Living in the Spheres of our Masculine Mandate

INTRODUCTION

There is a vertical and horizontal reality to Biblical Manhood -

As image bearers, we are commanded to “work” and “Keep”

Work = nurture and cultivate

Keep = watchman and defender

- Greatest Commandment

It’s hear that we start as we identify the spheres of life that masculinity is lived out.

WORKING AND KEEPING OF MARRIAGE

It goes without saying that marriage is tough. Two sinners covenanting together for better or for worse. It can be a mixture for disaster.

But because of the Gospel, Christ’s resurrection gives us certainty that death has been defeated even if what we experience here and now doesn’t always reflect that.

Read - &

Masculine Headship & Feminine Submission

focuses on relationship to those under our authority - children, wives, slaves [Wives are not slaves or children and should not treated as so.]

The primary focus in is to exhort those in authority to use their power to build up & protect

this is an encouragement NOT condemnation to our Christian calling -

We don’t need arrogant/haughty/condescending men leading in the world

We also don’t need passivity either.

So then How?

Work: A Husband’s Ministry of Nurture

Christ’s work was to sanctify the church thus the husbands role is to lead his wife in such a way to nurture her spiritually.

Do so in an understanding way…

live together = commune/rhythm

Pay Attention = we must know what is going on with our wives

Show Honor = time and attention

Keep: Dying for her to live

Safe…even from you

the biggest threat to our wives is not the guy who may break into your home

your anger

your lust

your indifference

A man under authority

pg 88

WORKING AND KEEPING OF PARENTHOOD

Expose a common fallacy in parenting - “I don’t know what happened to him” [CHRISTIAN STRUCTURED LIFE]

Same pattern in Parenting as in marriage [broadly speaking…this is a pattern for discipleship. ] Lots of men out there looking for spiritual fathers.]

WORK - cultivate the hearts of our children so that what emerges is a fertile soil for Gospel and devotion to Christ.

HOW? - Give them your heart

Four Ways

Read to them

Pray with them

Work with them

Play with them

One Goal for all seasons of life - be flexible but fervent

KEEP - Discipline your child’s heart

seek obedience

Exercise self control

Don’t spare the rod

seek privacy

make offense known

require that the offense be acknowledged

Embrace/reassure/exhort

repeat if necessary

Verbal Reproof

Your authority is from God’s command NOT because you are bigger

Application

Be the Bad Cop - Not Mom

Have a sense of humor

Do not provoke

Pray often

WORKING AND KEEPING OF FRIENDSHIP

Mark of a godly man is his faithfulness to other men in friendship.

Jonathan and David -

Minor character in the Bible but a shining star as far as Biblical Friendship

No recorded vices

A FRIEND SHOWS UP

Biblical Friendship = Taking initiative

[David hiding in the caves, Jonathan comes to him

Biblical Friendship = Seeking to Understand []

A FRIEND IS HELPING HAND

Reminds you of God’s promises - 1 Sam. 23:17

WORKING AND KEEPING OF THE CHURCH

Men are called to work and keep in service to God

Men are to labor with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other

What does this mean?

All men are equipped for service -

ALL MEANS ALL {that doesn’t mean that every man is equipped to be an elder}

We need a seriousness from the men in the church to equip themselves for service…self starters if you will.

All are soldiers, Athletes and Farmers

1 Tim. is not a super spiritual qualification for super men in the church…its really a qualification of all believers.

Fight the good fight

Run the race

Produce a good crop

WORKER-BUILDERS IN THE CHURCH

We are to work and strengthen the work of Christ.

Make yourself available

There is a centrality of teaching - all men need to grow up and start teaching

Know the Word

KEEPER - PROTECTOR IN THE CHURCH

The nature of our leadership as men should be evidenced by the growing comfort and feeling of safety among the women of our church

Protect Church Practice

Not just formal practices but pursuing equity and guarding against destructive influences

Protect Church Doctrine

Every man is called to be a sound theologian

They can make sure that church leaders are keeping in step with sound doctrine

GODLY MEN ARE THE SCAFFOLDING OF THE WORLD!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION -

Why is it so important that the husband lead the marriage and the home? What happens to the wife when the husband won’t lead? What happens to the man when he won’t lead?

What types of sins in husbands make women feel unsafe? Be specific and honest.

What is the difference in discipling and discipline? How are they related?

Why is the father’s plea to the heart of his children so important? How has your own upbringing positively or negatively impacted your parenting?

Do friendships with other men play an important role in your life? If so, how? And if not, why not?

What are some barriers that prevent men from being present in the lives of friends?

What spiritual gifts do you believe you have and how might they need to be deployed in the ministry of the church?

How can non-ordained men play an important role alongside the elders and deacons? Does your godliness matter in the church if you are not ordained?

Do you believe yourself to be of sound faith? If not, what steps do you think you need to take to grow in sound doctrine?