A FEW GOOD MEN Ezekiel 22:30 I Thess. 2:7-12

I. A FEW GOOD MEN HAVE LEARNED THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF MANHOOD

A. THEY HAVE LEARNED A TRUE BIBLICAL SALVATION “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6 “For by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

WE MEN TRY TO BE IN CONTROL TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN It is part of a woman’s nature to place themselves in someone else’s hands, but it is not that way for men. “And said, Verily I say unto you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 Like children, we have to have the attitude of trust.

A BIBLICAL MAN UNDERSTANDS… his strength comes from. Isaiah 40:30, 31 his salvation in the Lord, and where his daily supply comes from. Philippians 4:19 Where he can get sound wisdom. James 1:5 Manhood does not exist without His salvation, his relationship with God. He is depended on the Holy Spirit’s power and authority to direct his life.

B. THEY HAVE LEARNED A REAL BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP Leadership begins with putting the flesh in subjection to the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16, 17; 2:20 He realizes when his flesh is under control he will be a better leader for his family. Ephesians 5:23 Headship isn’t being the big boss. Headship is loving leadership.

MEN AND WOMEN ARE EQUAL The woman is the “weaker vessel.” This is a compliment She is not less valuable, rather, she is more fragile, and in need of strong, yet loving leadership. The leadership of a man is a responsibility. EXAMPLE Eli could run the temple, but could not run his family. I Samuel 3:13 David could run his kingdom, but could not run his family. I Kings 1:5, 6

C. THEY HAVE LEARNED TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church…” Ephesians 5:25 “Love” More than affection More than an emotional feeling or satisfaction You will seek the welfare and happiness of the person we are going to love, and lead them lovingly. This means that my effort will be to make the object of my love happy, secure, and comfortable.

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” WHEN A BIBLICAL MAN LOVES HIS WIFE AND FAMILY HE REALIZES THEY ARE A PART OF A GREATER FELLOWSHIP, THE CHURCH “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Ephesians 5:25 “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30

II. A FEW GOOD MEN HAVE LEARNED THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF FATHERHOOD

WHAT IS FATHERHOOD? I Thessalonians 2:7-12

A. THEY ARE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO GENUINELY LOVE “We loved you so much.” I Thess. 2:8 Intensity of love that gives over and over again. Husbands are to “love their wives,” because we have to learn how to love. Wives are told to “respect” their husbands.

FATHERHOOD BEST EXAMPLE Heavenly Father BEST STORY TO SHOW Prodigal Son Most people experience what the prodigal son experienced. We think we know it all and have it all figured out. Before we could get it all figured out his father ran out and put his arms around him to assure his son of his love.

B. THEY LEARN TO LIVE A TRANSPARENT LIFE “We loved you so much that we delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well.” v. 8 The connection between “gospel” and “lives” It is one thing to hear the gospel, but another thing to live it Paul was saying, “When we lived among you we not only told you the good news, we modeled if for you by how we lived.”

C. THEY HAVE LEARNED AN UNSELFISH DILIGENCE “You remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” v. 9 WE TEACH IN TWO WAYS By example By letting the children have an opportunity to do things.

D. THEY HAVE LEARNED TO HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.” v. 12 A father encourages, comforts and urges his children to live lives worthy of God. A positive influence, not a negative one