Embracing Biblical Masculinity: The Call to Lead

Summary

Today’s focus is on the vital, God-given role of men—especially fathers—in our families, churches, and society. In a world where men are increasingly absent from spiritual life, it’s time to reclaim what it means to “act like men” in a biblical sense. This isn’t about stereotypes or narrow definitions of masculinity, but about stepping into the responsibility, strength, and spiritual leadership God has called men to embody. The early church was a magnet for men; Jesus chose ordinary, rugged, imperfect men to change the world. That same call is on men today.

Men are called to be leaders, not just in title but in action—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The foundation of a home, a church, and a community is often set by the strength and integrity of its men. When men abdicate their role, others are forced to fill the gap, but the need for godly men never disappears. Scripture calls men to be watchful, to stand firm in the faith, to act like men, and to be strong. This is not about bravado or dominance, but about sacrificial leadership, spiritual vigilance, and unwavering conviction.

To act like a man, there are things to avoid: don’t act like a woman (in the sense of abdicating leadership), don’t act like an animal (driven by base desires), and don’t act like a child (immature or irresponsible). Instead, men are to lead with humility, kindness, and spiritual strength. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential—He empowers men to overcome anger, insecurity, and the need to prove themselves. True holiness is seen in kindness and self-control, not in harshness or drama.

Men must also be watchful over their homes, making a measured effort to guide and restrain their children in love and truth. Convictions must be held tightly, not shaped by shifting behaviors or cultural trends. Above all, everything must be done in love—controlled strength that is both firm and gentle. The world, the church, and our families desperately need men who will rise up, take responsibility, and love without stopping. With God’s help, every man can become who he was created to be.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Design for Men Is Leadership and Responsibility
God calls men to be the foundation of their homes and communities, not by dominating but by leading with sacrificial love and spiritual strength. This leadership is not about personality or preference, but about accepting the responsibility and accountability God has placed on men for their families, marriages, and children. When men step into this role, they reflect God’s order and bring stability to those around them. [11:09]

- Biblical Masculinity Is Not Stereotypical, but Spiritual
The Bible’s picture of a man is not limited to cultural stereotypes—men can be hunters or cooks, rugged or refined. What matters is not outward appearance or hobbies, but a willingness to be spiritually strong, to lead, and to be consecrated to God. True masculinity is measured by spiritual maturity, not by bravado or external traits. [03:11]

- Reject Passivity, Selfishness, and Immaturity
To “act like men” means refusing to abdicate leadership, to avoid being driven by selfish desires like an animal, and to put away childish ways. Men are called to maturity, to self-control, and to a life that is not centered on their own appetites or comfort. This requires intentional effort, humility, and a willingness to grow beyond old patterns. [25:24]

- Spiritual Strength Flows from the Holy Spirit, Not Human Effort
Men cannot fulfill their calling in their own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers men to overcome anger, drama, insecurity, and the need to prove themselves. Holiness is not harshness; it is seen in kindness, self-control, and a life marked by love. Only by relying on God’s presence can men become the leaders and examples their families and communities need. [19:55]

- Love Is the Mark of True Strength
All the strength, conviction, and watchfulness in the world mean nothing if not done in love. Controlled strength—meekness—is what God desires: power under control, directed by love. Even when children or loved ones stray, men are called to “love without stopping,” trusting that God’s love through them will produce righteousness and transformation. [36:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Honoring Fathers and Families
[01:31] - The Disconnect: Men and the Church
[02:17] - Biblical Men: Not Stereotypes
[03:11] - Real Men in the Bible
[09:11] - The Need for Real Men Today
[11:09] - Men as the Foundation
[12:57] - What It Means to Act Like a Man
[16:10] - Spiritual and Physical Strength
[19:09] - Avoiding Drama and Seeking the Spirit
[22:19] - Don’t Act Like an Animal
[24:50] - Put Away Childish Things
[27:53] - Be Watchful: Guarding Your Home
[31:46] - Stand Firm in the Faith
[35:29] - Let All Be Done in Love
[38:44] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Act Like Men”

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### Bible Reading

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

1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
> When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)
> Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

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### Observation Questions

1. In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, what four commands does Paul give, and what is the final instruction that ties them all together?
[[11:09]]

2. According to the sermon, what does it mean for men to be the “foundation” of their homes and communities?
[[11:09]]

3. What are the three things the pastor says men should avoid acting like, and what does each one mean in the context of the sermon?
[[12:57]] [[22:19]] [[24:50]]

4. In 1 Peter 3:7, what does it mean for husbands to “live with your wives in an understanding way” and “show honor”?
[[16:10]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul connect being watchful, standing firm, acting like men, and being strong with the command to do everything in love? How does love change the way these commands are lived out?
[[35:29]]

