Biblical Manhood

Since we shared the sermon of Biblical Womanhood in a previous article, I thought it only made sense to share Min. Voddie Baucham's sermon on "Biblical Manhood".

In this sermon, Min. Baucham discusses:

• For six days of creation, everything God created was "good".  The first thing God said was "not good" was for a man not to have a woman.  It doesn't mean that every man must be married, yet it does mean that marriage is the preferred condition. Even Jesus is engaged to His Bride.
• When God created woman, Adam called her "ishshah" (woman) because she came "out from man" ("iysh").  In this act, Adam claimed Eve as his own and as part of himself.
• The world defines manhood based on performance by the "3 B's": the ball field, the bedroom, and by the billfold.  We don't need men who will strive to be another ball player.  We need men with trained minds who can be warriors for Christ.
• In order for a male to be a "man", he must be committed to:
• God-honoring labor - God put man in the Garden to work and keep it.  Hard work is not a product of the fall, man's attitude toward work is a product of the fall.
• God's law - God gave Adam a law about not partaking of the knowledge of the tree of good and evil.  By giving the law to Adam, it was also Adam's responsibility to teach the law to Eve. 
• A biblical view of family - Society teaches men that marriage is to be avoided like the plague. Men should have a priority in their minds that they are preparing to be a husband and father in order to raise up Godly children.
• God's judgment against Adam for sin was not because he ate of the fruit of the tree, but because he listened to the voice of the woman instead of following what God had commanded.  His fault before God was that he did not exercise the headship he was given.
• Headship of the husband was not a product of the fall, but was established by God before the fall. One, because God made Adam first and Eve was made for the man (I Corinthians 11:8-12).  Also, Adam named all of the animals as an example of his preeminence over them, however he also named Eve (Genesis 2:23).  Further, the fall didn't come through the sin of Eve, but the sin of Adam (Romans 5:12).
• There is no concept of dating in Scripture like we see today.  Fathers think it is acceptable to give their daughter into the care of a 17 year old boy to be taken out, but wouldn't think of doing the same with a $200,000 car.  Society teaches men to value their possessions even over their own daughters.
• Married or not, a man is called to honor his family...whether it is the family of his parents or his own.

What Do I Know?

When faced with a situation that I do not understand, I have often been quick to say "What do I know?"  It was my way of sort of throwing up my hands in resignation and reminding myself that I know nothing; that I have no answers in & of myself.  

Yet yesterday in my prayer time, as I once again pondered inwardly, "I don't know anything"; God reminded me of a statement by Paul.

"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." I Corinthians 2:2

God impressed upon me that it might feel really humble to say "I know nothing", but it was an incomplete thought and therefore not fully Biblical.  There was in fact something which I should and must know: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

Turning From A Spirit of Whoredoms

A Call for Virtuous Womanhood

As I reflected on God's will for young girls last week, I considered my own daughters.  It has been a joy to see God's grace as they grow up with discretion and virtue; yet I also know that - as a society - we have strayed far from God's standards. 

The first thing which came to my mind is how fathers give their daughters away in marriage.  While this is a part of marriage ceremonies today, it has mostly lost its significance. 

The reason why the father presents the daughter at the wedding is because it signifies her being given from his household to the household of her husband.  A young girl was to be under the care/authority of her father until she married, at which point she would come under the care/authority of her husband. 

This was not something to be done just in "Bible days"; nor was it intended to limit the young ladies.  It reflects the protection and covering of patriarchy, a blessing God gives as a reflection of Himself amongst His people. It gives an identity to the family, which is why family members take on the last name of the father (patriarch).  Such is also why the woman replaces her father's last name with her husband's in marriage.

Now, the things which God has given for our benefit, are the very things we despise...because of sin. Today, young ladies cannot wait to leave the home of their parents; to be independent and on their own.  Women often bristle at what should be the honor of taking their husband's last name in marriage.  Many simply append the husband's name to their own in order to retain their own individuality/independence.  Yet these are the poisonous fruit of feminism; it promises a bright, shiny red apple which looks pleasant and able to make one wise, but once bitten it brings death.

Act Like Men

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." I Corinthians 16:13

The phrase "quit you like men"  or "Act Like Men" is the Greek word andrizomai which means "to make a man of, to show one's self to be a man, to be brave."   This phrase was part of the theme of the men's conference Pastor Zac Poonen held in Loveland, Colorado this past weekend.  This other portion of the conference addressed Satan's Tactics.

Links to the list of various discussions, as well as a summary of the lessons, are listed below.  While this message was delivered primarily for men, there are many nuggets of wisdom which could benefit all.

Messages From Heaven or Hell?

Holy Apparitions or Unholy Aberrations

In a previous article, we examined the Biblical example of Mary, the mother of Jesus contrasted with the "other" Mary some in the churchworld attempt to promote.

Posted below is a documentary by Jim Tetlow entitled "Messages from Heaven" which examines worldwide apparitions of a young woman who claims to be Mary, the "Queen of Heaven".  During these visitations, it is not uncommon for there to be men or women who serve as "seers"/ "visionaries" channeling messages from "Mary" to the rest of the world.

This video examines:

• What is behind the increase in marian apparitions in what is called the "Millennial age of Mary"? (Part 1)
• The supernatural evidences which accompany these visitations such as healings, paintings of her which weep oil, tears, or blood, and turning silver rosaries into gold. (Part 1)
• What are the words of this "Mary"?  In the end times, does God really "step in with Mary as the Commander and Chief of all of His forces" to usher in a time of "peace & goodness"? (Part 2)

This last video is an interview with Jim Tetlow regarding his book "Queen of Rome, Queen of Islam, Queen of All" which examines the role "Mary" will play in uniting the world into one ecumenical religion.

I & II Thessalonians

Click here to hear Pastor Zac Poonen's sermon on the Books of I and II  Thessalonians, which is summarized below:

I Thessalonians - The Gift of Godly Ministry in Preparing Us for the Second Coming of Christ

• True repentance is to turn from idols to God
• An idol is anything in your life that takes the place of God
• Paul outlines the gift of a holy, just, and blameless ministry:
• They do not speak to please men, but God. 
  
• They don't use flattering words to appeal to the people.
  
• They never preach for the purpose of making money.
• They do not seek glory or honor from others
• They do not assert their authority in order to compel people
•  Their love for the people was shown in gentleness towards them and pouring out their lives in service to them.
•  They worked hard night and day so as not to be a financial burden on the people.
• It is not just the message preached, but the way one lives which demonstrates the Gospel.
•  A true servant of God is like a mother and father; both gentle and nurturing as well as providing discipline and correction.
• Even though Satan was able to hinder some of Paul's ministerial efforts, Satan could never hinder God's purpose.  So it is with us as well.
• A servant of God finds joy in the spiritual development of those whom he serves.
• Holiness is increasing in love for one another and is how we are established unblameable in before God.  
• It is our responsibility to possess our bodies in sanctification and honor.
• If our ambition is to please God, then we must study to be quiet, mind our own business, and work with our own hands to earn a living.
• There is no secret coming of Christ.  He comes immediately after the tribulation with a shout and the trump of God.  Then, the dead in Christ will rise and those who are alive will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds.
• Jesus only comes as a thief in the night for those who are in darkness. 
• What does it mean to be asleep?  When we sleep, the things that are real around us seem unreal.  Conversely, the things that are unreal seem real. 
• We must highly appreciate our elders and those who labor in the faith.
• Man is a trinity just like God with a spirit, soul, and body.