Men’s Huddle – June 24, 2017
Without a definition you are wondering around without clarity!
Definition of Manhood:
- Reject Passivity
Genesis 3:6 NKJV So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Adam was passive in the Garden. Adam was a coward before and after he sinned because he was with Eve when the temptation came and he did nothing about it.
Adam looked like a man but responded like a boy!
Jesus rejected passivity! Jesus took the initiative for the sake of others.
Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Got to war against passivity!
- Accept responsibility.
Adam failed miserably in three areas of responsibility:
- He failed at following the will of God.
He disobeyed the commandment and partook of something that was not intended for him.
- He failed in the work God called him to do which was to keep and protect the garden and his family.
- He rejected the responsibility of loving the woman God gave him.
Jesus accepted and fulfilled all of His areas of responsibility.
- Jesus accepted the responsibility for obeying the will of God.
John 4:34 NKJV Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
- Jesus accepted the responsibility for a work to do.
John 17:4 NKJV I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
- Jesus accepted responsibility for a woman to love.
Ephesians 5:25 NKJV Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
- Lead courageously
Adam failed to lead in the garden.
- Jesus led by providing direction for others by saying “Follow Me”.
We should be able to tell others to “follow me” like Jesus did with a clear conscience.
- Jesus led by providing protection for others.
John 10:11 NKJV “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
- Jesus led by providing life for others.
1 Corinthians 15:45 NKJV (45) And so it is written, “THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING BEING.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
Jesus was always “others” centered – giving life to others.
- Invest eternally.
Adam invested in the temporary, choosing what would satisfy him in the moment.
Jesus was always in the moment but always looking to the eternal, beyond the moment.
Matthew 6:19-20 NKJV “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Eternal things are what really matters!
Ask yourself these four questions:
- Where am I NOT rejecting passivity?
- Where am I NOT accepting responsibility?
- Where am I NOT leading courageously?
- Where am I NOT investing eternally?