Embodying Biblical Masculinity: A Call to Action

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I focused on the importance of biblical masculinity and the role of men in aligning their lives with God's Word. I drew inspiration from the life of David, a man of contrasts, who was both a tender worshipper and a fierce warrior. David's life, marked by both success and sin, teaches us that despite our past, God has a plan for us and desires to use us for His purposes.

I began by reflecting on the weight, worth, and value of the last words of biblical figures, emphasizing that these words often carry messages of hope, instruction, and eternity. I shared David's plea for God's presence in Psalm 143 and his desire for guidance in Psalm 143:8, which resonates with our need to trust and seek God's direction in our lives.

I then turned to David's charge to his son Solomon in 1 Kings 2, where David instructs Solomon to "be strong and act like a man." This command is not about cultural stereotypes but about embodying biblical character and living with courage, discipline, and obedience to God. David's words to Solomon are a call to observe God's requirements, walk in obedience, and guard the decrees and commands given through Moses.

I addressed the current state of our nation, highlighting the darkness that seems to prevail due to men failing to stand firm in their God-given roles. I urged men to reprogram their minds, be transformed by the renewing of their thoughts, and conform to the Word rather than the world. This transformation is essential for men to become the warriors God has called them to be.

I shared a personal story about a challenging time in my previous church, where I faced a lack of integrity and had to make a difficult decision to resign. This experience taught me about the importance of biblical humility and the balance between passion for God's truth and humility in leadership.

I concluded by calling men to rise up as warriors for God, to fight the good fight, and to stand against the immoral and evil influences infiltrating our society. I encouraged women to pray for and support the men in their lives as they fulfill their God-ordained roles.

Key Takeaways:

- Biblical masculinity is not about conforming to cultural stereotypes but about living with the character that reflects God's heart. Men are called to be strong, disciplined, and obedient to God's Word, embodying the balance of tenderness and strength as seen in the life of David. [49:33]

- The current challenges in our society require men to stand firm in their faith and act with courage. Men must be willing to fight the spiritual battles that are necessary to uphold God's truth and righteousness in a world that often dismisses biblical values. [01:07:00]

- Personal integrity and humility are essential qualities for leadership. My own experience of resigning from a previous church position taught me the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult, and seeking God's guidance in matters of leadership and humility. [34:26]

- The role of men in the family and society is crucial for establishing godly leadership. As men seek to act like biblical men, they set an example for their families and communities, influencing the direction of our nation towards God's principles. [58:40]

- The call to biblical manhood is a call to action. Men are to be active participants in God's plan, living out their faith with conviction and strength. This active role is not about aggression but about being a protector, provider, and leader who honors God in all aspects of life. [56:19]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Kings 2:1-4: "When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 'I am about to go the way of all the earth,' he said. 'So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: "If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel."'"

2. Psalm 143:8: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did David give to Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-4?
2. In Psalm 143:8, what does David ask God to show him, and why is this significant?
3. According to the sermon, how does the pastor describe the balance of tenderness and strength in David's life? [49:33]
4. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the importance of integrity and humility in leadership? [34:26]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does David's charge to Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-4 reflect the qualities of biblical masculinity discussed in the sermon? [32:12]
2. What does Psalm 143:8 reveal about David's relationship with God and his dependence on divine guidance?
3. How does the pastor's personal story about resigning from his previous church illustrate the challenges of maintaining integrity and humility in leadership? [34:26]
4. Why does the pastor emphasize the need for men to reprogram their minds and conform to God's Word rather than the world? [49:33]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on David's charge to Solomon to "be strong and act like a man." How can you apply this call to biblical character in your daily life? [32:12]
2. David sought God's guidance in Psalm 143:8. How can you make seeking God's direction a more integral part of your decision-making process?
3. The pastor shared a story about standing up for integrity even when it was difficult. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to make a tough decision to maintain your integrity? How did you handle it? [34:26]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of men standing firm in their faith. What are some practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and stand firm against societal pressures? [49:33]
5. The pastor called for men to be warriors for God. In what ways can you actively participate in spiritual battles to uphold God's truth and righteousness in your community? [49:33]
6. Women were encouraged to support and pray for the men in their lives. How can you support the men in your life as they strive to fulfill their God-ordained roles? [49:33]
7. The pastor mentioned the need for transformation by renewing our thoughts. What specific areas of your life need transformation, and how can you align your thoughts more closely with God's Word? [49:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing True Biblical Masculinity
Masculinity, as defined by the Bible, is not a pursuit of cultural ideals but a journey towards reflecting God's heart. It is about being strong, disciplined, and obedient to God's Word. This strength is not in the physical realm alone but also in the spiritual, where men are called to embody both tenderness and the courage of a warrior. The life of David exemplifies this balance, as he was a man after God's own heart, yet he was not without flaws. His story shows that God's plan for men includes using their past, with all its successes and failures, to shape them into instruments for His purposes.

