[0:00] Okay, we're going to go this message. Read 1 Corinthians 16, 13 and 14.
[0:15] In the English Standard Version, it says like this. So I guess it's just verse, yeah, it's verse 13 and 14. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
[0:30] Let all that you do be done in love. I choose the English Standard because they say act like men.
[0:43] And the King James says quit like men. And actually means the same thing, but it sure sounds wrong. So this morning we're going to title it, Act Like Men and Women.
[1:00] Whatever your role is, whatever your gender is, that is how we act accordingly. The world is pushing all kinds of things.
[1:12] And we want to look at a biblical view of this this morning. And, you know, women are pushed to be more masculine and men are pushed to be more feminist.
[1:28] But we're not looking at that necessarily. We're looking at who are you supposed to be. And we have a corrupt, I mean, a complete deceptive picture in front of us in the last year, what the world is doing.
[1:43] And, but because they don't see God. You don't believe in some of this stuff without denying God. It can't be. But this morning we're going to look at this.
[1:56] To be watchful. To stand in the firm, in the faith. And act like men. Be strong.
[2:07] Let all that you do be done in love. So, how are we? You know, this morning again, the teaching I'm going to do today. My plan is this one, another one.
[2:20] And then the third one will end in prayer. You heard so much this week. And the third one won't be all a long message, but then in the ending.
[2:33] But you heard so much. Do you have the grace? I really strongly recommend that you ask for prayer to be able to live this out.
[2:45] God laid a lot of responsibilities on you all week. The more we know, the more we're accountable. And I believe God has a great plan for you guys.
[3:01] So, let's be watchful. Let's stand. Be on guard. Stand firm. In respecting God's precepts. And keeping your doctrine sound.
[3:15] Because what we've seen in the last couple of years is simply that. People believe it doesn't matter anymore. But we are called to keep it sound. Is it based upon the word of God?
[3:29] And how do we know that? But except checking it out. You know, whatever you buy today in this electronic world and technology.
[3:41] Many of you probably study a lot to know how this thing works. But we got a greater calling. I'm satisfied if somebody tells me how those things work.
[3:54] Just what I need to know. I don't need to know everything else. But in this book, I need to know everything. Sound.
[4:06] The soundness of it. Not a couple different ways. One day you sound like this. And the next day you sound like that. Now, that's not necessarily what the sound means here.
[4:17] But it is still that we don't give an uncertain sound. Act like men. Take your authority in the home and marriage. Pray against principalities.
[4:28] Rebuke away any attacks from the devil. Set the Bible as your guide. Seek first. God first. And set that standard.
[4:40] Some of this will overlap probably. Last night I actually mentioned that. Sometime yesterday. And, you know, I don't really preach that much.
[4:51] Different. I title everything different and preach the same message. So, you're getting it. Because what God called me to, I gravitate back to the root about every time.
[5:09] I'm not ashamed of it. And so this morning, this week, as you learn so much new stuff. Now, how do you act this out?
[5:19] And embrace it. Don't run from it. There was a king. I'm going to break in here and read some. It is actually in 1 Kings 20.
[5:33] But I'm going to read verse 39 to 40, I think. But I'm just going to break in here and explain it. The king, there was war.
[5:45] And as they were, he, I'm going to read it here. As the king passed by. So, I think I'm in 1 Kings 20, 39.
[5:56] As the king passed by, he cried unto the king. And he said, Thy servant went out in the midst of battle.
[6:07] And behold, a man turned aside and brought a man unto me. And said, Keep this man. And if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life.
[6:20] Or else, thy shall pay a trip. Part of silver. So, yeah. I mess myself up so often in word pronunciations.
[6:34] In verse 40. And the servant was busy here and there. And he was gone. The king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be. Thyself has decided it.
[6:48] Now, what it's saying here, through war, he got a man. And he brought this man to this other man. And said, You watch him. Because if you don't, your life is going to be for his life.
[6:59] So, I assume it was a personal war. And he brought him here. And the man was told to take care of him. But while he was busy here and there, he lost the man.
