I don’t know about you but it seems that something BIG has changed in our society. Maybe it’s just me. I know I’m getting older and I idealize my memories of growing up in the 1960’s. Maybe I am just stuck on a “Leave it to Beaver” fantasy about what it was like. But as I look around and I see that changes, I’m concerned.

I think Young Men Need Help! Dr. Anthony Bradley, agrees with ME. He tells the story of teaching at a Christian School & found that girls were enthusiastic, confident, and doing well but the boys were despondent and apprehensive. He says research reveals that men and boys – both inside and outside the church are facing record levels of depression, anxiety, academic underachievement, addiction, disconnection, and suicide.

Glen Stanton does this in a Focus on the Family article “The Universal Qualities of a man” He notes that Manhood is a public quality. Men take the bull by the horns and are always looking for opportunities to express their manhood. Womanhood on the other hand is a much more private matter.

G.K. Chesterton understood this when he said, “ A man takes initiative in demonstrating his character. Character not demonstrated is no character at all”. Christianity is unique in that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Jesus became the ideal manhood. Demonstrating all of the qualities of a good man.

Here is the list of qualities of manhood that Glen Stanton listed.

1. Courage: Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2. Steps Up: Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

3. Provide and Protect: 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

4. Self-Reliance Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

5. Honesty and Moral Strength: Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ”

6. Tenacity or Perseverance: Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

7. Self-Control: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

8. Under Authority: Acts 5:29 “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than me.”

9. Shows Respect: Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

10. Loyalty: Proverbs 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor”

11. Humility: Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

12. Compassion: Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

13. Lives His Character: Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

For the entire sermon, you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/120883627924759/videos/1165820707324099