Embracing God’s Call: True Manhood in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Be Spiritually Alert

To be spiritually alert means to live with a vigilant awareness of the spiritual dangers and temptations that surround us daily. Just as ancient city guards watched for enemies, Christians are called to be watchful against the subtle and overt evils that can creep into our lives, families, and churches. Spiritual apathy and indifference can leave us vulnerable, much like those in Noah’s day who ignored the warnings until it was too late. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly urge believers to stay awake, pray, and be sober-minded, for the enemy prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Ask God to help you resist spiritual laziness and to open your eyes to the real battles you face, so you can protect yourself and those you love. [38:27]

1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV)
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have become spiritually complacent or apathetic? How can you intentionally “wake up” and be more alert to the spiritual dangers around you today?

Day 2: Stand Firm in Your Faith

Standing firm in your faith means holding fast to biblical truth and conviction, even when the culture or those around you push in the opposite direction. Like a rock in the middle of a rushing river, Christians are called to remain steadfast and immovable, not swept away by the changing tides of society or the temptation to compromise. The world may encourage blending in or softening your beliefs, but God calls His people to unwavering commitment to His Word. This steadfastness is not about stubbornness, but about being rooted in the truth, interpreting life through the lens of Scripture rather than the other way around. Even when it is difficult or unpopular, choose to stand strong in your faith, knowing that God honors those who remain faithful. [45:09]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Reflection: Where are you most tempted to compromise your faith to fit in with the world? What is one practical step you can take today to stand firm in your convictions?

Day 3: Grow in Spiritual Maturity

To “act like men” in the biblical sense is a call to spiritual maturity, not just outward toughness or control. God desires that men—and all believers—grow up in their faith, putting away childish selfishness and embracing selfless service to others. Spiritual maturity means taking responsibility for your own growth, leading your family in the things of God, and refusing to remain passive or dependent on others for your spiritual nourishment. It’s about setting aside comfort and convenience to pursue Christlikeness, even when it’s hard. As you mature, your priorities, passions, and habits change to reflect the heart of God. [54:26]

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: In what ways are you still holding on to spiritual immaturity or selfish habits? What is one way you can intentionally pursue greater spiritual maturity this week?

Day 4: Be Strong in the Lord

True strength is not about self-reliance or physical power, but about being made strong by God as you yield and submit to Him. Spiritual strength comes from depending on the Lord, allowing Him to work in and through you, and remaining available and reliable for His purposes. This strength is cultivated not by striving in your own effort, but by waiting on God, submitting to His Spirit, and trusting Him to provide what you need. As you stay in God’s presence and rely on His power, He will give you the endurance and resilience to face whatever comes your way. [57:11]

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

Reflection: Where do you most often try to rely on your own strength instead of God’s? How can you practice yielding to God’s power and presence in that area today?

Day 5: Do Everything in Love

Letting all that you do be done in love means that love is not just an add-on to your actions, but the very atmosphere in which you live and serve. Every command—being watchful, standing firm, growing in maturity, and being strong—must be carried out in genuine, Christlike love. This love is unconditional and God-enabled, extending even to those who disagree with or mistreat you. The world may justify anger, revenge, or selfishness, but the standard for Christians is clear: there is never a situation where acting in love is inappropriate. Jesus Himself modeled this perfectly, loving and forgiving even those who crucified Him. Ask God to help you make love the defining characteristic of all your interactions, so that others may see Christ in you. [01:00:07]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: Think of a person or situation where it is difficult for you to act in love. What is one specific way you can choose to respond in love today, even if it is hard?

Sermon Summary

Today, we honored fathers and reflected on the unique calling God has placed on men, not just as dads, but as spiritual leaders in their homes, churches, and communities. The world offers many definitions of manhood, often rooted in strength, control, or cultural stereotypes, but Scripture calls men to something deeper and more transformative. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, we see five concise yet profound charges for men: be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and do everything in love.

Being spiritually alert is essential in a world filled with distractions and dangers, both seen and unseen. Just as ancient cities posted watchmen on their walls, men are called to be vigilant, guarding their hearts, families, and communities against spiritual threats. This vigilance is not about paranoia, but about sober-minded awareness, recognizing that spiritual apathy can lead to compromise and defeat.

