MANLY TRAITS WE MIGHT MISS
1 Corinthians 16:10-15 (KJV)
Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Let all your things be done with charity.
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
Stuck right in the middle of the Apostle’s closing salutations and commendations, we find verses 13 and 14 where the Bible says, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Let all your things be done with charity.”
I’ve taken a few weeks now to try to focus on this phrase, “quit you like me.”
What does that mean?
How does a man quit himself?
The entire phrase comes from one Greek work that means, “to act manly.”
It’s a term used only once in the New Testament but finds a correlative term in the Old Testament that is translated. “play the man.”
It seems to me that the best example of manliness is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
· I brought one lesson meant to establish that Jesus is 100% man
· I brought a second lesson pointing out that Jesus was very manly
In this lesson I want to point out some manly qualities of Jesus Christ that are less valued in our day but nonetheless valuable for the Christian.
*I. JESUS WAS HUMBLE
Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
There is no reason we can’t be strong, manly, and still humble.
The Bible says God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.[1]
The Bible also says, humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.[2]
A humble person is in control of his spirit.
· Anger
· Pride
· Selfishness
All men have these passions but a humble person is in control of them.
A humble person doesn’t have to be first all the time.
He can happily give to the needs of his family and others.
A humble person isn’t always thinking about himself.
He can give the praise and credit, first to the Lord, and then to others.
*II. JESUS WAS SUBMISSIVE
Hebrews 5:8 (KJV)
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
John 17:4 (KJV)
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Almost every Christian man I know, at one time or another, has wrestled with the idea that he is:
· The king of the Castle
· The head of the home
· The top dog at the house
And he treats his wife and kids accordingly.
There is nothing unscriptural about being submissive to the needs and desires of your wife and kids.
Anyone who wants to be a good leader must first be a good follower.
Last Sunday night I used the illustration of soldiers in formation. Everyone has an assigned place. No place is better or worse – its just their place.
Afterword someone said to me, “It would have been a lot easier if some of our officers knew that their places was not better than ours.”
If a man has never been a good follower, he does not know that, even as a leader, he is no better than those under him.
*III. JESUS WAS LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE
Matthew 9:36 (KJV)
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
We can be too and still be men.
Abraham Lincoln led the United States through one of the most difficult times in the history of our country.
He was frequently frustrated during the war that he was not able to find a General who would fight. He knew that in order to win the war and save the Union, they had to be decisive and strong.
At the same time, he was well known to give amnesty to both Union and Confederate soldiers facing court martial.
General U.S. Grant was just the man Lincoln was looking for. He locked on to the Confederates like a bulldog and, regardless of cost, pressed the battle until Robert E. Lee was forced to surrender.
But when he realized that Lee must surrender soon, he requested a meeting with Lincoln. His desire was to let them surrender under the friendliest of terms.
These were strong, manly men – and at the same time, compassionate.
*IV. JESUS WAS GIVING
Matthew 15:32-33 (KJV)
Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
Let me give you something to contemplate as a mark of true manliness.
True manliness is someone who has the ability to take,but chooses to give.
God has created men to be conquerors -to subdue the earth and replenish it.
A real man has the ability to do that.
But he chooses, for the sake of others, to give rather than take.
*V. JESUS WAS FORGIVING
Matthew 9:2 (KJV)
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
John 8:11 (KJV)
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
There is no reason to hold a grudge against another.
· No matter what it is they have done to you.
· No matter how badly it might hurt.
It does not help to hold that root of bitterness inside your soul.
Hebrews 12:15 (KJV)
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
The only one hurt by an unforgiving heart is the one who will not forgive.
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