chuckhilltoday.com
MAN-UP

MAN-UP

MAN-UP (FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE)

2 Peter 1:3-8

INTRODUCTION: 

Well, good morning everyone and Happy Father’s Day! It is so good to be back home with you all. I thought I’d begin with something to make you smile. Just a few Father’s Day thoughts:

  • I read once, where young boy was asked to describe Father’s Day, and he put it like this. He said, “Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day — only we don’t spend as much money.”
  • I thought this was insightful, Jim Gaffigan once said this while talking about fatherhood. He said, “There really ought to be a children’s song that says: ‘If you’re happy and you know it — keep it to yourself and let your dad sleep.’”
  • He also said, “(If) You (want to) know what it’s like having a fourth kid? Just imagine you’re drowning, and then someone hands you a BABY.”
  • Several years ago a man was asked to give some good advice to new dads — to which he said, “Never, ever raise your hand to your kids. Because it leaves your groin totally unprotected.”

Alright, one more…it’s not really a quote – but its funny. A woman wrote about her Dad and said,

“My dad was completely lost in the kitchen — he never ate unless someone prepared a meal for him. (One time) when my mom was ill, he volunteered to go to the supermarket for her. So, she sent him off with a carefully numbered list of seven items…

After a while, Dad returned from the store, very proud of himself. And then he proceeded to unpack the grocery bags. Recounting his accuracy — he unpacked one bag of sugar, two dozen eggs, three hams, four boxes of detergent, five boxes of crackers, six eggplants, and seven green peppers.” Yeah, that Dad needed some help!

Well men, I want to help you today! As we prepare to study God’s Word, I want to talk to you about MANNING UP! And I want to begin with a question. 

What does it mean to be a man? 

In simplest terms, what does it mean to be a man? How should we define MANHOOD?

In this day and age, i think that’s a pretty significant question. Especially since the idea of manhood and gender are under attack. Even so, there seem to be a wide-variety of ways culture defines manhood. It seems as if manhood is quantified most often by achievement. And specifically by ONE OF FOUR areas. Manhood is usually defined by how a guy performs: In Business, the Ball-field, the Bedroom, orhis billfold.

  • In Business. How successful he is, the titles he’s gained, the authority he’s given, the position he holds. 
  • In the Ball-field. How athletic he is. The strength he shows, and the trophies he’s won.
  • In the Bedroom. How sexually active he is. How many people he’s slept with.
  • And lastly, by his Billfold. How much money he has, how many things he owns. How big his house is.

While these are often the way our culture quantifies manhood — to be honest, they’re pretty shallow. Especially, in comparison to the markers identified in Scripture!

And that’s because, the biblical indicators of manhood focus more on the heart than the hand. 

They focus more on godliness then they do on trophies or titles.

It’s to this point that the prophet Micah says in Micah 6:8 (NKJV), “(God) has shown 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?” (Acting justly, showing kindness or mercy, and practicing humility…these are the markers of real manhood).

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT) and said, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” (So, add to the list the qualities of: faith, courage and inner strength).

One more, in 1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV), Paul says: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Wow…what a list. That’s manhood!

So, it seems that the Biblical standard for being a man is much more about our WALK WITH JESUS than our achievements. It’s more about our godliness than our personal gains.

So, if you want to be a REAL MAN — one who reflects the Biblical Marks of Manhood…then it’s going to take your full surrender to Jesus, it’s going to take your faith in Him over your pursuits of success and gains in this world. And, if you’re wondering how to do that…well, you’ve come to the right place!

MESSAGE:

If you have your Bible, look with me at 2 Peter chapter 1. It’s here that Peter addresses that question…as he writes to a group of early Christians — encouraging them to live their lives fully surrendered to Jesus. And, as they faced many of the same struggles we do (a combative culture, external persecution for their faith, and misguided teaching), Peter urges them to MAN-UP!Beginning in verse 3, Peter writes:

3 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. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruptioncaused by human desires. 

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

2 Peter 1:3-8 (NLT)

Well, this morning I want to give you three challenges from God’s Word. Three invitations that we need to consider if we’re going to MAN UP — and the first is this:

Men, I challenge you to:

1. Rely on God’s Power.

As Peter begins this letter, he emphasizes the importance of fully relying on God’s power.

Drawing from his close relationship with Jesus, Peter, nearing the end of his life, imparts essential truths to fellow believers. Chief among these truths is the assurance of divine empowerment for spiritual growth. 

