Men's Fraternity Week 4

Men’s Fraternity
Week #4 The Four Faces of Manhood

• Men are often viewed as one-dimensional. (We can’t be just the provider)
• Many believe the multi-dimensional man is a thing of the past.
• The balance God is seeking is a man of strength and love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

THE FOUR FACES OF MANHOOD:

1. King (ruler)
2. Warrior (protector)
3. Lover (romantic)
4. Friend

• These four faces bring out the honorable and positive aspects of manhood.

A. The King Face, righteous energy.

• Strong convictions. (actions speak louder than words)
• Courageous moral choices. (especially when alone)
• Servant spirit. (a willingness to serve humbly)
• Righteous leadership. (create order in the midst of chaos)
• Provides direction for others.
• Loves what is right.

Too much of these aspects and we become dictators, too little makes us wishy-washy and unreliable.

Luke 20:1-8
One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

• Without the King Face a man will resort to either being divisive or passive.
• With the King Face a man will be a blessing to those who follow Him.

Proverbs 20:7
The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!

• To sum up the King Face is to say it is “leading with integrity”.

You’re not always right, humble yourself when wrong, learn from your mistakes.

B. The Warrior Face, courageous energy:

• Courage (taking initiative—standing firm)
• Initiative (be a difference maker)
• Protection
• Provision
• Perseverance (don’t give up)

Jesus as Warrior:

Luke 4:1-13
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Paul as Warrior:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Group Questions:
When you think of the way you typically live out your lfe as a man, which of the two faces of manhood we talked about today do you struggle with most, righteousness or courage? Why do you suppose that is true? What is a caricature or manhood that you picked up early in life?

How has your integrity been challenged? When it is challenged do you typically react more as a “tough guy” or as a ‘compromiser?’

When it comes to areas in which you must act in courage how do you typically respond? When you do step out courageously, do people see you as acting too strong or too lightly?

Consider the gospels and share a story of the life of Jesus where He exhibited either righteousness or courage. Share it with the group and what you have learned from His action.