“MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR PT.3 ”
“THE MAKING OF A MAN”
April 20, 2008
Allen McLauchlin, Pastor
Remember your Creator in
the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
"I find no pleasure in them"--
before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
Ecclesiastes 12:1-4
“THE MAKING OF A MAN”
1. Manhood begins with
obedience to
parents.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his
brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives,
and he brought their father a bad report about them. And the Lord was
with Joseph, so he became a successful man.
37:2;39:2
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
When I was a boy in my father's house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,
he taught me and said,
"Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
Proverbs 1:8;4:3-5a
2. The
strength of a man comes from the inside of his
heart.
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his
height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things
man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at
the
heart."
1 Samuel 16:7,12
The wise in
heart
accept command.
Proverbs 3:8
would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the
heart.
Psalm 44:21
But You know me, O Lord; You see me; And You examine my heart's attitude toward You. Jeremiah 12:3
3. A
real man does his own
thinking.
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring
in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility--
young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude
for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and
qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the
language and literature of the Babylonians.
But Daniel
resolved
not to defile himself.
Daniel 1:3,4,8a
but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate
between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal,
follow him.
1 King 18:21
My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent. If
they say, "Come with us, Throw in your lot with us:
My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from
their path,
Proverbs 1:10ff
4. A
man becomes a man when he becomes a man of
God.
Josiah was eight years old when he became king.
He went up to the temple of the LORD with the men of Judah. He
read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which
had been found in the temple of the LORD.
2 Kings 23:2,3;
2 Kings 22:1
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
Psalm 71:17,18
My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1-5