Christian Growth Lesson 16 E

Temperance – Part 1

Surrendering Your ‘Self’ to God’s Will and your Attitude to God’s Holy Spirit “And to knowledge temperance” Acts 24:25

Acts 24:25 KJV 1900

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

I. Introduction to Part One

A. Faith (trust in the abilities of Jesus Christ) gets us into God’s family, and forms the foundation upon all the rest of our life

B. Virtue keeps us from getting trapped and defeated by sin by giving us the limits that Under God’s Control we are to live within – lines that we will never cross (porn, divorce, murder, etc)

C. Knowledge gives me answers for the problems I go through, and for the uncertainties in those troubles – in other words, if I could just KNOW some things, the devil cannot scare me!

D. But knowledge is not enough for this sinful flesh of mine – I not only need to know what I am doing wrong, and how to do right, but I need help in controlling myself when I still want to do wrong! That’s where temperance comes in!

E. According to Acts 24:25, the apostle Paul not only preached about righteousness, and sin, but of the inability of a person to control themselves when it comes to sin, and therefore their need for a new Master!

Acts 24:25 KJV 1900

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

F. When it comes to a Christian’s life, Temperance is three things:

1. Dominion – Who is in Charge of my life?

2. Balance – Keeping things balanced

3. Grace – Handling Failures

G. Together, those three ingredients enable a believer to surrender my ‘Self’ to God’s Will and their Attitude to God’s Holy Spirit

II. The Opposites of Temperance

A. Out of Control

B. Undisciplined

C. Unruly

D. Unrestrained

E. Chaotic

F. Lawless

G. HELLO?

That’s our society!

III. Dominion - Temperance is More Than Self Control (2Tim 2:24-26)

2 Timothy 2:24–26 KJV 1900

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

A. Majority of all people are SLAVES!

1. To their habits – think, do, and feel the way they have since childhood – can’t do any differently

2. To their peers – never stand on their own

3. To satanic pressures – fears, worries, inhibitions

B. Self-Control is good… but it’s not the best! (Prov 16:32)

Proverbs 16:32 KJV 1900

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

1. Great men are under control (disciplined)!

2. But Self is flawed by sinful nature… will let you down

3. Otherwise Adam and Eve would have obeyed

C. Temperance is Placing Yourself under a Stronger Master than Yourself (Luke 11:21,22)… and living by His commands, and in His fear

Luke 11:21 KJV 1900

21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

Luke 11:22 KJV 1900

22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

D. Temperance in the Bible means to be 'under-control', 'restrained'.

It was applied years ago to the use of alcohol (Temperance Societies), but it means that we are to grow in general restraint, because the more you know yourself, the more you realise your need of limits.

1. Oh, how dangerous you and I are. Our hearts are desperately wicked

2. How quickly our moods can swing.

3. How quickly our temper can flare.

4. How quickly irritability manifests itself.

5. How temptable we are to act on impulse instead of soberly.

6. In next to no time we can be swept up in a train of thought that becomes very dangerous, leading to wrath, and revenge and even murder.

E. The new birth (Biblical salvation) transfers my sinfulness to Jesus Christ, and receives forgiveness in its place – but that is not all

1. A Christian also receives new orders

2. A new boss

3. A new Master (Jn 13:13; Acts 9:6)

John 13:13 KJV 1900

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

Acts 9:6 KJV 1900

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

4. Every time someone got saved in the Bible, they submitted their lives to the dominion (control) of the Lord Jesus (Lk 23:42; Rom 10:9,10) – it was not a “free-for-all”!

Luke 23:42 KJV 1900

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Romans 10:9 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10 KJV 1900

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

5. If you only got your sins forgiven, but not your will submitted, then you are out-of-balance, and will never have joy

F. The reason why there is SO MUCH defeat in Christian homes and Christian hearts is because we may belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, but He is not allowed to be in Charge of our lives – the enemy still directs our steps, and lures us along, and traps us in his snares!

