Sermon Notes for Saturday Morning at Pineview Church Men’s Conference
Posted on Apr 17, 2010 at 6:25 am under Sermon Notes.
Show Yourself a Man
1 Kings 2:1-4 (NKJV)
Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:
2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove/show yourself a man.
3 “And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;
4 “that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
The character of Manhood
1. David makes Solomon understand that manhood involves a certain character: a demonstration of strength. Develop a godly character and obey what God has said.
The context of Manhood
The way in which Solomon is to work out this commitment to God will be masculine. It will be within the context of leading, providing and protecting.
In verses 5-9 Joab’s unlawful killing of two of David’s commanders is going to require a response from Solomon that involves avenging this act. [Braveheart]
1 Kings 2:5-9 (NKJV)
“Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet.
6 “Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
8 “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
9 “Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”
David’s instruction has a particularly masculine context to it. Most of us know this intuitively. A noise outside, “honey, go see what that is.” Biblical manhood is lived out in a particular manner.
The content of Manhood
What does this look like? How is a man, in his home, supposed to express his masculinity as the leader?
VISION: This is where we are going: You as the man of God are the primary keeper of the vision. Sit down and ask, what do we want this thing to look like 10-15 years from now?
DIRECTION: This is how we get there: The details of the vision. Daily, weekly and monthly steps.
INSTRUCTION: Let me show you how: Rehearse possible scenarios with your children and/or wife.
IMITATION: Watch me: This is the heart of leadership. A good leader says with the apostle Paul, “Follow me inasmuch as I follow Christ.” Make restitution when you sin and fall.
INSPIRATION: You are responsible for the morale. [This is a great church family; this is a great family?]
AFFIRMATION: Your doing great: Everyone and I mean everyone needs affirmation and they need it from the leader. Encourage and inspire; Pull them aside and bless them!
EVALUATION: How are we doing? This is the hardest one. Potential criticism? Must listen even when it hurts!?
Prov 27:6 (HCSB) 6 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
Prov 26:28 (HCSB)28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Prov 28:23 (HCSB)23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Prov 29:5 (HCSB)5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
CORRECTION: Let’s make a change: Evaluation is no good unless you agree on a plan to make the needed corrections. Initiate this process NOW….It is a vital and necessary part of good leadership.
PROTECTION AND PROVISION: I will take care of you: This is to be done with the intention of communicating that “I will never leave you. I will spend my last drop of energy and love and life taking care of you and I can be counted on by God’s grace.”
Life will happen to us, but our families must know we will be there for them.
THE CHRIST-LIKENESS OF MANHOOD
Solomon ultimately failed to “show himself a man.” This should teach us all to not blindly follow man, but to always follow Christ.
Just a few chapters later in 1 Kings 9-11 we find that Solomon has violated nearly every command Moses gave to kings in Deuteronomy 17. A vast contrast from the perfections of Christ to the failures of Solomon.
Let us be willing to embrace the characteristics of biblical manhood to lead, provide and protect. Don’t wait for a worldly endorsement and do not embrace the feminized version of man espoused by our culture.
Hear the words of a father to a son and “show yourself a man.”
Sources:
The Word
Dr. Randy L. Stinson
Southern Seminary Magazine Winter 2005
Unlocking Your Legacy by Paul J. Meyer
Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell