MAN UP BIBLE SERIES New Things Lesson One

The Real World We all have dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up. As a kid I wanted to be an astronaut. On my 10 th Birthday they walked on the moon. As a teen I wanted to be a Pro Baseball Player. As an adult I decided that I wanted to be a Salvation Army Officer. I have never regretted my decision for a life vocation especially since I was not smart enough to be an astronaut and not good enough to play Pro Baseball. But this begs an even deeper question. Why did we let go of our dreams? No kid dreams of being a wife beater or a criminal. Where are you today? Have you lived up to the dreams you had as a kid? As we start this new MAN UP series we will be focusing on New Things. In this lesson we will look at 1 John 2 and his call to live in this NEW COMMAND.

The Real Word 1 John 2:1-17New International Version (NIV) 2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God [a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.a 7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister [b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister [c] lives in the light and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.bc Reasons for Writing 12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. On Not Loving the World 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father [d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.d

Real Talk What did you want to be as a kid when you grew up? Have you stopped growing as a man? Why? Are you just going through the motions in life? Why?

Real Steps Why do we stop growing as men? 1) Lack of Effort – We just stop caring about growing. 2) Stop Trying – We do not even have the energy to try. 3) Stop being used or offering – Do not let No stop you. 4) Discouragement – Life can kick us in the gut. 5) Interference – Other things can get in our way. Signs of Growth: 1) Active in Corps – Do something great for God. 2) Devotions – Daily is a must. Even 5 minutes! 3) Bible Study – At least a chapter a day. 4) Lead someone to Christ – Evangelism keeps us sharp! 5) Self – Examination – Am I a good example? Look Inside.

Time To Close When the kids were little and growing we would track their progress of growth by making marks on the door frames at our home. It is amazing to see the growth spurts and how each child grows in their own ways as individuals. My point of telling this story? We as men all grow at our own rates, not just physically but spiritually. In 1 John we see the writer addressing believers at the three levels of growth: Children, who are still learning the basics; Young Men, who are learning to be Independent in thought and actions; Adults, Those who are making sense out of life and reproducing. This idea of reproduction is not about making earthly children but about making spiritual children. We all need to be involved in this idea of evangelism. We are to be telling others about Jesus in such a relevant way that they will want to know Jesus as well. When was the last time you lead someone to Christ? So the real question today is: Are you committed to Growth and Change in your life? We are called to be growing more like Jesus everyday. As General Gowans said it; “ The work of a moment and a lifetime.” Start today. Read the Bible, Do your devotions, Commit to making yourself a better man, father and husband. The result will be a New you! Time to MAN UP!