Be Men!

3 February 2013 AM – 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Scott Childs

Introduction:

God commands us males to be men. Most males want to be men, but many fail. Why? 1) Many males have no manly father to follow as an example of manhood. Their mother wore the pants in the family and dad passively let her. He did not lead in family decisions, finances, setting rules, discipline, or spiritual matters. They do not know how to be a man. 2) Others are afraid to lead. It is easier to let their wife lead than to stand up and be the leader. Laziness, excuses, pride, fear of failure all play a part. 3) Some males have never grown up. They still want to do their own thing, run with the boys, play games, play with their BIG toys, spend their money on themselves, and ignore responsibility. They are still immature.

Jesus had a good foundation for manhood at age 12. He was mature, spiritual, obedient, and in favour with God and man. In the Old Testament, God considered a male an independent man at age 20. At age 20, a man must give an offering to God (Ex 30:14). At age 20, a man was old enough to pay his own vow offering (Le 27:3). At age 20, a man was old enough to be a soldier (Nu 1:3). At age 20, a man was responsible for his own sins before God (Nu 14:29).

If you are a male, you can become the man that God wants you to be no matter what your past has been.

Transition

This morning I want us to search the Scriptures and note several expectations God has for men.

 

1st Expectation – God Wants Men to be Mature and Independent

  1. Men must put away childish things.
    1 Corinthians 13:11 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.

    1. Children usually play, run with friends, spend parent’s money, eat parent’s food, do basic chores, but have very little responsibility. Childhood is usually much pleasure with little stress.
    2. Men are to be strong – physically and emotionally. In manhood, we must leave behind the carefree days of childhood. Relaxing and hobbies are fine, but only after completing all our manhood duties (e.g., devotional time, work, serving God).
    3. Duties increase with marriage (caring for a wife and children, providing, fixing things, disciplining, leading, teaching, loving, sharing time, spiritually mentoring).
      Many men lack maturity. “Sometimes it’s a thirty-year-old man who won’t stop playing video games to read do his children. Or a forty-year-old dad who won’t talk with his hurting teenage daughter because it would take time away from a playoff game.” The Resolution for Men, p.60
    4. Maturity does not cut out personal time, but it places duties to God and family first.
      “Too many men want the freedoms, rewards, and privileges of manhood but only the responsibilities of boyhood. They want intimacy with their wives without loving them as God instructed. They want to be respected by their kids without investing time and discipline in them. They want a higher status at work without raising their own level of honor and integrity.” The Resolution for Men, p.61
  2. Men must be independent of parents.
    Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

    1. Children rely on parents for everything (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, guidance).
    2. Men are independent and care for themselves. They pay their own way and make their own decisions. If you still live at home, you are still subject to your father’s rules, but as a man, you ought to work and pay your own way.
      2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
    3. Once married, you must become independent of your parents. Seeking parental counsel is wise, but men, we must stand on our own two feet. We must have our own home and our own lives.

2nd Expectation – God Wants Men to be Godly in Character and Conduct

  1. A.     Our character is what we are when we are alone.
    Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

    1. Men, our private lives must be godly. Godliness is to imitate God. If you are not godly on the inside, you cannot be truly godly on the outside. The best you can be is a hypocrite.
      Someone put it this way, “You are not what you think you are, but what you think you are!” On what do you think?
    2. Men, our true character is a reflection of our thoughts, heart, and relationship with God.
      In Matthew 15:19 Jesus said, For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
      If your sons turn out just like you, what kind of men will your sons be? Will they have godly character?
  2. Our conduct is what we do in daily life.
    1 Peter 1:14-16 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

    1. God wants a man’s conduct to be holy and godly.
      1. Our actions speak louder than our words.
      2. We lead by example. We must teach our sons godly conduct by our example. Our sons imitate us, especially our weaknesses.
    2. Men, we must lead our families spiritually.
      1. We ought to seek the salvation of each of our children. Do not leave that to the Sunday school teacher.
      2. We must teach our children to get hold of God in prayer. Let them hear you pray.
      3. We must teach our children by example the importance of baptism, church membership, faithful attendance to all the services, tithing on our income, and witnessing for the Lord.
      4. We must show our children how to study the Bible. Then inspect what you expect.
    3. There is a wise saying that, “Water will never rise above its source”.  This is true of a man’s leadership as well. Men, we are the source. We set the standard for others to follow. We must be godly leaders!

3rd Expectation – God Wants Men to Take Responsibility and Accountability Seriously

  1. With manhood comes responsibility
    Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

    1. God made man to work.
      Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
    2. A married man has many added responsibilities.
      1. He is responsible for family provisions.
      2. He is responsible for biblically loving his wife.
      3. He is responsible for his children’s character.
    3. A responsible man will be faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, available, humble, and anticipates jobs that need done and does them.
      Don’t force your wife or children to shoulder what rightfully is on you. . . Embrace responsibility! Love it. Live it. Teach it to your children. Model it at home and at work. The Resolution for Men, p.62-63
  2. With manhood comes accountability
    Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

    1. We are only a heartbeat away from giving an account to God. Accepting our accountability as a man means we will not shift the blame for our failures on others.
      1. A man humbly admits failures.
      2. A man says he is sorry and seeks forgiveness.
      3. A man won’t quit, but gets back up to press on.
    2. Remember, “Your response is always your responsibility.” – Eggriches

Conclusion

Guys, it is time that we step up and be men. If you are not the man God wants you to be, with God’s help you can be. You can be mature and independent. You can be godly in character and conduct. You can take responsibility and accountability seriously. It takes more than age to make you the man God wants you to be. Will you be man enough to admit your need for God’s help? Will you be man enough to change?

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337 (v. 1, 3)