[7:13] He was not a bad man. Just a busy man. Busy isn't bad. It's all dependent on what you're busy with.
[7:27] So, imagine you're given a responsibility. And that's what I'm bringing this to. You have been given a responsibility. And now God is asking you to keep that responsibility.
[7:40] Walk it out. Walk it out. And don't miss the opportunity. And don't neglect what God has given you. Act like men and women.
[7:52] And do your duty. Just one man. He couldn't keep him. And so, this morning, that's where it all comes down to.
[8:04] Are we taking the priority in our lives? If we're married, in our lives, our children. Are we spiritual men that take this seriously? Or is this gospel just slipping through our fingers?
[8:18] We're busy here and there. All of a sudden, I realize I have neglected the word. I have neglected prayer. I have neglected my duties in church. I have neglected my duties in encouraging, witnessing to people.
[8:32] It has slipped through. As I was busy with good things. So, we're called to act like men.
[8:44] And that is take responsibilities. That's what we are called to do. We have responsibilities. And responsibilities means you fulfill the responsibility.
[8:59] Or if you don't, you neglected it. That's the very definition of it. Do it all in love.
[9:15] Not because you have to. Because you love to. You know, I really appreciate you guys for having me. This was so fun again.
[9:28] Can I have fun preaching? You're giving me this responsibility. And I'm going to enjoy it. I hope you do too.
[9:40] But, you know, we have responsibilities. We walk it out. We fulfill it. And so, every time when things change.
[9:51] When I married, I got new responsibilities. When we had children, I got new responsibilities. And that's how we walk it out. In love.
[10:03] And so, there's a lot of things that come along the way. But this man, he was busy here and there. It's amazing the wording in the Bible.
[10:17] Do I see men like that? Absolutely. They are busy here and there. I don't know where and where they were. But they were busy here and there.
[10:27] Because it's so easy. To let things slip. And so, let's take this to heart this morning.
[10:41] You heard so much this week. And I don't know what y'all heard. But I know it was good. I'm sure. Now, don't let it slip.
[10:52] Don't let it get away from you. As you're busy here and there. Yes. But do not neglect. You know.
[11:02] We all work. We all do our work. Next week, I'll be back at work. Busy here and there. Mostly just there. Are you built up.
[11:24] That you can successfully help your wife and children. Plus make a difference in the world. And not help in the decay. Because if I'm busy here and there.
[11:39] And neglect the truth. I am doing something else. Without thinking about it. I am helping the world. In the decay. You know.
[11:53] We look at the world and think. Well, all what happened in the last year. And all this stuff that's out there. What we're supposed to believe. What we're supposed to celebrate. If somebody.
[12:04] A man says he's a woman. We're supposed to celebrate it. It's a decay. And we need to stand up.
[12:15] And not be ashamed. Did any of that intimidate us. How we approach people. But we do it in love. You know. If you're a brash man.
[12:27] Soften that a little bit. But. Come across in love. Because we need to. Or we're helping in the decay. And that is scary.
[12:40] Are you building up the new man. The spiritual man. You know. I'm not here to. Build you guys up. So that you favor me. I'm here to you build up.
[12:50] In the favor of Christ. So often. We work so much on this man. But. Are we working on our spiritual man. Strengthen him.
[13:02] For the things. Ahead. That is our calling. And. Not our old man. That we're not catering to that.
[13:13] And keeping that built up. Let him die. Let him die. So what truth. Have you left.
[13:26] Slip away. From you. Jude 2025. I mean.
[13:37] 20 to 25. There's only one book. Sorry. But if you find more chapters. Let me know. I love the book of Jude.
[13:51] But you have believed. You. But you beloved. Building up yourself. In the most holy faith. Praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourself. In the love of God. Looking for the mercy.
[14:03] Of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unto eternal life. I guess.
[14:13] There are only two verses there. Building up. To build upon. That is to build their own.