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV)

Reflection: How can you, regardless of your past, embody the balance of strength and tenderness in your daily walk with God? [49:33]

Day 2: Standing Firm in Faith Amidst Challenges
In a society that often dismisses biblical values, it is crucial for men to stand firm in their faith and act with courage. The spiritual battles that men face require a willingness to uphold God's truth and righteousness. This call to action is not about aggression but about being a protector, provider, and leader who honors God in all aspects of life. It is about being transformed by the renewing of the mind, aligning thoughts and actions with the Word of God, and resisting the pressure to conform to the patterns of the world.

"But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11 ESV)

Reflection: What are the spiritual battles you are currently facing, and how can you act with courage to uphold God's truth in these situations? [01:07:00]

Day 3: Integrity and Humility in Leadership
Leadership within the church and community is a responsibility that requires personal integrity and humility. These qualities are essential for making difficult decisions that align with God's will, even when they come at a personal cost. The balance between a passion for God's truth and humility in leadership is a delicate one, but it is necessary for leading in a way that glorifies God and serves others. Personal experiences of standing up for what is right, despite the challenges, can teach valuable lessons about the importance of godly leadership.

"So the last will be first, and the first last." (Matthew 20:16 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you need to demonstrate more integrity and humility, and what steps will you take to cultivate these qualities in your leadership? [34:26]

Day 4: The Crucial Role of Men in Family and Society
The role of men in the family and society is pivotal for establishing godly leadership. As men seek to act like biblical men, they set an example for their families and communities, influencing the direction of our nation towards God's principles. This influence extends beyond the walls of the home and into the broader society, where the presence of strong, godly men can have a transformative impact on the moral and spiritual climate.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 1:4 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you more actively set an example of godly leadership in your family and community? [58:40]

Day 5: The Call to Action for Biblical Manhood
The call to biblical manhood is a call to action. It is a summons to live out faith with conviction and strength, to be active participants in God's plan. This involves being a protector, provider, and leader who honors God in all aspects of life. It is a call to engage in the good fight of faith, to stand against immoral and evil influences, and to be warriors for God in a world that is in desperate need of His truth.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24 ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take to be a more active participant in God's plan, starting today? [56:19]

Quotes

1) "You see, the reason that there's so much darkness in our world today is because men are refusing to be strong and act like the man that God created them to be." [49:31]( | | )

2) "If we can reawaken in our hearts the fire that God intentionally put in every man, if we can regain the connection with the man that God created us to be, if we will then accept and respond to him the God ordained role as a true unmasculated man, guess what? Then the channel of power that he has rooted deep inside of us can be hooked up to a higher power for a higher purpose." [55:24]( | | )

3) "You see, every man needs to know how to fight. Wives, I need you to listen to me. Here's your charge. Can I tell you something? You need to permit your husband to fight. Not only do you need to permit him and allow him, you need to support him when he fights the good fight." [54:40]( | | )

4) "Churches need pastors to stand up and be a man, a biblical man. Schools need teachers and leadership when you're a man to be a godly man, a biblical man. Our states need governors who will lead in a biblical manner in our nation." [58:40]( | | )

5) "We need to stand firm on the right battles in the right ways and in the right time. Write this scripture down right now. Every one of you, write this down on your notes. Write this down. Ecclesiastes chapter 10, verse 1." [48:20]( | | )

6) "We as Christians, we have the responsibility because we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you understand and determine what times you keep your mouth shut and what times you speak and what times you charge and what times you retreat." [43:33]( | | )

7) "But Scripture tells us that we must fight when it is a time to fight. We must go to war when it's a time to war. And when He tells us it's a time of peace to retreat, that's what we need to do." [46:55]( | | )

8) "So let me give you point number one and let's really jump into this thing. When we seek the heart of God, we will be strong and act like a man of biblical character." [58:05]( | | )

9) "But the overwhelming challenge is a challenge to us that was a charge to David's own son, Solomon, that would be the next king of Israel. Father, today is a word about responsibility. Today is a word about leadership." [33:52]( | | )

10) "And the problem is is we've tucked our head into sand and we've just gone about a life of complacency, living in indifference, saying everything's going to be okay. Can I tell you something? As men of God for too long, we have retreated in times of war." [44:26]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?