Man – God's Design
by Pastor Quinton Self
Somewhere along the way we have lost sight of a man's God-given identity and the responsibilities that come along with it.
It is difficult for any man to feel empowered when his kids don't honor him and his wife doesn't respect him.
"Society at large can't make up its mind about men. Having spent the last thirty years redefining masculinity into something more sensitive, safe, manageable and, well, feminine, it now berates men for not being men. Boys will be boys, they sigh. As though if a man were to truly grow up he would forsake wilderness and wanderlust and settle down, be at home forever in Aunt Polly's parlor. 'Where are all the real men?' Is regular fare for talk shows and new books. You ask them to be women, I want to say. The result is a gender confusion never experienced at such a wide level in the history of the world. How can a man know he is one when his highest aim is minding his manners?" – John Eldredge
“In all of our boyhood dreams growing up, did we ever dream of becoming a NICE GUY?”
Was Jesus really nice?
It depends.
It is difficult for any man to feel empowered when society is constantly trying to strip away his masculinity, and when the church is trying to get him to live up to a false image that he was never designed to reflect.
Genesis 1:27 [MSG], God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female.
Genesis 2:8 [NLT], Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he planted the man he had made.
Genesis 2:18-22 [NLT], Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." ...21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.
Eve - in the garden
Adam - in the wilderness
MEN search for
- A battle to fight
- An adventure to live
- A beauty to rescue
WOMEN search for
- To be fought for
- An adventure to share
- A beauty to unveil
Pastor Quinton Self's sons
MEN
1. A battle to fight – Exodus 15:3, "the Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name."
2. An adventure to live
3. A beauty to rescue
Nehemiah 4:14 [NLT], "Don't be afraid...fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
Isaiah 62:5 [NIV], As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Proverbs 4:23 [NLT], "Guard you heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."