The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
Fruit of the Spirit • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Training for the Prize
Training for the Prize
The Metaphor of 1 Cor 9:24-27 -
The Metaphor of 1 Cor 9:24-27 -
A sport-centered society (much like ours)
A sport-centered society (much like ours)
Isthmian Games - held every 2 years in Corinth - the Olympic games were every 4 years
The people were keenly aware of the culture surrounding the games - the economic impact, and the regimen of the athletes
Paul is using this as a picture of what the Christian life is meant to be: self-controlled, disciplined, striving toward the goal of glory.
What a lack of discipleship brings
What a lack of discipleship brings
We see what a lack of self-control looks like:
Lives falling apart, families destroyed, rebellion against social and moral norms, everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, a lack of commitment, integrity, and dedication.
Pr 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Man’s greatest danger is the combination of his increased control over the elements and his lack of control over himself.
Albert Schweitzer
Paul’s concern: “lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Debasement, disqualification
Big question first, “Is this a loss of salvation?”
A Reminder of the Gospel - Christians are saved from God’s wrath by trusting the death and resurrection of Christ for their salvation, having the perfect righteousness of Jesus counted as ours.
We cannot undo what Christ has done, nor lose the salvation he has secured for us.
The Disqualification or Debasement: Losing our credibility in sharing the gospel
We preach one thing, but live another, we debase ourselves, and the very message of grace
We turn the grace of God into licentiousness, we make a shipwreck of our own lives
The goal of discipleship -
The goal of discipleship -
The imperishable crown of glory. The crowns of the Roman games were branches of pine or even celery leaves - and in a matter days, they were wilted and faded
The crown for which we strive is an imperishable crown
2 Tim 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
We strive to show the very gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.
The Fruit of Self-Control
The Fruit of Self-Control
Running with Paul’s metaphor
Control of the Body -
Control of the Body -
“I Can’t, I’m in Season"
“I Can’t, I’m in Season"
The Corinthian Athletes would vow that for 10 months their lives were dedicated to the games, abstaining from meat, wine, and sex; all for the crown
An athlete is wiling to go without for the sake of the prize: Foods, drink, activities… all which would be good things, they give them up to achieve the great
The Discipline of the Body
The Discipline of the Body
Abstaining from the passions of the flesh
Paul is exhorting the Corinthians to exercise self-control in sex and diet
The previous context of 1 Cor -
The wild Corinthian culture of idolatry - tied to food, wine, and sex
Some of the Corinthian Christians were continuing in these things
Giving up, even that which is good, for the sake of the gospel.
Laying aside even his right to get paid for his ministry, Paul gave up the good for the sake of making Christ known - striving for the gospel.
Control of the Tongue
Control of the Tongue
“Run Faster Than Your Mouth”
“Run Faster Than Your Mouth”
Some people like to talk about their run, to boast about their speed, but the run speaks for itself. It means nothing unless you can actually run it.
Taming the Tongue
Taming the Tongue
Jas 3:7–9 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Are you controlling your tongue, or a slave to it?
Control of the Mind
Control of the Mind
Thinking Like A Runner
Thinking Like A Runner
Looking at the world as a runner -
Golf courses are also cross country courses
When planning a trip, “Where will I run…?”
Scheduling life as a runner: Going to bed early for an early run in the morning Today is a long run day Today is a rest day
We’re meant to think like Christ
We’re meant to think like Christ
Being Sober-minded, stable, and disciplined in thought - The sober, self-controlled, Christian is in charge of his priorities and not consumed by the various passions or concerns of the world.
Self-control of our thoughts means entertaining in our minds only those thoughts that are acceptable to God.
Jerry Bridges
Being guarded by the Word
Having the knowledge of God’s Word control our minds is the key to righteous living. What controls your thoughts will control your behavior. Self-control is a result of mind-control, which is dependent on knowledge.
John F. MacArthur
Letting God’s word shape the way you see the world around you
Growing in Self-Control
Growing in Self-Control
Not a Triumph of the Will
Not a Triumph of the Will
Self-determination, denial, rigorous control
This will always end in frustration, disappointment, envy
It is the Fruit of the Spirit
It is the Fruit of the Spirit
Our Identity in Christ
Barnhouse - Self-control is neither prohibition or abstinence. It is the mastery of the Adamic nature by crucifixion with Christ; it is the result of crowning Jesus Christ Lord of all. Self-control knows that God has given us richly all things to enjoy, and it makes proper use of these things. Self-control keeps a man from drunkenness or asceticism. With complete control of accelerator and brakes, self-control stays on the highway and drives safely. Self-control takes the foot-stool of the servant and exalts Christ to the throne.
As we die to ourselves and rise with him, he teaches us to say no to the things of this world as we say yes to the things of His kingdom
Look to the prize of the upward calling
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.