Dear (Place Your Name Here),
Thank you for reaching out to us. We are thrilled to hear from you. We wanted to let you know that our monthly gatherings of Radical Manhood are designed specifically for men like you who are looking to influence and guide young men in their lives. As a father with 13-17 year old sons, we believe that these meetings will be a valuable resource for you to impart life-giving truths to your young men. Our mission at Radical Manhood is to equip men with the necessary tools to face life's challenges and to encourage them to make a positive impact in their communities. Through coaching, training, and discipleship, we aim to empower men to embrace their full potential and become the great leaders they were designed to be. We believe that by connecting with men at all stages of life and guiding them towards self-improvement with biblical truth, we can make a significant impact in our society and build back “manhood". We hope that you will join us and be a part of this movement to inspire and encourage men to reach their fullest potential. I trust that this provides you with a better understanding of our mission. Our approach involves utilizing personal growth and development to assist men in uncovering the truth of the scriptures and making a genuine impact on our families, communities, and those in our immediate surroundings on a daily basis.
Thank you again for your interest in Radical Manhood. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. Matt Below are the thoughts I wrote to develop the monthly teaching of last month as well as this months discussion. Last month we looked at Significance, Strength, ands Security. Below is the premise of thought that was delivered:
Security in the Love of Jesus Christ In a world filled with fear and insecurity, it can be difficult to find a source of true safety and peace. However, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have access to a love that is unchanging and unshakable. The love of Jesus provides us with a sense of security that transcends our circumstances and gives us the courage to face whatever life may bring.
The Gospel of John provides a powerful testimony to the love of Jesus and the security that it provides. Throughout the book, John presents Jesus as the embodiment of love and the means by which we can have access to the Father. Jesus' love for us is demonstrated in His teachings, miracles, and ultimately in His death on the cross.
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This verse highlights the depth of God's love for us and the security that it provides. When we believe in Jesus, we receive the gift of salvation and the peace that comes with it. The love of Jesus is also demonstrated in His surrender to the Father's will. In John 10:18, Jesus says, "No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." Here, Jesus demonstrates His complete surrender to the Father's will, even unto death. This act of surrender exemplifies the love of Jesus for us and the security that it provides.
The death of Jesus on the cross was the ultimate demonstration of His love for us. Through His death, Jesus took upon himself the punishment for our sin and provided a way for us to be reconciled to God. This act of love gives us the assurance of our salvation and the security that it provides. Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The love of Jesus is not just a one-time event, but it continues to provide us with security and peace every day. When we trust in Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin and death, but we are free to live in the love and peace that He provides. This love transforms us from the inside out and gives us the courage to face whatever life may bring. The security that we have in the love of Jesus is not based on our own merits or abilities, but it is a gift from God that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. This love is not something that can be earned or deserved, but it is freely given to us through the grace of God.
The love of Jesus provides us with a sense of security that is unshakable and unchanging. Through His teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates the depth of His love for us and the security that it provides. When we trust in Jesus, we have access to a love that transforms us from the inside out and gives us the courage to face whatever life may bring. As believers in Jesus Christ, we can approach life with confidence, knowing that we are always in His care and that our ultimate salvation is secure in Him. Strength Through Hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation and redemption offered to humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In John, we see the gospel message come to life through the teachings, miracles, and sacrifice of Jesus. Through these events, we gain a better understanding of the strength and hope that comes from having faith in Jesus and the gospel message.
The gospel of John opens with the declaration that Jesus is the Word of God, and through him, all things were made. From the very beginning, we see the power and authority that Jesus holds. In John 2, Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding in Cana, turning water into wine. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus’ power, but it also serves as a sign pointing to his greater purpose as the Son of God.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus continues to perform miracles, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and even raising the dead. These miracles serve as further proof of Jesus’ authority and power, and they also bring hope to those who witness them. In John 11, when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the people who saw it believed in him and many came to believe in Jesus because of the miracle.
In addition to his miracles, Jesus also calls disciples to follow him. In John 1, two of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus, and Jesus calls them to become “fishers of men.” Through this call, Jesus shows that he has the power to draw people to himself and that his gospel message has the power to change lives. The disciples leave everything to follow Jesus, demonstrating their faith in him and the hope they have in the gospel message.
However, the gospel of John also shows us the trials and temptations that Jesus faced. In John 8, we see Jesus being tested by the religious leaders of his day. Despite their efforts to trap him, Jesus remains steadfast in his teachings, demonstrating his strength and faith in God.
One of the most significant temptations that Jesus faced was in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread, to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, and to worship him in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. However, Jesus resists these temptations, relying on the Word of God and his faith in his Father. Through this, Jesus sets an example for us, showing us how to resist temptation and remain faithful to God.
Finally, the gospel of John concludes with the death and resurrection of Jesus. In John 19, Jesus is sentenced to death on the cross, and he willingly gives his life for the sins of humanity. Through his death, Jesus offers a way of salvation and redemption, providing hope and strength to all who believe in him. In John 20, Jesus rises from the dead, demonstrating his power over death and fulfilling the prophecy that he would be the resurrection and the life.
