Embracing True Manhood: Building Legacies of Faith

 

Summary

In today's world, many men are physically present but emotionally and spiritually absent, leaving a void in families and communities. This absence has forced women to take on roles beyond their intended design, leading to societal imbalances. The root of this issue lies in the lack of male role models, particularly fathers, which has left a generation of boys without guidance on how to become true men. This absence has distorted perceptions of love and manhood, with girls seeking validation in unhealthy relationships and boys equating masculinity with promiscuity and violence.

The essence of true manhood is found in the example of Christ, who submitted to the Father and embraced suffering as part of His mission. Men are called to follow this example, embracing suffering not as a burden but as a responsibility that shapes their legacy. The story of my grandfathers illustrates this principle. One grandfather, on his deathbed, was surrounded by his family, a testament to the legacy he built through his life of faith and perseverance. The other, known as "Two Daddy," transformed his family's legacy from one of hardship to one of faith through his steadfast commitment to Christ, even in the face of personal trials.

The challenge for men today is to become "Kingdom men," who build legacies rooted in faith and resilience. This requires a commitment to personal growth and a willingness to suffer for the sake of others, just as Christ did. By doing so, men can create a lasting impact on their families and communities, ensuring that their legacy is one of faithfulness and strength.

Key Takeaways:

1. Presence vs. Absence: Many men are physically present but emotionally and spiritually absent, leading to societal imbalances. True presence involves active participation in family and community life, following Christ's example of submission and service. [00:25]

2. Role of Women: The absence of men has forced women to take on multiple roles, which can lead to stress and imbalance. Men are called to step up and support women, allowing them to thrive in their God-given roles. [01:16]

3. Distorted Views of Love and Manhood: Without strong male role models, young people develop unhealthy views of love and masculinity. Men must model Christ-like behavior to guide the next generation towards healthy relationships and true manhood. [02:18]

4. Embracing Suffering: Suffering is part of the job description for men, as demonstrated by Christ. Embracing suffering with resilience and faith can lead to a legacy that impacts future generations positively. [02:45]

5. Building a Legacy: A legacy is built through faithfulness and perseverance, as shown by the stories of my grandfathers. Men are challenged to start building their legacies today, ensuring they leave a lasting impact on their families and communities. [05:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - The Absence of Men
- [00:45] - Boys Without Fathers
- [01:16] - Women Taking on Multiple Roles
- [01:30] - Submission and Contradiction
- [02:04] - Twisted Views of Love
- [02:30] - Cultural Suffering
- [02:45] - Suffering as a Job Description
- [03:12] - Legacy and Suffering
- [03:39] - A Grandfather's Legacy
- [04:10] - Two Daddy's Story
- [04:25] - Transformation Through Faith
- [05:16] - Holding the Legacy
- [05:30] - Building Your Legacy
- [05:44] - Call to Action for Kingdom Men

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:25-33 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
2. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some roles that women have been forced to take on due to the absence of men? [01:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the current cultural perception of manhood among young boys? [02:18]
3. What example does the sermon give of a man who embraced suffering and left a positive legacy? [03:39]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the "job description" given to men by Christ? [02:45]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that the absence of male role models affects the perceptions of love and relationships among young people? [02:04]
2. In what ways does the sermon propose that men can follow Christ's example in their daily lives? [01:51]
3. How does the story of "Two Daddy" illustrate the impact of faith and perseverance on a family's legacy? [04:25]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between suffering and building a legacy? [03:12]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own presence in your family and community. Are there areas where you feel you are physically present but emotionally or spiritually absent? How can you change that? [00:25]
2. Consider the roles that women in your life have taken on. How can you support them in thriving in their God-given roles? [01:16]
3. Think about the male role models in your life. How have they shaped your understanding of love and manhood? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with Christ-like behavior? [02:18]
4. How do you currently view suffering in your life? What steps can you take to embrace it as a responsibility that shapes your legacy? [02:45]
5. What legacy do you want to leave for your family and community? What actions can you take today to start building that legacy? [05:30]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can submit more fully to God's will, following Christ's example. What practical steps can you take to make this change? [01:51]
7. How can you encourage the men in your life to become "Kingdom men" who build legacies rooted in faith and resilience? [05:44]

Devotional

Day 1: True Presence in Family and Community
Many men today are physically present but emotionally and spiritually absent, leading to imbalances in families and communities. True presence involves active participation in family and community life, following Christ's example of submission and service. This means being engaged, listening, and providing guidance and support. Men are called to be leaders in their homes and communities, not by exerting control, but by serving and loving as Christ did. This active presence can transform relationships and create a nurturing environment for growth and faith. [00:25]

"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." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you be more emotionally and spiritually present for your family or community today?


Day 2: Supporting Women in Their God-Given Roles
The absence of men has often forced women to take on multiple roles, leading to stress and imbalance. Men are called to step up and support women, allowing them to thrive in their God-given roles. This support involves recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of women and working alongside them to create a balanced and harmonious environment. By doing so, men can help alleviate the burdens placed on women and foster a community where everyone can flourish. [01:16]

"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." (1 Peter 3:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support the women in your life to help them thrive in their roles today?


