Shew Thyself a Man (1)

Introduction:

What is a man anyway?

Attack on manhood

What is Biblical manhood?

What does God expect of men?

1 Kings 2:1–4 KJV 1900

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; 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: That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

THE FOUNDATION TO BECOMING A MAN OF GOD

Starts with the Man’s Will

We must surrender our will to God so that our choices will be the right choices.

The Bible is filled with challenges for God’s people to make wise choices.

Joshua 24:14–16 KJV 1900

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;

js 24 14-16

1 Kings 18:21 KJV 1900

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

These challenges were made to individual people and groups of people

Matthew 4:18–20 KJV 1900

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

In every instance, people were given the incredible responsibility to make their choice.

We must surrender our will to God, so that, no matter the outlook, we always choose His path for our lives — because His way is always best.

ILLUSTRATION: David Livingstone

“Dear Dr. Livingstone, have you found a good road to where you are? If so, then we want to know how to send other men to join you.”

“If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good and easy road to follow, I don’t want them. I want men who will come even if there is no road at all.”

Today, Christianity is full of weak-willed men who faint and fail to follow the Lord’s directions. Men are still needed who will blaze a trail while following our Guide — Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 22:30 KJV 1900

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

ez 22 30

Statement: Our choice must be to follow the directives of God so that our lives and those for whom we are accountable might be spared from certain disaster. With today’s hectic schedules and the many directions our lives are being pulled, we must be willing to choose the Lord’s path.

Here is the first step to follow if you and I are going to shew ourselves to be men of God:

A Decision to Follow Christ

1 Kings 2:1–2 KJV 1900

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

Be ready — I go the way of all the earth

Life is short

James 3:13–15 KJV 1900

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV 1900

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

heb

Are you sure that you are one of His?

Matthew 7:21–23 KJV 1900

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Be sure that you know Him, and don’t put it off.

2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV 1900

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Men who are born again must be willing to follow Jesus Christ and submit their wills to walk in obedience before Him.

Be strong — be thou strong

We need spiritual strength

We are challenged to be strong spiritually

Ephesians 6:10 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

2 Timothy 2:1 KJV 1900

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

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV 1900

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Exercise yourself spiritually in prayer, Bible reading, study, and godly living.

Be a man — shew thyself a man

We’re not talking macho men, by biblical men

Micah 6:8 KJV 1900

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?

We need God’s strength of character and a humble spirit so that they world can see the uniqueness of Christ

(A Decision to Follow Christ)

A Dedication to God’s Word

A Dedication to God’s Word

1 Kings 2:3 KJV 1900

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:

Keep the charge.

Solomon was to obey all of God’s commands

Why are so many of us willing to obey the command of an earthly authority, but disobey the Supreme authority?

1 Samuel 3:10 KJV 1900

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Walk in His Ways

“the will of God will not lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”

Martens, Eldon. Shew Thyself a Man: Becoming a Man of God (p. 9). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

There IS joy in serving Jesus

He knows the best and most fulfilling path for us, and our purpose is tied up in walking with Him

Keep His Word

Following Jesus is not as hard as we make it out to be

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

If we are truly surrendered to God, then obedience is a joy, and it brings peace.

Psalm 119:165 KJV 1900

Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

Experience the results — that thou mayest prosper in all and withersoever

Blessing only comes when we are submitted to God

Success only appears once in the Bible

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

jo 1 8

No matter where we look for blessing and success, we will only find them by following God’s Word.

(A Decision to Follow Christ)

(A Dedication to God’s Word)

A Devotion to a Godly Legacy

What will you leave behind?

David’s greatest legacy

Acts 13:22 KJV 1900

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

God gave this accolade to David

Will you choose to surrender your will to Christ, and show yourself a man by living daily for Him?

Psalm 119:1–11 KJV 1900

ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: They walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us To keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed To keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, When I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.