He uses strength to bless others rather than to advance himself.

• This flows through all the servant, sacrificial, and nourishing themes above—especially Christ’s example in Philippians 2 and Matthew 20, where greatness is defined by service and ransom-giving for the good of others.

One of the greatest lies of modern culture is that masculinity itself is dangerous.

• Scripture never condemns masculinity.
• Scripture condemns sinful masculinity.
• The solution to bad men is not fewer men.
• The solution to bad men is godly men.

God not only honors masculinity but commands men to embrace masculine responsibilities rather than abandon them:

Ephesians 5:25 WEB “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;”

• Masculinity is defined by sacrificial leadership.
• Christ is the model for husbands.

1 Timothy 5:8 WEB “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.”

• God requires men to embrace responsibility for provision.
• Failure to do so is treated as a serious moral failure.

Psalm 112:1-2 WEB “Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments. His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed.”

• God honors the man who fears Him.
• His faithfulness impacts future generations.

Proverbs 20:7 WEB “A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.”

• A father’s character becomes a blessing to his children.
• Masculine integrity is presented as a virtue worthy of honor.

Micah 6:8 WEB “He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

• God explicitly tells men what He requires.
• Masculinity includes justice, mercy, and humility.

Titus 2:6-8 WEB “Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.”

• Young men are called to self-control, integrity, and leadership by example.

Job 38:3 WEB “Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!”

• God Himself uses manly courage and fortitude as the illustration.
• The command assumes strength, responsibility, and accountability.

2 Samuel 10:12 WEB “Be courageous, and let’s be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him.”

• Masculine strength is connected to protecting people and defending what God has entrusted.

The Bible repeatedly demonstrates the importance of fathers.

• Abraham was called to lead his household.
• Joshua declared that his household would serve the Lord.
• David influenced generations after him.
• Joseph protected and provided for his family.
• The Apostle Paul continually used fatherhood as a picture of spiritual leadership.

Joshua 24:15 WEB “If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”

• Notice that Joshua accepted responsibility for the spiritual direction of his home.
• He did not delegate it to culture.
• He did not surrender it to government.
• He did not outsource it to someone else.

Research consistently demonstrates what Scripture has always taught: fathers matter.

• When fathers are absent, children face significantly elevated risks in nearly every major area of life.
• Higher rates of poverty.
• Greater likelihood of dropping out of school.
• Lower academic achievement.
• Increased behavioral problems.
• Higher rates of juvenile delinquency.
• Greater likelihood of incarceration.
• Increased substance abuse.
• Increased depression and anxiety.
• Higher rates of suicide attempts.
• Greater likelihood of early sexual activity.
• Higher rates of teen pregnancy.
• Greater likelihood of becoming involved in gangs.
• Increased risk of abuse and neglect.
• Higher rates of emotional and relational instability.
• Greater likelihood of divorce in adulthood.
• Greater likelihood of repeating the cycle of fatherlessness.

Fatherlessness does not guarantee these outcomes.

• But fatherlessness consistently increases the likelihood of these outcomes.
• The pattern appears again and again across decades of research:
• When fathers disappear, children generally suffer.
• When fathers are present, involved, engaged, and loving, children generally flourish.

While God can graciously overcome the absence of a father through mothers, grandparents, churches, and mentors, the biblical pattern remains the same: fathers are essential.

Psalm 68:5 WEB “A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”

• God Himself identifies as a Father.
• The highest picture of authority in Scripture is not that of a king, warrior, or politician.
• It is that of a Father.
• When fathers are faithful, they reflect the character of God.

The modern world often teaches men to avoid responsibility.

• Scripture calls men to embrace responsibility.
• Culture says freedom comes from avoiding commitment.
• Scripture says greatness comes through commitment.
• Culture says family is an obstacle.
• Scripture says family is a stewardship.
• Culture says masculinity must be suppressed.
• Scripture says masculinity must be sanctified.

Ephesians 6:4 WEB “You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

• Fathers are commanded to disciple their children.
• Fathers are commanded to instruct their children.
• Fathers are commanded to nurture their children.
• Fathers are not called merely to finance a household.
• Fathers are called to shepherd a household.

A godly man is called to lead, provide, protect, teach, and serve.

1 Corinthians 16:13 WEB “Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!”

• God calls men to courage.
• God calls men to strength.
• God calls men to faithfulness.
• God calls men to vigilance.

A father’s influence extends far beyond his lifetime.

• Nations rise and fall upon the strength of families.
• Families rise and fall upon the faithfulness of fathers.
• Children often remember far more about what their fathers did than what their fathers said.
• A father’s example becomes the blueprint for future generations.

Proverbs repeatedly teaches fathers to train sons in wisdom.