[14:26] That's how we build on something. This week. You heard a lot of fundamental things. Foundational things. Now build the building. Some of you are builders.
[14:37] Now build that building. On top of that foundation. The things you heard. Build it out. You see it. The world sees it. You will know it. That is how you build. Keep a watch.
[14:51] The guard. Keeping your eyes upon. As you build. These are things.
[15:02] We focus on. The new man. Not always repenting. About the old man. In other words. If you need to. Then do. But it better be. We're working.
[15:13] On the new. When the old man. Steps in the way. We deal with it. In repentance. And get right back up. And build up the new man.
[15:24] That is our duty. As people. Men and women. We strive. To be more. And deeper.
[15:35] And that means. We need to focus on that. Mark 8. 35. 37. For whosoever.
[15:47] Will save his life. Shall lose it. But whosoever. Shall lose his life. For my sake. In the gospels. The same. Shall save it. For what shall. It profit a man. If he gains the whole world.
[15:57] And lose his own soul. Or what shall a man. Give in exchange. For his soul. We heard that before. From me. Here. What are you giving. In exchange. For your soul.
[16:09] You were given. A responsibility. What did you. Change it for. If you're not doing. You're doing something. What is more important.
[16:24] In your life. Than. Seeking. God. God. It is so simple.
[16:37] You can almost. Let it sleep. And many people do. Because if I would tell you. We need certain amount of muscles.
[16:48] In our arms. To be right with God. Many of you. Would be weight lifting. If you aren't. But you would be working at it. There's something to do.
[16:59] There is something to do. Seeking God. Is something. That takes. That takes. More. Than any strong man.
[17:10] Can do. On his own. It is. Has to be. Led by the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians.
[17:22] 14. 8. For the trumpet. Gives. An uncertain sound. Who shall prepare himself. To battle. Let your life. Be such. In tune. With God.
[17:33] That when people. Hear you. It prepares them. It. It. Alarms them. It. Wakes them up. A certain.
[17:45] It's certain. It is true. It's a sound. That you know. There's a call. There's a time. There's a place. Coming. As we look at that.
[17:56] Today. Are we hearing it? Is it moving us? Are we letting it slip? Proverbs 29. 18. The middle verse.
[18:08] Where there is no vision. The people perish. But he that keepeth the law. Happy is he. Do you give out a vision?
[18:24] Or do people who perish? That's true for church leaders. That's true for husbands. In their home. In their marriage. That's true for anything you do.
[18:37] Do you have. Where there is no vision. The people perish. I don't know what to do. Don't be those people. Have a vision. If your wife doesn't know your vision.
[18:53] Don't blame her for not doing it. If your people in church. Pastors. Don't know your vision. Then.
[19:05] Then you're in trouble. Years ago. We didn't have a vision much.
[19:16] In our marriage. And. When I first started. In that journey. And. I was sometimes. A little upset. At my wife. When she didn't follow.
[19:26] What I wanted her to follow. That I hadn't told her. I didn't lead. I didn't act like a man. And she would say.
[19:37] I didn't know. You know. Some romance. Says it like this. She. She just knew. What's in my heart. My wife is smart.
[19:54] But she was never able. To read my heart. But you have to express it. You have to lead. You have to tell her. We're going this way. We're going here.
[20:05] And. Explain it. And. Yesterday. Last night. I said something about communication. I want to clarify. Something was that statement. Because. Communication is. It's not me talking to her.
[20:16] Just. It's her. Talking back to me. That's how you settle. The communication. So I'm going to tell her. What to do. And that's it. That's not. What I'm talking about.
[20:28] I'm talking about. We sit down. How about this. Okay. Let's settle. Let's move on. Your financial vision.
[20:38] That was the problem. I had. With your wife. Your doctor. I was so tight.
[20:50] Financially. I was so up against. At a point. In my life. Um. I didn't want to talk about it. But boy.
[21:02] Could she trigger that one. Because. She. She. Bring it up. I need this. Or I need to get this.
[21:13] Or she got it. And it's not. There was just no room. It was all ready to blow up. I'm not proud of it.
