From Calvary Monterey’s 2022 Growth Nights
Why?
I think it would be good to begin our time together with a series of questions that should help us frame why we will take the time, once each month, to study in this way.
Why study?
The first question we should ask is this: why study? Why take time out of our busy lives to think about, meditate on, contemplate, and digest a study of God's word? The answer is in the question: we believe the Bible to be God's inspired and infallible Word. It does not only contain the word of God—some parts inspired while others are not—but it is entirely God's word. And since it is the method God used to communicate with mankind, it is worthy of study. We have received a transmission from the divine—isn't it worth looking into?
But my hope isn't that we merely come to Scripture as curious seekers looking for a bit of revelation. My prayer is that we would come to the Word as devoted followers, men who want to submit themselves to their Lord as they find him in the word of the Lord. The word of the Lord is not like a tray of hors d'oeuvres at a holiday party—bit and bites there for the taking if we so choose. No, the word is supreme because it has come from God. It has jurisdiction over the entirety of who we are. So, with eager hearts, we should long to know it and find how it would direct our lives.
Why a Men's Study?
The second question we should ask is this: why a men's study? Why should men take the time to remove themselves from women to think about and apply the Scriptures to manhood? What purpose is served in receiving the word in this format? My answer will reveal a bit of what I believe the Bible says about men. Men (like women) are created in God's image and (like women) have been designed by God for a specific purpose and reason. By taking time to consider those reasons—apart from the women of the church—we can straightforwardly dive into God's call and intention for our lives.
But there is another—and perhaps somewhat related—reason why a men's study is helpful. Not only are men designed by God for a specific purpose, but our design lends us to many similar and overlapping temptations. Women will struggle with the three obstacles every Christian faces—unseen forces that deceive us, bodies of sin that stir cravings within us, and a world system that encourages us to live out sinful desires—but those struggles will often take a different shape than they will for men. By occasionally separating ourselves from the other gender, we can talk frankly about both the unique callings of God and temptations of the flesh that are common to men.
Why a Monthly Men's Study?
We should ask a third question: why a monthly men's study? Why not a daily or weekly study? There is nothing wrong with either of those approaches. I hope you are in the word every day of your life because man can not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. I hope you engage in weekly forms of Bible teaching (on Sundays, for instance). But a monthly study has added benefit for a couple of reasons.
First, a monthly study is manageable. Excluding January and December, we are talking about ten studies over ten months. It is a commitment a man can keep, and, as we'll learn during our study, men should make and keep commitments. For a man devoted to Christ and his church, weekly engagement with the Sunday church gathering, twenty-four nights of Life Group throughout the year, and ten nights of an exclusively men's study ought to be fairly manageable. Add to that the benefit of catching up on missed studies through technology, and a monthly study becomes even more conducive to life.
Second, a monthly study allows time for contemplation and application. If we were to take these studies in weekly, it might feel like a flurry of truth, exhortations, and needed application. For instance, if we dealt with marriage on week six and parenting on week seven, you might quickly move on from both subjects once week eight rolls around. Perhaps a benefit of the monthly rhythm is that we will have time to digest the subject for that month.
Why a Monthly Men's Study Called "Jesus Famous Men"?
This brings me to a fourth question we should ask: why a monthly men's study called Jesus Famous Men? Why not call it Biblical Men or Men Of The Word or How To Follow God As A Man? None of those titles would be inappropriate. I wrote a book called The No-Nonsense Biblical Man—not my favorite title in retrospect, but the idea I wanted to communicate is that we needed to cut out silly caricatures or stereotypes and take a look at what the Bible has to say about being a man of God.
But I am calling this study Jesus Famous Men for a reason—I think far too many men are not motivated into biblical manhood for the right reason. Some want to be a godly man because "it's the right thing to do." Others want to pursue godly living because they are repulsed by the alternative. Some are trying to earn God's favor through righteous living. Some have found community in the church and want to impress their newfound church family. But I want men to be so enraptured with Jesus that they respond to who he is with a life of devotion to him.
My vision of Jesus Famous is that Christ becomes important, glorious, majestic, hallowed, exalted, appreciated, holy, set apart, transcendent, or magnified first to each of us individually, then in us collectively, and then through us to our community. When he is seen this way, when the fame of Christ is running through our souls, we will crave a life that honors him. That's what I'm hoping for—Jesus Famous men who live the entirety of their lives responding to Christ's glorious and gracious and good gospel. This will be the thrust of this first teaching but will also be the concept throughout these ten months. To me, this is a much better approach than yelling at you to be a man, showing you a clip from Braveheart, and encouraging you to get a motorcycle!
Why a Monthly Men's Study Called "Jesus Famous Men at Calvary Monterey?
But there is one last question we should ask: why a monthly men's study called Jesus Famous Men at Calvary Monterey? The simple answer is that this is the church I pastor, so where else would I give these teachings? But a more pastoral (or perhaps prophetic) answer is that I believe the men and women of our church need to more deeply appreciate Christ and live in response to his goodness. The past few years have impacted us. Some of you are new to Calvary, and a gospel-oriented grid for life is new to you. And others of you have responded to the chaos of our time by rushing further into things other than Christ. The result is that many of us are driven, motivated, and moved by philosophies other than the fame of Christ within. And I would like to help repoint us to Christ so that we could increasingly live as men responding to Jesus.
A Prayer For Jesus Famous (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Because of this driving desire, I want to begin our series with a passage from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 1:15-23, still very much at the introductory phase of his thoughts for their church, Paul told the Ephesian believers that he was praying a specific prayer for them. Then he wrote the prayer out in full. It is one long sentence, a slow exhale of various apostolic desires. Paul's main desire in this prayer is for the enlightenment of the heart, a wisdom-filled revelation about Jesus. Let's read how Paul prayed:
"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened…” (Ephesians 1:17-18a).
What does Paul mean by praying for an enlightening of the eyes of our hearts? We should not think he is referring to an emptying of the mind or something that occurs without the mind. Rather, Paul wants the truth about the Triune God's plans for the world (and us) through the Son to become something we know but also partake of on a heart level.
In the opening verses of Ephesians, Paul unleashed another long sentence right before this prayer. In it, Paul explained the working of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit in the life of the believer. Every blessing cataloged was a result of Christ's work, and now Paul is praying that we would become heart-attuned to all Christ has done and given. As he said, he wanted the "Father of glory" to "give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him" (1:17).
To illustrate this, imagine a young student asked to write an essay about a traditional American Thanksgiving meal. They might start with a brief look at the origins of Thanksgiving. They might write about the ways the menu has adjusted or stayed the same over the years. They might catalog people's customs and traditions surrounding the meal. They might even interview people who just enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal of their own. And, if they are especially gifted writers, they might create a longing for that meal in their readers, readers who would walk away from the article with a greater understanding and appreciation for the traditional American Thanksgiving meal.
But there is another way to explain a traditional American Thanksgiving meal—attend one. As you sink your teeth into the turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, you will understand the meal in a much superior way to the person who merely read the article.
So it is with our knowledge of Christ—Paul wants us to experience an epiphany, to undergo heart-enlightenment, that we might know various aspects of Jesus' impact on our lives. As his prayer unfolded, Paul made it clear he wanted us to comprehend Christ's calling on us, resources for us, and power toward us who believe. We will consider all three in a moment, but right now, I am trying to persuade you that enlightenment about all these things is the best motivation and engine for life today—to taste and see that he is good (Psalm 34:8).
One of Jesus' trademark parables was about a farmer who casts seed on four types of ground. Some landed on the hardened road, some on the rocky ground, and some on soil intermixed with thorns and weeds. But a fourth landing spot was soft soil that bore fruit to an amazing degree—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. Jesus said that fourth soil was representative of those who "hear the word (of God's kingdom) and understand it" (Matthew 13:23). It is an interesting parable because, though the first soil represents those who never receive the gospel, three out of the four soils have a positive initial reception of the seed. But only one of those three produces fruit.
In his book Prodigal God, Tim Keller points out that though three types of people receive the word of the gospel, only one produces truly changes lives. Only one group of people has the endurance and patience to face suffering. Only one group of people can resist an anxious, materialistic life. He wrote:
The only group of people who produce changed lives are not those who have worked harder or been more obedient, but those who “hear the word of God and understand it." — Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, loc. 1144
This is why Paul's prayer is so important. If the Father could breakthrough by the Spirit and give us wisdom and revelation about Christ, enlightening us by opening the eyes of our hearts, this would mean we have heard and understood the word. With that revelation embedded within, we could then face the temptations and hardships of life, enduring to deeper fruitfulness for God.
Dream for a moment: what would you be if you could see the plans and resources and power of Christ for you clearly? If you believed all his promises to the fullest degree, what would you be and do? What level of security, confidence, or conviction would enter your heart? What kind of love or passion or reprioritization might develop?
When the Syrian army encamped against the prophet Elisha’s home, his servant saw them first. Trembling, he ran to Elisha. Elisha exhorted him, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha then prayed for his servant: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see" (2 Kings 6:16-17). God then opened his eyes—the young man could see the spiritual dimension! All around Elisha's home, he saw the surrounding mountains full of God’s horses and chariots of fire. He realized the truth Elisha already knew—it was the Syrian army that was outnumbered. His fear evaporated once he saw it correctly.
It is this concept Paul carried into this prayer in Ephesians. He had already written that we have innumerable blessings from God in Christ. But there is often a disconnect for the believer—we do not see the reality of God’s blessings. We can't hear his call, nor can we see his riches and power. We often fixate on only what we can see with our physical eye, the material realm, so Paul prayed for his readers. He asked God to give them spiritual sight. He wants revelation—enlightenment. He knows we, like Elisha’s servant, would gain boldness, confidence, and conviction if we could only see.
But what specific elements of the knowledge of Christ did Paul hope God would reveal to us? Of what realities is a Jesus Famous Man conscious? Let's consider three elements. First, our calling in Christ. Second, the resources of Christ. And third, the power of Christ.
1. Know Christ's Calling
“That you may know what is the hope to which He has called you...” (Ephesians 1:18).
His first prayer for revelation regards our great calling in Christ Jesus: "the hope to which He has called you." We can think of this calling in four ways.
First, we should think of a time in our past when we felt the call of God and submitted ourselves to Christ and His gospel. Salvation came, we were born again, and our shame and guilt were done away with.
Second, we can think of our current calling in that God longs for our growth, our sanctification. He is currently calling transformation and maturity out of us and into being.
Third, we can think of our calling from eternity past. As Paul had previously written, we have been chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him (Ephesians 1:4). God put a calling on us before we were even born.
Fourth, we can think of God’s call in the future, for He will call all His people home to be with Him. Eternally, we will be with God, a response to His invitation and call. All four callings — our personal past, our current sanctification, eternity past, and eternity future — are part of the "hope to which He has called us."
If that is our calling, why mention hope? When a Christian understands this call of God, when the Spirit empowers revelation about it, an attitude of hope develops. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation that rids a life of pessimism and fear and insecurity. Boldness and certainty that God is at work in their lives, but also in the course of human history, flow when one is connected to the calling of God. So the Jesus Famous man is certain of Christ's calling—expectant that God is working through even the chaos of our time to wrap up all his purposes.
Men, this unbreakable optimism is an antidote to the caustic hopelessness that characterizes much of our age. It is a belief that God has a "plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth" (Ephesians 1:10). And I believe God is looking for men with this hope and confidence in Christ's calling. Men under the spell of this epiphany are secure and resolved. They do not need to lash out when challenged because they know who they are and where this is all going. They are not despondent because they did not expect everything to improve until Christ's return, but they work hard to unite as many things to Christ's lordship as they possibly can. Because they are called, they want their bodies, thought-life, and speech to be ruled by Christ. Because they are called, they crave for his purposes and will to become their purpose and will. Because they are called, they are willing to consider a countercultural and (at times) counterintuitive way of living. Because they are called, they realize even their own desires and impulses are not the best navigational instruments for life. Because they are called, they do not expect those who are not to act as if they are.
2. Know Christ's Resources
“That you may know…what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…” (Ephesians 1:18).
Now we come to Paul’s second prayer for the church, that we would know of the inheritance God has given us. Paul referred to this inheritance as “riches” six times in Ephesians. This wealth is not material but spiritual. The greatest spiritual blessing is Christ Himself. In another place, Paul referred to “the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Christ's indwelling presence in His people is the most profound mystery and the most valuable possession. Here, Paul prays for the church to know these deep riches.
The Christian life is often a battle of beliefs. Will we become convinced God’s spiritual riches are superior in every way? Paul’s prayer is a wish that our minds would become convinced. But our eyes of flesh see the stuff of flesh, so we are often drawn to the physical world with its physical blessings. We must allow the Spirit of wisdom to interact with our spirits, to rewire our convictions and beliefs. We must come to a place where we confess God’s blessings are the most significant ones.
When teaching a child about American money, confusion is inevitable. The penny is the least valuable coin; this makes sense to the child because it is bronze, while the other coins are silver. The quarter is larger than the nickel and dime, so the child accepts that it is more valuable than the others. The one-dollar bill has a smaller number than the other paper bills, so, it stands to reason, it is less valuable. But there is one breakdown in this teaching, for the dime is smaller than the nickel, yet more valuable. This often perplexes the child, but through instruction, they'll come to understand. So it is with the Christian life. The Spirit must teach our inner man of that which is most valuable. This conviction must enter our minds, affecting our lives. Imagine the contentment which would flow from this conviction. Once the Spirit corrects our value system and shows us the true riches of Christ, joy, satisfaction, and love are ours.
Men, this unfathomable wealth of Christ resources is an antidote to the discontentment that characterizes much of our age. Jesus Famous men know the value of money and work hard to subdue the earth as God commanded, yet they know their true satisfaction is found in the spiritual wealth provided in Christ. Since they have had an epiphany of the greatness of Christ and his gift, they are like the fourth soil that bears great fruit. They aren't tripped up by hardships in life or hindered by the cares of this world- -because they have found a greater treasure in Christ. Too many men are running around discontented with their situation, their spouse, their bodies, their finances, their careers, and a million other things. The Jesus Famous man pursues Christ's best for all these elements because he is responding to the lordship of Jesus, but he knows the greatest possessions and treasures are found in the spiritual dimension. And he knows that dimensions will impact the physical one in countless ways, so he orders and designs his life as a constant pursuit of the spiritual resources at Christ's disposal.
