Christian men are called to be intentional warriors, embodying strength and purpose in leadership at home and church, guided by God’s Word and Spirit.
These are only preliminary, unedited outlines and may differ from Andy’s final message.
Central concept: Jesus Christ is the perfect man… certainly the perfect human, but for our purposes, the perfect male. It is much more important that Jesus was human, but his masculinity was also an essential part of his role in salvation.
I. Christ’s Key Masculine Roles
Note: the roles that follow are clearly varied in how “masculine” they are. All Christians are called on to serve; some women are excellent healers. Other roles are from time to time ascribed to women; some never are (like King). However, taken as a group, they are clearly a cluster of strongly masculine roles that Jesus played in his life and ministry. And this list is not exhaustive. One can find other roles Jesus played that are important. But these roles taken together define Jesus well as a man, not only as a human.
· Servant
· Warrior
· Prophet
· Provider
· Protector
· King
· Healer
· Counselor
· Judge
· Leader
· Builder
· Priest
II. Christ’s Key Masculine Traits
These traits are again not exclusive to men; to some degree all of them can be displayed by women in various settings. But taken together, they represent the best and purest of Jesus’ masculinity. This list is not intended to be exhaustive; there are certainly other traits that one could find to add to this list. But I was seeking attributes that mark Jesus out specifically as a man, not only as a human.
· Courage
· Strength
· Initiative
· Wisdom
· Truthfulness
· Gentleness
· Generosity
· Self-Control
· Self-Denial
· Humility
· Obedience
· Compassion
· Justice
· Faithfulness
· Holiness
· Piety
III. Matching Them Up
Roles: Servant Warrior Prophet Provider Protector King Healer Counselor Judge Leader Builder
Traits: Courage Strength Initiative Wisdom Truthfulness Gentleness Generosity Self-Control Self-Denial Humility Obedience Compassion Justice Faithfulness Holiness Piety
· Servant: Humble, Self-Denying, Faithful
· Warrior: Strong, Courageous, Self-Controlled, Just
· Leader: Wise, Purposeful, Initiating, Goal-oriented
· Healer: Compassionate, Gentle, Wise
· Prophet: Truthful, Fearless, Pious, Holy
· Provider: Generous, Self-Denying, Wise
· Protector: Strong, Courageous, Faithful
· King: Just, Wise, Compassionate, Strong, Initiating
· Counselor: Wise, Truthful, Holy, Pious, Compassionate
· Judge: Just, Wise, Faithful, Compassionate, Pious
· Builder: Faithful, Wise, Initiating, Self-Denying
· Priest: Holy, Pious, Faithful
IV. Examples of Christ in Action
· Servant: Humble, Self-Denying, Faithful
Christlike masculinity starts with a servant heart
Toxic masculinity stemmed from men abusing their roles with tyranny, but also others abandoning their roles by passivity and neglect, a Christian man embraces his roles with a servant heart.
The greatest passage on Christ’s servant heart: Philippians 2
Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
· Warrior: Strong, Courageous, Self-Controlled, Just
Christian men are called on to be warriors in the pattern of Christ.
Christian masculinity is no passive, weak thing… it requires strength, courage, determination, perseverance
Christ saw his mission as warfare
Luke 11:21-22 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.
1 John 3:8 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
Fundamentally he was waging war against the devil and demons to rescue his people from their evil attacks.
His power was overwhelming:
Matthew 8:16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Mark 5:7-10 [The demoniac of the Gadarenes] shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
Jesus was in absolute power over the demons and they were terrified of him.
Jesus’ courage:
Mark 14:32-36 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be [sore amazed and very heavy]. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Luke 22:44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
The greatest display of courage in history! Mark 14:33 reveals that Jesus was “amazed” in the Garden of Gethsemane. I contend that this means the Father revealed the Cup of his wrath more fully and powerfully than he had up to that time, and it knocked Jesus to the ground. He was willing to drink it for our salvation… awesome courage!
Jesus’ astonishing self-control:
Matthew 26:67-68 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
Jesus had no “fits of rage”… ever.
His power as a warrior was always under control and just… perfectly righteous.
As Good Shepherd, his power was used to protect his sheep from their enemies:
John 10:11-13 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
Contrast this with Adam’s abdication:
Genesis 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to serve it and protect it.
Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Adam should have gotten out in front of that situation and protected his wife, his future children and the entire planet from the serpent’s temptations.
Jesus, the Second Adam, is not like him. He is the Good Shepherd who gets out in front of the sheep to protect them from all harm.
Example:
John 18:3-9 Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 “I told you that I am,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Amazing! Jesus gets out in front of his disciples, protecting them from being arrested that night lest they be tempted beyond what they could bear.
Christian men are WARRIORS… but we understand the nature of the warfare is spiritual:
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Christian warriors fight to advance in the Two Journeys… seeking to win the lost:
Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Seeking also to grow in holiness. Some of the warfare is within ourselves:
Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
In caring for others, Christian men are called on to be courageous warriors.
Christian husbands need to protect their wives and children from all harm.
This starts by providing physically and economically for them:
Ephesians 5:28-30 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church– 30 for we are members of his body.
1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
It also means protecting them in this dangerous world:
1 Samuel 25:15-16 these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them.
It means being mindful of the weakness and needs of the littlest entrusted to their care:
Genesis 33:13-14 Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. 14 So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children
Discussion:
1) How does Christ display a warrior nature?
2) How is Christ’s warfare different than that of worldly soldiers?
3) How is a Christian man called to be a warrior?
4) How does that not degenerate into abusive tyranny?
· Leader: Wise, Purposeful, Initiating, Goal-oriented
Christian men are called on to be leaders in their homes and in the church.
