The Fruit of the Spirit_10_Self Control

Self-Control

Self-Control = Discipline

We are a society who over indulges in everything.

2 Peter 1:5-9 (NKJV) ⁵But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

These character traits are important
Abounding in Self- control…makes you fruitful.
Lacking in self-control…shortsighted and blind. (You’re in denial) your problems maybe a direct result of lacking self-control. EX: (Cousins across the street)

Self-control – Temperance…Restraint…Moderation…limits and Boundaries.

NO limits and boundaries in relations with God…intimacy
Limits and boundaries in relations with this world…Self-Control

Habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.

Acts 24…Felix – Gov of Caesarea…Felix met Drusilla, fell madly in love with her, and with the aid of a fake magician, convinced her to leave Azizus and marry him contrary to all Jewish law.

Drusilla was said to have possessed great beauty, Felix and Drusilla had one son, named Agrippa, who perished with Drusilla in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius “Pompeii” (The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20, Chapter 7, Sections 1-2)

Acts 24:24-25 (NKJV) ²⁴And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. ²⁵Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” V26…hoping for a bribe to release him.

Paul thought it important to declare righteousness, self-control, and judgment at the risk of his own life…we need to as well.

By in large the world is OUT OF CONTROL!

Affluenza Teen…kills 4 people DUI…defense? My rich mom didn’t teach me right from wrong. Got probation…violated it…now it’s the judge’s fault…out of control!!

Isis (Destroying and Beheading)…Sex (Laws…anything goes)

Sex is good…in marriage between a man and a woman.

Out of control it destroys marriages, lives, whole nations.
God’s intent was…”be fruitful and multiply” not a social free for all.
Society before the flood, Sodom and Gomora, Roman Empire…have we learned nothing
“I don’t see anything wrong with gay marriage.”…then you’re shortsighted and blind.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV) ¹And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ²in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (out of control)

you were controlled and lead around by “The Prince of the power of the air”

But now you are led by “The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit.”

They still are…But you have been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son…Col 1:13

Something we have lost is…Delayed Gratification. (This builds character, practicing self-control)

We live in a world of…I owe it to myself and I want it right now…debt, bankruptcy, kids think they should get everything their parents have right out of High School.

Kids in Walmart…throwing a fit…when they become adult they will throw fits too.
EX: I went to Best Buy…By myself (Without my self-control “Wife”)
I practice Self-Control “The Fruit of The Spirit”…I passed! 😉
EX: walking through Model homes in Meridian Ranch…we did not buy…Self-Control.
EX: 1970’s…Fram oil filter commercial (Mechanic)”You can pay me now or pay me later.”
I know people who have lost car after car because they don’t check oil levels.

When opportunity knocks at your door… many are surprised to see it wearing overalls…its work.

EX: I’m writing a book (Blessing of God)…Self-Control and Discipline (God’s teaching me)
EX: I bought a treadmill…research the health benefits…but I have to get on it??

Discipline in your Spiritual Life.

It is going to affect the quality of life you’re going to live.
You need to study and act on the word of God.
Psalm 63:1-5 (NKJV) ¹O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. ²So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. ³Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. ⁴Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. ⁵My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

Life is better when you seek God.
Don’t seek God and you are miserable.

Matt 6:33…seek ye first…but you have to discipline your life style to this pursuit. It’s not automatic.
Start your day dedicated seeking the Lord…5-10min can make the difference.it sets the course

Three Examples of Discipline

2 Timothy 2:1-10 (NKJV) ¹You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. [(Discipleship) Disciplined Followers]³You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. ⁸Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul is instructing Timothy…Be strong and be Discipline.

Three Examples of Discipline

A Good Soldier…2 WWII hero stories

Romans 12:1 (AMP) ¹I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

Athlete…2 athlete stories…if they can have self-control and discipline?? Why not us?
Farmer…Hard working farmer…LK 9:57-62…Look Below

Luke 9:61-62 (AMP) ⁶¹Another also said, I will follow You, Lord, and become Your disciple and side with Your party; but let me first say good-bye to those at my home. ⁶²Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.