• Teach them to fear God.
• Teach them to guard their minds.
• Teach them to obey authority.
• Teach them to choose wise companions.
• Teach them to control their desires.
• Teach them to honor marriage.
• Teach them to watch their words.
• Teach them to work diligently.
• Teach them to manage resources wisely.
• Teach them to love their neighbors.

Proverbs 1:7 WEB “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:8 WEB “My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:”

Proverbs 15:20 WEB “A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.”

Proverbs 23:24 WEB “The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.”

Proverbs 20:7 WEB “A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.”

Proverbs 13:22 WEB “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.”

Proverbs 20:6-7 WEB “Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man? A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.”

• Everything begins with fearing God.
• A father who teaches his children to fear God gives them a foundation that no government, university, corporation, or cultural movement can provide.

The church must never apologize, minimize or sugarcoat God’s design/role for men.

• Men are not the problem.
• Sin is the problem.
• Masculinity is not the problem.
• Ungodliness is the problem.
• Fatherhood is not the problem.
• Fatherlessness is the problem.

A culture that dishonors men ultimately harms women and children.

• A culture that restores biblical manhood strengthens families, churches, and nations.

Men are needed.

• God created them.
• God designed them.
• God called them.
• God commissioned them.

Fathers matter.

• Not because culture says so.
• Not because politics says so.
• Not because sociology says so.
• Because God says so.

Men are not replaceable.

• A godly father gives identity.
• A godly father gives protection.
• A godly father gives direction.
• A godly father gives example.

In Defense of Men

For decades now, we have been immersed in a culture that openly mocks men.

The obvious reason if because Satan wants to destroy Gods order, upend and flip the God ordained roles and purpose of both men and women, and to weaken Christian influence on the world.

Turn on any electronic screen…

• The father is usually portrayed as clueless.
• The husband is portrayed as incompetent.
• The man is portrayed as emotionally stunted.
• He is the punchline.
• He is the idiot.
• He is the problem.
• He cannot cook.
• He cannot parent.
• He cannot make decisions.
• He cannot function without a woman constantly correcting him.

This has affected not only the reputation of men in culture but in the family court systems where men are only applauded when the parent like women, and are diminished to primary paying for children, not actively being needed as a male role model.

• This is not me exaggerating a point because I’ve been subject to it… this is me making this well documented and evidenced point having seen just how real and pervasive it is from personal experience, and the countless similar stories I’ve been told.

For generations now, sitcoms, movies, commercials, advertisements, schools, universities, social media influencers, and even government institutions have repeated the same message over and over:

• Men are immature.
• Men are selfish.
• Men are dangerous.
• Men are unnecessary.
• Women are wise.
• Women are strong.
• Women are capable.
• Men are the problem.

And after hearing this message repeated thousands of times, many people simply accept it as truth.

• Young boys grow up hearing that masculinity is toxic.
• Young girls grow up hearing that they don’t need men.

The modern slogan is often some version of, “Women don’t need men.”

But that statement only survives because it is spoken from the comfort, security, safety, and prosperity built largely through the labor, sacrifice, and protection of men.

The irony is staggering.

• People sit in air-conditioned buildings built by men.
• Using electricity maintained primarily by men.
• Driving on roads built by men.
• Crossing bridges built by men.
• Protected by police officers who are overwhelmingly men.
• Protected by military forces that are overwhelmingly men.
• Living in houses built primarily by men.
• Receiving food delivered through transportation networks built and maintained primarily by men.
• Benefiting from sewer systems built by men.
• Water systems built by men.
• Power grids built by men.
• Oil fields operated by men.
• Natural gas systems maintained by men.
• Construction crews composed primarily of men.
• Electricians.
• Linemen.
• Roofers.
• Welders.
• Steel workers.
• Miners.
• Loggers.
• Commercial fishermen.
• Farmers.
• Truck drivers.
• Engineers.
• Firefighters.
• Military personnel.

The modern world functions because millions of men quietly get up every morning and perform difficult, dangerous, exhausting work that most people never even think about.

The reason society soaked in feminism can afford to dismiss men is because men have been so successful at creating stability that entire generations have forgotten what instability looks like

• And the reality is the men in our country CHOOSE to ALLOW women the safety and comfort they enjoy because historically at any point men COULD rise up and subjugate women instantly
• Modern western women don’t experience this, so they have not considered historically this is NOT true, and Christianity is the reason

Despite relentlessly hearing about our “toxic masculine patriarchy”, MEN CHOOSE in our country to honor, protect and provide this wonderful life women and children enjoy because of our Christian values.

