The Quest for Authentic Manhood “Saddle Up!” For the Second Half Session 14

VISION Vision is critical to authentic manhood!

PRESUPPOSITIONS 1.Manhood is in a state of confusion. 2.Confused men create major problems. 3.Confused men settle for less. 4.There is no lofty vision of manhood that is compelling to men today. 5.The Bible has insight and answers to all of the above.

How blessed is the man who delights in the word of God. He will be like a tree firmly planted, whose leaf does not wither … and whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1

PROMISES 1.You will have a clear definition of manhood. 2.You will make some significant personal discoveries about yourself. 3.You will make new friends. 4.You will learn a new manhood language. 5.You will have a personalized plan for achieving authentic manhood.

UNPACKING WOUNDS 1.The Absent Father Wound 2.The Overly-Bonded with Mother Wound 3.The All Alone Wound 4.The Heart Wound

YOU CAN HARDEN IN YOUR WOUNDEDNESS

Stage 1 Every man begins life without God. His nature is selfish and self-centered. Stage 2 As a son … Every man suffers hurts (small or large) growing up. Hardened in Woundedness

Stage 3 As a young man … He constructs his manhood from these selfish and wounded perspectives. Often he uses his woundedness as energy to fuel and excuse his own excessive or evil behaviors. Hardened in Woundedness

Stage 4 As a man … He is driven by these forces he doesn’t understand and refuses to examine. Circumstances and others are blamed for his problems and failures. This approach to life creates pain for himself and for those around him. Hardened in Woundedness

Stage 5 Wealthy men often seek to buy their way out of their pain. Other men seek to escape their pain with drugs, alcohol, porn, TV, affairs, sports, etc. Both continue to refuse to admit the truth about themselves. Hardened in Woundedness

Stage 6 In time … selfish and wounded manhood hardens. As a man grows old, life becomes small (me), empty, mundane, bitter, or reckless. Hardened in Woundedness

YOU CAN BE DELIVERED FROM YOUR WOUNDEDNESS

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Discovers the truth about himself; Recognizes his selfish, godless nature; Accepts responsibility for his life and problems; Stops blaming others; Grieves over his losses in life and poor choices. Delivered From Woundedness

Discovers the truth about himself; Recognizes his selfish, godless nature; Accepts responsibility for his life and problems; Stops blaming others; Grieves over his losses in life and poor choices. Turns to faith in Jesus Christ for help Delivered From Woundedness

``And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. ``Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. ``So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luke 15:13-15 (NASB) The Story of Manhood

``And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. ``But when he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! `I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ``Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.''' Luke 15:16-19 (NASB) The Story of Manhood

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced, him and kissed him. ``And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' ``But the father said to his slaves, `Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; Luke 15:20-22 (NASB) The Story of Manhood

and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:23-24 (NASB) The Story of Manhood

Discovers the truth about himself; Recognizes his selfish, godless nature; Accepts responsibility for his life and problems; Stops blaming others; Grieves over his losses in life and poor choices. Turns to faith in Jesus Christ for help BornAgain Pursues a new life with Christ: Hope Hope Health Health Happiness Happiness Delivered From Woundedness

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS 1.Rather than numbing out to his wounds or being enraged by them, the new man in Christ unpacks them. He embraces these hurts, feels them, and deals with them in appropriate ways. 2.Rather than blaming others for his life, the new man in Christ accepts personal responsibility for it. 3.Rather than ignoring the masculinity of Jesus Christ, the new man in Christ becomes eager to pursue it. And as he does, a new manhood emerges.