You’ll notice — he underscores that we are inherently designed to grow and become more like Christ. That’s the goal. That’s the expectation. 

However, he also stresses that while we might be tempted to manufacture spiritual growth on our own, the ability to live according to God’s standards comes from His power and grace not from our efforts.

This foundational principle underscores the premise that we are inherently designed to grow — to expand — and become more like Jesus. God created us to reflect Him. Our MANHOOD our identity is to reflect His character (his nature). 

However, Peter wants us to understand that while we are often tempted to try and manufacture spiritual growth and maturity on our own — the ability to live according to God’s standards doesn’t come from our hard work — but from God’s Power and Grace at work within us. 

So, Peter says — understand…everything you need to live a godly life comes from the power and work of God within you.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED — meaning, God’s power is sufficient! IT IS ENOUGH! He’s enough!

You’ve been designed and wired to become more. You have been crafted and shaped in such a manner that you can’t stay the same. And, if you know Jesus — if you’ve surrendered your life to Him…then He has embedded within you THE POWER to GROW and become a man that reflects His nature. 

As Peter says, 

3 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. 

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)

By his power, God gave you and me everything we need to live for Him! 

Peter makes it clear: the foundation for our lives is God’s power and grace!

I am so glad that the secret to my SUCCESS in life isn’t dependent upon my power. Because left on my own, I struggle! But, with HIS POWER working within me…I can do ALL THINGS IN CHRIST JESUS! 

And that’s Peter’s point. Everything you need to live a life that honors God is within you! And, it came as a free gift — accompanying your salvation.

When you were born again you were given the Holy Spirit on the inside to guide you, teach you, and lead you in the things of God. You were given a new heart and a new mind. And that transformation was seeded with the presence of Christ at work within you. 

So, RELY ON HIS POWER…not your own. Look to HIS POWER not your creativity, craftiness, or abilities. Those are great — but they’re not enough! 

When I was in the 7th grade I picked up a trumpet for the first time. As I began to learn it, my band director, Mr. Bray taught me how to buzz my lips. How to breath from my diaphragm, how to hold my horn up perpendicular to the ground, and how to blow warm air thought the trumpet. It took a lot of practice, but eventually I learned. As the years went on, I became better and better. More skilled at reading music and supporting the air flow. And the muscles around my lips gained strength. 

During my last year of college, I was practicing 2-3 hours a day. But even in my best day…I had to take breaks because my embouchure couldn’t take the constant work. My lips would swell and my muscles,especially would become fatigued. 

I had come a long way since those 7th grade lessons. But even at my greatest, my playing had a limit. 

I for one am so glad that my living for Jesus isn’t dependent upon my abilities and power, because, even though I’ve come a long way since I first was saved…my abilities to perform and strength to stand against temptation are still limited. 

BUT PETER SAYS, I HAVE ALL THE POWER I NEED  IN JESUS! HIS…IS A POWER WITHOUT LIMIT!

And Peter says, God’s limitless power is available to you and me today. Through His grace we’ve been given access to a divine power to enable us to live Godly lives. 

And understand this — His power has been “granted” to us, as a gift. We weren’t awarded it based on our production or propensity for goodness. We obtained it based on His goodness and generosity alone! And since we didn’t earn it — that means, we don’t have to keep earning it. It’s not based on your skill, or test scores or our abilities to maintain a certain level of excellence. 

It’s ours simply because our Heavenly Father is good and generous! 

Think of it like this — a student heading off to college can apply and receive financial aid. The aid comes as a grant, not earned by the student’s productivity, but given based on need and the generosity of the program. Similarly, God’s power is given to you when you surrender your life to Him. So, through His salvation, His limitless power was granted to you from His reservoir of generosity. 

The only qualification is to acknowledge your need and accept His gift.

That’s the picture of salvation. When you were born again, you were given a new mind and new heart. You were transformed and made new. 

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5 (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Understand, you’re life has changed. You are new! And, that new life is fully equipped with everything you need to grow and mature spiritually.

So, men, I challenge you to fully rely on His power. Look to Him. Depend upon Him. Pray and invite Him to help you, every day. MAN UP and Rely upon Him!Which brings us to the second CHALLENGE of this passage. And it’s this:…

2. TRUST IN GOD’S PROMISES.

Meaning, believe in His promises. Trust that He will keep His Word. In verse 4, Peter says,

4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.  

2 Peter 1:4 (NLT)

Along with His power, God has given us promises. Great and precious promises. And God doesn’t make promises flippantly. He means every word He has spoken. And the point Peter is making — is that we can TRUST GOD to keep His Word.. 

