Keep your man card

Topics: Father's Day, men, real men, responsability, courage

I. Real men reject passivity!

* Be on the alert to the spiritual battle raging against your soul!

1. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11).
2. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8; see Matthew 26:41).

II. Real men accept responsibility!

* Stand firm in the faith with a resolve to study Scripture diligently!

1. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
2. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you (2 Timothy 1:13, 14).

III. Real men lead courageously!

* Act like men who are strong and courageous in the Lord!

1. "Be strong and courageous . . . Only be strong and very courageous . . . This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night . . . Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:6-9).
2. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14, 15).

IV. Real men invest eternally!

* Be strong in love and truth for all your OIKOS relationships!

1. Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might (Ephesians 6:10).
2. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart (1 Peter 1:22; see 4:8).

Father's Day Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, June 16^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Keep your man card"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Discuss in your Life Group the importance of male spiritual leadership and how that will inspire others, both men and women, to live more devoted lives for our Lord.

Getting Started:

1. List some of the qualities or abilities you think our culture would say define a man as being "man-card" worthy?
2. What is your biblical understanding of God's design for men to be spiritual influencers in their families, in the church, and in their community? Share some specific Scriptures.

Discussing Truths:

1. Which of the four elements is most important to you when evaluating godly manhood?

• Reject Passivity
• Accept Responsibility
• Lead Courageously
• Invest Eternally

2. How can we encourage men to be on the alert in the spiritual battle? What does it look like?
3. What qualities of Jesus stand out the most in light of the four elements of biblical men?
4. In order to stand firm in the faith, each Christian needs to apply 2 Timothy 2:15. What are some practical ideas to make this happen?
5. Why is dependence upon God and being filled with the Holy Spirit imperative to being a godly man or woman (John 15:5; 16:12-14)?
6. What does spiritual leadership look like? How is it different than worldly leadership?

Now What? Application:

1. Men, will you prayerfully commit to pursue and uphold the four character traits on your "Official COTW Man Card"?
2. Ladies, will you prayerfully commit to praying for, encouraging, and supporting the men in your OIKOS to live biblical values in this broken world?