Believe

Chapter 24: Self-C0ntrol

January 18, 2017

  1. Opening Prayer and Welcome

Chapter 23: Peace: I am free from anxiety because I have found peace with God, peace with others and peace with myself

  1. Chapter 24: Self Control
  2. Key Question:How does God free me from addictions and sinful habits?
  1. Key Idea: I have the power, through Christ, to control myself.
  1. Key verse: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13
  1. Notes:

The power of self-control comes through the grace of God. We are motivated to change by love not by rules.

  1. The Call and the Challenge:
  2. Proverbs and self-control – God desires self-control in all of us.
  1. Leaders are called to exhibit self-control. Titus 1:4-9; 2:1-15
  1. Models of Self Control - Bad and Good:
  2. Samson and Delilah – an example of someone without self-control
  3. His weakness for Philistine women led to his demise and the Lord left him when he revealed his secret of strength to her. Where was there a lack of self control?
  1. Joseph – an example of someone with strong self control.
  2. He refused to lay with his master’s wife and she was enraged, it cost him his position as she lied about him. However, the Lord stayed with him and he prospered even in prison.
  1. The How-Tos:
  2. Fleeing from temptation
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Paul encourages believers to flee from sexual temptation
  1. 1 Timothy 6:2-16; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:7Paul encourages Timothy to flee from all things evil and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
  1. Resisting is another way to strengthen self-control
  2. Taming the tongue is difficult, Paul urges us to submit ourselves to God to resist the devil; to come near to God and God will come near to you. James 4:9,10
  1. Peter to encourages us to resist the devil by being alert and sober in our minds and by standing firm in the faith. 1 Peter 5:10
  1. Self-control is possible in the strength of God. We can get worn down in our sin nature yet God’s word says we have what we need to live a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3) Because we have been given this power we are to apply our own effort to live into lives filled with faith, goodness, knowledge, self control perseverance etc…..(2 Peter 1:5ff)
  1. Like the prodigal son, when we find that we have been not exercised self-control, we can come to your sensesrepent and return to the living God as he is always waiting and looking for you.
  1. Key Application:
  2. Self-control is motivated by the grace of God, not the law.
  3. Grace can change us from the inside
  1. Randy writes: “Essentially there is a constant internal attack going on within us. Temptation, thoughts, and attitudes flow through us, wanting self to be on the throne and get its way.” (TAB p. 181)
  1. What helps us exercise self control: Meditation (think on these things Phil. 4:8,9); taking care of our bodies (proper eating and sleeping); exercise - it cools hot emotions; ride the wave – wait it out most intense temptations last 10 minutes and then we can control them; forgiveness – when we fail we forgive, give grace and try again.
  1. Self-control is empowered through God-control.
  2. Surrendering to God’s Spirit is necessary in order to experience self-control
  1. Randy writes “self control is not about trying hard but about yielding hard.” TAB p. 182. When have your experienced this in your own life?
  1. Self-control is helped along through loving accountability.
  2. As we develop the virtue of self-control our sin will decrease and our character will increase. How many of you have ever truly regretted not exercising self-control over emotions, actions, words spoken or not spoken?
  1. How might self-control help our relationship with God and others?
  1. When is it the most difficult for you to exercise self-control? How might community help you to develop self-control? Drink lemonade together – it increases glucose and while exercising self-control depletes it!
  1. Molly is one of those people who seems to know everyone. A social butterfly, she is the life of the party wherever she goes. You really enjoy spending time with her, but there are always moments with her that make you feel uncomfortable. Because of her vast array of friends, she knows the juiciest gossip and loves to share it. Although you know it is wrong, you can’t help but get sucked into the conversation. Before you know it, you are openly discussing your coworkers and friends’ darkest moments.
  2. What could you do to change this behavior in yourself?

Key Idea: I have the power, through Christ, to control myself.