Peter tells us, the promises of God are GREAT — and that’s because they are vast. Meaning they are great because of their scope and significance. 

But, they are also PRECIOUS because of their value and their quality. 

So, these promises are not just empty words; they hold the power to transform our lives and our spiritual journeys. Through these promises, we can share in God’s divine nature. This means that we are invited to partake in God’s character, becoming more like Him.

What an incredible privilege. What amazing promises — that we can reflect His nature in our own lives. 

Like a young boy looking up at his father — hoping one day to look just like Him. Hoping to stand as tall as Him. Hoping to walk like Him, talk like Him, work like Him, be like Him. God tells us that He will make sure that one day we can grow up to be like Him. 

Peter is telling us, God’s promises are trustworthy. He is faithful and true to His word. When we trust in His promises, we are standing on solid ground. We can have confidence that what He has promised, He will do. This trust leads us to peace, hope, and joy, even in the midst of life’s challenges.

When we trust in these promises, we are aligning ourselves with God’s divine plan for our future. His plan to grow us in godliness — to make us more and more like Him…and enabling us to resist the temptations and corruptions of this world.

Listen, that’s the kind of promise I can believe in! Because I need His help. I need His strength. I need His power — what about you?

These promises He’s given us are the very foundation for our hope and faith. 

His promises remind us that He is actively working in our lives, providing us with just the right power at just the right time. He knows where we are in life at all times. And through His omniscience He is able to discern just what we need in every moment. 

— So, when temptation arises — He knows how and when to give us a way of escape. 

— When discouragement comes our way — He knows just what we need to be encouraged and inspired with hope. 

— When struggle and pain confront us — He knows how to strengthen us and empower us to persevere.

With every step we take, He is with us. In fact, that’s one of HIS PROMISES! He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Matthew 28:19).

Trusting in God’s promises means believing that He will fulfill what He has said. Here are some powerful promises from Scripture that illustrate God’s faithfulness and how we can rely on Him:

His Promise of Provision: to meet your needs.

In to Philippians 4:19, Paul says,

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Some of you need to RELY ON THAT PROMISE today. You need to believe that God knows your needs and will provide for you. So, stop striving. Stop fretting. Stop sacrificing your family for your paycheck. Work. Work hard…but trust in God to meet your needs and provide for your family. He is your provider. That’s his promise to you!

Or, what about this — God has given you His Promise of Peace:

According to John 14:27, Jesus said,

”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

So men — embrace that peace! If you’re living stressed out and anxious about today, or tomorrow, or your future…RELY ON GOD’S PROMISE OF PEACE. Trust that His peace will calm your heart and mind.

Or, what about His Promise of Good Plans for Your Life:

In Jeremiah 29:11, God says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So, I challenge you today — believe in that promise. Trust that God’s plans for you are good. Trust Him with your future, trust Him to lead you and direct you into good things. Trust that He has a purpose and plan for your life. Don’t live in fear! TRUST ON HIS PROMISES! 

Think on His promises and meditate on them. Remind yourself of His faithfulness, and take Him at His Word, knowing that He is always true to His promises.

If you want to MAN-UP, then…learn to rely on God’s power. And, Trust in His promises. And lastly…

3. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GROW!

Peter urges us to make every effort to respond to God’s power and promises at work within us. It’s like being given checks that we need to cash—God calls us to put His promises into action…those promises of GODLY CHARACTER. So, Peter says in verse 5:

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NLT)

These verses outline seven traits of godly character, reflecting the impact of God’s work in our lives.

However, these things manifest automatically; they require our involvement. Just as a check must be cashed to affect our bank account, God’s promises must be practiced to shape our character.

God has equipped you to grow. He has enabled you to grow, but you have to make the effort to grow!That’s what Paul meant when he wrote in Philippians 2:12 and said,

“Work out your own salvation” (NASB). Not “work FOR” — but, “work OUT”.

And that’s because your salvation is free — but living a Godly life takes work.  When it comes to salvation — He does it for you. But when it comes to godliness, He employs you. He empowers you.  He calls you to get involved and WORK IT OUT!

Notice again the seven Traits that Peter mentions. He says practice:

  • Moral Excellence: that means prioritizing our actions by making decisions that reflect morality and ethical integrity. It’s about making choices that honor God and respect others.