2. The pastor says that “when men fail, it’s like a foundation falling.” What are some real-life consequences in families or churches when men abdicate their God-given roles?
[[11:09]]

3. The sermon warns against men acting like women (in the sense of abdicating leadership), animals (driven by base desires), or children (immature or irresponsible). Why do you think these specific comparisons are used, and what dangers do they point to?
[[12:57]] [[22:19]] [[24:50]]

4. The pastor says, “To be holy is to be kind. If you’re not kind, you’re not holy.” How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to be a “strong” man?
[[21:22]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Men are called to be leaders, not just in title but in action—spiritually, emotionally, and physically.” In what area of your life do you find it hardest to lead? What is one step you could take this week to lead more intentionally in that area?
[[14:15]]

2. The pastor talks about being “watchful” over your home and making a “measured effort” to guide your children. If you are a parent, what is one specific way you can be more intentional about spiritual leadership in your family this week? If you’re not a parent, how can you be watchful in your relationships or community?
[[27:53]]

3. The sermon says, “Don’t act like an animal—driven by base desires.” Are there any habits or desires in your life that you feel are controlling you? What is one practical way you can invite the Holy Spirit to help you gain self-control in that area?
[[22:19]]

4. The pastor says, “When I became a man, I put away childish things.” What is one childish attitude or behavior you feel God is calling you to leave behind? How can you take a step toward maturity this week?
[[25:24]]

5. The message emphasizes that “all the strength, conviction, and watchfulness in the world mean nothing if not done in love.” Think of a recent situation where you acted out of strength but not love. How could you handle it differently next time?
[[35:29]]

6. The pastor says, “You can’t do it without the presence of the Holy Spirit.” What is one area where you need to rely less on your own strength and more on God’s help? How can you invite the Holy Spirit into that part of your life this week?
[[19:55]] [[38:11]]

7. The sermon challenges men to “love without stopping,” even when children or loved ones stray. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love right now? What is one way you can show them “love without stopping” this week?
[[36:03]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God’s help to “act like men” in the biblical sense—leading with humility, strength, and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Devotional

Day 1: Act Like Men—Be Watchful and Stand Firm

God calls men to be watchful and to stand firm in their faith, serving as the spiritual foundation of their homes and communities. This means being alert to the needs and dangers facing your family, leading with conviction, and refusing to let your beliefs be dictated by shifting behaviors or cultural trends. Just as ancient cities relied on watchmen on the walls for security, your vigilance and steadfastness provide peace and safety for those you love. Your measured effort in guiding and restraining your children, and your unwavering commitment to your convictions, are marks of true manhood in God’s eyes. [27:53]

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

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to be more watchful or stand firmer in your convictions for the sake of your family or those you influence?


Day 2: Lead, Don’t Follow—Embrace Your God-Given Responsibility

Men are called to lead, not just in outward actions but in spiritual matters, taking responsibility for their homes, marriages, and children. Leadership is not about dominance but about stepping up, being accountable, and setting the spiritual tone in your household. It means being the first to pray, the first to seek God, and the first to make decisions that honor Him. Even if you have a strong partner, your role as a leader is irreplaceable, and your willingness to lead spiritually brings honor to your family and to God. [14:15]

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally lead your family spiritually this week, whether through prayer, conversation, or example?


Day 3: Put Away Childish Things—Mature in Christ

True manhood means putting away childish attitudes and behaviors, embracing maturity in thought, speech, and action. It’s easy to react out of immaturity, to demand your own way, or to shirk responsibility, but God calls you to rise above childishness and act with honor and self-control. When you become a man, you leave behind the ways of a boy, choosing instead to respond with wisdom, restraint, and dignity, even when it’s difficult. This maturity is a testimony to those around you and brings glory to God. [25:24]

1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Reflection: What is one childish reaction or habit you need to surrender to God today in order to grow in maturity?


Day 4: Don’t Act Like an Animal—Live with Self-Control and Kindness

Men are not called to be driven by base desires or selfish appetites, but to exercise self-control and kindness in all things. Acting like an animal means living for your own needs and wants, disregarding the needs of others, and lacking manners or gratitude. Instead, God calls you to be different—to be kind, to say thank you, to put others before yourself, and to let the Holy Spirit help you overcome anger, insecurity, and the need to prove yourself. True strength is shown in controlled power and consistent kindness. [23:59]

Psalm 73:22 (ESV)
I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

Reflection: Where do you notice selfish or uncontrolled desires creeping into your life, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you respond with kindness and self-control?


