Stand Firm and Act Like Men

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

From a bestselling author and pastor, a straight-talk, no-nonsense guide to becoming the man God calls you to be.

We’ve all seen the headlines. Masculinity is in crisis. Men are lost. What’s the matter with men? We are confused about what masculinity is and what roles men play in our culture.

Manhood, says Joby Martin, is harder than ever because we have forgotten what true masculinity looks like. Real, Biblical manhood is not about driving big trucks, having the biggest guns, or hunting the biggest buck. (Though he’s a big fan of all of those, truth be told.) True men of God surrender themselves before the cross, serve and lead their families, put on the full armor of God, and stand guard against the lies that threaten to tear our churches and our culture apart.

In this book, Pastor Joby walks through what the Bible means when it says, ‘be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and let all that you do be done in love’ (1 Corinthians 16:13). He guides readers through what scripture says about who men are, how they should act, and what it means to be a man in today’s culture, and he asks tough questions about how God calls men to respond.

Stand Firm and Act Like Men is a call for men to rediscover Biblical manhood in their churches and cities, and to love, serve, and support their families and one another.

Joby Martin is the founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, a movement for all people to discover and deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ. In 2012, Joby and a team of leaders launched The Church of Eleven22 which has grown to multiple locations. The church serves nearly 20,000 people weekly and over 40,000 through the live services at Eleven22 Online. Joby has been invited to preach nationally and internationally and has a heart for serving ministries and partnerships that proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been married to his wife Gretchen for 25 years and they have a son, JP and daughter, Reagan. Charles Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of 17 novels, including his most recent, The Record Keeper. He has also recently authored four nonfiction works, What If It’s True?, They Turned the World Upside Down, Son of Man, and It Is Finished. His work has been translated into more than 35 languages.

“So there I was…”, the words that open this book, are probably my favorite words to come out of Joby’s mouth, because I know that what follows will be hilarious, insightful, and then he’ll somehow turn it around on me to make it deeply convicting. For a long time God has given Pastor Joby an incredible rapport with men. I’m glad to see him put that wisdom and challenge into a book. In an age when ‘manhood’ is one of the most confusing terms in our lexicon, Joby lays out a clear and compelling vision. They say men don’t read nearly as many books as women. I’m betting this one will be the exception. I predict you’ll read it and then give it to your sons and all your friends.”―J.D. Greear, Pastor, The Summit Church, Author, Everyday Revolutionary: How to Transcend the Culture War and Transform the World

“Every preacher needs a preacher, and I decided Pastor Joby Martin would be ‘my preacher’ years ago, not just because he is one of the best Bible teachers alive, but because he is a good man. And you are about to read what I believe might be his life message. Reality is undefeated: where men fulfill their callings everything flourishes, and where men do not everything burns. This is the best possible outlay of God’s calling for men to STAND FIRM, AND ACT LIKE MEN.”―Josh Howerton

“Where men embody the kind of masculinity Joby has mined from the scriptures here, humanity flourishes. Humanity descends into chaos, where males take cues from the world or softer, less biblical ideals. Joby has done an excellent job laying the groundwork for what it means to ‘act like men.’ He isn't shaming or disparaging. He simply calls men to embrace and step into what God has given them, their unique strength for.”―Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church

“It’s obvious that God is doing something in the hearts of men today. There is a stirring and a returning to Jesus and the church across our nation. But with so much change in the church, what will they return to? In Stand Firm and Act Like Men, Joby paints a clear, passionate, and compelling vision to become the kinds of men we need in this hour. Both biblical and practical, this will equip men to follow Jesus well today.”―Jon Tyson, church.nyc, formingmen.com

“Joby challenges men to lead with courage, humility, and faith. This book doesn’t just call you out — it calls you up: for your family, your team, and the world. For that, I’m truly grateful.”―Tim Tebow, Author, Speaker, Founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation

“We live in a time when there is nothing but confusion about what it means to be a man. Joby in his new book Stand Firm and Act Like Men answers this question with biblical clarity, conviction and Gospel centered courage. This is not another cultural ideal - it is a reclamation of Biblical manhood that leads with humility, strength, and love. It’s timely, bold, and desperately needed.”―Dr. Mac Brunson, Pastor Valleydale Church