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Sermon by prayer with thoughts and Illustrations from Sermoncentral contributors
Man up
1 King 2:1- 4
Introduction-
It’s Father’s day, so I am directing my thoughts to the men, but the message will benefit everyone in the family.
As a father of 5, 3 boys, 2 girls, 4 teenagers in the house at the same time. I know what a responsibility it is to raise children. To be a father.
Today is the day that they acknowledge us.
Tie sales were high this week.
They say that a father is a guy who carries a picture where his money use to be.
The difference between mothers day and Fathers day. The gifts are about 30 dollars cheaper.
What does God’s word have to say to us men today that will affect and filter down to everyone in our family that we love.
1 Kings 2:1-4 read
Israel at this time was the greatest nation on the face of the earth.
They were the superpower.They forgot a lot of times that it was because God defeated the enemies. God protected them.
America today, is the superpower.
We are getting stretched pretty thin on all fronts.
Our economy was booming.
Our national pride was at a high level.
Our allies use to be counted worthy.
President Obama is the most powerful man in the world.
Because of what is behind his name. (Superpower USA).
But there are a lot of people and leaders ready to challenge him.
King David, the most powerful king, of the most powerful nation at that time.
What advice did he give to his son Solomon? The one that would precede him on the throne.
I am going the way of all the earth I am dying
He didn’t say conquer more enemies.
He didn’t say enjoy the victory and live rebellious.
He didn’t give him a book on the power of positive thinking.
He told him to be strong
Are you strong enough to be a man?
Churches filled mostly with women.
Women pulling the majority of weight in the families.
He told his son..Look, I am not going to be around.
Man Up Be strong The gauntlet is being passed.
The world says:
I wear the pants,
The John Wayne type,
The Dirty Harry type. Make my day , don’t be a whimp No crying allowed
But it has shifted gears:
They paint a picture today of men that have nothing to say.
They have given up their authority in the family.
They imply that women have by force taken the lead.
Some imply that man doesn’t even control the remote anymore
King David to Solomon
sure we have to secure the kingdom
sure we will have to fight for what’s right. Weak king, we will be taken over.
power not by abuse, but by respect.
Clint Eastwood may get the criminal by being dirty Harry, but God is looking for a few men who man up and be the man that God wants them to be Without losing their manly character we were created with.
Real man is a Godly man.
You cannot call upon the Lord if you have no relationship with God.
You cannot lead your family if you have no direction for your life.
You cannot be Godly without God.
God’s plan for men.
I. Real men have a faithful walk with God.
“Be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires” v2
You cannot take someone further that you yourself have been.
Walk in His ways
You can have a relationship with God and not lose your manhood.
You can still cry with someone, and still be strong when needed.
Reasons we need God’s Word in our life
The Bible is God’s Word
It encourages us.
It brings transformation.
It comforts and brings hope.
It empowers us to resist temptation and do kingdom work.
It prepares us for eternity.
Illustration-
Did you know there is the same amount of gun powder in a firecracker as is in a rifle shell? But the firecracker is unfocused. Uncontrolled. It makes a lot of noise and accomplishes nothing. The rifle shell is focused in a specific direction, and it delivers a knock out punch. You want to be a firecracker or a rifle shell? Out of control, maker of a lot of noise, but not accomplishing anything. Or be controlled, focused, able to deliver the knock out punch if needed, but also a man with Godly characters.
I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
It is not easy to be the leader of the family today, but there has never been such an important time to have good dads.
Today is Fathers day, a day of cologne, neck ties, long distance phone calls, but it also a reminder to the men to man up and be who God intended us to be and we cannot do that without a faithful walk with God.
I don’t wear Old Spice, but the greatest and closest man in my life did. My grandfather. I cannot smell Old Spice without thinking of him.
Fathers day was started by a daughter that wanted to honor her father for raising her when her mother died in 1909. In 1924, President Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday of June as Fathers day.
God put throughout His Word, reminders as we get honored today by our families, that we have a great responsibilities to live up to.
II. Real men live productive and Godly lives.
We are to be providers and protectors.
We are to provide the physical things, protect spiritually and physically our families.
In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.
Provide a safe place to live, make sure there is food on the table, yes
Economy could play a factor in that, out of your control. But you are also to make sure we take care of them spiritually also.
Men are hunters and women are gatherers.
As men, we hunt , we go after what is necessary.
We want all the latest tools to do that , but once we make the kill, hunted the women, built the house, we forget to keep it, we have to maintain and protect it.
God doesn’t want to change the character of men, we were created to be all that. But don’t forget that protection is more than a sword, it is doing and saying things that are tough but necessary to move forward.
Illustration- 10 things you’ll never hear Dad say
10. Well, how about that? I’m lost. Looks like I will have to stop and ask someone for directions
9. You know pumpkin, now that your thirteen, you’ll be ready for unchaperoned car dates.
8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain hostile attitude. I like that.
7. Here’s a credit card and the keys to my new car. Go crazy.
6. What do you mean you want to play football? Figure skating’s not good enough for you son.
5. Your mother and I are going away, you might want to consider having a party.
4. Well, I don’t know what’s wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey things. Tow it to the mechanic, whatever it costs, ‘ll pay for it.
3. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring. Now quit you belly aching, and let’s go to the mall.
2. Whadda wanna go and get a job for ? I make plenty of money for you to spend.
1. What do I want for my birthday? Aahh, don’t worry about it. No big deal.
So God still needs to work on a few things in most men.
They say it is an age for women to rise up and be noticed. Amen.
Equal pay for equal work. Amen.
The problem today is not rebellious women. It is men who have not taken the rightful spot in leading their families. I know there are rebellious women. I’m sure none here. Some men are comfortable giving up the lead role.
Heard it said
Anything that has no head is dead. Anything that has two heads is a freak. You don’t want to be dead, and you don’t want two people going separate, but two heading in the same direction.
Closing:
Men, take a minute to think about this:
Real men have a faithful walk with God.
Real men make sure and do the best they can that their family is taken care and secure with the things of God.
Character stands at the very heart of masculinity. There is no better role model for manhood than the nature of God.
Bill Cosby:
Nothing I’ve ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my children
Charles Swindoll:
Each day of our lives we make a deposit in the memory banks of our children
Bring it home:
We have to be men that come to the cross
The privilege of being at the feet of Jesus.
At the cross is where Jesus died for us.
At the cross is where you die for Him
Don’t lose Jesus between the altar and the door leaving this church.
The media has spoken, the t.v. has spoken. It is time for the men of God to speak.
Illustration-
Football players going into the endzone, it is all about them, as they dance and parade themselves and their accomplishments. Look at me . I love what Lou Holtz told his players when he was with Notre Dame. “When you go into the endzone, look like you have been there before”
Men of God, look like you have been with Jesus, stop dancing, and look like you been there before.
Men, now let me give you some words from our Lord and Savior, and words that will comfort your family as you lead them.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us; that we should be called children of God” 1 John 3:1
“The joy of the lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given” James 1:5
You don’t have children, the principal is there- get involved in someone’s life- be apart of what go’s on.
ladies, couldn’t you follow a man who is following after God’s heart? Pray for the men in your life.
All of us Our spirit will soar as we have a heart after God.
Altar Call:
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