Get a Grip!
Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As people seek to grow in the knowledge of Jesus, they begin from the point of salvation and with a foundation of faith which is marked by a strong conviction in who God is, and equally as important in what Jesus accomplished. From there growth happens as they add the quality of virtue which we defined as a a desire for excellence which is expressed in a striving to become all that Jesus desires of them. Last week we discussed that such people will increase in knowledge which we noted was gaining awareness and understanding through study and experience, especially the knowledge regarding the will of God.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As knowledge increases, they are to add self-control ; which makes sense. I mean, what good is it to grow in knowledge of good and evil if we do not have the ability to make proper use of such knowledge?
Since the Bible says we should be adding this to knowledge, we should probably take a closer look to this grace.
Definition
Definition
The Greek
The Greek
ἐγκράτεια
enkrateia
“one holding himself in”
Anyone remember the old Simpsons cartoons? One of Barts favorite things to say is “Get a grip man!” This is exactly the connotation of this word. To hold oneself in. Thayer’s Bible Dictionary says it this way:
“the virtue of one who masters his desires and passion, especially his sensual appetites”
New Testament Examples
New Testament Examples
Now 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.”
Vine’s Dictionary notes that self-control follows righteousness which indicates that God is saying that self-control is man’s natural response to righteousness is self-control.
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
If you’re walking in the Spirit, then guess what? This is one of the fruits you will bear.
but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
Wanna be in ministry? Well, it’s a requirement.
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
In our passage, it follows 'knowledge', so then as we have seen that each of these graces adds to the next, and that each one added is built upon the one before it we can then deduce that knowledge leads to self-control and knowledge is strengthened by self-control.
Self-control is therefore the discipline of one's self so as to live in harmony with the knowledge of right and wrong that one has. So as with the other graces, we will examine...
The Demand for Self-Control
The Demand for Self-Control
Required to be Christ’s Disciple
Required to be Christ’s Disciple
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
If there is anything that requires more self control than denying yourself, I don’t know what it is.
It is an important element of what God's grace teaches us -
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
The bottom line is, you can’t be a disciple of Jesus without self-control!
Required to Prevent “Falling Away”
Required to Prevent “Falling Away”
Paul realized the need to keep his body under control -
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Look at the reason he gives for this… “lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” There’s no point in simply knowing the truth if you don’t have the discipline to preach the truth. This is precisely why we add self-control to knowledge.
Peter condemned the false teachers because they become enslaved again to the corruption that is in the world.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
Think of all the discipline it takes to become an Olympic athlete. Now think, this is just to become an Olympic athlete, imagine the self-control needed to win a medal. Do you think it is worth it for them in the end? Now ask yourself, how much more worth it would it be to win an imperishable crown?
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
That word temperate has the same root as self-control, and it means to exercise self-control.
I think you would agree, however, that controlling the self is easier said than
done. So, let's take a look at both the problem and the solution.
Developing Self-Control
Developing Self-Control
The Challenge
The Challenge
The challenge of controlling the self is seen throughout the scriptures.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
And believe me, you are not alone in your struggle. This is something everyone struggles with (both inside and outside the church)
Paul faced this dilemma in trying to follow the mosaic law.
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
But even as a man under grace, he fails to do what he knows is right.
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
He fails to do that which he knows is right
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
He admitted that he was imprisoned by his own body! That he couldn’t control himself, rather his self controlled him.
For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
In Galatians he describes this conflict like this.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Peter called it a war that wages between the flesh and the soul.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
But the good news saints, is that there is hope!
Hope in Christ,
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
He goes on to explain that we are no longer indebted to live after the flesh.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
He tells the Galatians that those in Christ have crucified the flesh.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The problem is real, but the solution comes as we "crucify" the flesh! So what exactly does that mean?
The Solution for Self-Control
The Solution for Self-Control
It begins with baptism, for in baptism, our body of sin is put to death as we are buried
into the death of Christ.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
As we rise from baptism, we are now free to live for God.
For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Now let me be clear, this doesn’t mean that we are no longer tempted, rather we are free from the dominion (rule) of sin.
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Note the contrast between one outside of Christ, and one in Christ:
Outside of Christ.
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
In Christ.
Ro 8:12; 6:14
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Baptism is more than just a symbolic ritual we perform. There is something very real and supernatural that happens when we are baptized. We are set free from the dominion of sin; and we realize that though battle may not be over, now it can be won!
It continues as we are led by the Spirit. To live according to the Spirit. Without the Spirit's help, we will die spiritually.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Walking in the Spirit, gives us the ability to overcome flesh -
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
But what does it mean to be led by the Spirit? Well there are three main components as I see it.
1. When we set our mind on the things of the Spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
1. The “things of the Spirit” include that truth He was sent to reveal.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
So then, the degree to which we set our minds on what the Spirit has revealed (i.e., the Word of God, prophetic direction, etc.), to that degree we are led by the Spirit!
It continues as we are empowered by the Spirit. We can do whatever God wills with His help.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
The Spirit is His agent by which He empowers us.
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
How does the Spirit empower us?
Certainly the Word helps, as it is the sword of the Spirit.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Prayer also, as Paul prayed for the Ephesians.
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
What is important is not how the Spirit empowers, but that He does, and that we seek His strength through the Word and prayer!
So, by crucifying the flesh through our relationship with Jesus, and identifying, with Him in baptism, and then by living a Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered life, self-control will be a natural fruit born by the Christian.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
So what does it look like? I mean, how can you tell when someone is living a self-controlled life?
The Display of Self Control
The Display of Self Control
The Proper Exercise of Self-Control
The Proper Exercise of Self-Control
We are to bring the body under subjection
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The word subjection in the Greek means “to make ready for service.” So we could translate that passage like this.
I keep my body under control and make it ready for service...
The person who is self-controlled denies himself ungodliness and worldly lusts.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
If we are self-controlled, we are not in bondage to anything - even that which lawful.
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
And finally, we should be willing to deny self in service to others.
Denying our pride.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
And even denying our own liberty liberty to help the weak
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Controlling yourself means not only the body, but also the ego!
But it is also possible to take self control to the extreme of legalism, and this is not what the Word of God has in mind.
The Improper Exercise of Self-Control
The Improper Exercise of Self-Control
Paul warned against the wrong kind of self-control.
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
What he was discussing here was self-control that is based upon human traditions of false religion which are based in false humility. For example,limitations that neglect the body, while they may appear to be wise, they really don’t limit the indulgence of the flesh.
Paul even foretold that this would be a sign of a general apostasy, or falling away!
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Just look at the two main components. Not allowing marriage ,and not eating certain foods. Beware of those who tell you you need to do such a thing to be spiritual, because on the surface it might appear spiritual, but is contrary to the truth
Putting it all together.
Putting it all together.
Controlling the self is a natural component to growing in the knowledge of Jesus. As faith without works is dead, so is faith without self-control meaningless. Striving for excellence (virtue) is not possible without the discipline of self-control. Increasing in knowledge is nothing but an academic exercise, unless we are able to apply that knowledge by exercising self-control.
As we seek to develop self-control in our lives, remember the promise of our baptism (a new life free from sin's dominion! Walk after the Spirit - setting your mind on the things of the Spirit. Be empowered by the Spirit through the Word of God and prayer.
But remember, be careful to properly channel what self-control is developed. Not to follow human traditions, nor to seek the praise of men, but to humbly pursue godliness, and serve our fellow man.
So if we really want to develop the self-control that God has called us to, we need to really focus on Jesus and get a grip!