[21:25] But. But that is. The vision wasn't clarified. So now. This is our goal. Now she can freely roam. Around. And go shopping.
[21:36] Without me. And anything. Because we have this vision. Together. She knows. What we don't want to spend on. She knows. What. What we need.
[21:46] What our future plans are. What. We're looking at. What we want to do. And. And so now it's no problem. Because there's a vision. And so.
[21:58] Just for that information. Young men. Start it right. Authority.
[22:14] God given authority. What is it? You know. We have been God given authority. We can sometimes. Some of. I have. The authority. You gave me authority.
[22:25] To stand here and preach to you. Because you're sitting there listening. But. Fatherhood is authority.
[22:35] If you choose to enter into fatherhood. You have a responsibility. I don't care how you feel. You. That's God given.
[22:47] And you have a place. In your marriage. Your children. You have been given that authority. You have the right. To enforce that. Your authority that way.
[22:59] Not. Not in an enforcing way. Not like I'm the boss here. But. But. In authority. That walks in love. Authority.
[23:12] Do I have authority. In a certain area. I always say it like this. Sometimes. We gossip about things. Sometimes. We.
[23:23] Want to be involved. In other people's problems. But if I hadn't been given the authority. I'm not going there. Because I'm going to keep my authority.
[23:33] Where God has given it. And if I feel I don't have an authority. What can I do. That would help that person. I have to lower.
[23:45] Myself. You know. Would anybody complain. If I would help you. With something. Little. Probably not.
[23:56] But sometimes we're always looking for something high. But authority. Is as low. As you can go. You might have authority. I'll explain that in the next message. A little bit more. Because I feel we have.
[24:08] Some misunderstood authority. And. It has been misused. We see in that. Genesis 3.9.
[24:18] Genesis 3.9. And the Lord God called unto Adam. And said. Where art thou? He didn't call.
[24:30] Adam and Eve. He called him. He called Adam. He's responsible. So. Settle that. You know. That's how God created it. You know.
[24:40] Me and my wife. Are married. And she has authority. To speak into my life. Into the plans of her life. Into her financial plans of her life.
[24:51] To her children. All that. But I must settle it. I must lead. I cannot let it slip. She's not lesser than me.
[25:03] She is with me. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Stand. Women.
[25:14] Stand by your husband. I feel that often. I don't know how. I've been involved. My wife didn't tremble over me. She made me lead.
[25:26] I was probably weaker in that area than I should have been. Ephesians 4.14. How often do I use that word?
[25:40] Anyways. You know. Because we need to come to this place that we're not like this. We want to be built up. In Ephesians 4.14. It says that henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro.
[25:53] Carried about with every win of doctrine by the slay of men. Conny craftedness whereby they lay in wait to the scene. I have seen so much deception in the people I love.
[26:08] You know. As I look back. I warn. I preach. They heard the messages. And then it still can look like a disaster.
[26:21] But we cannot compromise. And I am. Keep yourself pure. In the love of God. 1 Peter 3.
[26:33] Chapter 3. Verse 3 to 4. Now we're getting to the women. Don't leave.
[26:44] Who is adorning. Let it not be an outward adorning of the plating of hair. And wearing a goat. And putting on of a pearl. But let it be the hidden man of the heart. Which is not corruptible.
[26:56] Even the ornament of the meek and quiet spirit. Which is the inside of God. Of great price. This is interesting.
[27:09] Because how does a woman. What is the. How does she keep herself. In this thing about being quiet. This is interesting.
[27:21] Because I'm going to explain what quiet means. In the biblical dictionary. Properly. Keeping. One's.
[27:31] Seat. You probably. You keep. The place you have been given. You have full authority. Your proper.
[27:45] You're keeping the seat. Which God has given you. And that is what it means. I love that definition. Of that quiet. Because sometimes women say.
[27:58] I can't talk. No. It says. Keep your seat. Your woman. Your mom. Whatever. Do that duty. Faithfully.
