Sermons From First Corinthians - Act Like Men (16:13)

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                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                          Act Like Men (16:13)

INTRODUCTION

1. In 1Co 16:13, Paul commands the Corinthians to "be brave" (NKJV),
   also translated as...
   a. "quit you like men" (ASV, KJV)
   b. "act like men" (ESV, NASB)
   c. "be courageous" (NRSV), "be men of courage" (NIV)

2. The Greek word is andrizomai, and is defined by Thayer...
   a. to make a man of or make brave
   b. to show one's self a man, be brave

3. For our study, I would like to focus on the idea of acting like
   men...
   a. What is involved in showing oneself to be a man (besides bravery)?
   b. Especially as a man in Christ, what does it mean to be a real man?

[The answer is to be found in the New Testament, where men of God are
often commanded to behave a certain way.  For example, consider how a
man of God should conduct himself...]

I. AS A BACHELOR

   A. BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. This is the charge given to Timothy, who was single - 1Ti 4:12
      2. Likewise to Titus - Tit 2:7
      3. Even as Paul did himself - 1Th 2:10
      -- A single man should provide an example of what it means to
         serve Christ

   B. USE YOUR FREEDOM FOR THE LORD...
      1. Paul wrote that the unmarried can do more for the Lord - 1Co 
         7:32-34
      2. They do not have spousal and parental duties
      -- A single man should utilize the extra time and energy they have
         for the Lord

[Of course, many men do not remain bachelors, they marry and have a
family.  How then does one act like a man...]

II. AS A HUSBAND

   A. LOVE YOUR WIFE...
      1. Husbands are charged to love their wives - Ep 5:25
      2. As Christ loved the church - Ep 5:25-27
      3. As they love their own bodies - Ep 5:28-29
      -- A real man is one who unselfishly loves his wife

   B. TREAT HER WITH RESPECT...
      1. Render the affection that she is due - 1Co 7:3-4
      2. Seek to understand her, give her honor - 1Pe 3:7
      -- A real man is one who is considerate and seeks to exalt his
         wife

[When children come along, acting like a man involves accepting
responsibilities...]

III. AS A FATHER

   A. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN...
      1. Fathers have the duty to bring their children up in the ways of
         the Lord - Ep 6:4
      2. As God expected of Abraham - Gen 18:19
      3. As God command Israel - Deut 6:6-7
      4. Providing the kind of leadership Joshua did for his family
         - Josh 24:15
      -- Fathers who act like men will provide spiritual leadership for
         their children

   B. BE PATIENT WITH THEM...
      1. Fathers are not to provoke their children to wrath - Ep 6:4
      2. Fathers must not be so overbearing as to discourage their
         children - Col 3:21
      3. This does not mean there is never discipline - He 12:5-11
      -- Fathers who act like men will seek to provide the proper
         balance between love and discipline

[Even after a man has become a husband and a father, acting like a man
still involves some duties...]

IV. AS A SON

   A. HONOR YOUR PARENTS...
      1. A duty for all children - Ep 6:1-2
      2. A duty that involves providing for them in old age - cf. Mk 7:
         9-13
      -- A son acting like a man will not try to avoid caring for his
         parents

   B. SUPPORT YOUR WIDOWS...
      1. Children (including sons) are to provide for their mothers and
         grandmothers - 1Ti 5:4,16
      2. Failure to do so makes one worse than an unbeliever - 1Ti 5:8
      -- A son will see that his mother or grandmother is cared for
         - e.g., Jn 19:25-26

[Finally, some thoughts on what one acting like a man will be...]

V. AS A CHRISTIAN

   A. EXERCISE YOURSELF TO GODLINESS...
      1. So Paul charged Timothy - 1Ti 4:7-8
      2. Which involves fleeing some things, while pursuing others
         - 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 3:16-17
         a. Fleeing the love of money and youthful lusts - 1Ti 6:10;
            2Ti 2:22; 1Co 6:18
         b. Pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
            gentleness - 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:22
      -- A man of God will make every effort to be a true child of God

   B. UTILIZE YOUR GIFTS...
      1. By God's grace, we each have gifts, differing abilities - Ro
         12:3-6
      2. We should therefore use them in service to one another - Ro 12:
         6-8; 1Pe 4:10-11
      -- A man of God will make the effort to discover his gift(s) and
         use them in service to the family of God

CONCLUSION

1. More can certainly be said, for the scriptures are full of wisdom and
   instruction of what it means to be a real man of God

2. Sadly, the world often presents an entirely different picture of what
   it means to be a man, confusing machismo (exaggerated masculinity)
   with true manliness

As noted in the beginning, the word translated "act like men" conveys
the idea of being "brave, courageous".  Will we who are men be brave
enough to behave the way God wants us to, and not just imitate those
"models of manhood" who are often spiritually and emotionally
immature...?

   "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
   godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight
   of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called
   and have confessed the good confession in the presence of
   many witnesses." - 1Ti 6:12
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