Godly Action
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We looked last week at being sober-minded. Not being drunk on the things of this world and being blind to the directives of God.
We spoke about how our passions can take the drivers seat in our lives. They can guide us, and govern us, when we care more about the opinions of man, than the opinion of God.
We must be free from the wrongful influences of the world that would get us to follow the course of this world, and not the course of God.
Today, what we want to examine is how right thought should lead us to right action. It’s very simple, what you believe will be lived out in your life.
James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
If you believe something, and it isn’t lived out in your life, can you actually say you believe it?
James 2:26 “..... so also faith apart from works is dead.”
This brings us to the idea of self control.
If we care about God’s opinion first, and aren’t “drunk on the world.” Then we must be self controlled and have mastery over our passions.
The first place we go in this war of desires, is to our knees.
After all, self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
After we pray, we work. Just as the Israelites prayed for deliverance from Pharaoh, God split the sea, then they had to cross.
Self controlled- Stability of soul
Self controlled- Stability of soul
I remember one time I went duck hunting with my friend in a 10 foot john boat. That day on the lake was a little rough. With waves reaching 1 foot that boat was being tossed around like a bath toy and we were taking on water.
My dad’s boat on the other hand, was a 30 ft Boston whaler. It was built for big seas. It laughed in the face of the storm that threw 1 ft waves and could handle much larger seas.
The larger boat was more stable in the high seas.
Being self controlled, or temperate can be applied in two different ways.
1. Control of our passions and desires, not being governed by our emotions.
2. Unwavering, unaffected, steadfast in the difficulties of this life.
Being self controlled, temperate is like a boat on the water. It’s the size of the hull to endure the high seas, it’s the ballast in the bottom, that keeps you upright.
As we grow in our self control, it’s like your growing the size of your boat. It makes us less shaken by the storms of this life & it makes us more stable when challenges come.
Elders need to be stable, self-controlled in the storms of this life. Why? When difficulties arise, the church needs to look to the leaders, and see their faith. See that they aren’t reacting to issues from the world.
They also are governed by the word of God. Not their emotions.
Though this is a requirement for elders, all Christians, need to have self control. After all, it is a fruit of the Spirit.
Husbands, your family needs to see you not in the state of panic when troubles arise.
Mom’s, your children must see how you handle the stress that comes your way…many times that might be caused by the children.
Grandparents, your children and grand children need to be reassured by the wisdom you have to offer from a lifetime of following Jesus.
Your neighbors, your community, need to see temperate hope that you as a follower of Christ have.
While the world is losing their minds over all the change in the world. You O Christian, are the controlled voice of reason, for your hope, nor your strength is in things of this world; but in God who’s sovereign hand is working according to the counsel of His will.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
This verse comes on the heels of Paul speaking of the return of Christ. The very fact that we live for a God that is sovereign over this world, and has told us that this world is not our home should give us boldness, assurance to move forward.
With that in mind we are told to be steadfast…be immovable.
Don’t panic, but be self-controlled.
Not being driven by your sinful desires, but in control of your emotions, and bringing every thought captive to obey Christ.
We are not likened to a small boat that is thrown about with every desire and temptation that comes our way.
Not someone who capsizes at the smallest detail that is out of your control.
Quite the opposite, we thrive! “abounding in the work of the Lord.”
When the world brings it’s fury against us, we don’t flinch for our feet are planted on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
For this reason you aren’t one to panic and react to the situations in life.
You pray about the situation. You search scripture for God’s direction; how He would have you deal with whatever situation lies before you.
Then you calmly respond to the circumstances that God brings your way.
Mental Discipline
Mental Discipline
1 Peter 1:13-15
You are not shaped by the passions that you gave way to in your former ignorance.
You are not governed by the futile thought that love is all that matters, then when someone dare upset that feeling you have, that love turns to sorrow in an instant. Then the sorrow gives way to hate.
These are some of the passions that people are governed by.
Your mind is being transformed, this means you are disciplining your mind towards thinking on the things of God, and thus revealing the glory of God in your actions.