3. Know Christ's Power
“That you may know…what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe...” (Ephesians 1:19–23).
The third and final request of Paul in this opening prayer is for the church to know the profound power of God “toward us who believe.” To add emphasis and color to this power, Paul unlocks an arsenal of words. The power of God is “immeasurable.” It is “great” and has “greatness.” It is “toward us” and is the very “might” of God. Extravagantly, super-abundantly, God’s power is working for and on His people.
As Paul prayed for a revelation concerning God's power toward us who believe, he seems to have had his own revelatory moment concerning that power. So he expounded on God's power more than he did God's calling or resources.
“...(power) that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:20–23).
Consider how the power of God raised Christ from the dead. It almost sounds blasphemous to say the same power that raised Christ is available to God’s people today. But this is precisely what Paul writes. It is an appropriate statement, for it is the exact power God has already wrought in the life of every believer. In Romans, Paul taught us, “we were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). So every believer has already had the resurrection power of God released upon them, for God has connected every believer to Christ’s death and resurrection. It is in the power of Christ’s new ascended life we are to now live. This newness of life is now ours.
Consider how the power of God placed Christ above all. Paul tells us He is over all rule and authority and power and dominion, above every name. In his day, everyone knew Paul was alluding to cosmic powers, many of them demonic and evil. Christ is above all angels and demons, including Satan, who is “the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). In his wickedness, Satan drives many of the philosophies, agendas, and movements of our world. He does not care if those movements contradict and war against one another. But Jesus has power over Satan's entire system. He has disarmed the rulers and authorities (Colossians 2:15). The believer need not fear evil. We know God will judge it fully. We know Christ has current power over it. In Him, we are safe.
Consider how the power of God made Christ the head of all things, including the Church. Jesus is the head; the church is His body. All things are under His feet, especially God’s people. We are to represent and respond to Him. His will is to be our will. We are to follow, to submit, to His guidance and leadership and will and desires. And His desire is stated by Paul, "to fill all in all." Christ wants to be everywhere and in everyone. The power of God can make it so. He loves all people and desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). The church has the power of God working toward them to be a vehicle for Christ to fill all things.
Men, this immeasurable power is an antidote to the lethargy that characterizes much of our age. Rather than trudge along in defeatism, without zeal, and no vision, the Jesus Famous man longs to tap into Christ's power for his life—right now! He knows the power of God is available for salvation—the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16-17). He knows the power of God helps him obey—it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13). He knows the power of God strengthens him for and through the trials of life—we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us (2 Corinthians 4:7). He knows the power of God helps us make disciples of all nations—you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).
What might we become if we believed in this great power of God working toward us? We would come closer to the nuclear power the church in Acts possessed. We'd operate unencumbered by paralyzing fears and manmade structures. We would fly. We would hold a conviction that all the powers of the age cannot stop the deep work of God in transforming us. We would see nothing as impossible for God.
Do not reject these definitions just because you know you aren’t here yet. Realize this is what God could do. He is trying to connect us to reality. And when he does, ever increasingly, we will have found the proper motivation for a Christ-honoring life. The engine room of your heart will have been properly started- -and the downstream elements of biblical manhood can be attained.
Can We Nurture This Epiphany?
But allow me to close with one last question: Can this epiphany Paul wanted for us be cultivated? Is there anything we can do to grow in this appreciation of Christ? Can we speed up the process of revelation, or must we merely wait for it to occur? Let me offer a few suggestions.
First, do not dismiss Paul's strategy of prayer. In quiet (or not so quiet) prayer before the Father, ask for an appreciation of the Son. Ask him to open your eyes and give you this revelation.
Second, do what you can to mute alternative voices. I'm sure you all had the experience of trying to read something online that was surrounded by advertisements. It is a challenge because of the distractions. So consider how many distractions are in your life that might keep you from considering the magnificence of Christ.
Third, trust that the revelation comes when God allows it to come. Biblical evidence and the personal experience of millions seem to indicate that God often gives this epiphany in times of distress.
Fourth, believe that the revelation comes in stages. What you have grown to appreciate of Christ today is merely the start. Continue to hope for an increased understanding of his calling, resources, and power through every season and stage of your journey with Christ.
Fifth, determine to radicate works-based righteousness and standing before God from your life. The grace of God is the best trainer for becoming a man that is zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14). But a legalistic framework always lurks in the shadows of our hearts. Inevitably, we will think we can earn more of God's calling, resources, and power through our impressive works. We cannot.
Sixth, believe the word of Christ that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). Then put the treasure of your time, energy, and finances into the things of Christ. Soon, your heart will be there also.
