Man Enough To Stand Alone Series

Did you hear it? The text says she gave “some to her husband, who was with her.” As naturally aggressive as Adam was, when the moment of authentic manhood arrived – when he was called upon to act responsibly, to take charge spiritually, and protect his woman – Adam just stood there. He went flat. He became passive.

Men have been imitating Adam’s example ever since. Have you ever wondered why the Bible constantly calls men to love their wives, spiritually instruct their children, and responsibly lead their homes?

The reason is because men have a fallen nature that actually bends away from these responsibilities. It comes with maleness. It comes from Adam.

Yale sociologist Stephen B. Clark says flatly, “men have a natural tendency to avoid social responsibility.” Without a vibrant, spiritual solution, this pattern of passivity grows effortlessly. It is now more and more prevalent in American men and it is breeding death to our culture.

Families cry out for men who will do more than “tune out” when they come home from work. Kids want dads who are involved, dads who provide moral and spiritual direction, dads who are affirming and life giving. Women want men who will protect them, not use them. Society needs men who will stand for moral absolutes. But we must stop and ask, “where are these men?” And “what will come of our families in their absence?”

Paul’s answer is almost too painful to bear: “In Adam,” he says, “all die.” (1 Cor. 15:22).

But there is a second Adam – Jesus! Unlike the first Adam, who stood flatfooted in the face of evil, Jesus initiated. He refused to do nothing when sin encroached upon the created order. He was spiritually and socially aggressive.

In fact, I would argue that we see more manhood in the manger of Jesus than we do in the garden with Adam. Why?

Because in the manger we find Jesus, having rejected His divine right as God, initiating toward the world as a man … a real man! Listen for the action words in Philip. 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

Real manhood begins with a decision to reject social and spiritual passivity when “nothing” is the more comfortable and natural option.

In verse 21 of our text Elijah literally says, "How long will you limp between the two opinions." Men, passivity makes us lame.

Rev. 3:15-16

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [16] So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

What is that passage talking about? That is written to the church of Laodicea and it has become passive. They aren’t taking a stand or leading in any way.

Why should you be more involved? Why should you reject passivity? Studies say children with involved fathers are: