1. Biblical Manhood

2. Reduction or Production  …Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. (Ge 2:20).  But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” (Ge 3:9).  I heard the sound  Reduction of God’s Presence  I was afraid  Reduction of man’s Position  I was naked  Reduction of God’s Provision  I hid myself  Reduction of man’s Potential

3. Reduction or Production  …The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Ge 15:1).  “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Ge 22:1)  And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation (Ge 46:2-3).  “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” (I Sam 3:9f)  …I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Is. 6:8)

4. The Courage to respond…  Be Conceptual  Manhood & Vision  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pe 1:13).  The more short sighted the vision the more immediate the felt need, and the more difficult to move beyond felt needs; the greater the vision the more appropriate the reaction to the felt needs.  Eg. Action/Attitude/Work/Speech (Ephesians 4:25-32)

5. The Courage to respond…  Be Connected  Manhood & Church  Heb 10:19-25 … let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Col 3:12-15…Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful

6. The Courage to respond…  Be Content  Manhood & Money (Romans 13:8-10)  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

7. The Courage to respond…  Be Committed  Manhood & Family (Ephesians 5:22-33 & Col. 3:18-4:1)

8. The Courage to respond…  Be Contrite  Manhood and Righteousness  (Micah 6:6-8) With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

9. The Courage to respond…  Be Concerned  Manhood & The Needs of Others Jas 1:27. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

10. The Courage to respond…  Be Controlled  Manhood & Legacy (I Cor. 11:1; I Tim. 2:1-7; 3:1-8; 2 Tim 1:5-7)  Ps. 127.. Unless the Lord builds the house, // those who build it labor in vain. // Unless the Lord watches over the city, // the watchman stays awake in vain.// It is in vain that you rise up early// and go late to rest,// eating the bread of anxious toil; // for he gives to his beloved sleep. // Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, // the fruit of the womb a reward. // Like arrows in the hand of a warrior // are the children of one’s youth. // Blessed is the man // who fills his quiver with them! // He shall not be put to shame // when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

11. The Courage to respond… Be Conceptual  Manhood and Vision Be Connected  Manhood and Church Be Content  Manhood and Money Be Committed  Manhood and Family Be Contrite  Manhood and Righteousness Be Concerned  Manhood and Needs of Others Be Controlled  Manhood and Legacy