BE STRONG AND SHOW YOURSELF A MAN

Introduction

What is the worlds definition of a Man and Manhood?

The term manhood is used to describe the period in a human male's life after he has transitioned from boyhood.

Apostle Paul put it this way:

1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV 1900

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

When we look around the world and see it through the lens of scripture we begin to see a lot of Grown Up Children.

Should be Men but:

Speaking Like a Child.

Understanding Like a Child.

Thinking with a Childish Mind.

It’s time for Christian Men to stand and be the example to a destructive society, degenerative community and a divided home.

We ought to take the words of a dying David to his son Solomon, “Be Strong and Show Yourself A Man.”

The text reads:

1 Kings 2:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

David was dying just like those before him but he wanted to give his son some advice that would last a life time.

He tells Solomon:

Be Strong - (Be) Verb present subjunctive be:

exist, take place, occupy a position in space, stay in the same place or condition.

In other words you can Be Strong right now not just based off your own experiences, but you can Be Strong based on all of my experiences, be it good or bad.

He has proved himself to be “a man after God’s own heart.”

He has proved himself to be “a man after God’s own heart.”

Not a perfect man, he had grievous defects.

David’s yearning for Solomon is at once intensified and hallowed by the remembrance of his own wrong-doing. “Be strong and shew thyself a man.”

David could say I have made some mistakes and have had some tough times:

I Had a Giant Problem…but I had to Be Strong and Show Myself a Man

David and Goliath

They thought I wasn’t qualified enough

They tried to make me fight like they fight.

I stood for what and in whom I believe in.

I Had a King Problem...but I had to Be Strong and Show Myself a Man

King Saul

Became jealous of David.

David was forced to flee and live the life of an outlaw until Saul's death.

David had to show restraint.

I Had a Women Problem...but I had to Be Strong and Show Myself a Man

Bathsheba

David took what wasn't his.

Now she pregnant and her husband on the way home.

I Had a Deadly Problem...but I had to Be Strong and Show Myself a Man

David arranged the death of Bathsheba's husband Uriah.

David confessed and repented his sin and God forgave him, but Bathsheba's child died

I Had a Fatherhood Problem...but I had to Be Strong and Show Myself a Man

David failed to discipline his sons. His son Amnon committed the sin of rape and incest; he was murdered by David's son Absalom

David's son Absalom led a rebellion in an attempt to usurp David's throne.

David's "beloved son" Absalom was murdered and David's throne was restored.

I Had an Obedience Problem…but I had to Be Strong and Show Myself a Man

David ignored Joab's advice and took a national census

David's unauthorized census resulted in a deadly plague which infected the people

Conclusion

Listen to what David is saying to Men, Fathers and Sons. I have had enough experiences for you to learn from but the most important thin I can tell you is:

1 Kings 2:3 KJV 1900

3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: