Message Recap: Identity Theft-Part 2 (Manhood)

• Why the confusion and debate over manhood?
  
  
  
  • Even the Bible has to command men to "act like a man" (see I Cor. 16:13)
  
  
  
  


• Genesis 2:15-18
  
  
  
  • Man was given a garden, a job, spiritual responsibilities and a family.
  
  
  • Men are divinely designed to conquer and cultivate.
  
  
  
  


• Genesis 3:9-10
  
  
  
  • Due to sin, men lost their validation from God and now enter the world (tend their garden) wounded and fearful.
  
  
  • Men pursue validation from 3 sources (these 3 points from sermon on masculinity by Matt Carter):
    
    
    
    • Men pretend to be something they are not.
    
    
    • Men look to women to validate them.
    
    
    • Men look to work for validation.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Genesis 3:15-18 -- all of these sources are cursed and will not give men the validation they need to be men.
  
  
  
  


• I Corinthians 16:14-18
  
  
  
  • Stephanas is an example and was able to "act like a man" because he was a "first fruit" = he was validated and accepted by God.
    
    
    
    • Matthew 3:17 is God's validation over His redeemed children.
      
      
      
      • This is one reason why a meaningful, biblical baptism is significant.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • You can only love with "agape" love (unconditional, sacrificial) when you have been loved with agape love.
      
      
      
      • This love only comes from Christ and is applied to us by the Holy Spirit, through faith.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Instead of stepping out into the world to receive validation; Christian men step into the world WITH validation of God.
    
    
    
    • Our frustrations and futility in the world remind us of how we treated God.
    
    
    • We depend on God and the depth of His love for us, not looking for perfect love from imperfect people or places.
      
      
      
      • Stand watch = alert for temptations; protecting those entrusted to us.
      
      
      • "Be strong" = persevere, endure; it will be tough and require effort/hard work
      
      
      • Serve = be leading servants in your "garden" = church, family, job
      
      
      • Refresh others (insecure men exhaust and exasperate others)
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Application this week for men:
  
  
  
  • Read Matthew 3:17 everyday.
  
  
  • Before speaking/acting, ask yourself: "Am I doing this in an attempt to receive validation OR because I have validation?"
  
  
  • Pray consistently over and with and for your family (wife, children) or begin praying with your girlfriend.
  
  
  
  


• Statistics:
  
  
  
  • 43% of Rock Bridge members are men.
  
  
  • If a husband/father becomes a Christian, 93% of the time his entire family will become Christ-followers. (This happens 17% of the time in the case of a wife/mother).