Standing firm in the faith means holding fast to biblical convictions, even when the cultural current pushes in the opposite direction. Like a rock in a rushing river, men are called to resist the temptation to compromise, interpreting life through the lens of Scripture rather than adjusting Scripture to fit personal preferences or societal trends. This steadfastness is not stubbornness, but a humble commitment to truth, even when it is costly.

To "act like men" is a call to spiritual maturity, not machismo. It means putting away childish selfishness and embracing the responsibility to lead, serve, and grow. True manhood is marked by selflessness, a willingness to serve others, and a commitment to continual growth in Christ. It is a challenge to rise above passivity and to take initiative in spiritual matters, both personally and within the family.

Strength, as described here, is not self-generated but God-given. Spiritual strength comes from yielding to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to work in and through us. It is a strength of character, reliability, and endurance, cultivated by remaining in God’s presence and depending on His power rather than our own.

Finally, all these qualities must be exercised in love. Love is not an optional add-on, but the very atmosphere in which all Christian virtues are to be lived out. Conviction without love becomes harshness; strength without love becomes tyranny. Jesus Himself modeled this perfectly, standing firm in truth while always acting in love, even toward those who opposed Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual alertness is a daily necessity. Just as a watchman guards a city, men must be vigilant over their own hearts and the spiritual well-being of those entrusted to them. Spiritual apathy or fatigue can open the door to compromise and sin, so cultivating a sober, prayerful awareness is vital. [34:16]
2. Standing firm in the faith requires courage and clarity. In a culture that often celebrates compromise and moral ambiguity, men are called to be immovable in their convictions, interpreting life through the lens of Scripture rather than the other way around. This steadfastness is not about being argumentative, but about humbly holding to truth even when it is unpopular. [44:25]
3. Spiritual maturity is the true mark of manhood. Growing up in Christ means putting away selfishness and childish ways, taking responsibility for spiritual leadership, and serving others sacrificially. True maturity is seen not in dominance, but in selfless service and a willingness to grow. [51:57]
4. Strength in the Christian life is a work of God, not self-effort. While discipline and reliability are important, true spiritual strength comes from yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing God to shape and empower us. This strength is about being dependable and steadfast, not about physical prowess or self-reliance. [57:11]
5. Love must permeate every aspect of a man’s life. All the virtues—alertness, steadfastness, maturity, and strength—are to be exercised in an atmosphere of unconditional, Christlike love. Love is not weakness; it is the defining mark of a follower of Jesus, and there is never a situation where acting in love is inappropriate or optional. [60:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:34] - Honoring Fathers and Gift Card Giveaway
[09:04] - Prayer for Fathers
[26:43] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 16
[27:28] - What Is a Man? Cultural and Biblical Perspectives
[28:49] - Context of 1 Corinthians and Paul’s Final Instructions
[32:40] - Five Vital Charges to Men
[34:16] - Be Spiritually Alert
[42:12] - Stand Firm in the Faith
[51:57] - Act Like Men: A Call to Spiritual Maturity
[55:47] - Be Strong in the Lord
[58:40] - Do Everything in Love
[64:05] - Applying These Qualities in Daily Life
[66:36] - Closing Prayer and Challenge to Men
[67:58] - Final Encouragement and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

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.

Observation Questions

In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Paul gives five short commands. What are they, and how do they build on each other?
According to the sermon, what was the spiritual condition of the church in Corinth that made these instructions necessary? ([30:23])
The pastor mentioned that “be strong” in verse 13 is not about physical strength. What kind of strength is Paul talking about? ([55:47])
How does Paul connect the command to “do everything in love” with the previous four commands? ([58:40])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul start with “be watchful” as the first command? What dangers or distractions might he have in mind for the Corinthians—and for us? ([34:16])
The sermon says that “standing firm in the faith” means holding to biblical convictions even when it’s unpopular. What are some examples of convictions that might be challenged in today’s culture? ([44:25])
The phrase “act like men” is explained as a call to spiritual maturity, not just toughness. What does spiritual maturity look like in everyday life, according to the sermon? ([51:57])
Why is it important that all these qualities—alertness, steadfastness, maturity, and strength—are exercised “in love”? What happens if love is missing? ([01:00:07])