The gospel of John offers us a clear picture of the strength and hope that comes from having faith in Jesus and the gospel message. Through the miracles, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus, we see the power of the gospel to change lives and bring hope to all who believe. By relying on the Word of God and following Jesus’ example of faith and obedience, we can gain strength and hope in the midst of our own trials and temptations. No one can remove us from our standing in heaven, and we can have confidence in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Significance of Purpose in the Transformed Life through Jesus Christ The life we receive as we are transformed from our old sin nature and confess our faith in Jesus Christ is a life of purpose and significance. The letters of Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians offer us insights into the transformation that takes place when we become believers in Jesus. Through these letters, we see how the Holy Spirit provides us with a new self, helping us to put off our old sinful nature and replace it with the fruit of the Spirit.
In Galatians, Paul reminds us that our salvation is not based on works but on faith in Jesus Christ. He writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we confess our faith in Jesus, we are saved and given a new life, free from the chains of sin and death.
Ephesians offers further insights into the transformation that takes place when we become believers in Jesus. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul writes, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Through our faith in Jesus, we are given a new purpose and a new identity as children of God. This new life is not just about going to heaven when we die but about living a life of significance and purpose here on earth.
Colossians provides us with further insights into the transformation that takes place when we become believers in Jesus. In Colossians 3:1-17, Paul instructs us to put off our old sin nature and to put on a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. He writes, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5). Paul then goes on to describe the fruit of the Spirit, which is evidence of our salvation. This fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Jesus faced temptation just as we do, but he showed us how to resist it through his faith in God and his obedience to the Word of God. In John 8, we see Jesus being tested by the religious leaders of his day. Despite their efforts to trap him, Jesus remains steadfast in his teachings, demonstrating his strength and faith in God. This serves as an example for us, showing us how to resist temptation and remain faithful to God. Jesus also demonstrated his power and authority through his miracles. In John, we see Jesus performing many miracles, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and even raising the dead. These miracles serve as further proof of Jesus’ authority and power, and they also bring hope to those who witness them.
Finally, the gospel of John concludes with the death and resurrection of Jesus. In John 19, Jesus is sentenced to death on the cross, and he willingly gives his life for the sins of humanity. Through his death, Jesus offers a way of salvation and redemption, providing hope and strength to all who believe in him. In John 20, Jesus rises from the dead, demonstrating his power over death and fulfilling the prophecy that he would be the resurrection and the life.
In conclusion, the transformation that takes place when we become believers in Jesus is a transformation from a life of sin and death to a life of purpose and significance.
This month (March 20) we are going to continue the conversation and weigh the question, What is stealing our significance?
I want to talk to you about three powerful words: relentless, resiliency, and reflexive. These words may seem unrelated, but they share a common thread - they are all qualities that we need to possess if we want to become the greatness that God intends us to be.
Let's start with relentless. When we hear this word, we often think of someone who is stubborn or unyielding. But to be truly relentless means to have an unwavering commitment to achieving our goals, no matter what obstacles stand in our way. We must have the determination to persevere through the toughest of times and never give up.
Next, let's talk about resiliency. Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adversity. It is the quality that helps us get up after we fall down. Resiliency is not something that we are born with, but rather it is something that we develop through experience. We must learn to embrace our failures and use them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Finally, we have reflexive. Being reflexive means being self-aware and constantly questioning our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It means being open to feedback and criticism and using it to improve ourselves.
We must be willing to challenge our limiting beliefs and replace them with biblical beliefs that align with God's plan for our lives.
Now, I want to take a moment and ask you to picture yourself as a child. Think about the limiting beliefs, thoughts, and ideas that held you back from achieving your dreams. What are the things going on in your mind that are keeping you from becoming the greatness that God intends you to be? We all have them, but we must learn to challenge them and replace them with positive, biblical beliefs.
We must also learn to differentiate between the voices that feed us limiting beliefs and those that feed us biblical beliefs. Just because something comes from a good source does not mean that it aligns with God's plan for our lives.
We must learn to discern and choose the voices that will help us become the greatness that we were created to be.
We must also learn to focus on the things that truly matter in life. We must ask ourselves the tough questions: Did I live? Did I love? Did I make a difference? Do I matter? These questions will help us shift our focus from material possessions to the things that truly matter in life.
And finally, we must be willing to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. When we become too comfortable, we become complacent and stop growing. We must strive for the things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones. We must constantly ask ourselves, "How can I inspire, motivate, or move those around me to greatness?"
In conclusion, we must be relentless in our pursuit of greatness, resilient in the face of adversity, and reflexive in our thoughts and actions. We must challenge our limiting beliefs and replace them with biblical beliefs that align with God's plan for our lives. And we must constantly push ourselves out of our comfort zones and strive for the things that truly matter in life. Let us all commit to becoming the greatness that God intends us to be. Thank you.
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." - Hebrews 12:1
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3-4
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
"I can do all things through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
This verse speaks to the importance of being relentless in our pursuit of greatness. With God's strength and guidance, we can achieve anything we set our minds to, no matter how difficult the road may be. 8”. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31 This verse emphasizes the importance of resiliency. Even when we face setbacks and adversity, we can find strength in our faith and the hope we have in the Lord. With His help, we can bounce back from any setback and continue to move forward. 9”. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24. This verse speaks to the importance of being reflexive in our thoughts and actions. We must be willing to examine ourselves and seek God's guidance to identify any limiting beliefs or behaviors that may be holding us back. Only then can we replace them with positive, biblical beliefs that align with God's plan for our lives.
Matthew Johnson Steward, RadicalManhood.org