Control Freak: Cutting the Strings of ControlPastor Lon Dean
Control Freak: What Controls You?
Independence is an illusion. We all have strings on us. Maybe a controlling parent or spouse. Maybe our past. Maybe YOU are the Control Freak needing to control everything around you. During this series, we will learn
how to cut the strings of control without becoming a CONTROL FREAK!
Memory Verse:
Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6
You______in Control
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21
The Lord will have His way, but will you be a part of it?
We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.1 John 5:19
Did you know that this world was controlled by the devil?
Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9
“Get out of here, satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’” Matthew 4:10
If satan wasn’t in control of this world, then he couldn’t have made this offer to Jesus.
Jesus told them,“The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.” John 12:31
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4
______Can Control You.
“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? Genesis 4:6
You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master. Genesis 4:7
This led Cain to a place he never thought he’d go, murder.
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Psalm 4:4
You have a choice just like Cain had a choice.
______wants to control you.
When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us… Romans 7:5
Now if we let the Spirit of God control us, we don’t have to be controlled by our old sinful desires.
Turn to Romans 8
God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Romans 8:3
Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.
But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6
Our memory verse reminds us that we must pursue peace. True peace comes through surrender to God.
That’s why those who are still under the controlof their sinful nature can never please God. Romans 8:8
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. Romans 8:9
Ask yourself, “Who controls me?”
“Free will, without God grace and the Holy Spirit, can do nothing but sin.” Augustine
You Must ______Who Controls You
If you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Will it be your family’s religious traditions?
Will it be the gods of this land: money, sex, self?
Or will you surrender control to Jesus as Lord?
Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:1-2
Give God control of all that you are and let Him change the way you think.
Tithes & Offering
Surrender control of your finances to God through tithing.
**Check your “Next Step” below as a reminder to yourself but please check it on the connect card and drop it in the offering bucket also. Thank You!**
Today I Committed to:My Next Steps This Week:
Give up control of my life to God
Cut the strings of a controlling relationship
Next Week:
Losing the Puppet Master
How to Cut the Strings of a Controlling Relationship
9/10/17House of Praise
*All scripture is New Living Translation unless noted otherwisepg.1