Application Questions

The sermon compared being spiritually alert to a watchman on a city wall. What are some specific “dangers” or distractions in your life or family that you need to be more alert to? How can you practically guard against them this week? ([34:16])
Standing firm in the faith can be hard when culture pushes the opposite direction. Is there an area where you feel pressure to compromise your beliefs? What would it look like to stand firm in that area? ([44:25])
The pastor challenged men to “grow up spiritually” and not let their wives be the only spiritual leaders in the home. If you’re a husband or father, what is one step you could take this week to lead your family spiritually? If you’re not, how can you encourage spiritual maturity in your own life? ([51:57])
The sermon said true strength is God-given, not self-generated. Are you trying to “be strong” in your own power, or are you depending on God’s strength? What would it look like to yield more to the Holy Spirit in your daily routine? ([55:47])
“Let all that you do be done in love.” Think of a recent situation where you acted out of conviction but not in love. How could you handle a similar situation differently next time? ([01:00:07])
The pastor said, “There is not a single example in the Bible where acting with love is inappropriate.” Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you find it hard to act in love? What is one practical way you could show Christlike love this week, even if it’s difficult? ([01:00:07])
The sermon ended with a challenge: “This church is only going to be as strong as the men of this church lead their families and lead this church with passion for you.” What is one area where you feel called to step up in leadership, either at home, church, or in your community? What’s holding you back, and how can the group pray for you? ([01:07:58])

Sermon Clips

``If there is no resurrection, then even Christ himself has not been raised from the dead. And if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our faith is worthless. We're still in our sins. But Christ has been raised from the dead, and therefore that is our anchor as Christians, the anchor of our soul. And we have hope then in this broken world in which we are living. [00:29:55] (28 seconds)

Our culture that we live in is like a great river flowing downhill and many people just go with the flow like a person lying on an inner tube going down the river. But we need to be the rock and we need to stand firm as men. [00:43:41] (16 seconds)

The key characteristic of childishness is selfishness and as we grow in maturity we put away childish things which include selfishness and we open our hearts to the concern of others. [00:52:19] (18 seconds)

Paul is calling for spiritual, not physical strength. In the physical world, you might lift weights or run or bike or whatever you do to strengthen yourself, but in the spiritual world, believers cannot strengthen themselves for that task belongs solely to the Lord. However, you have a role and responsibility in that. It's not just that we say, okay, I'm going to let go and let God. No, our responsibility, and Will mentioned this as well, our responsibility is to submit, to yield ourselves to the Spirit. [00:56:31] (41 seconds)

The standard for the christian however is straightforward do everything in love no qualifiers no exceptions and some would say you know how's that possible after all there are times when people hurt you and take advantage of you don't you have to look out for yourself let me tell you this there is not a single example in the bible where acting with love is inappropriate let me say that again there is not a single example in the bible where acting with love is inappropriate. [01:01:35] (37 seconds)

The bible tells us the world's going to know us by our love not by our conviction now should we have conviction yes that's what he's saying here we have conviction but it's going to know us by our love and jesus is the perfect example of this thinking people hated jesus so much that they tortured and killed him and jesus loved and forgave them even on the cross people ridiculed and betrayed him and in return he loved them no one else in human history was as powerful as jesus and yet not once did he take advantage of another person he was always in love. [01:02:28] (44 seconds)

A man is not defined by his job by his family by his strength by his money a man is not defined by those things a man is defined by how he relates to god and ultimately how he relates to others as well. [01:03:29] (22 seconds)

A .W. Tozer said this, To become an effective man of God, we must know and acknowledge that every grace and every true virtue proceeds from God alone, and not even a good thought can come from us except it be of him. Men, we can't do this on our own. We have to yield to him. We have to allow God to work in and through us. [01:06:02] (26 seconds)

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