Sermons From The Old Testament - Prove Yourself A Man

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                         "PROVE YOURSELF A MAN"

                             1 Kings 2:1-3

INTRODUCTION

1. As David was about to die, he charged his son Solomon...
   a. To be strong
   b. To prove himself to be a man
   c. To keep the commandments of the Lord - cf. 1Ki 2:1-3

2. Solomon was blessed to have a godly father...
   a. A man after God's own heart
   b. About whom he could later fondly reminisce
   c. Who gave him counsel on how to be a man - cf. Pr 4:3-9

3. Many men today are not so blessed...
   a. Some are without fathers, either through death or divorce
   b. Some have fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership

[Where can they go to learn what it means to "Prove Yourself A Man"?
One source is Solomon himself, who has provided wisdom and guidance for
all men in the Bible.  For example, if you were his son, he would
say...]

I. TAKE HEED TO YOUR COUNSELORS

   A. FEAR GOD...
      1. Such is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom- Pr 1:7; 9:10
      2. It will prolong one's days, being a fountain of life - Pro
         10:27; 14:26-27
      3. It is the whole meaning of one's existence - Ec 8:12; 12:13
      -- Therefore let the Word of God be your primary counselor in life

   B. LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS...
      1. Their advice will be like graceful ornaments around your neck
         - Pr 1:8-9
      2. Their advice can guide you through life - Pr 6:20-22
      -- Benefit from the wisdom of those more experienced who love you

   C. BEWARE OF EVIL COMPANIONS...
      1. They will entice you to do evil - Pr 1:10-14
      2. They will only destroy you along with themselves - Pr 1:15-19;
         13:20
      -- Choose your friends carefully, for evil company can corrupt
         - cf. 1Co 15:33

[If you were Solomon's son, he would also counsel you to...]

II. TAKE HEED TO YOUR GOALS

   A. SEEK WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING...
      1. Seek for wisdom as you would seek for silver - Pr 2:1-9
      2. It will protect you from the evil man and woman - Pr 2:10-22
      3. It will be a tree of life, a source of wonderful blessings
         - Pr 3:13-24
      4. As his own father told Solomon, wisdom is the principle thing
         - Pr 4:3-13
      -- Thus the acquisition of godly wisdom should be a priority in
         life

   B. ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S ROLE IN YOUR LIFE...
      1. Trust in Him and let Him direct your paths - Pr 3:5-6
      2. Fear Him, and honor Him with your possessions - Pr 3:7-10
      3. Accept His chastisement in your life - Pr 3:11-12
      4. Let the Lord be your confidence, and He will bless you - Pro
         3:25-35
      -- As Jesus said, seek first His kingdom and righteousness - cf.
         Mt 6:33

[Such are the things involved in proving oneself to be a real man (cf. 1
Kin 2:2-3).  If Solomon were your father, he would also counsel you to
regarding the opposite sex...]

III. TAKE HEED TO YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

   A. AVOID THE HARLOT...
      1. The woman who would entice you, but destroy you in the end
         - Pr 5:1-14
      2. The adulteress who would destroy your reputation and
         friendships - Pr 6:23-35
      3. Who destroys even strong men through her seductions - Pro
         7:1-27
      -- A single act of passion can alter and destroy one's life!

   B. LOVE YOUR WIFE...
      1. Rejoice and be enraptured with the wife of your youth - Pro
         5:15-19
      2. The Lord will know those who look elsewhere for love - Pr 5:
         20-23
      3. The Lord would have you live joyfully with your wife - Ec 9:9
      -- God loves marriage, and will bring to judgment those who defile
         it - cf. He 13:4

[Finally, if Solomon were your father, he would have you "Prove Yourself
A Man" by counseling you to...]

IV. TAKE HEED TO YOUR CHARACTER

   A. AVOID DEBT AND SLOTH...
      1. Debt enslaves, especially when cosigning for another - Pr 6:
         1-5; 17:18
      2. Laziness will bring poverty - Pr 6:6-11; 10:4; 13:4
      -- So Christians are to be industrious, and avoid indebtedness
         - cf. Ro 12:11; 13:8

   B. KNOW WHAT IS AN ABOMINATION...
      1. There are things that God hates - Pr 6:16-19; 8:13
      2. Even our worship can be an abomination - Pr 15:8; 28:9
      -- Thus we need to know what is the Father's will that pleases Him
         - cf. Mt 7:21-23

CONCLUSION

1. Other points could be made, but these go a long way to proving one to
   be a man...
   a. Taking heed to one's counselors (who will you listen to?)
   b. Taking heed to one's goals (what will you do?)
   c. Taking heed to one's relationships (who will you love?)
   d. Taking heed to your character (whom will you become?)

2. If we have earthly fathers who offer spiritual guidance in becoming
   men...
   b. Thank God for such a wonderful blessing!
   b. Benefit from the counsel and instruction they offer!

3. But if we do not have such fathers...
   a. Remember that you have a Heavenly Father - Ps 68:5
   b. One who has provided much guidance and counsel in His Word - cf.
      Josh 1:8

Let the Word of God, passed down, preserved, and proven by generations
of fathers and sons, be your guide to "Prove Yourself A Man"...
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