KINGDOM CHARACTER: Self-Control

SELF-CONTROL = Mastery, Continence [self-restraint; esp. sexually], Temperance [moderation in action, thought, or feeling; restraint; esp. in use of alcoholic beverages (The Temperance Movement - 1737 to present)]

Controlling one’s desires & passions…& thus, one’s actions.

This truth elucidates the essence of the challenge of living for Jesus:

Galatians 5:16–17 “I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.” [U = v. 16]

SELF-CONTROL FOR LIFE [2 Peter 1.3-11]

WHAT AREAS (are often most challenging):

Food & Drink

Spending & Getting

Sexual Morality

Emotions

Convictions (Likely least considered; expressing truth, & correcting wrong [sin; error])

“Shoot, Ready, Aim” … “Ready, Aim, Fire”

HOW = 2 Peter 1.3-11.

“God HAS GIVEN us everything required for LIFE & GODLINESS”

2 Peter 1:3–4 “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.”

The List (“Chain of Virtues”)

2 Peter 1:5–7 “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”

Faith —> Goodness —> Knowledge —> SELF-CONTROL —> Endurance —> Godliness —> Brotherly Affection —> Love

“Supplement” = supply with; increase alongside;

Faith, Goodness, Knowledge…SELF-CONTROL...

SELF-CONTROL…Endurance, Godliness, Brotherly Affection, & Love.

We Therefore Ensure

2 Peter 1:8–11 “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.”

Usefulness & Fruitfulness

Avoid Forgetting Forgiveness (of God)

Confirming Our Calling & Election

CONCL—

…Running… LIFE…

In the Race of Life, we ARE (should be…must be) RUNNING TO WIN!

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” [U = v. 25]

We invest our time and effort to accomplish or excel in things we value. The need for self-control…all the Fruit of the Spirit…to be produced in our lives so that we are a High-Def picture of Kingdom Living (for our blessing and to bless others)…is no less needful than the hours of practice it takes to excel at ________; to excel ___________…

INVITATION:

Salvation

Assurance

Self-Control

Galatians 5:23 CSB

gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

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