Embracing God’s Design: The Call to Godly Manhood
Summary
In the beginning, God created humanity in His own image, male and female He created them. This foundational truth from Genesis 1:26-27 sets the stage for understanding our identity and purpose as image bearers of God. We are not accidents or mistakes; we are intentionally designed by God with a specific gender, male or female, each reflecting His image in unique ways. This is not a matter of superiority but of divine intentionality and distinction.
The world today is rife with confusion and chaos, with narratives that challenge the truth of God's Word. However, the Bible is clear: there are only two genders, and each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made, as affirmed in Psalm 139. Our gender is not a choice but a divine appointment, and to embrace this is to embrace the purpose for which we were created.
As men, we are called to reflect God's image in how we relate to others and to God Himself. The fall of Adam in Genesis 3 reveals the consequences of failing to love and protect as God intended. Yet, in Jesus Christ, we find the perfect man, the second Adam, who embodies the true standard of masculinity and godliness. He is our role model, and it is by drawing close to Him that we can fulfill our God-given design.
Toxic behaviors are not inherent to masculinity or femininity; they are the result of sin that can manifest in anyone. The solution is not to alter our God-given masculinity or femininity but to address and correct these behaviors through the power of Christ's redemption.
In our relationships, especially with women, we must exhibit tough love—a love that is patient, kind, and sacrificial, mirroring the love Christ has for His church. As men, we are to protect, encourage, cover, and lead with a love that is not self-seeking but seeks the good of others.
As we strive to be godly men, we must remember the examples of biblical figures like Daniel, Joseph, and David, who pursued God with courage and devotion. Our manhood is not defined by worldly standards but by our relationship with God and our obedience to His Word.
Key Takeaways:
- Our identity as image bearers of God is foundational to understanding our purpose and worth. We are created male and female, each reflecting God's image in distinct and purposeful ways. This truth should shape our interactions with others, driving us to act with love, compassion, and kindness. [01:45
- The fall of Adam highlights the dangers of failing to love and protect as God intended. However, in Jesus, we find the perfect example of godly manhood. Men are called to emulate Christ in their character and actions, striving to reflect His love and righteousness in all aspects of life. [24:58
- Tough love, as exemplified by Jesus, is not about harshness but about a sacrificial, patient, and enduring love that seeks the best for others. This love is the hallmark of true biblical manhood and should be the standard by which men measure their relationships, especially with women. [32:10
- The concept of toxic masculinity is a misnomer; it is not masculinity that is toxic, but sinful behaviors that can be present in anyone. The remedy is not to change one's God-given gender traits but to align one's character and actions with the teachings of Christ. [17:28
- Biblical role models like Daniel, Joseph, and David provide men with examples of courage, faithfulness, and a heart for God. These qualities are integral to godly manhood and should inspire men to pursue a relationship with God that is marked by obedience and devotion. [39:49
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:26-27 - "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
2. Psalm 139:13-17 - "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:26-27, what does it mean to be created in the image of God? How does this foundational truth shape our understanding of identity and purpose? [04:11
2. In Psalm 139:13-17, what does the psalmist say about how we are made? How does this passage affirm the intentionality of our creation? [06:37
3. What are some of the consequences of Adam's failure to love and protect as described in Genesis 3? How does this relate to the concept of godly manhood? [21:58
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "tough love" as exemplified by Jesus? What are the key characteristics of this type of love? [32:10
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that we are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27) influence our interactions with others? What practical steps can we take to reflect God's image in our daily lives? [04:11
2. Psalm 139:13-17 speaks of being "fearfully and wonderfully made." How can this understanding impact our self-worth and the way we view others? [06:37
3. The sermon mentions that toxic behaviors are a result of sin and not inherent to masculinity or femininity. How can we address and correct these behaviors through the power of Christ's redemption? [17:28
4. Jesus is described as the perfect example of godly manhood. How can men today strive to emulate Christ in their character and actions? What specific qualities of Jesus should they focus on? [24:58
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Genesis 1:26-27, how can you better embrace your identity as an image bearer of God in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's love, compassion, and kindness to others? [04:11
2. Considering Psalm 139:13-17, how does knowing that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" change the way you view yourself and others? How can this understanding help you combat feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth? [06:37
3. The sermon discusses the importance of "tough love" in relationships. Can you identify a relationship in your life where you need to practice this type of love? What steps will you take to exhibit patience, kindness, and sacrificial love in that relationship? [32:10
4. How can you address and correct any toxic behaviors in your life through the power of Christ's redemption? What specific steps will you take to align your character and actions with the teachings of Christ? [17:28
5. Jesus is the perfect role model for godly manhood. What specific qualities of Jesus do you feel called to emulate in your life? How will you practically incorporate these qualities into your daily interactions and decisions? [24:58