G. Temperance is Yielding to the Right Authority (Rom 6:11-18; Phil 3:8)

Romans 6:11–18 KJV 1900

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Philippians 3:8 KJV 1900

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

1. What do we normally give-in to? Habits, lusts, pressures – what we are used to giving in to

2. As a Christian, there is a need for “reckoning” – adding things up, and weighing them out to see which is better

3. Reckon … Become Unresponsive (Dead) to Live for the thrill of… Sin

– what you know to be wrong World

– anything that is not of Christ (like Drink, Drugs, Sex before marriage) Flesh

– self-serving interests Lusts

– pleasure first Bad habits

– what you do naturally like Laziness Bitterness and habitual anger DUNG ( Phil 3:8) God (Creator of this universe) Righteousness Grace Heaven (Col 3) Soul-Winning Family Pleasing God – “Well done…” Making a difference (i.e., Doctor) Saving our generation PRICELESS

Philippians 3:8 KJV 1900

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Colossians 3 KJV 1900

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

a. Dead to this world – it offers us nothing compared to Christ, and owes us nothing

b. Alive to Christ

c. It all is an either/or situation – can’t live in both worlds

4. Don’t let sin dominate any more – don’t obey IT anymore

5. Don’t yield or give-in to its deceptive pull

6. Yield instead to a better ruler over your life – Jesus Christ

7. Principles:

a. There are TWO KINGS who seek to rule your life 1) One is Satan – disguised as SELF and rebellion

2) The other is Jesus – meek and lowly

b. You are a servant of one or the other – no middle ground

c. You are the servant to that which you obey

1) The Pillow

2) The Euro

3) The fear of failures

4) The fear of man

8. No Christian is to be under the dominion of any sin – no sin should have any controlling influence over your life – period (Rom 6:14)

Romans 6:14 KJV 1900

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

H. The moment you got saved, you became the servant of righteousness – stay there, and serve THAT King!

IV. Conclusion to Part 1

A. How Temperate/disciplined are you?

1. Thoughts under or out of control?

2. Attitudes?

3. Daily Routines?

4. Walk with God?

B. Self-Control Won’t Be Enough… must yield to a Greater Master

C. Reckon some things worthless, and some things priceless

:

Add To Your Faith Self (Temperance)

Part 1

Control Scripture Lesson:

II Peter 1:5- 7 II Peter 1:5 reason, 7,

2 Peter 1:5–7 KJV 1900

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

2 Peter 1:5 KJV 1900

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

FAITH (trust in the abilities of Jesus Christ) gets us into God’s family and forms the foundation upon all the rest of our life.

VIRTUE we will never cross.

KNOWLEDGE lines that keeps us from getting trapped and defeated by sin by giving us the limits that we are to live within gives us answers for the problems we go through, and for the uncertainties in those troubles.

This knowledge is also the outworking of the divine nature of Christ within us.

Acts 24:25,

Acts 24:25 KJV 1900

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

1. Self Control (Temperance) Involves Three Things:

Dominion

life?

Balance

2.Who oversees my Keeping things

3. balanced Grace Handling Failures The Opposites of Self

A. Out of Control

B. Undisciplined

C. Unruly

D. Unrestrained

E. Chaotic

F. Lawless Control

(Temperance):

Webster defines selfcontrol as “control over your feelings or actions; restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.”

Proverbs 16:32 ,

Proverbs 16:32 KJV 1900

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 25:28,

Proverbs 25:28 KJV 1900

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

The Greek definition for Self Control is “mastery of one’s appetites and passions, power over oneself in the sense of persistence or restraint.”

When Self Control Is Absent:

Genesis 3:6,

Genesis 3:6 KJV 1900

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Achan Joshua 7:21,

Joshua 7:21 KJV 1900

21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of silver under it. my tent,

with the David

II Samuel 11:24, Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house.

2 Samuel 11:24 KJV 1900

24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.

So, David sent and inquired about the woman.

And someone said, is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of wife of Uriah the Hittite? Eliam , the Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.

When Self Control Is Practiced :

1 Corinthians 9:27,

1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul

I Joseph Genesis 39:7-9 master's wife, look, my master does not know what is with 9, And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, Lie with me.