Some men leave leadership to others, passively “going with the flow” or selfishly seeking pleasure or entertainment or fleshly goals. Biblical manhood is a very intentional thing, and no one was as intentional with his life or daily purpose than Jesus.
1) He knew why he had entered the world.
John 18:37 Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
2) He spoke often of his overall mission.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
3) That led to a strong sense of daily purpose.
Luke 4:42-44 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Luke 13:32-33 Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox (Herod), ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day– for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Luke 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
John 4:4 Now he had to go through Samaria.
[Note: Jesus was going from Judea to Galilee; but the usual route was not through Samaria. The reason he HAD TO go through Samaria was the Samaritan woman at the well, and her village!]
4) Jesus had a very strong “work ethic”
John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
John 5:17 Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”
John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
[Note: this last verse gives a strong sense of urgency to Jesus’ life. He knew he had very limited time.]
5) Jesus’ works were constantly dictated by the Father’s will
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
6) And he achieved all of his purposes
John 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
7) As a strong, directional leader, he called people to follow him
Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 8:21-22 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Summing up: Christlike masculinity means a strong sense of overall purpose to life, and a daily direction and lesser purposes that fit into the overall purpose. This purpose must come from God through his Word and his Spirit… God’s call on his life. It leads to a strong work ethic and daily direction and purpose. Such a man will be a leader whom others will follow.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
· Healer: Compassionate, Gentle, Wise
Christ was the greatest healer of all time:
Matthew 4:24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.
Christian masculinity should seek to imitate Christ as a healer, especially since he couched salvation in therapeutic terms… sin was a disease from which sinners need to be healed.
Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
This “office” with its attributes is a good balance to the others studied today: warrior and leader.
Jesus’ healings were: effortless, perfectly effective, instantaneous, varied, free.
They were said to be a display of his wisdom, not just his power:
Mark 6:2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!
In other words, he “knew how” to heal sick people… he was not merely some conduit of mindless power.
When it comes to healing sin-sick souls, however, it required the greatest combination of wisdom, gentleness, and power. The clearest text on this is Matthew 12, quoting Isaiah 42:
Matthew 12:17-21 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
The images of a bruised reed and smoldering wick refer to human beings in various conditions of fragility in their sinful conditions. Both are pictures of weakness. A bruised reed is dangling by a slender green thread, the weakest living plant on earth. The fact that he does not break the bruised reed but rather binds it up and heals it is a stunning combination of gentleness and wisdom.
So also with the smoldering wick… it is just about to be extinguished. He breathes on it gently and skillfully, building it up until it is a hot and strong flame.
Richard Sibbes, in his classic treatment on this passage, wrote this
“The bruised reed is a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and by misery he is brought to see sin as the cause of it, for, whatever pretenses sin makes, they come to an end when we are bruised and broken. He is sensible of sin and misery, even unto bruising; and, seeing no help in himself, is carried with restless desire to have supply from another, with some hope, which a little raises him out of himself to Christ, though he dare not claim any present interest of mercy. This spark of hope being opposed by doubtings and fears rising from corruption makes him as smoking flax; so that both these together, a bruised reed and smoking flax, make up the state of a poor distressed man. This is such an one as our Saviour Christ terms `poor in spirit’ (Matt. 5:3)”
Sibbes says meekness and gentleness affected the way Christ carried out his offices as prophet, priest, and king:
“See the gracious way he executes his offices. As a prophet, he came with blessing in his mouth, `Blessed are the poor in spirit’ (Matt. 5:3), and invited those to come to him whose hearts suggested most exceptions against themselves, `Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden’ (Matt. 11:28). How did his heart yearn when he saw the people `as sheep having no shepherd’ (Matt. 9:36)! He never turned any back again that came to him, though some went away of themselves. He came to die as a priest for his enemies. In the days of his flesh he dictated a form of prayer unto his disciples, and put petitions unto God into their mouths, and his Spirit to intercede in their hearts. He shed tears for those that shed his blood, and now he makes intercession in heaven for weak Christians, standing between them and God’s anger. He is a meek king; he will admit mourners into his presence, a king of poor and afflicted persons. As he has beams of majesty, so he has a heart of mercy and compassion. He is the prince of peace (Isa. 9:6).”
We see Jesus dealing very wisely with weak sinners, though differently in every case:
1) With the sinful woman wetting Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair, he accepts that and ennobles her in front of Simon the Pharisee, saying that her faith has canceled her debt:
Luke 7:47-50 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven– for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
2) With Zacchaeus, he allows him to pledge financial remuneration to the poor and those he has defrauded or plundered.
3) With the man born blind in John 9, he heals him, and then goes back to speak with him a second time to secure his faith.
4) With the Samaritan woman, he talks to her about living water, her sinful marital life, and true worship.
5) With the rich young ruler, he challenges him: “One thing you lack” and commands him to sell everything, give to the poor so he can have treasure in heaven, then follow him.
6) With the Syro-Phoenician woman who has the demon-possessed daughter, he challenges her with a test of humility: “It’s not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
7) With the woman with the bleeding problem, he asks “Who touched me?” then says “Your faith has healed you, go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
8) With Jairus, he says, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe and your daughter will be healed.”
Every sinner is different, and Jesus was a wise, strong, gentle, and skillful healer of souls, not just bodies.
Sibbes also argues that we continue as “bruised reeds and smoldering flaxes” throughout our lives as Christians. Grace begins small at first in someone’s life and grows by degrees. Christian leaders should therefore deal wisely, gently, and patiently with those entrusted to their care. We should imitate the Great Physician in dealing with consummate skill, patience, gentleness, and wisdom with sinners entrusted to us… our wives, children, other church members, people we are discipling.
