Raising our Boys to become Real Men – Part 4

Maud church of Christby Jim BradshawSunday Morning, June 9, 2013

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Raising our Boys to Become Real Men1Ti 3:4-7 NKJV one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (5) (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the

church of God?); (6) not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. (7)

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Rules His own Household Well

The original word translated manage literally means “to stand before.”

Household includes all who live under a persons house. Not just kids, wives also.

A man should manage his house with dignity (ESV), but what is dignity?

Dignity

True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions; opposed to meanness. In this sense, we speak of the dignity of mind, and dignity of sentiments. This dignity is based on moral rectitude; all vice is incompatible with true dignity of mind. The man who deliberately injures another, whether male or female, has no true dignity of soul. (Webster’s 1828)

Submissive ChildrenThe best way for a boy to learn to have his own submissive children is to teach a child to honor and obey his parents.

Eph 6:1-4 NKJV Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER," which is the first commandment with promise: (3) "THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU AND YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH." (4) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Submissive ChildrenEph 5:17-21 NKJV Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (20) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (21) submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Submissive ChildrenPhp 2:3-8 NKJV Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Not A Recent Convert

One is not a true “real man” until he is a Christian.

What should be the most important goal for a Christian parent?

To raise their children to become Christians

How do we best accomplish this goal?

Their Friends are Important

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

A Good Testimony by Outsiders

1Pe 3:15-18 NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (18) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

A Good Testimony by OutsidersHow do we receive a good report by those outside of Christ?

Mat 7:12 NKJV Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Hold Firm to the Trustworthy Word

Titus 1:9 ESV He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Notice the “as taught”

Real Men

Real men are Leaders of their house

Real men are Christians

Real men are well thought of by non-Christians

Real men hold firm to God’s word