God did not put all godly traits into the man - Adam, and God did not put all of His Godly traits into Eve.

God fully intended for men and women to complement one another.

Where Adam was strong – Eve was the weaker vessel.

Girls are more physically and neurologically advanced at birth.

Boys have more mature muscular development.

Girls excel early in verbal skills.

Boys excel in visual-spatial and math skills.

Boys are more aggressive, and girls are more nurturing.

We, male and female, are created “different!”

I have the scientific explanation here for the difference between boys and girls:  I grew up with this concept firmly in mind.

What are little girls made of?

"Sugar and spice and all things nice

That's what little girls are made of!

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

That's what little boys are made of !"

Actually, as you know, God made Adam first – and after He got a good look;  He said,,, “I can do better than that!”

Where Eve possessed clear feminine traits – Adam was lacking.

Women are sensitive, soft, emotional, discerning and feeling.

God made each partner able to Fill-up, round out, develop, and compliment the Godly characteristics and personality in the other – even Godly character.

There are very, very few good marriages on the face of the earth that measure up to Godly standards.

Do not get the Idea that all married people are happy and fulfilled.

My personal belief is that God is in need of good marriages to present as examples in the Millennium.

A man must qualify to be a Man of God – long before he is ready to marry.

If a man truly loves (not Hollywood love) he must be prepared to provide everything needed – not only materially – but spiritually, emotionally, and providing security as well.

Some men are confused – not knowing what women need from them.

The women are often disappointed and frustrated too.

When Paul wrote his epistles, there were a lot of troubled marriages in the Church.  They had a difficult time understanding what a Godly marriage should be.  Paul wrote:

Ephesians 5:

25  Husbands, love your wives [not only with candy and roses, but], even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

Jesus Christ died for the church brethren for us to have salvation – and husbands are to love their wives equally.

That kind of Godly, Christian love does not come naturally.

Do you know anyone who has died serving his wife?  Paul is comparing Jesus’ dying for the Church brethren to the role of Husband and Wife.

Ephesians 5:

26  That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [that’s salvation]

What must a man do to be worthy of a glorious wife – a Holy Woman who pursues perfection?

Ephesians 5:

27  That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

*In the same way Jesus brings the Church to perfection, a husband’s responsibility is to aid his wife in achieving the highest standing in God’s Kingdom that is attainable.

Ephesians 5:

28  So ought men [this is the way] to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.

The Godly sacrifices the husband makes for the wife’s sake – serves to bring him to perfection.

God has not given men a chapter in the Bible similar to Proverbs 31 for women.  

But I’ll just paraphrase two verses that mention the Man and turn them around – because it certainly works both ways –

If fact the Scriptures are clear…

*The greater responsibility – is on the Man!  Just as Jesus is the head of the Church.

>The man is the leader, the protector and the provider – it is the man’s duty to do all to develop the marriage relationship.

In the same exact way that we saw where the husband fully relied and trusted the capabilities of his wife…

~Proverbs 31:

11  The heart of his wife doth safely trust in him, so that she  shall have no need.

In the same exact way that the Proverbs 31 woman does good…

~ Proverbs 31:

12  He will do her good and not evil all the days of his life.

When he is an older and mature Man of God…

These Scriptures work both ways.

What part did the man play in nurturing the kind of woman his wife became in Proverbs 31?

What did he do that made her so full of love for him that she diligently watched over all the matters of their household and made it run so smoothly?

What attributes does he display that fills his wife with confidence about their future – financially, emotionally and even spiritually?

What does God expect of Christian men? 

Who is the Proverbs 31 man? 

This exceptional man had not only the respect of his wife and his community but the approval of God as well.

The man was the one responsible for the success – of the family.

If he had not been a man of God – the family and wife would have never developed into the exemplary family of Proverbs 31.

He did not diminish the glory or strength of his wife; he supported it, and in so doing, he created a strong family unit that was a tribute to God's design for marriage.

He is the counterpart to the Proverb 31 woman. 

How many men have set their life's goal to be an eloquent, exemplary, excellence, virtuous, man?  Starting way before marriage, a Man of God is faithful to his wife (not only in marriage) – but even before they meet one another.

How does God view such a man?  

Is it possible for a man in today's world to rise above the tough, macho stereotype, and truly be a Godly man? 

It is a life-long task to fully become a man of God.

Here is how you can tell – before marriage – if her future husband will be a Man of God in marriage.