• Let men decide, like many countries and other religions to subjugate, domination and oppress women and children and see how quickly this is realized

We Don’t Need Men

• Let men disappear for a few day and society begins to strain.
• Let men disappear for 3-4 weeks and critical infrastructure begins to fail.

Let men disappear for a months or a year and civilization as we know it collapses.

• Who keeps electricity flowing?
• Who repairs the power stations?
• Who maintains the water systems?
• Who harvests the crops?
• Who transports the food?
• Who builds the homes?
• Who repairs the roads?
• Who keeps the supply chains moving?
• Who protects the borders?
• Who responds to disasters?
• Who enters burning buildings?
• Who climbs electrical poles during storms?
• Who works offshore oil rigs?
• Who performs the overwhelming majority of the most dangerous jobs in society?

The answer is obvious.

• This is not because men are better than women.
• This is because God created men and women differently and designed them to fulfill complementary roles.

The biblical position is not that women are unnecessary.

The biblical position is not that men are unnecessary.

• The biblical position is that both are essential.

We live in a culture that celebrates women by telling them they can do anything while simultaneously telling men they are the source of everything wrong.

• The Church must not adopt that spirit.
• Unfortunately, many churches have even if subtly and unconsciously.
• Men are often challenged, chided, reminded about their flaws and responsibilities (which is good) while the topic is at best tiptoed around when women are addressed.
• Many will say “not in my church” but its hard to find sermons, program, or Christian books “getting on to” women and speaking frankly about the flaws and shortcomings of women, mothers, and daughters while it is a constant drumbeat for men.
• Too much backlash, too much indoctrination, too controversial… so its mostly avoided because its so ingrained our culture: you don’t criticize women.

On Mother’s Day we often hear about the beauty of womanhood, the sacrifice of mothers, the faithfulness of women, and rightly so.

But on Father’s Day, many sermons become little more than lectures about what men are doing wrong.

• Men are challenged. Women are celebrated.
• Men are corrected. Women are honored.

And after a while, many men begin to wonder if anyone remembers that God actually created man and declared him good.

• There is a backlash movement among young men today in response to this that is in some ways good, an “awakening” but apart from the Bible turns into “men are alpha, being a man is money, sex, and superficial ‘manly’ things” which is BAD but predictable.
• When young men are taught from childhood how wonderful girls are, how they should be treated, etc but you never hear the balance of “how wonderful boys are, and how girls should treat boys” then the message is clear: MEN = BAD
• The backlash, frustration and hopeless is predictable and we see this being clearly, and mostly negatively, manifested today.

============================================

Biblical Defense of Men

Today, on Fathers Day, I want to defend men culturally and Biblically.

• Not sinful men.
• Not abusive men.
• Not irresponsible men.
• Not lazy men.
• Not selfish men.

Those things deserve condemnation. But I want to defend biblical manhood.

• I want to defend fathers.
• I want to defend husbands.
• I want to defend sons.
• I want to defend the God-given dignity, worth, responsibility, and honor of men.

When God created man, He did not create a mistake. God’s design for male/female roles that compliment each other was PERFCT.

• He created an image-bearer.
• He created a worker.
• He created a protector.
• He created a provider.
• He created a leader.
• He created a husband.
• He created a father.

And the attack on biblical manhood is ultimately an attack on the wisdom of the God who designed it.

• Scripture presents men as bearing a sacred responsibility before God.

Genesis 1:27 WEB “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.”

• Men and women possess equal value because both bear the image of God.
• Neither sex is superior in worth.
• Both are created by God and for God.
• The attack on manhood is ultimately an attack upon one aspect of God’s own design.

From the very beginning, God assigned responsibility to men.

Genesis 2:15 WEB “Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.”

• Before there was a nation, a city, a church, or a family, there was a man entrusted with responsibility.
• Work was not a curse.
• Responsibility was not a curse.
• Leadership was not a curse.
• These were gifts from God.
• Work and leadership are part of God’s design for men.

The biblical man…

The biblical man is not a tyrant.

• He rejects domineering, self-serving authority.

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV “… But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

• Jesus explicitly contrasts worldly tyranny (“lord it over them”) with biblical leadership.

He is a servant leader.

John 13:12-17 ESV (Jesus washing the disciples’ feet) …. . If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’”

Philippians 2:5-8 ESV “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

He protects rather than exploits (and nourishes/cherishes).

1 Peter 3:7 ESV “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

He sacrifices rather than dominates.

Mark 10:45 ESV (parallel to Matthew 20): “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

He accepts responsibility rather than avoids it.

Biblical leadership involves stewardship and accountability (e.g., managing one’s household well as a prerequisite for broader service).

1 Timothy 3:4-5 ESV (qualifications for overseers, reflecting expected male character) “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”