And to this, He says, grow in…

  • Knowledge: This is pursuing a deeper understanding things. It’s being a student of truth (and God’s Word). And as you learn it — apply it. Knowledge is truth lived out. It’s experiential. More than information — it’s about life transformation. So, grow in your determination to know God’s Word.

And to this, He says, grow in your…

  • Self-Control: Now, come on…we all know what this is! It’s learning to manage your actions and your emotions. As a 6th century Chinese philosopher (Lao-tzu) once said, “He who gains victory over other men is strong, but he who gains victory over himself is stronger.” That’s what self-control is all about. It’s about increasing your strength. It’s bridling or harnessing yourself so that you don’t say or do something you’ll later regret. So, men…practice self-control.

And to this, He says, practice…

  • Patient Endurance: This is about living with determination — but learning to couple it with patience. It’s sticking to it. Its perseverance. It’s holding on (even when life is hard). It’s about sticking with something longer than most. It’s about not giving up even when you’re tempted to do so. So, be the kind of man who perseveres and presses on. Live committed! So, be patient and stay the course! 

And to this, Peter says, grow in…

  • Godliness (or your God-likeness): This is about becoming more and more like Jesus. It’s about living in such a way that your friends, and family, and especially your children look at you and see glimpses of Jesus. It’s about intentionally seeking to let Jesus shine through you. So grow in godliness!

And to this, He says, grow in…

  • Brotherly Affection: You might think of this as support…or “BRO CARE” — it’s about being there for others. It’s about looking out for and supporting those closest to you (especially other believers). Peter is saying, don’t just look out for #1 — look out for those around you. Care for fellow believers. Help them. Serve them. So, seek opportunities to encourage others, pray for them, and stand with them.

And lastly He wraps it all up when he says, grow in your…

  • LOVE: Now, I know this doesn’t sound masculine — but it is. Because the model for how we are to love is Jesus! It’s Jesus…the one who endured reticule for you and me. He stood up for us when no one else would. He picked up a heavy cross, drug it through the heart of Jerusalem, and then to the mountain top know as Golgotha—where he sacrificed his life for ours. That’s a picture of masculine love. It’s about commitment, and sacrifice, and service. It’s about faithfulness and strength. So, learn to love like that!

These are the habits that God wants you to practice. So men, it’s time to grow! It’s time to MAN UP!

And, this is really important for those who are fathers. Because, you have children (of all ages), watching you. They’re looking at you and the way you live to determine the patterns that they’ll employ in their own lives. 

I wish shaping their lives were as simple as giving LECTURES, because I think I’ve mastered the art of giving good lectures to my kids. But, what I’ve discovered along life’s journey is that my words mean far less than my actions. 

I’ve also discover that CHARACTER IS CAUGHT…more than it is TAUGHT! So, guys — IT’S TIME TO MAN UP! It’s time to make every effort to grow! Our children are counting on it. 

And I know this is a LOT TO LIVE UP TO…but, if you’ll be diligent — God will be faithful. He will take your little and make much out of it. He is committed to shaping you into the kind of man He’s designed you to be. 

As verse 8 says,

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will bein your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:8 (NLT)

Let’s learn to rely on God’s power. Trust in His promises. And make every effort to grow.

CONCLUSION

You know, there’s a monument high in the Alps built in honor of a faithful guide who perished while ascending a peak to rescue a stranded tourist. Inscribed on that memorial stone are three powerful words: HE DIED CLIMBING. May we live our lives that way. May we too continue to ascend the mountain of godliness and become the men God has called us to be. 

So, be bold and MAN UP! Don’t give up. Don’t check out. Don’t back down…keep pressing on. Keep climbing — onward and upward towards the high-calling that God’s placed on your life.

And if we will, we can rest assured that God will keep His promise…for as Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

SO, let’s look forward to that dsy…but between now and then, LET’S MAN-UP! 

PRAYER

Hey men, I’d like to pray for you today before we go. So, if you’re a man in this house (regardless of age), if you’re a man — would you stand where you are? And let me pray a prayer of blessing over you.

Heavenly Father, on this Father’s Day, we come to You with gratitude and humility. Grant us the strength and determination to press on toward the goal of becoming the men You have called us to be. Help us to rely on Your power in every circumstance and to trust in Your promises without wavering.

Lord, guide us in growing in godliness each day, seeking Your wisdom and reflecting Your love in our lives. May we live with faith and perseverance, knowing Your strength sustains us and Your Word directs our path. Empower us to be examples of Your grace and truth, leading others to know You more deeply…especially our own families. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.