Glorifying God in Biblical Manhood Give unto the

Glorifying God in Biblical Manhood “Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name” (Psalm 29: 2)

What is “manhood”? • “Manhood”: the qualities that are expected in a man (Merriam-Webster Online)

What is “manhood”? • Some have tried to redefine what manhood means: “something more sensitive, safe, manageable and feminine , it now berates men for being men. The result is gender confusion never experienced at such a wide level in the history of the world. God doesn’t make generic people, he makes something very distinctive-man or women. ” (Eldredge, John. Wild at Heart. Nashville; Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1977)

Prove yourself a man (1 Kings 2: 2) • What is biblical manhood? • King David gives instruction to his son Solomon as he nears the end of his life… “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. ”

GOD-GIVEN IDENTITY • Identities are important! • Physical identities are important, but your spiritual identity is critical Spiritual ID: the concept you develop about yourself and your relationship with God that evolves over the course of your life. We are made in God’s image! (Gen. 1: 27)

GOD-GIVEN IDENTITY • God has given man an identity Ø We are God’s children! (John 1: 12 -13) Ø We are son’s of light! (1 Thess. 5: 5) Ø We are men of God! (1 Tim. 6: 11)

GOD-GIVEN ROLES • God has expectations for His created beings made in His image • As we progress in our spiritual relationship with the Father, we will fall into the various roles He has defined for “men of God”

GOD-GIVEN ROLES • God has expectations for His created beings made in His image Ø Son: v Obedience to parents is commanded (Eph. 6: 1; Col. 3: 20 ) v Honoring your parents is commanded (Eph. 6: 2 -3)

GOD-GIVEN ROLES • God has expectations for His created beings made in His image Ø Husband: v Love your wife as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5: 25) v Dwell with them with understanding; give honor to your wife (1 Peter 3: 7)

GOD-GIVEN ROLES • God has expectations for His created beings made in His image Ø Father: v Provide the leadership to help your children get to heaven (Eph. 6: 4) v Provide for your family (1 Tim. 5: 8)

GOD-GIVEN ROLES • God has expectations for His created beings made in His image Ø Leaders in the church: v Men have the responsibility to be the leaders in the church (1 Tim. 3: 1 -5; 12)

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God • God challenges Job to “prepare yourself like a man” (Job 38: 3; 40: 7) • The key to preparation in becoming a godly man, and thus glorifying God through our actions, is knowing God and understanding His directions

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Know God v “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father…” (1 Chron. 28: 9) v The only way one can truly know God is to read and understand His word; we must be diligent in our studies (2 Tim. 2: 15)

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Know God Our glory must not be about us, but in understanding and knowing God…He delights in this… (Ref: Jer. 9: 23 -24)

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Serve God v “…serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind” (1 Chron. 28: 9) v Servitude is a true characteristic of a godly man v “Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (Ps. 100: 2)

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Serve God “Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way” (J. C. Ryle)

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Serve God v “Keep the charge of the Lord your God…” (1 Kings 2: 3 a) v Have a mind set on watching carefully and being attentive to the Lord’s command on every matter v Do what is expected of you

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Serve God v A man of God willingly accepts the instructions of the Lord and follows them without hesitation! v A man of God trusts the Lord and does good knowing that those who wait on the Lord will inherit the earth (Psalm 37: 1 -9)

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Be Strong v “Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man” (1 Kings 2: 2) v This was a direction to build up strength of character and integrity

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Be Strong v Character = moral strength v Men should know what they stand for and have strength to defend their actions based on the biblical standard found in God’s word! v Character counts; don’t ever forget it

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Be Strong v Integrity = steadfast adherence to a strict moral code; soundness v Although faced with many trials and temptations, we must ensure that our thoughts and actions are defined by our integrity

GOD-GIVEN DIRECTION: Now prepare yourself like a man • Preparation is the key to being successful in our relationship with God Ø Be Strong v Do what is just, have a love for mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6: 8)

Conclusion: Made in the image of God • A man bears the image of God in his strength, not physically, but soulfully “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3: 18)

Conclusion: Made in the image of God • Men are at war with Satan and must embody the characteristics of the Lord as a warrior… “The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name” (Ex. 15: 3 NIV) • A man must prepare as a warrior in his fight against the devil (Eph. 6: 10 -18)

Conclusion: Made in the image of God • Christ is characterized as a warrior as He is seen in triumph over evil in John’s vision… “The on sitting on it (white horse) is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war” (Rev. 19: 11) • A man must be courageous and bold in this fight against the devil; courage and boldness is valor…

WITHOUT VALOR FREEDOM DIES… Quickmeme. com