This week we focus on the second part of Acts 1, in which 120 disciples of Jesus gather together to prepare for the great mission Jesus told them about. But they needed to get a couple of ducks in a row while they waited for the Spirit to be poured out upon them.
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Introduction
A godly man… “…is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3 ESV) A godly man is like a fruitful tree because he is continually nourished by streams of fresh water. The water, Psalm 1:2 says, is the Law of God, which the man delights in and regularly meditates upon. Unlike the seed in Jesus’ parable which is sown on hard ground or among thorns, this man’s faith does not dry up and wither away, nor is it choked out by the worries or distractions of this world. Instead, the godly man bears fruit, not for himself, but for others. To slightly change the imagery, Jesus taught in John 15 that he is the vine, and we are the branches. As godly men, we must abide in him and he in us, otherwise, we cannot bear any fruit of Kingdom-significance. Our life-giving, life-transforming sustenance comes directly from him; thus, we must remain connected to him if we would have real life and bear fruit. Why Focus on Men? I’ve been serving the local church for a little over two-and-a-half decades. I didn’t start off thinking my ministry would one day concentrate so much on men. I didn’t sense the urgency or need when I first began. In fact, my “aha” moment didn’t happen until my sixth year. I still remember the day the lightbulb turned on for me. (I share that experience in the last chapter of the book.) Suffice it to say, I have been ministering to men ever since. My epiphany could best be summarized by the words I once heard pastor and writer, Tony Evans, preach…
Men are not God’s only plan for making disciples who will transform the world for Christ. Yet they are an important part of that plan. Purpose of This Book This is not a “how to” book. I love “how to” books. I have many on my bookshelves and have read them with great profit. What I have observed, however, is many books written to help men live Christian lives lack the basic foundational principles to help them get there and flourish. Just as we would not build a skyscraper without first making sure the foundation could support it, neither should we call men to pursue godly lives without first giving them the only means of success. Jesus said we must abide in him, because apart from him, we can do nothing. Telling a man how to live a godly life without first sharing with him the divine resources for doing so, is to set him up for failure. Part 1 There are five parts to this book. The first part focuses on the necessity of a changed heart. Before a man can live a godly life, something transformative and regenerative must first happen to him. He must become something he’s not, a new creature in Christ. That can only happen by God’s grace offered through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This section highlights the foundational components of becoming a new man in Christ. Part 2 This section emphasizes that our relationship with God does not end at our new birth but begins there. God wants to develop the character of Christ in our lives. Therefore, we must continue growing in grace, in and through God’s strength, using God’s resources, and keeping ever before us the goal of becoming more like our Lord, Jesus Christ. Parts 3 & 4 Godly men follow Christ as his disciples. They no longer live for themselves, according to their own wisdom and agenda. Instead, godly men sit at the feet of their Teacher and Lord and follow him wherever he leads. Christ calls each man to take his faith into every sphere of his life, at home, church, work, neighborhood and community, city, culture, nation, and world. In each sphere he is to bear witness to the King and make new disciples of his Kingdom. Part 5 On their own, men cannot become the kind of men God created, redeemed, and called them to be. This last section stresses the need men have to grow in community as they study God’s Word together. It is in this context men are encouraged and equipped to pass the baton of faith to new generations of godly men, young and old. Building up godly men works best in the local church, which is why the last chapter looks at the importance of intentionally-focused ministry to men. The good and lasting fruit produced by such ministries will be more than worth the effort. How to Use This Book The chapters that comprise this book were originally sermons or talks addressed to men’s groups. I hope these same messages will now be profitably read, meditated upon, and discussed in personal devotions, one-on-one discipling settings, and in men’s small groups. At the end of each chapter, I have provided a few questions for reflection and an action point or two. I call these “walking points” because Christians ought to do more than echo “talking points.” We must also put our talk into action. The Walking Points at the end of each chapter are designed to help you reflect on the key ideas of that chapter and turn them into action steps to put into practice in your life, as well as to share with others. May God be glorified as we pursue godly manhood together. Soli Deo Gloria The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 38
103. Question: What does God require in the fourth commandment? Answer: First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained[1] and that, especially on the day of rest, I diligently attend the church of God[2] to hear God’s Word,[3] to use the sacraments,[4] to call publicly upon the LORD,[5] and to give Christian offerings for the poor.[6]Second, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, let the LORD work in me through His Holy Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal sabbath.[7] [1] Deut. 6:4-9; 20-25; I Cor. 9:13, 14; II Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Tit. 1:5. [2] Deut. 12:5-12; Ps. 40:9, 10; 68:26; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25. [3] Rom. 10:14-17; I Cor. 14:26-33; I Tim. 4:13. [4] I Cor. 11:23, 24. [5] Col. 3:16; I Tim. 2:1. [6] Ps. 50:14; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 8 and 9. [7] Is. 66:23; Heb. 4:9-11. To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world. (Karl Barth)
This Week’s Scripture · Acts 2:1-21 · Psalm 104:24-35 · 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 · John 7:37-39 Adoration Psalm 104:31-32 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, 32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! Crown Him with Many Crowns (verse 1) Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne. Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity. (Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21) Lord, so often we have taken on the stresses and strains of life completely on our own and ignored your gift of prayer and the Holy Spirit. Too often we have even reached our breaking point yet we refuse to seek your will for our lives and your help. Forgive us, Lord, and help us have the strength to submit our wills to yours. In Christ we pray. Amen. (James R. Wilson) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Most holy and gracious God, I give you thanks for the gift of your Holy Spirit. It is only by his power giving life to my heart and mind that I am able to say, “Jesus is Lord.” Not only is he the One who has given me new life in Christ, but he has given me gifts by which I am able to serve you and others. Your Spirit equips and empowers me to serve you and others for the common good. Forgive me for those times I have squandered the gifts you have given me, and by your Spirit, enliven me once again to use them for your glory and the good of others. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-13) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Give me greater knowledge, depth of insight, and understanding of God’s Word. · Remind me daily of who I am in Christ. Let me be defined by who God says I am, not the world around me. · Guide me into greater understanding and faithfulness of God’s call in my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · My pastor(s), church staff, and missionaries · Those wrestling with anger, anxiety, or the overwhelming desire to please people at all costs · Other needs God does not fill with his Holy Spirit those who believe in the fullness of the Spirit, or those who desire him, but those who obey him. (F.B. Meyer) This week we studied the first part of Acts 1, in which Jesus said farewell to his followers, told them to await the Spirit's coming, and ascended into heaven. Make sure to click "Like" and subscribe. Today's walk in the word looks at Ephesians 1:15-23, in which the Apostle Paul prays a glorious and encouraging prayer for the church at Ephesus... and for us. He gives us hope to know God desires us to know him and given us all the resources of heaven to make that a reality in our lives. There's nothing better than that!!! In today's episode we continue our series on what it means to have "the mind of Christ." Just imagine the possibilities of what your life can become when you begin to think like Jesus about every sphere of life. How might your life change? How might you live in a way that glorifies God and blesses others if you saw life the way Jesus does? Those are some of the issues we wrestle with in this week's episode. |
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Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: (Proverbs 23:19)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
(Matthew 7:13-14) |