Redefining Masculinity Through the Teachings of Jesus
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of masculinity through the lens of ancient scripts and modern expectations. We began by acknowledging that every man, consciously or subconsciously, has developed a personal definition of what it means to be a man. This definition is often influenced by cultural, familial, and societal scripts handed down through generations. These scripts can create expectations and pressures that may not align with every individual's temperament or interests, leading to struggles and feelings of inadequacy.
We delved into the idea that masculinity, much like femininity, is a social and cultural construct. This realization is crucial for fathers raising sons and for men trying to understand their own identity. Each generation and culture has its own definition of manhood, which can sometimes be at odds with the teachings of Jesus. When we come to church, we are often encouraged to emulate Jesus, but this can be challenging when our cultural scripts conflict with the example set by Christ.
Jesus offers a script that transcends cultural and generational definitions of masculinity. He embodies virtues such as wisdom, justice, truth, and grace. His life and teachings provide a model for men to follow, one that is not about losing masculinity but about becoming a better man. Jesus' invitation to follow Him is life-changing, offering a path that leads to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
By adopting the script of Jesus, men can redefine success as doing the will of the Father, equate greatness with elevating others, and embrace a life of service, humility, and love. This script challenges men to confront their appetites and insecurities, to forgive without being asked, and to celebrate the success of others. It calls for a life where possessions are seen as tools for God's kingdom, and where true strength is found in character and integrity.
Ultimately, following Jesus does not mean all men will be the same, but it does mean they will be better men, creating a safer and more compassionate world for everyone. For those who are not yet followers of Jesus, the invitation is open, promising everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Key Takeaways:
- Cultural Constructs of Masculinity: Masculinity is often defined by cultural and familial scripts, which can create expectations that may not fit every individual. Recognizing these constructs allows men to redefine their identity in alignment with the teachings of Jesus. [04:55]
- Jesus as the Model for Manhood: Jesus provides a script that transcends cultural definitions of masculinity. His life embodies virtues such as wisdom, justice, and grace, offering a model for men to follow that leads to a more fulfilling life. [09:51]
- Redefining Success and Greatness: Success is redefined as doing the will of the Father, and greatness is equated with elevating others. This script challenges men to live a life of service, humility, and love, confronting their appetites and insecurities. [25:18]
- The Invitation to Follow Jesus: Following Jesus is a life-changing invitation that promises to make men better, not by losing their masculinity, but by becoming more like Christ. This path leads to a more purposeful and fulfilling life. [28:50]
- A Better World Through Better Men: Embracing the script of Jesus leads to better men, creating a safer and more compassionate world. The invitation to follow Jesus is open to all, offering everything to gain and nothing to lose. [31:29]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction to the Series
[00:34] - Defining Masculinity
[01:18] - Judging Other Men
[02:08] - Attributes of Masculinity
[02:39] - Cultural Scripts
[03:39] - Expectations and Struggles
[04:55] - Masculinity as a Social Construct
[06:07] - Jesus as the Model
[09:51] - The Invitation to Follow Jesus
[12:00] - Logos and the Greek Philosophers
[15:18] - Jesus as the Embodiment of Virtue
[17:29] - The Light of Men
[20:39] - Addressing Lostness
[23:34] - Embracing the Jesus Script
[28:50] - Acknowledging Our Need
[31:29] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:1-5 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
2. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
3. Philippians 2:5-8 - "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does the cultural and familial script influence a man's definition of masculinity? [03:04]
2. What attributes of Jesus are highlighted as a model for manhood in the sermon? [09:51]
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of following Jesus on a man's life? [09:24]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between masculinity and cultural constructs? [04:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "logos" in John 1:1-5 relate to the sermon’s message about Jesus being the model for manhood? [12:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' life and teachings provide a script that transcends cultural definitions of masculinity? [09:51]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of redefining success and greatness in the context of following Jesus? [25:18]
4. What does the sermon imply about the challenges men face when cultural scripts conflict with the teachings of Jesus? [06:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal definition of masculinity. How has it been shaped by cultural or familial scripts, and how does it align with the teachings of Jesus? [03:04]
2. Jesus is described as embodying virtues such as wisdom, justice, and grace. Which of these virtues do you find most challenging to emulate, and why? [09:51]
3. The sermon suggests redefining success as doing the will of the Father. What practical steps can you take to align your definition of success with this perspective? [25:18]
4. Consider a time when your cultural understanding of masculinity conflicted with the teachings of Jesus. How did you navigate that situation, and what did you learn from it? [06:07]
5. The sermon encourages men to confront their appetites and insecurities. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with this, and discuss how you can address it with the help of your faith. [28:01]
6. How can you actively celebrate the success of others in your life, as suggested in the sermon, and what impact might this have on your relationships? [25:18]
7. The sermon invites men to follow Jesus for a more fulfilling life. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus and embrace His script for your life? [31:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Redefining Masculinity Through Jesus' Lens
Masculinity is often shaped by cultural and familial expectations, which can lead to pressures that don't align with every individual's true self. Recognizing that masculinity is a social construct allows men to redefine their identity in alignment with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus offers a model that transcends these cultural definitions, embodying virtues such as wisdom, justice, and grace. By following His example, men can find a more fulfilling and purposeful life, free from the constraints of societal scripts. [04:55]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What cultural or familial expectations have shaped your view of masculinity, and how can you begin to align your identity more closely with the teachings of Jesus today?
