What is true manhood?  Characteristics  of Being a Man

Last time we studied some things that characterized a true man.  These are my own ideas that I’ve learned working with men over the years.  Culture has rooted some of them out of our society.

As to wives and girlfriends…

Quote:  “A real man will always carry your bags, open the door, show you respect and remind you how beautiful you are.”

Quotes from Don Juan Matus:  “The worst that could happen to us is that we die, and since that is already our unalterable fate, we are free; those who have lost everything no longer have anything to fear”

Fear God alone; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Don’t live life being afraid of other men.  Don’t pick or start fights…if you get in a fight, finish them.

1.    The past is forgiven – Psalm 103:1-5 says “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--  who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

2.    Today is in God’s hands: Psalm 104:1-5 – “Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.  He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.”

3.    The future is with Him.  Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

4.    Teach those around you.   Teach during everyday life not just formal settings.  Teach all the time.  Teach what you know.   Pick the time and the place.  Just tell is as it is.  Uncle Jim and I were not taught a lot of things.  We had to learn on our own; that can be a costly and painful lesson.

                  Titus 2:6-8 – “Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

                  Deuteronomy 6:6-7 --  “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

5.     Be a warrior protector - Let everyone in town know that if anyone messes with your family or friends, you will hold them accountable.  Make your statement by actions not just words.

Joshua 14:10-12; Jeremiah 22:16; Proverbs 31:9

Never stop being a warrior.   Stand up for the right thing; defeat what is wrong.  A warrior is:  “A man or a woman who is a fearless, strong and skilled fighter standing up for what is right.” Sometimes we must do something we don’t want to do—that’s being a man (adult).  Do the right thing.

6.    Be a friend – Be an honest friend.

a.    _________ down your life for others.  John 15:12-15 -  .  “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

b.    The greatest friend we have is God.  -- James 4:8 – “Come near to ________   and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

c.    How do you pick friends? 

                                  i.    Proverbs 13: 20 --  “He who walks with the _________  grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

                                ii.    Keep your tongue.  Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Do not make friends with a ___________   ______, do not associate with one easily angered,  or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”

                               iii.    1 Corinthians 15:33 -- Do not be misled: "______     ______________ corrupts good character."

7.    How do you treat your friends? 

Luke 6:31— “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  (Sound familiar??)

Romans 12:10 – “Be _______________ to one another.”  (Could also use ‘loyal’)

Ephesians 4:29-32 -  “Forgive as _________ forgives.”

8.     Importance of friendship

a.    Proverbs 17:17 - ________________ makes friends like brothers.

b.    Proverbs 19:20 -  Listen to _______________ and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

c.    1 Samuel 18:1-3 – David loved __________________ as a _________________.

In closing, remember God has a purpose for each of us.

Psalm 57:2 – “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me.”