Takes a real man to be like Jesus!

In today's society, there are all kinds of definitions of what it takes to be a man. Things like big muscles, superior looks, womanizers, tough, ball player, ect. All these are wrong. Being a real man is to be a man of God. It is the hardest, toughest thing a man can ever do! Let's see how to be a real man:



1 Timothy 2:8

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;



So what do we see here? First, A man that prays. Are you a man that prays? Not one that just blesses the meal which is good, but one that spends large amounts of time with God in prayer. It is not an easy thing to do. It is not an easy thing to do as the devil will battle you so your mind wanders. The bible says pray, men we have to battle in prayer for our families, for the lost, for the church, and for our own walk with God.



Second, be a holy man. A holy man does not care what others think! He will sing praises to his Lord and might even raise his hands in worship! God is clear what a holy man looks like here:



2 Timothy 2:22

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.



Do these characteristics describe you? It is a description of a holy man.



Third, When we lift them hands we are praising God. God wants us to be men of praise. Think about your day to day life. How much time do you spend praising God both to yourself and to others? Give God some praise! He alone is worthy. Many go about praising their college football team, or favorite singer ect, but they don't praise the the one who created them! Don't make sense does it?



Fourth, be a peaceful man. That characteristic is in both verses above! Being a man of constant strife is not what Jesus was all about. Jesus only got angry when it came to dishonoring God and we should be the same. Peacefulness draws folks in for us to love, anger drives folks away!



So when looking at this can all of us say we are men or women of God this morning or so we have some major work to do?



Tom