*For example:  How does he treat the Holy Things of God?

Sabbath starting – does he stop his own pursuits, working, playing…

Does he walk all over the holy things of God – or does he strive to make the Sabbath Holy?

Does he tithe faithfully – and is he generous in donations?

Dating is to KNOW each other – keep your eyes open.  This works both ways – keep your eyes open and put a guard on your heart.

How does he treat the old folks, the sick and the needy?

What does he say about his parents – in their absence?

Is his default position one of honoring and respecting people?  Does he always fully respect you as a holy woman of God?

What does his language say about his character?

Does he live up to the family standard his parents set – or does he break the rules?

There are hundreds of tell-tale signs that clearly indicate – before marriage – what kind of man he is going to become.

Listen to what others say about his fledgling reputation.

Does he steal; Does he lie; Does he cheat; Does he fudge?  Is he sneaky and conniving?  Is he too bold?  Is he too arrogant?  Is he too demanding?  Is he too cocky?  Is he mean spirited?

Is he abusive – EVER – abusiveness is a sure tell-tale sign that he is not a Man of God!

Girls make the mistake – the big mistake- of falling head over heels “in love” --- and then convince themselves that Love conquers all.

In the Song of Solomon – there is a warning “ye stir not up, nor awake love” ahead of time (2:7).

Do not deceive yourself by saying things like… “He doesn’t work – no problem – two can eat as cheaply as one.”

Girls say, “I’ll make every sacrifice to make it work.”

And they don’t know the half of it.  They’ll sacrifice alright – for the rest of their lives…

Please do not gloss over the obvious tell-tale signs.

Who is going to raise the children correctly if a man has not brought himself into subjection.

God said in Genesis 2:24 – when you marry – leave home and cleave to your wife.

Genesis 2:

24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Teen girls and immature women fall for the football jock that lacks character.  The only thing in his head is muscles – he has no character.

Ladies, find a man who will put a roof over your head and meals in front of your children and shoes on their feet, who will teach your children – and train them.

*Does he have a God-oriented identity – that’s how to recognize a Godly man?  Does he look to God and ask, “What would God have me do?”  Is he led by God’s Holy Spirit?

Is his relationship with Jesus Christ evident?  Or, is he ashamed to let his spirituality show?

*Ladies and Men, you've got to start with good material in order to emerge with anything of lasting value.

These are characteristics a Proverbs 31 man should possess.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.”  To do this - the Proverbs 31 man must have an intimate knowledge of God’s truth, and possess Godly Character.

Let’s consider one last point with regard to this singles symposium:

Here in the Book of Acts is an example from the Early First-Century Church of  God – lots of people needed to be taught…

Acts 6:

1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the

Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily administration.

The physical needs of some of the brethren were being neglected.  Some were being left out.

God is not a “Happy Camper” when the brethren are being neglected.  The lesson we should take away from this is that we should recognize the needs and serve without partiality.

Ministers should properly address division and problems among the brethren – and not neglect the spiritual feeding of the brethren.

The apostles had spiritual duties that only they could attend to; feeding the flock spiritual food, writing the Gospels, anointing the sick, counseling the needy, teaching, baptizing, etc…

Acts 6:

2  Then the twelve [apostles] called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

We will end with recognition and thanks to the man who organized this Singles Event – without the support or cooperation of the ministers in the political corporate organizations who have publicly chosen to neglect the needs of the Singles of God’s Church.

“I would like to recognize the efforts and thank Ruben Gusman for his tireless efforts at organizing this occasion.

“He is truly serving God’s People in a most meaningful way.

“If you have never had a part in organizing a Feast of Tabernacles … you have no idea of what it took to put this event together… Scheduling busses, the coordination and planning of events and activities, Sabbath services, symposiums, rooms, halls, volleyball and games, website and announcements, music, dance, museums, fireworks, audio visual, meals, service, on and on.

“God is pleased with what has been done here.

“Ruben Gusman was not aided by the ministry – whose responsibility this is – nor did he receive support or cooperation in getting the word out to you singles.  Not so much as an announcement!  In fact he was flatly turned down.

“We have Single Brethren – women and men from 23 States and 2 Canadian Provinces at this Kansas City gathering who need to be fed.

John 21:

16  Jesus said to Peter again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou know that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

“You, Single Ladies and Single Men – you are God’s people – and not to be neglected.”

***

Sermon:

"Be a Man of God"