Day 5: Let All That You Do Be Done in Love

The foundation of true manhood is love—unconditional, unwavering, and unstoppable. No matter how strong, watchful, or convicted you are, it is love that keeps your strength under control and your actions aligned with God’s heart. Love without stopping, even when your children disappoint you or your relationships are strained. Controlled strength, or meekness, is power directed by love, and it is this love that produces the righteousness of God in your home and in the world. [36:48]

1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
Let all that you do be done in love.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience your love “without stopping” today, and what is one practical way you can show it to them?

Quotes

When men fail, it's like a foundation falling. And he knows the most important thing about a building, the most important thing about a house is the foundation. It's not to say that everything else in the house is not important, and it is not there for a purpose, but everything that is attached to a building all stands on the foundation. The man is...the foundation. [00:10:43] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

God has given man a role. That means that role is man has a responsibility. Man has an accountability. It's your house. Do you know you've got a responsibility? You know you've got an accountability. It is called your house. It's your marriage. It's your children. It's your family. It's on you more than anybody else in that household. And if you don't act like a man anywhere else, you need to act like it is your responsibility. It is your accountability to act like a man in your house to your wife, to your family, to your children. It's up to you then. If no other time, that's the time to act like men, not just when you're around the boys. [00:14:56] (00:00:41 seconds) Edit Clip

You want to act like a man? Get filled with the Holy Spirit. Let him help you take control of your anger. Let him help you take control of your drama. He'll do it. We all got, you know, well, my wife has to drive for me because, you know, I've got road rage and I was like, hold me back. Yeah, because you're getting ready to get your rear end. Whoop. You better be, I hope she holds you back. Chest all bowed up. Little man syndrome pumping through your blood. You need to calm down. Drama queen. Come on, man, right? What do we do? Get filled with the Holy Spirit of God. God, help me. He'll help you. He'll help you with that insecurity. He'll help you with that fear. He'll help you with that anger. He'll help you with that. I got to prove something. Quit trying to prove something. Be a man. [00:19:55] (00:00:56 seconds) Edit Clip

I don't care how successful you are. You don't have the right to be unkind. To be holy is to be kind. If you're not holy, you're not kind. If you're not kind, you're not holy. Holy makes you kind. [00:20:55] (00:00:20 seconds) Edit Clip

An animal wants what an animal wants. We can tame them. We can put dresses on them and, you know, think we got them. But the bottom line is they want to eat when they want to eat. They want to lay when they want to lay. You... You... You...You think you've got an animal tame and then just as sure as you open the door, what do they act like? An animal. And that's what happens to men. We want our own desires. I was thinking that when a man acts like a man, it's my food, it's my chair, it's my needs, it's my appetite, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's me. It's all about my desires. It's all about me. It's all about me. You're not act like a man. You're acting like an animal. [00:23:30] (00:00:52 seconds) Edit Clip

Men, if you want to be a man, put away childish things. Your wife is not your mama. You got a mama, or you had a mama, or whatever. Everybody's got a story. I can't, or whatever. I understand that you are the man. Go back and read it again. It's right there in the Bible. When I was a child, I spoke as a child. I understood as a child. I thought I was a child, but when I became a man, I put away all these things. [00:25:53] (00:00:49 seconds) Edit Clip

The message translation says, hold tight to your convictions. You want to act like a man? You want to be like a man? Be watchful. Hold on to your convictions. First of all, you've got to have it to hold on to it. I just believe this. People would tell me what they believe and what they think. The first word coming out of my mind is, why? I don't know. You have no convictions. You have nothing you hold on to. And the Bible says, you want to act like a man? Be watchful. Stand firm in the faith. Stand firm in your convictions. What is your convictions? What you believe about the Word of God. What you believe about marriage. What you believe in the foundation of your faith. What do you believe? [00:32:09] (00:00:59 seconds) Edit Clip

And let all that you do be done in love. See, we've got to kick some chairs over. We've got to slam some doors. We've got to throw some glasses. No. The meek shall inherit the earth. Meekness is called controlled strength. That's the barrel of a gun. It'll hit its target every single time. There's a lot of power there, but it's controlled. Uncontrolled strength will never hit its target. And the one thing that keeps us under control is love. [00:35:34] (00:00:37 seconds) Edit Clip

You might have a son and daughter that's breaking your heart. Love them without stopping. You can say, I've raised you different, but love them without stopping. Oh, you don't understand. You don't know what you're doing. You're making terrible sorters, but love without stopping. Screaming, ranting, putting hands through the sheetrock, fussing, cussing. That's not going to produce the righteousness of God in your children. You're like an animal. You act like a child. I'll put you in one of the preschool classes next Sunday. I'm telling you, that's what you act like. What will produce the righteousness of God? Love without stopping. Just love without stopping. [00:36:20] (00:00:53 seconds) Edit Clip