[28:14] It's not about. How do I look to other people. It is doing your. Taking care of the responsibility. You have been given. And then it goes on and says.
[28:28] Not to be disturbed. In herself. And not disturbing. To others. I love that one.
[28:46] Don't be disturbed. In yourself. And be not disturbing. In others. And that includes us men too. I'm not disturbed. I have settled.
[28:58] My life was Christ. I am not disturbed. By all the evil. That goes around me sometimes. And not disturbing.
[29:10] To others. Did you hear about. The latest fear thing. That's going around. I don't need to do that. I worked with a guy.
[29:22] And he. About these drones. That are flying around. New Jersey. He said. When you look at him. When they look at you.
[29:33] In the eyes. They're light school. He didn't disturb me. Because I didn't believe it.
[29:50] But in your. Raising your children. In marriage. In your husband. Don't be. Disturbing others. You know.
[30:01] There's a place. If you need help. Go to the right people. That can help you. But do not be out there. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.
[30:12] Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.
[30:22] Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.
[30:36] Bad. Bad. Bad. Undisturbed. And I tell you, don't forget anything else.
[30:46] Don't be undisturbed. And you will be undisturbing to others. You won't be disturbing to others. I said that wrong. Be undisturbed and not disturbing to others.
[31:01] And this is good because that's what I see. We can always focus on, well, you shouldn't wear anything in your hair. Or how should you do that? Or how shouldn't you do that?
[31:11] And the point is, if you have a meek and quiet spirit, people are going to love you. Knowing what is her duty to do.
[31:31] Her responsibility. Doing it in all godliness. To act like a woman. I'm glad my wife is very stable.
[31:46] Very. She gets excited about a few things. When it snows. And when it's really cold.
[32:00] She's all fresh and ready to go. So. What is my reference point? What is my reference point in marriage?
[32:13] What do I point to for my marriage? What is my reference point for raising children? What is my reference point to believe in certain church doctrines?
[32:24] What is my reference point for church body functions? What is my reference point for dressing right? Is it Jesus Christ?
[32:37] We need always when you refer to something in science, in the education, anything. You always have a reference point. This is where it starts. Your life.
[32:48] Better at everything. Base. And whatever you do. Work. Whatever you do. Your reference point. Is. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ.
[32:59] Christ. Christ. Christ. Christ. In your church. In God. You know. Marriage. And family. Are we a witness to the world?
[33:16] Mark 8. 38. Whatsoever therefore shall be. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me in my words. In this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall.
[33:29] Shall the son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his father with his holy angels. Are we ashamed of the word of God?
[33:43] Are we letting it slip? We have been here and there looking for something. We found some false doctrine. Now we believe in that until something better comes along.
[33:55] Have we settled? Have we settled? I am not ashamed of this simple way of the gospel.
[34:08] The word does not offend me. I don't have to explain it away. I can just embrace it. Remember the love of God does not save us alone.
[34:22] The love of God made the way for salvation. Some people say I'm saved because God loves me.
[34:35] No. You're not saved by that alone. You are saved with that but not alone. Because God loves me. But I can still be a sinner.
[34:46] But it is because he loved me. He died so I can be saved by his love. Never forget that. I meet so many people lately.
[35:00] Are you a Christian? Yes. I love God. God loves me. You didn't tell me anything. Except common talking points.
[35:11] So let's not let these things slip. The gospel. Now I'm going to tell you a story.
[35:25] Maybe you heard this one before. It's not mine. Originally. But maybe somebody didn't hear it. It goes well with this message.
[35:37] There's a story of two paddle boats. Paddle boats were steamboats. Or they had the wheel.
[35:49] You know. I didn't know what a paddle boat is. I thought that's sitting on some and paddling. But this is big steamers. They were two that left Memphis about the same time.
[36:03] Traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side. The sailors from one vessel. To the other.
[36:14] Challenge each other to a race. Doesn't that sound exciting? We'll beat you to New Orleans.
