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A Biblical Definition of Manhood

Feb 22, 2015

Passage:1 Corinthians 15:45-47

Preacher: Rick Blackwell

Detail:

A Biblical Definition of Manhood

1 Corinthians 15:45-47 ESV

(45)  Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

(46)  But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

(47)  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.

I. Introduction

1. Last week we learned that God created men to follow his example and to lead, specifically by creating and cultivating.

2. We also learned that only an authentic personal relationship with Jesus Christ can provide us with the fuel to live out authentic manhood.

II. Three Areas of Responsibility

1.God gave man a will to obey.

  • God gave us a will greater than our own to obey.

2. God gave man a work to do.

  • Follow God’s example to create and cultivate.

3. God gave man a woman to love.

  • A companion for intimacy and fellowship.

III. First Adam/Second Adam

1. The Bible  describes Jesus as the second Adam.

Romans 5:17-19 ESV

(17)  For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

(18)  Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

(19)  For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

  • Through Adam, sin entered the world, but through Jesus, righteousness entered the world.
  • Jesus fulfilled the responsibilities of the first Adam, who failed miserably.

1 Corinthians 15:45-47 ESV

(45)  Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

(46)  But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

(47)  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.

2.  Every man will walk in the shadow of one of these two men.

3. The first Adam chose “conventional manhood.” It’s a manhood based on personal instinct, human reason, or human reaction.

4. Jesus is the example of authentic manhood.

IV. A Compelling Definition of Authentic Manhood

1. Reject Passivity.

  • Adam was passive in the garden.

Genesis 3:6 ESV

(6)  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

  • Jesus Rejected Passivity.

Php 2:5-9 ESV

(5)  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

(6)  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

(7)  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

(8)  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

(9)  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

2. Accept Responsibility.

Adam failed in three specific responsibilities that were given to him by God.

  • Jesus accepted responsibility for a will to obey.

John 4:34 ESV

(34)  Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

  • Jesus accepted responsibility for a work to do.

John 17:4 ESV

(4)  I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

  • Jesus accepted responsibility for a woman to love.

3. Lead Courageously

  • Adam failed to lead in the garden.
  •  Jesus led by providing direction for others. He told His Disciples  “follow me.”

Mat 4:19 ESV

(19)  And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

  • Jesus led by providing protection for others. He said “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11 ESV

(11)  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

  • Jesus led by providing life for others: “the first Adam became a living being; the last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 15:45 ESV

(45)  Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

4. Invest eternally.

  • Adam invested in the temporary, choosing what would satisfy him in the moment.
  • Jesus invested in the eternal. He lived it and He taught it.

Matthew 6:19-20 ESV

(19)  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

(20)  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

V. Conclusion.

1. Authentic men:

  • Reject passivity.
  • Accept responsibility.
  • Lead courageously.
  • Invest eternally.

2. It’s hopeless to live this out without the life-giving Spirit of Jesus fueling your journey