Act Like Men 1 Corinthians 16:13

Transcription

1 Act Like Men 1 Corinthians 16:13 Introduction: Different translations of the Bible give a better understanding of this part of 1 Corinthians 16:13 than the King James Version. The expression, Be Brave as found in the NKJV is rendered, quit ye like men in the KJV; be brave in the NKJV, be men of courage" in the NIV, Be Courageous in the RSV, and Act like men in the NAS, ESV, and the CON. The admonition is...when attacked, do not flinch, maintain your ground; resist; press forward; strike home; keep compact; conquer. The admonition is to both men and women. Doesn t it seem strange for the Bible to tell us that women should act like men? Obviously there are some characteristics of manhood that we should all possess both men and women! In this lesson we want to consider the role of the man and the qualities that the man of God should possess. This will help us better understand what Paul was speaking of when he wrote 1 Corinthians 16:13. Men and Women Are Different and have different roles. God made us different because we have different roles Let me illustrate: Ask a boy what he wants to be when he grows up. Now ask a girl what she wants to be when she grows up. Physical and emotional makeup of children continues into adulthood. I. MAN AS A WARRIOR A. The battle between good and evil began before man was created. B. The human race would be under attack from the beginning and would need warriors, protectors, defenders who would fight.

2 1. We are to fight for our family. Nehemiah 4:10-14 Then Judah said, The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall. 11 And our adversaries said, They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease. 12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us. 13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, Do not be afraid of them. (1) Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and {Lord comes first.} (2) fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, {Then family} (3) and your houses. {and then property.} Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses. (Nehemiah 4:14) 2. Men are to fight spiritually. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. NKJV C. A little boy asks his father with great concern, Are there any more dragons? Yes, my son, there are still dragons that must be fought. Revelation 12:1-5 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5

3 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. NKJV Revelation 12:7-9 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. NKJV Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. NKJV Fathers need to be training their sons to fight dragons!!! D. But Daddy, Are their other battles to be fought? Yes, the enemy is still out there! 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Ephesians 6:10-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. And mothers and fathers, teach your daughters to fight the dragons! Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (NASV) C. Our families, our brethren, and our world need men to be warriors.

4 II. MAN AS A LEADER A. The husband as the head of the wife. Ephesians 5:23-24 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. NKJV B. The husband is head of the woman. 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. NKJV C. This was God s plan from the beginning. 1 Timothy 2:12-13 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. NKJV D. What is Man s Role as a Leader? 1. God gave man a charge. Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. NKJV 2. God created woman to be bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 6 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

5 one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. NKJV Where is Adam? Look at v Abraham as a spiritual leader. Genesis 18:19 that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice Job as a spiritual leader of his family. Job 1:1-2 Job would... sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all... Thus Job did regularly. 5. Joshua as a spiritual leader of his family. Joshua 24:14-15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. E. As a spiritual leader, what is the man to do? Ephesians 5:22-27 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. NKJV 1. Sanctify and cleanse your family by the word 2. Present your family not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that they should be holy and without blemish. F. Elders as spiritual leaders. 1. How are we to think of elders?

6 Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. NKJV Remember Follow Be submissive Why? for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. 2. They are to demonstrate leadership in their own family. 1 Timothy 3:4-5 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); NKJV To take responsibility for the spiritual directions of his family. To labor for the spiritual well being of his family. To direct his family by word and example. Ephesians 5:23 The husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. III. MAN AS A SAVIOR A. Man is to be a savior of his family. Ephesians 5:23-27 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the

7 word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.nkjv sanctify and cleanse her that she should be holy the Savior of the body B. What is Man s Role as a Savior? Gen. 2:21-23 This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man. NKJV Ephesians 5:28-29 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 1. Nourishes - to feed, give strength 2. Cherishes - to warm Matthew 23:37 How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 3. Seek to understand the differences. 4. Recognize her value. 5. Use your strength to assist her weakness.

8 6. Understand her right to the same favor of life you have. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. 7. Authority is not to be used for personal profit but for sacrificial service. Matthew 20:25-28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. 8. John 10:11-13 The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Conclusion: Man is to be. A Warrior - to fight against the powers of darkness on behalf of those entrusted to his care. A Leader - to direct those entrusted to him in the paths of righteousness. A Savior - to sacrifice himself so that those entrusted to his care can be all that God intends for them to be.