You are becoming holy, as your father is holy.
This means you are set apart from this world. Which means you will think about family life, work, money, differently than how the world views these things.
The world will not like this
The world is drifting away from God.
When you say, we can’t do that, by God’s standards it isn’t right...
They will lose their minds.
Having mental discipline(which is self-control) means you know what is right by God’s standard, and you don’t move on your convictions for Christ.
You have left the futile ways of your former ignorance.
For you have a new identity in Christ.
You know who you are (you are the people of God), you know what your for (to bring God glory), you know where your going (to heaven).
You must live not for this world, but out of the new life and identity that you have in Christ Jesus.
It’s okay for you to enjoy things in this world, but don’t be shaped by the thinking of the world.
Physical Discipline
Physical Discipline
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
After we know what is right or wrong, we must then discipline our bodies. To bring our actions into submission to God and to do what is right.
Your mental control moves into physical control.
If you used to:
Coveting/Stealing
Covet or envy others for their possessions. That can lead to stealing, or overspending.
Now you work heartily for the Lord, and should have a generous spirit, because we serve a generous God.
Drunkenness
You used to get drunk on strong drink or maybe even drugs. This might have been to escape pain, suffering, to forget about the pain you feel. Or maybe you just liked the feeling.
Now you are filled with the Spirit to find and can have the burden of sin lifted, becasue by the grace of God, you are forgiven. You are now filled, not with mirth that comes from the bottle, but the joy which comes from God himself.
Gossip
You used to gossip, or slander. Talking about the problems of other people was a regular source of discussion for you.
Now, you use your words to edify, you use them to build others up rather than to bring them down.
Self worship on Sunday
Sunday used to be a day of self worship. Maybe you spend it watching football, NASCAR, playing golf, fishing, hunting, or as the day for you to decompress from the week (these aren’t wrong in themselves, but they are wrong when placed in the wrong order. When they rank higher than worshipping God). These are all things that if prioritized wrongly, are done in worship of yourself, caring for self.
Now it’s the day you place a high priority on worshipping with the people of God. Gathering together to glorify the king of kings.
Filling your mind with the world
You used to fill your mind with the news, or social media. Fox news, CNN, or Facebook is how you developed your worldview.
Now you discipline yourself to study the word of God. You develop your worldview from what God has revealed to us through sacred scripture.
Ruthless
Some of you used to be hard, ruthless people. Believing that being harsh would drive people to grow up and change.
Now, you are to be merciful, kind, meek. Just as Jesus has been merciful and gracious with you.
Anger
You used to driven by anger; and when you became angry, you would either explode at the other person, making sure that they understand how horrible of an individual they are. Or, you would internalize you anger, let it grow into bitterness where you loath everything about the person.
Now, you forgive the other person. Just as Christ Jesus forgave you. Rather than anger causing you to verbally explode on the person, you use your anger as a spur to fix the issue that has caused division.
As we grow in self-control, we will become more disciplined with the way in which we act. “We will become imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Titus 2:11-15
Titus 2:11-15
The purpose of God’s grace, bringing salvation.
This isn’t that our lives would get a little better, but to make the dead live.
For we were formally in our sins and trespasses.
After transformation, our lives should be different.
Does a butterfly live the same life as a caterpillar? No
After the caterpillar has been transformed, it’s new life is totally different.
The grace of God trains us to renounce ungodly, and worldly passions.
To exercise self control.
Christ did this to purify, for himself, a people who were excited to do good works.
v.15
Declare what things?
Christ died to set you free from sin and death. Not to add just a little to your life, but to transform it.
To redeem us from lawlessness and to purify us.
Exhort each other to do good.
We should be encouraging one another towards holiness.
If you know how a brother or sister is struggling, find a way to encourage them with scripture.
If needed, rebuke.
If brothers or sisters are living in sin, talk to them about it, not using opinions, but the word of God to show them where they need to change.
May we all grow in self-control. Conducting ourselves in a manner befitting a follower of Christ.
As we grow, may we be shaken less by the storms in this world.