Day 2: Jesus as the Ultimate Model for Manhood
Jesus provides a script that transcends cultural definitions of masculinity. His life embodies virtues such as wisdom, justice, and grace, offering a model for men to follow that leads to a more fulfilling life. By emulating Jesus, men can redefine what it means to be successful and great, focusing on doing the will of the Father and elevating others. This path challenges men to live a life of service, humility, and love, confronting their appetites and insecurities. [09:51]
1 Peter 2:21 (ESV): "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate the virtues of wisdom, justice, and grace into your daily life to better emulate Jesus as your model for manhood?
Day 3: Redefining Success and Greatness
Success is redefined as doing the will of the Father, and greatness is equated with elevating others. This script challenges men to live a life of service, humility, and love, confronting their appetites and insecurities. By adopting the script of Jesus, men can redefine their understanding of success and greatness, focusing on serving others and living with integrity. This approach leads to a more purposeful and fulfilling life, where true strength is found in character and integrity. [25:18]
Matthew 20:26-28 (ESV): "It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: How can you redefine success in your life to align with the idea of serving others and doing the will of the Father?
Day 4: The Life-Changing Invitation to Follow Jesus
Following Jesus is a life-changing invitation that promises to make men better, not by losing their masculinity, but by becoming more like Christ. This path leads to a more purposeful and fulfilling life, where men are challenged to confront their insecurities and embrace a life of service, humility, and love. The invitation to follow Jesus is open to all, offering everything to gain and nothing to lose. [28:50]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel burdened, and how can you accept Jesus' invitation to find rest and transformation in Him?
Day 5: Creating a Better World Through Better Men
Embracing the script of Jesus leads to better men, creating a safer and more compassionate world. By following Jesus, men can redefine their understanding of masculinity, focusing on virtues such as wisdom, justice, and grace. This path challenges men to live a life of service, humility, and love, ultimately leading to a more compassionate and just world. The invitation to follow Jesus is open to all, offering everything to gain and nothing to lose. [31:29]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a more compassionate and just world by embracing the virtues of Jesus in your daily interactions?
Quotes
In the beginning was the logos. And our English text says the word, which is confusing, and the logos was with God. It's like the word was with God, what? And the logos was God. Now this was a showstopper. And here's why. Ancient Greek philosophers, now I'm gonna take you way back like, you know, three to 400 years before Jesus, okay? Back when the Greeks kind of ruled the world and the Persian wars and all that stuff. [00:12:10]
And they had this pantheon of gods, the smart Greek philosophers, you know, the Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and beyond that they recognized, they recognized, well, first of all, they were fed up with the gods because they were smart. And they recognized there's more to creation and there's more to life than these fickle gods. And they suspected there was something outside the gods or behind the gods. [00:12:36]
Because they recognize there's such thing as virtue, and there's such a thing as wisdom, and there's such a thing as justice. And then they stumbled upon the fact that there's some, there's are true things. There's truth, none of which reflected the character or the behavior of their gods. In fact, the gods reflected the very worst of human nature. Why? Because they were created by humans. [00:13:03]
So the gods were lustful and the gods were malicious, and the gods were power hungry, and the gods were devious, and the gods were unpredictable. And one day they were this way, and one day they were that, and they were at war with each other. And the smart philosophers were like, okay, we don't know if we don't know what's going on in the world of the gods, but we know there's something beyond all of that. [00:13:24]
The existence of virtue, the existence of wisdom and justice. It was undeniable. It was undeniable that these things existed. But what do you call 'em? What do you call this? It's not a god. It's an inanimate, but catalytic, powerful, good, that stands from the gods. So you know what they referred to it as? Logos, logos, word. [00:13:48]
In fact, it's bigger than word. It's more like information. They didn't know what else to call it, word. It's an impersonal, it's intangible, but undeniable reality that intersected and benefited humanity. And then they stopped, that's as far as they got. Now think about this, John, this is amazing. That's why you should read the Bible. [00:14:14]
John sits down to start the story of Jesus. And he's like, where do I begin? I mean, I was like toe to toe, hand to hand, eye to eye, face to face with this human being that was God in a body. So he opens his gospel by declaring that logos was not an it after all. And logos was not a god. This is why this statement is so powerful. [00:14:38]
Logos was God. And he had shown up as a man, a man who embodied wisdom and embodied justice and embodied truth, an embodied virtue. And he says, all at best, I don't know any other way to explain it. And this logos he wrote goes on, he says, and the logos became a man, became a person, became flesh. [00:15:07]
And he made his dwelling among us. He camped out with us. This isn't ethereal, this isn't religious, this isn't spiritual experience. He's like, no, no, no, I'm talking about he was a person. Like we hugged each other like we held hands. Like we did life together. And we have seen his glory again, not in a dream and not in a vision. [00:15:35]
He's, oh, no, no, no, I mean, I physically, we physically saw his glory, the glory of the one and only best way to describe him, son, who came from the father absolutely full of grace and truth. He was not a balance of grace and truth. He was full on grace. He was full on truth all the time. And it was amazing. [00:15:56]
He's saying, look, I camped with him. I gathered firewood with him, I fished with him, I hauled nets with him, I mourned with him. I cleaned fish with him, and it was amazing. And he was like no other. And he was fearless. John would say we feared the priest. They controlled our destiny, our standing in society. He was fearless with the priest. [00:16:20]
John will say, I was there when we went to the temple. Next thing I know, he's putting together braiding something. I'm thinking for maybe a woman's hair. No, he makes a whip and he kicks over tables and creates glorious chaos in the temple. And he was not afraid. And he faced down these powerful money changers. Then he immediately switches gears, turns around and begins healing people and touching the untouchables. [00:16:47]
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