Sermon snippet – Quit Ye Like Men
(Because today’s sermon does not translate well to written words, I am providing a message from 2016. Today’s sermon can be viewed on Facebook and Youtube.
INTRODUCTION – God has expectations for us. The existence of heaven and hell, for example, covers everyone and confronts us with an absolute dichotomy of choice. Moreover, because we are created in the image of God, we can respond appropriately. Thus, His expectations are good and reasonable. On this Father’s Day, we will see that God has very specific expectations for men. The women can shout a loud “Amen!” and give significant glances to their husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, and grandsons. There is nothing new under the sun.
- GOD HAS EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL MEN
I Samuel 4:6-11 – Can these savage pagans be a positive example? Yes, verse 9 says, “Quit ye like men,” or “Stand up like men.” This wording is found in the New Testament (as we will see in a moment) and used as an exhortation. Here, the Philistines had a chance to flee rather than fight. However, they showed genuine courage (albeit in a wrong cause). It is sad that these men did not direct this noble attribute to serve God. Their failure is no reason for us to lower God’s expectations for all men.
- GOD HAS EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL CHRISTIAN MEN
I Corinthians 16:13-14 – The application of these commands is, of course, for all Christians. First, we are to be spiritually alert (“watch”). Men have to be especially aware of the temptations that our culture pushes upon us. Second, we need real faith (“stand fast in the faith”). We need a belief that includes the intellectual but also involves trust and dependence. This utter dependence upon God runs counter to our society’s stereotype of manliness, but we can never come to the fullness of our humanity without reliance on the One in Whose image we are created. Third, be manly (“quit ye like men”). The thought conveyed is that of maturing, of growing up in Christ. Fourth, “be strong,” which really means to be strengthened by the Strong One, God Himself. As an older generation of preachers used to say, “Young man, young man, your arms are too short to box with God.” Our own strength is never enough. Fifth, love (verse 14). We are not to use our masculinity to control or, even worse, be belligerent, or, even worse still, be abusive. These are just some of the expectations that God has for all Christian men.
- GOD HAS EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL CHRISTIAN MEN IN LEADERSHIP
We will consider just one aspect of leadership, that within the family. Some bristle at Ephesians 5:22-24. When my wife and I were first married, I said to her, “Woman, you know who’s boss around here, don’t you? Yeah, that’s right – you’re the boss!” I am such a good leader that she has obeyed 100% of the time. I am, she told told me to say, just joking. Male leadership has become a controversial subject, but it should not be. First, the context is of abiding and mutual submission (verse 21). Second, verse 25 reveals an intense standard for men, involving sacrifice and also service (verses 26-27). Third, we need an appreciation of the larger issue of different roles. Verses 18-20 speak of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Is God the Son lesser than God the Father because He died on the Cross for our sins? No! Is God the Holy Spirit lesser than Jesus because He draws people to a saving knowledge of Jesus? No! Each person of the Triune Godhead is fully God; there is perfect equality within the Trinity. There are, however, different roles. This point is made for us in Galatians 3:28; in Christ, we are spiritual equals, but we have different roles. As a practical matter, if we all do exactly the same thing, nothing much gets done. The very nature of God Himself should instruct us in this important concept.
CONCLUSION- Regardless of who we are, each one of us needs to be “in Christ Jesus.” Only when we are members of the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ can we be all that He wants us to be.