Genesis 39:7–9 KJV 1900

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Genesis 39:7 KJV 1900

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

But he refused and said to his me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife.

How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Self▪ Control Is:

A Gift of God’s Spirit ▪

▪ A Christian Virtue Power Over Oneself Areas In Our Lives Needing Self Control:

1. OUR HEARTS

Matthew 15:18- 20

Matthew 15:18–20 KJV 1900

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

“What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.”

When God is in the heart, then we think right, live right, do right.

When God is absent, we think wrong, do wrong, live wrong.

2. OUR MIND AND THOUGHTS

Genesis 22:17,

Genesis 22:17 KJV 1900

17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

The mind today is so often a gate for the enemy.

If we do not guard this gate, the enemy will enter and cause us great harm.

Genesis 6:5,

Genesis 6:5 KJV 1900

5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Philippians 4:8,

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

“Guard your thinking, do not on the door of your mind.” accept every thought that knocks

3. OUR EYES

Psalm 101:3,

Psalm 101:3 KJV 1900

3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Job 31:1,

Job 31:1 KJV 1900

1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; Why then should I think upon a maid?

Matthew 6:22-23 ,

Matthew 6:22–23 KJV 1900

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.

If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

It is not only what we see, but how we perceive what we see that makes the difference between godliness and ungodliness, between light and darkness.

Psalm 119:37,

Psalm 119:37 KJV 1900

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; And quicken thou me in thy way.

Matthew 18:9,

Matthew 18:9 KJV 1900

9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

It is better for you to enter life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

“ First, We See.

Then We Sin.”

4.THE TONGUE

James 3:6,

James 3:6 KJV 1900

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Tongue Abuse Include:

Cursing, gossip, slander, lying, flattery, complaining, boasting, foolish talk, dirty stories, malicious speech, negative talk and just talking too much. James1:26,

James 1:26 KJV 1900

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

5. PERMISSIVENESS a situation in which behavior that some people might disapprove of is allowed.

I Corinthians 6:18,

1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV 1900

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

sexual immorality.

Flee from

1 Thessalonians 4:3- 7,

1 Thessalonians 4:3–7 KJV 1900

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

The LORD will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

6. OUR APPETITE

Proverbs 28:7,

Proverbs 28:7 KJV 1900

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

7. OUR HABITS

Proverbs 25:28, Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self control.

Proverbs 25:28 KJV 1900

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Without self control our Christian lives will be defeated, destroyed, and overrun by the enemy.

Staying Inside The Lines Guidelines:

Repetitive Activities That Are Good For Us To Practice Regularly: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

▪ Attend Worship Services Bible Study or Discipleship Classes Daily Read the Bible Evangelize/talk about God Avoid Sinning Pray Without Ceasing“Here is the paradox of Christian living.

We must give up control of self to gain self control.”

Bible Study Follow Up Chat:

1. What does self

2. Is self-- control mean to you? control generally easy or difficult for you?

3. Why is selfcontrol mentioned so often for the Christian?

4. “When we react the way others act toward us us!”

5. Is self-– control generally easy or difficult for you? they control

6. If you realize that you are going to be in a situation that requires self control, do you try to prepare yourself ahead of time? How?

Do you try to avoid the situation?

7. Do you think self control is easier for men or women? Why?

8. What has been the biggest test of your self you pass or fail?control? Did

1. During a church service, at the movies, or during a Bible study, do you often talk to your neighbors?

2. If someone makes you angry, do you strike back, either physically or verbally?

Complete the Self Test Answer Yes or No

3. When you are standing in a line, do you get very impatient and even push against the person ahead of you?

4. Do you rely on others to remind you of things you need to do, getting someplace on time, what clothes to wear etc.?

5. Do you frequently start things with good intentions and then not finish them?

6. If you know that you should not consume a certain food or drink that you like a lot, do you have it anyway?

7. Have you tried to break some bad habits and not been successful?

8. Are you often late for appointments?

10. Do you feel yourself fearful of or stressed by small unimportant things or happenings?