Day 3: Modeling Christ-like Love and Manhood
Without strong male role models, young people develop unhealthy views of love and masculinity. Men must model Christ-like behavior to guide the next generation towards healthy relationships and true manhood. This involves demonstrating love, patience, and integrity, and rejecting societal norms that equate masculinity with promiscuity and violence. By embodying the character of Christ, men can provide a positive example for young people, helping them to form healthy identities and relationships. [02:18]

"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: What is one specific way you can model Christ-like love and integrity to the young people in your life today?


Day 4: Embracing Suffering as a Path to Legacy
Suffering is part of the job description for men, as demonstrated by Christ. Embracing suffering with resilience and faith can lead to a legacy that impacts future generations positively. This means viewing challenges not as burdens but as opportunities for growth and service. By enduring hardships with grace and perseverance, men can leave a legacy of strength and faithfulness that inspires others. [02:45]

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of suffering in your life that you can embrace as an opportunity for growth and legacy-building today?


Day 5: Building a Legacy of Faithfulness and Strength
A legacy is built through faithfulness and perseverance, as shown by the stories of past generations. Men are challenged to start building their legacies today, ensuring they leave a lasting impact on their families and communities. This involves making intentional choices that reflect one's values and faith, and investing in relationships and endeavors that will endure. By focusing on what truly matters, men can create a legacy that honors God and blesses others. [05:30]

"His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." (Psalm 112:2, ESV)

Reflection: What intentional choices can you make today to start building a legacy of faithfulness and strength for future generations?

Quotes


where are the men but the problem is that today it seems like we're not around I mean we're around we're just not around because most men choose to be more like the Abominable Snowman Footprints everywhere but nowhere to be found we live in a generation of boys that are being raised to be men just like their mothers because 70% of them in the African-American Community don't have fathers and 40% in rising in the Anglo Community don't have fathers so I'm just saying we're around we're just not around spending all of our time right in the middle of a decaying culture that we ourselves have bound [00:11:66]

women forced to be mothers fathers leaders protectors nurturers providers they're pretty much doing it all operating all outside of their created being but then you and I we want to take them to the the counselor and tell the counselor that she won't submit submit submit to what submit to a man who won't submit well that would automatically create friction and besides it's an inherent contradiction Jesus whole life was about submitting to the father so if we're supposed to be men who were following Christ we ought to submit as he did so that our kids can watch us submit to the father so the problems you feel you have with your wife the next man won't experience with your daughter [00:76:20]

girls have a twisted view of love these days they'll literally date the devil just to experience a man while boys think their manhood is wrapped in the how many women they can sleep with just like they're Rolling Stone daddies and handling their problems with a gun in their hand all because of the absence of a man oh we're around I'm just saying we're not around look around our culture is suffering because of the man's unwillingness to suffer but when I look at Christ I see that he suffered especially when he hung on the cross so it seems to me that suffering is the job description given to man from the boss [02:12:84]

suffer that requires that you and I be a little bit tougher and I'm not talking about about just staying at work later or chasing harder after shiny things and dreams you know how men do even though I do realize that we all have to provide I'm talking about suffering and Christ sufferings because that's the only thing that'll keep your legacy in mind like when my granddad died and he was there laying on his death C his kids and his kids kids weren't standing around talking about the things that he bought I think not it was more like when my sister Crystal ran over to him and said Grandpa Grandpa your grandkid are running around going crazy as if this is a day to celebrate do you want me to quiet the boys grandpa said no no Crystal you don't understand this is a day to celebrate because I wanted to die to this noise and then it happened he fell asleep right there in the middle of his own Den but I can still see the pride in his face because he was surrounded by all his kingdom men that came from him [02:45:00]

yeah we prayed with him and we also thanked him for not letting anything in his life be a deterrent because now that allows his legacy the opportunity one day to hear what he heard that day well done my good and faithful servant but I got another Granddad we call him two daddy he's in Baltimore he still lives and I know you may know a little bit about his story because that's how Tony Evans is who he is first generation Christian don't think the Evans family was always saved you be amazed from high school dropouts to drugs and poverty that was our Legacy back in the days but two daddy found that word he ran into Christ and then he got saved and he held that thing close and never fumbled it even though his wife took him through an emotional Maze and that lasted for about 365 days he suffered a lot as well but on day 366 she even came downstairs with tears in her eyes because the spirit put her under a spell and I'm not talking abracadabra this was a courageous investment of two Daddy's time and now that one year of suffering has become a 50-year harvest that I can call mine and my wife and my son and my daughter and my child to come and it's our job to hold that Legacy tight until Jesus comes and says that it's done [03:39:00]

but enough about me what about you what has your legacy become and if your legacy hasn't started yet then I dare you to be the first one but that's enough they gave me 20 minutes but I figured six would say what I need to say besides my prayer is simple that the men in this room would become Kingdom men if not already and start building your legacies today now that's greatness [05:16:00]

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