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MEN BEHAVING GODLY–PART 2

Introduction

Last week we said that what the world really needs today is more men behaving Godly.

Proverbs 20:6 asks a very sobering question. It says, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?” If ever there was a day when our world needed “Faithful Men,” today is the day!

The family unit needs the proper leadership of men. When men are fulfilling their God-given assignment as spiritual leaders in their homes, the home is stable, secure and satisfying.

When men fail, the home falls apart and all of society feels the repercussions.

Our text is one of many passages that speak directly to the issue of MEN BEHAVING GODLY.

Let’s stand while we READ PSALM 112 once again.

We saw last week the benefits of men behaving Godly. We saw how that the man who fears the LORD and delights greatly in the LORD’s commands is the one who is blessed! (Vs 1)

THERE IS A PROMISE CONCERNING HIS CHILDREN. (Psalm 112:2-4a)

                                                                 HIS CHARACTER. (Psalm 112:4b-5)

HIS CONFIDENCE. (Psalm 112:6-8)

                                                                 HIS CHARITY. (Psalm 112:9)

                                                                 HIS COMMENDATION. (Psalm 112:6, 9b)

Now for today, I want to challenge our men in some specific areas that I believe will help us as we seek to become “Psalm 112” kind of men.

I.         WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER OF OUR INFLUENCE.

            Romans 14:7–“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”

            A.        We Have A Powerful Influence Upon Our Wife! (Ephesisans 5:23-29)

            B.        We Have A Powerful Influence On Our Children! (Ephesians 6:4)

Psalm 112:2 speaks of that influence as it relates to our children!

I want to share with you some figures about the importance of fathers. As I do so, I’m going to use the term “fatherless”. By “fatherless” I’m talking about kids who grow up without a father in the home. Here we go:

                        • Fatherless daughters are 53% more likely to marry as teenagers

                        • Fatherless daughters are 111% more likely to have children as teenagers.

                        • Fatherless daughters are 164% more likely to have an out-of-wedlock birth

• Fatherless daughters have a 92% higher divorce rate than girls raised with Dads in the home.

                        • Fatherless sons are 35% more likely to experience marital failure

• Fatherless sons are 300% more likely to become incarcerated in state juvenile institutions

                        • Fatherless children make up 70% of all juveniles in state institutions

                        • Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of high school

                        • Fatherless children have only half the chance of being high achievers

(According to the National Association Elementary School Principals, 33% of children from two-parent families become high achievers, while only 17% of children from single-parent homes become high achievers.)

                        • Fatherless children are 50% more likely to have learning disabilities.

• According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Fatherless children are anywhere from 100 to 200% more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems.

• Fatherless young adults are twice as likely to need and receive psychological help.

• According to our nation’s hospitals, 80% of adolescents admitted for psychiatric reasons come from fatherless families.

“From relationships, to education, to mental instability, to crime, one factor looms as the most significant contributor: A home without a dad.” (5 Lies, David T. Moore, Tyndale House Publishers, 1995?p.89-90)

The statistics were similar for two parent homes when the dad isn’t the spiritual leader he needs to be.

When you are not behaving Godly, you’re not only going to wreck your own life, you are quite possibly going to wreck the lives of your children also.

            C.        We Have A Powerful Influence Upon Others!

                        Think of the influence that Elijah had on the young Elisha!

                        Think of the influence that Paul had on the young Timothy!

                        I think of the powerful influence some older men had in my life!

I.         WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER OF OUR INFLUENCE!

            We have a powerful influence upon our WIFE.

            We have a powerful influence upon our CHILDREN.

            We have a powerful influence upon Others

II.       WE NEED TO AVOID THE PITFALLS OF OUR MASCULINITY.

There are some hazards that come with just being a male. The fact that we were born with that old Adamic sin nature works against us. But praise God, if we’re saved we’ve been given a new nature–God’s Divine nature!

We do not have a natural bent toward godliness. In fact, our natural bent is toward sinfulness and selfishness. And men have their own unique brand of sinfulness and selfishness.

Let me give you 3 pitfalls that come with being a man that will be reflected in your family life.

            A.        The Pitfall Of Being ARROGANT.

Proverbs 8:13–“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”

1 Samuel 2:3–“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”

Someone has said it this way, “Men are 90% ego wrapped in skin.” It is true, we men have our own unique version of pride and arrogance. We have this ego-driven mentality.

Most men think they are Rambo, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Chuck Norris, and Albert Einstein all wrapped up into one person.

Our pride is what drives most of the other common failures and mistakes we make as Husbands and Fathers.

            B.        The Pitfall Of Being ABSENT or ALOOF.

                        We’ve already shared some statistics on this so I’ll not belabor the point.

But understand, one of the worse things a man can do is to walk out on his family.

Have you noticed how there are many men who are running away from their responsibilities in our culture?

                        • Over 15 million kids are growing up in homes without any father figure.

                        • 70% of men in prison grew up without a father in the home.

Some Dad’s are absent because they run out on their family. But some Dad’s are absent because they are disconnected from their family even though they may be living under the same roof.

Kids need a Dad who is present for them, one who is fully concerned about them and fully involved in their lives. They need a Dad who gives them a good example to model their lives after!

            C.        The Pitfall Of Being ANGRY or ABUSIVE.

Proverbs 29:22–“An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”

Many men are angry and don’t even know what they are angry about, but they are angry and hostile in their personalities and temperaments.

                        Anger is revealed regularly through:

• violent and sharp tempers• hostile, hateful words • bitter, negative attitudes

The rate of men abusing their wives and children is almost unfathomable.

We are living in such stressful and demanding times that a lot of men are like a volcano that builds up pressure and then all of a sudden it explodes and causes mass casualties–wives and children are often caught in the wake.

A real man, a Godly man, never abuses his wife or children. If you are abusive, you are not a man, you’re a wimp! You’re a loser!!

By the way, you don’t have to be using your fist, or inflicting physical pain to be guilty of abusing your wife and children. You can be guilty of abusing them verbally and emotionally.

The scars of emotional abuse run deep and can be just as damaging, if not more so, than physical abuse.

Conclusion 

We’re not done, but we’re going to drive up a peg right there. We’ll try to wrap this up next week, Lord willing.

So, men, are you a Psalm 112 type man? Are you in a position to be blessed of God?

Are you a man who fears the LORD and takes great delight in His commands?

I’ve shared with you two areas today that can go a long way to being a Psalm 112 kind of man.

You see, when you fear the LORD and take great delight in his commands, you will:

ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER OF YOUR INFLUENCE!

            We have a powerful influence upon our WIFE.

            We have a powerful influence upon our CHILDREN.

            We have a powerful influence upon OTHERS.

AVOID THE PITFALLS OF OUR MASCULINITY.

            A.        The Pitfall Of Being ARROGANT.

            B.        The Pitfall Of Being ABSENT or ALOOF.

            C.        The Pitfall Of Being ANGRY or ABUSIVE.

Mom’s, you also need to acknowledge the power of your influence. And even though you are not a male, understand that you too can be guilty of being arrogant, absent or aloof, and even angry or abusive.

Isn’t it time for a change?

Where does the power for real change come from? It comes from the LORD’s help and it begins at the foot of the Cross! That is where we get a new nature. Christ’s nature, that helps us become who God wants us to be!

From there we must take great delight in the Word of God because it contains all the principles we need for Godly living! 

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!