[36:25] And they changed words. And then the race began. They can only go five miles per hour. Typically. And so they had to feed the furnace. The steamer.
[36:37] To keep it going. And. They had it full. Of stuff to deliver. To New Orleans. So they roared. Towards the deep.
[36:50] South. One boat began. Falling behind. They had not enough fuel. They were running out of fuel.
[37:01] Because they were overdoing it. They only had enough of fuel. For their responsibility. So. One smart guy.
[37:13] Decided. They can burn the cargo. So they started cutting up the cargo box. And put it into the fire. And got the thing going again. Faster.
[37:25] And. So they pass up the boat again. And they were. In the head. In the lead. And they were. Burning. Up. As they went. They ended up winning the race.
[37:42] But lost their cargo. They burned it all up. Remember. Remember.
[37:52] Whatever you have today. Whatever God gives you in the future. You're supposed to deliver that cargo. There's. That is your responsibility. It is not to let your ego.
[38:05] Get in the way. Because somebody challenged me. That I. Cannot. Beat him. I have one responsibility. Is to deliver.
[38:16] The cargo. That God. Put in my hands. And I cannot. Let that slip away. For my own. Momentary. Pleasures. You imagine.
[38:30] They have been given. A responsibility. And they got there. And it wasn't there. Anymore. They burned it. All up. For feelings.
[38:42] Of victory. In. And not realizing. They lost. Everything. Your children. Your wives.
[38:53] Your family. Your church family. You have a responsibility. Don't lose it. Because somebody else. Challenged you.
[39:04] This would be more exciting. Know your responsibility. And walk that out. Nobody. Is going to challenge. Take it away from me.
[39:15] I'm going to. Go down the river. At five miles an hour. And you can pass me up. At ten. But I will get there. And deliver.
[39:26] What God. Has given me. That is the responsibility. Even if I'm busy. I cannot forget that. I'm here and there. But I cannot let these things slip.
[39:40] Because that is my responsibility. To finish this race. And God's going to say. Good. And well done. That is the responsibility.
[39:51] I have. In the authority that I have. I'm not going to run. I have no authority. To run your families. I have authority for mine.
[40:05] And that is the responsibility. You know. I know there are a lot of young men though. There's a lot of energy. A lot of exciting things ahead of you. I know there are a lot of young men. But. Hear me.
[40:17] This word. Do not. Let it slip. Away. You have a responsibility. Take it serious. I'm not saying you don't. At all.
[40:28] But take that. Because how would that be. In the end of our life. We have wasted everything. And I walk all these years. Through all these trials.
[40:39] And all these things. That were so painful. But what if I lose everything. Because I was more excited.
[40:49] What others were thinking about me. They were challenging me. I got to fight back. I got to prove. My Jesus is bigger than yours. No you don't.
[41:02] There's only one Jesus. And if there's another one. I don't want him. If somebody created one themselves. I'm not after that. So they have burned up.
[41:15] Their whole cargo. God has entrusted you. His work. God has entrusted you.
[41:25] His family responsibilities. God has entrusted you. His money. God has entrusted you. God has entrusted you.
[41:36] Like years ago. Like I was saying. Money was running. Ruining my life. Because it was. Not in control. Deliver God's cargo safely.
[41:53] Keep what God has given you. Let's stand. Let's stand. Lord Jesus.
[42:06] We just come before you. And Lord we ask you. Lord open our eyes. Open our eyes. So we can see.
[42:17] What you have for us. And. That there's more with us. Than with them. Open our understanding. To understand your scripture. Lord we're helpless.
[42:29] Without your mercy. In these areas. Lord let us. Take this responsibility. Of hearing your word. And then.
[42:40] To deliver it. To the ultimate end. Of whatever you have. Purposed it to be. Why did you allow. Me to hear this. For a purpose. A destination.
[42:52] People. That you have for us. And Lord Jesus. We just commit our lives to you. We surrender. To your word. And we ask you.
[43:03] To fill us. To empower us. And to lead us. Into the very things. That you have planned for us.
[43:15] Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.