2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV)

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

• Excellent… aretē = properly, manliness (valor), i.e. excellence (intrinsic or attributed), character: — praise, virtue.

Jesus Christ is God’s definition of manhood.

• God has called us to demonstrate Christ’s manliness to the entire world.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

2 Peter 1:5 (ESV)

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

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.

2 Peter 1:8 (ESV)

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• It’s possible to be a male believer, but not be a manly believer.

Real manhood is forged in Christ.

John 15:13 (ESV)

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV)

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

• Heart = lêḇâḇ = the inner man (mind, will, emotions)
• Heart is the dwelling place of character.

Manhood in the eyes of God is not about appearance— it’s about character.

Micah 6:8 (ESV)

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?

#1) FIGHT LIKE MEN

1 Samuel 4:9 (KJV)

Be strong, and quit yourselves like men…

1 Samuel 4:9 (NKJV)

Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!”

Every man will fight a battle — the only question is what you’re fighting for.

If a man refuses to fight for what is right, he will eventually become a servant to what is wrong.

2 Samuel 10:12 (ESV)

Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

• courage = ḥâzaq (chazaq)= to fasten, to make strong, to make firm, to seize, to bind, to restrain, to cleave, to establish and to harden one’s self in an obstinate way, so as to conquer or prevail.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

#2) LIVE LIKE MEN

1 Kings 2:1–3 (ESV)

When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

Joshua 1:6–9 (ESV)

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 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.”

• Manhood is the will of God manifested.

The strength of your character, or lack thereof, will determine the outcome of your battle.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

You cannot walk in the manliness of Jesus Christ if you starve yourself from the Word of God.

CONCLUSION

Romans 13:11–14 (ESV)

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

• Character is the armor that protects a man in spiritual battle.

2 Peter 1:9 (ESV)

For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

• A stronghold (works of darkness) in your character — a flaw in your manhood— is a breech in your spiritual armor.

The flaws you tolerate in your character today will become the failures you face tomorrow.

2 Peter 1:10-11 (ESV)

10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

• Fall = ptaiō = stumble; trip; be defeated; sin
• The world is desperate for real men. Not men who follow their flesh, pleasures, or who run away from responsibility. The world needs men who look like Christ— men who fear & obey God.
• Put off the flesh and put on Jesus. Because manhood is forged in Christ.