6. The sermon highlights the importance of biblical role models like Daniel, Joseph, and David. Which of these figures inspires you the most, and why? How can their examples guide you in your pursuit of godly manhood? [39:49
7. How can you support and encourage the men in your life to strive for godly manhood? What specific actions can you take to pray for and uplift them in their journey to reflect Christ? [27:55
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Design
We are not random products of chance but rather the intentional creation of God, made in His image with a specific gender, male or female. This divine design is not about superiority but about reflecting God's image in distinct ways. Understanding that we are made in God's image should fill us with a sense of purpose and responsibility. It means that every interaction we have is an opportunity to show the character of God—His love, His compassion, and His kindness. When we embrace our God-given identity, we live out the fullness of what it means to be human and to be a reflection of the divine.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding that you are made in the image of God influence the way you view yourself and others? [01:45]
Day 2: Reflecting Christ in Manhood
The fall of Adam shows us the consequences of not living up to our God-given roles, but Jesus Christ provides the perfect example of what it means to be a godly man. Men are called to emulate Christ in their character and actions, which includes loving and protecting as He did. This means rejecting passivity and stepping into the responsibility of leadership with humility and strength. By looking to Jesus, men can find the standard for their conduct and character, striving to reflect His love and righteousness in every aspect of life, from personal decisions to the way they treat others.
"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you more closely emulate Christ's example of godly manhood in your daily life? [24:58]
Day 3: The True Nature of Tough Love
Tough love is often misunderstood as harshness, but it is actually about being patient, kind, and sacrificial. It seeks the best for others, just as Christ loves the church. This kind of love is not self-seeking; it is willing to endure hardship and inconvenience for the sake of someone else's well-being. As men, exhibiting this tough love means protecting, encouraging, and leading with a love that mirrors Christ's. It is a love that does not give up, that forgives, and that serves, setting the standard for how men should relate to everyone, especially women.
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:25 ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice tough love in a specific relationship where it may be challenging to do so? [32:10]
Day 4: Rejecting Sin, Not Masculinity
The concept of toxic masculinity is often discussed in society, but the Bible teaches that it is not masculinity that is toxic, but rather the sin that can manifest in anyone. The remedy is not to reject God-given gender traits but to align one's character and actions with the teachings of Christ. This means addressing sinful behaviors, seeking redemption, and allowing Christ's transformative power to work within us. By doing so, we uphold the dignity of our masculinity or femininity as God intended, while striving to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific sinful behaviors you need to address in order to align more closely with Christ's teachings? [17:28]
Day 5: Pursuing God with Courage and Devotion
The lives of biblical figures like Daniel, Joseph, and David provide us with examples of what it means to pursue God with courage and devotion. These men faced incredible challenges, yet they remained faithful and obedient to God's calling. Their stories inspire us to pursue a relationship with God that is marked by these same qualities. Godly manhood is defined not by worldly standards but by our relationship with God and our obedience to His Word. As we seek to follow these examples, we can grow in our own faith and understanding of what it means to be a man after God's own heart.
"But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself." (Daniel 1:8 ESV)
Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take to pursue a deeper relationship with God, following the examples of Daniel, Joseph, or David? [39:49]
Quotes
"You are not an accident or a mistake; you are intentionally designed by God with a specific gender, male or female, each reflecting His image in unique ways." [10:01
"Tough love is about a man who can love people that don't love him... Tough love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud." [32:10
"Jesus gives us the perfect picture of God's original design for manhood... Only by drawing close to Jesus... will a man get being a man right." [24:58
"Men, we need to be what we have been created to be, the imago Dei. We need to reflect God, we need to be bearers of His image." [30:04
"God designed us to be male or female with men he gave us a set of characteristics... to try and make one or the other sex or gender conform... is going against what God designed." [18:51
"In Adam we see all the things that can go wrong in being a man, but in Jesus we see all the things that are right with masculinity, with manhood." [24:16
"God's redemption plan... was always that it would be corrected, it would be carried out with Jesus, who is a man... Jesus is the archetype, the original, the model, the standard, the prototype of manhood." [24:16
"Being a Godly Man is more than just how we relate to the opposite sex... it has to start with how we relate to God himself. What's our relationship like with God?" [38:12
"Part of our Godly biblical manhood is to look through the word of God and to have a look at some of the examples and the role models that are in there, like Daniel, Joseph, and David." [39:49
"It is important that there are only two genders because one of those genders is a reflection of Jesus, the Son of God, and that's why we need to be Godly men." [40:38
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 25, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?