Every Man’s Call to Biblical Masculinity, Day 2

Part III: The Pursuit of True Repentance (Craig Crabaniss) 

"As the men go, so the local church goes."

God has put in every Christian a desire to change, a desire to grow in holiness, a desire to mature in character, a desire to be ever increasingly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.  Yet, many men are asking, "Why am I not growing in the battle against lust, anger, laziness, greed, pride, selfishness? One reason we make minimal change and lack enduring change is because oftentimes our repentance is superficial.

A genuine and authentic repentance is an internal change of heart motivated by the grace of God, where the gospel grips our soul and changes our desires from the inside.  Then we begin to act in a different manner because we are different on the inside.

"Christ, and Christ alone, is the source and strength of genuine repentance.  Without coming to him, and without viewing him as our mediator, high priest, deliverer and substitute, our repentance and our change will be short-lived."

Craig Cabaniss has served as a pastor with Sovereign Grace Ministries for many years in California.  He presently serves as the senior pastor of the newly-planted Grace Church in the Dallas metroplex area.  This message was delivered at the November 2007 Western Regional Men's Conference of Sovereign Grace Ministries.

Download MP3

Part IV: Who's Really at Work? (C. J. Mahaney) 

Some men are exhausted from the attempt to grow in godliness. Counsel from well-meaning friends or even the scriptures can seem confusing:  Is the Christian life about ease or effort?  Rest or work? Faith or works? Trust or obedience?

God provides clarity through the exhortation of Paul in Philippians 2:12-13.  This text distinguishes, describes and reconciles God's role and responsibility in the process of sanctification and our role in the pursuit of godliness. Ultimately, only God's power makes godly effort possible.

Growth in godliness does not occur without our participation, so action and right attitude are necessary.  As John Owen said, "God works in us and with us, not against us or without us."  We must always remember that God is actively at work.  God makes us aware and convicts us of sin through his love.

"The accent in this passage upon God.  It is God who is at work.  The accent in this passage is on this comprehensive description of God's work for those who have turned from their sins and trusted in the Savior."

C.J. Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries in its mission to establish and support local churches. He pastored Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland for 27 years, and serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Board for CBMW.  He has written the book on Humility and also edited or coauthored four books in the Pursuit of Godliness book series: Why Small Groups?, This Great Salvation, How Can I Change?, and Disciplines for Life.

Download MP3