. Christ is our example in this stage as well. For example, after walking in submission Christ began to operate in the power of God. He cast out demons, commanded the forces of nature, fed the multitudes and rebuked the Pharisees and even His friends (Peter)! And one of the first sermons He preaches during this phase of His life is, “I have not come to send peace on earth…but a sword.”

And the first sermon He preaches after chapter 7 is, “I have not come to send peace on earth…but a sword.”

Strength is the “doing” and “accomplishing” phase of our journey. This is the part of the journey where we learn to embrace God’s power and ability. Christ is our example here as well. After successfully walking through submission, Christ began to operate in the strength and power of God. Beginning in chapter 8 we find Jesus healing leapers, casting out demons, commanding the forces of nature, curses unrepentant cities, feeds the multitudes, offends the Pharisees and rebukes His friends (Peter). And the first sermon He preaches after chapter 7 is, “I have not come to send peace on earth…but a sword. A man’s foes shall be they of his own house.”

This is the very essence of strength—TRUTH. Any man on the Path of Strength must be willing to contend for the truth! You don’t skirt problems. You face them head on and see it as a growth opportunity.

Most men will try to walk in “strength” right out the gate, but there’s no record of them submitting to the truth themselves. You cannot bring truth, if you have not submitted to it. You have no business wielding power (authority), if you are not under power (authority)! If you try to exercise power without submission, you will make shipwreck (). Apparently, some had refused to listen (submit to) their conscience. As a result, they were in danger of making shipwreck.

We see it all the time—people trying to operate in power who have not learned the first lesson of submission and obedience.

However, if we try to pursue this stage too early (before submission), we are going to make shipwreck (both as a disciple and as a man). Reaching the pinnacle of manhood is learning, not to be strong in your own power, but learning to be strong in God’s power. A true man is one who knows how to operate in the strength of God. However, God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (). A man cannot fully walk in the power of God until he completely divests himself of his own strength.

If this is you, then you will never be given power. At least, not God’s because His strength is given to the weak ().

Having said that, many men have fully embraced the lesson of submission, but have gotten lost on this side of the mountain. They have lost interest in walking in power. The Church is full of these “nice guys,” or men stuck on the path of submission.

The Church is full of “nice guys,” or men stuck in the path of submission. (Similarly, society is full of “macho men,” or guys trying to pursue strength apart from submission.) These “nice guys” have learned to sit contently on the pew and let women engage in ministry. We’re like neatly stacked cannonballs that are ready but are never fired! Unless we embrace God’s strength, we will never recognize or complete the mission God has called us to.

Similarly, society is full of “macho men,” or guys trying to pursue strength apart from submission.

These “nice guys” are like neatly stacked cannonballs that are never fired! Moses was a nice who was content to remain in the stage of submission. Jeremiah was another. He initially ran from his call insisting he was, “only a child!” On the other hand, God said that he was, “not a child, but a strong and fortified city!”

Moses was a nice who was content to remain on the backside of the desert. Jeremiah was another nice guy who initially ran from his call saying, “I am only a child.” God said to Jeremiah, “You are not a child, but I have made you like a defence/strong and fortified city.” Finally, Gideon was another nice guy who was reluctant to walk in God’s power. However, God called Gideon His “mighty man of valor.” God commanded Gideon, “Go in MY MIGHT for I have sent thee.” After this Gideon began to go throughout the region casting down altars and bringing reformation.

SACRIFICE

Before departing this Earth, every man will be given an opportunity to pass through this stage. What he does with this opportunity will determine whether or not he finishes the journey of manhood and becomes a truly great man. The journey of sacrifice is not about dying. It’s about reproducing ().

The path of sacrifice is about extending your influence beyond this life by pouring yourself into others in order to help develop the next generation of leaders (men)! Jesus did it with His disciples, Moses did it with Joshua and Paul did it with Titus and Timothy.

Every man who wants to reach the summit of manhood must one day sacrifice his power and divest and pour himself into other men. This can be the hardest of the three journeys, because it forces men to look forward to the day when their power will be taken from them. Again, this fear of “losing control” is difficult for most men.

The journey of sacrifice looks a lot like the first. The difference is the end result will benefit others rather than yourself. This stage is about reproduction and extending your influence beyond this life by developing others! (“Unless a corn of wheat fall into the ground it abides alone.”)

The journey of sacrifice is a time when we begin to develop the next generation of leaders (men). Rather than guarding all the power for himself, a man who wants to reach the summit of manhood will sacrifice it and power himself into other men. Jesus did this with His disciples, Moses did this with Joshua and Paul did this with Titus and Timothy.

The journey of sacrifice is a time when we begin to develop the next generation of leaders (men). Rather than guarding the power for himself, the man who wants to reach the summit of manhood will sacrifice his power and pour himself into other men. Jesus did it with His disciples, Moses did it with Joshua and Paul did it with Titus, Timothy and about 10 other men.

This can be the hardest of the three journeys, because it forces us to look forward to the day our power will be taken from us. This fear of “losing control” is difficult for most men.

Men, learn to relinquish control. Hand God your burdens, problems and sins. Ask Him for everything you think you will need today. Finally, ask Him to show you ways to pour out your life as a sacrifice. Ask God to guide you to the top of the mountain.

Related Media

Related Sermons