God's Desires for Men and Women in the Church Assembly

This sermon is from Chris McKnight at Kerrville Bible Church in Kerrville, TX

Owen Strachan: Be Humble

Owen Strachan: Strong Men

Tom Ascol: Mature Manhood in the Ministry

Book Review: Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes is a book that I have been wanting to pick for a long time. The book has been around for over a decade and highly recommended among many church leaders. Crossway has now an updated version of the book available along with study questions for those who are doing a group study or your own personal growth.

In this book, Hughes addresses the issue that men in our day are not disciplined. There are a number of reason for what he does go into great detail. He also expresses that men are on a spiritual decline where women are growing more spiritually then they are. While we can rejoice that women in the church are growing spiritually, we also must be concerned that the men in the church are not. The church in America, as Hughes puts it, needs real men and I agree. The church needs men who will lead, grow spiritually, love their families, and stand for truth. Contrary to what Feminism says, women in the church desire to see men stand up for Christ and take charge.

The rest of the book deals with the discipline of a man in every area of their lives. The first is in relationships. We must have discipline to be husbands and fathers. We also must be disciplined in purity where we seek to be holy in our words and actions in our relationships. Next, we must be disciplined in our spiritual growth. We need to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ as 2 Corinthians 10 tells us. We also desire prayer and worship in our spiritual growth.

Hughes goes on to address our character that we must be men of integrity and men who do their jobs well. We also must be disciplined in ministry where we are ready to serve in our churches. Not every Christian is called to vocational ministry, by we are all called to be involved in ministry. We are also called to be a witness as well. Christ commands the church to make disciples. The church need men who are disciplined who will be able to make disciples.

There is so much in this book that it might take a few posts to address them. I am grateful that I had the chance to read this book and hope to read it again with a small group of men as we seek to be the men that the church needs.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-June 14, 2019

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Founders Event: Mature Manhood in an Immature Age

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Message from the Shepherd's Conference 2019

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How do reading goals help—or hurt—you? by Aaron Armstrong

My Sin, Not in Part, But the Whole by Caleb Brasher

Comics and Controversy by Pat Aldridge

Imagine you are playing a nice game of golf when all of sudden you see a big 14-foot alligator just walking around minding his own business. So what you do? As the case with the person in this video, you film it.

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Why Is The Ascension So important? by Jeff Robinson

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There is going to be a reboot of Ghostbusters with an all female cast

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This video is entitled, "When God Himself Speaks to You," which features John Piper

Book Review: The Dude's Guide to Manhood by Darrin Patrick

It seems as of late, there has been more emphasis on being a man or achieving manhood. Some would even consider growing a beard the sign of a true man which I am saying there nothing wrong with growing a beard. There are even commercials on television talking about smelling like a man. I remember one "Snickers" commercial where two guys did something that revoke their man cards then looked at each other and said, "Lets do something manly." Does you remember what they did next? They started ripping their chest hairs.

We even got words that downgrade manhood such as "Man Crush," which a man having a "crush" on another guy because of how manly he is. How about "Bromance?" Wikipedia defines it as "a close non-sexual relationship between two (or more) men." So I can have close male companions and it is a bromance which is a play on the word "romance." Man card revoked!!!

What is true manhood and how does a man get there? What does it mean to be a true man without compromising who you are in Christ? Darrin Patrick talks about that in his latest book, The Dude's Guide to Manhood. This book maps out what true manhood is. How a man is suppose to be determined, where he does not give up in accomplishing his goals. Also true manhood is taught to a man who is teachable. Patrick said, "True manhood isn't unearthed by accident. It doesn't simply happen as we get older or as our circumstances change. We don't wake up as men one day, and we don't stumble into it. It is handed down from one generation to the next" (pg 18-19).

True manhood means that men are disciplined and it is not just athletes. Men need to be disciplined in every area of their lives including the work place which man was created to work. Read Genesis 2. God put Adam to work in the garden before the Fall. Men are to be devoted husbands, fathers, and committed to community especially to other men. Men are to be fighters for what is right and show your emotions. Men are to reflect the true man who is also the Savior, Jesus Christ. What I love about this book is Patrick gives an opportunity for those who do not believe to become Christians. I am thankful that Patrick took a subject like manhood and shared the gospel with his readers.

I know this book has to deal with man issues but I know women should read this as well so they can encourage their husbands to be the man God has called them to be. Father, share this book with your son(s) or give them a copy that you can read with him and share what you have learned. Pastors, this is one book you want to start men's ministry with. Youth Pastors, this will be a great book for your teenage boys to read.

Thanks Booksneeze for letting me review this book.

Book Review: The Real Win by Colt McCoy and Matt Carter

Many churches that sought to make men realize what their calling from God truly is. More and more sermons are devoted to Biblical manhood as well a books and Bible Studies. The Real Win is the latest book on Biblical manhood from Matt Carter, one of the pastors of the Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, TX, and Colt McCoy, former quarterback for the Texas Longhorns who recently signed with the San Francisco 49ers. I have to confess, Christian books from former or current NFL players are usually not filled with sound doctrine and, overall, not the best reading material. This book, however is not one of those books because it is filled with Biblical teaching on manhood.

Colt McCoy and Matt Carter share their struggles in the Christian life which also includes Colt's desire to win the National Championship and Matt's obsession with being a great pastor along with his battle with cancer. Book of them realized their position in Christ was more secured than what they were pursuing. The book deals with men leading their families well along with working hard from the glory of God, dealing with temptation and leaving a legacy. Each chapter backed with Biblical truth as well as personal testimonies from both McCoy and Carter.

Now for those wondering what does The Real Win mean, Carter and McCoy wrote:

The real win means trusting the Lord and walking with Jesus no matter what...That kind of faithfulness is possible for any man who follows God with all his heart. No matter what circumstances threaten him, a faithful man is the most truly confident man in the room.

This book was one of the best books on manhood I have ever read. I love the truth packed into the book and the openness of McCoy and Carter. Every wife should get her husband this book and every father should pass this down to his son(s).

Thanks Multnomah for letting me review this book.

One more thing, in case you have not seen this video, prepare to be amazed. I think McCoy is rubbing off on Carter.