Building Godly Character: Self Discipline

The Christian who wants to have Godly Character needs to be self-disciplined.

Our text today is found in 1 Corinthians 9

Self-Discipline is hard. I just finished a year in which I ran every morning from Monday to Friday. I ran over 2,000 kilometers last year. I don’t tell that to brag I tell you that it is hard. Do you want to know what I do for work. I prepare Bible studies and an email each morning. Then I go to school and teach high schoolers math and I finish my day making phone calls meeting with people visiting in the hospital. It isn’t the most physically demanding thing that I would do. I would be in trouble physically if I didn’t excercise. I decided to take up running and I like doing it. Only one day last year did I open my door to leave and say, nope not doing it. It was raining cats and dogs. It was hard. Some days I desperately wanted to stay in bed but I determined to be self-disciplined. I can only imagine a world class athlete, a concert pianist, a blue angel, and the tremendous amount of self-discipline required. I am not asking you to be self disciplined to run every day. That is not my goal but I am asking you to be spiritually self disciplined because the Christian life isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon. It isn’t fast food or amazon speedy delivery. It requires people of whom the world is not worthy.

*The Christian is self-disciplined for a reason.

1 Corinthians 9:24 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.

When you work hard to be an athlete, their are so many things that can derail you. One injury will ruin a teenagers thoughts of being the next Michael Jordan no matter how disciplined they are. Father time always catches up with the athlete. Not everyone will make it in this life no matter how determined they are but not so for the Christian. WE have something eternal to strive for. I picture that moment Jesus says well done thou good and faithful servant every time I want to quit. You have something to strive for no matter how old you are. There is the person who makes it to heaven by the skin of their teeth or the person who has rock solid faith. The person who lives with eternity in mind.

Our rewards are eternal.

1 Corinthians 9:25 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.

Our self-discipline has purpose.

1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

My running in the morning does me really no good. I will still age, I am not going to win a marathon. What do sports ever do? You ever think about that? Who cares who won the superbowl four years ago? What does that mean about the price of cheese in India. But when you do something for Christ who do something that really matters.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” - Jim Elliot

The Christian marathon leads somewhere.

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

In school I have a big discussion with jr high science students about distance and displacement. I use the example of the daytona 500 vs a trip to NC. I compare the Daytona 500 to a race with no destination their displacement is 0 miles in that race. They didn’t actually go any where. When I go on vacation I get into the car to travel 500 miles to get to NC. The trip has a destination my restful vacation. This life is either in vain if you aren’t running for eternity or it is has eternal purpose we live self disciplined for a reason and that reason is heaven forever with Jesus Christ.

The Christian who thinks eternally, disciplines his mind and body.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

You know I talked this morning about how I have a strict diciplined routine in the morning. WOW! Who cares, I have something bigger that I need to discipline. My tongue! Too often I get fired up in my heart as a right fighter and I say something that I shouldn’t. I regret it for weeks. I think about that time I lost control. If I could control my tongue now that would be something to brag about. How many eternal rewards have I become disqualified for becuase of the slip of the tongue instead of being disciplined to do something eternal.

*If you are running a spiritual marathon, follow the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

The rules are clearly defined.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

The course the map the thing that will keep you on track is the word of God spiritual discipline is found in the scripture. If your spiritual discipline means you are going to be a Bible reader make a plan and stick to it.

Don’t add extra baggage to your spiritual marathon.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

* Begin with realistic self discipline goals.

Ephesians 5:15–16 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

I remember in Bible School there was a group much like the Gideons who came into Practical. They brought gospels of John and encouraged us to hand them out. Oh yeah I want to do that. I remember committing to the LORD that I would hand out like an average of 1 gospel of John per week. Seemed doable. Do you want to know how many I handed out? ZERO!

I became a Gideon a group that encouraged me supported me and challenged me. I didn’t make put a number on how many bibles I wanted to hand out. I just determined to hand out bibles. With them and since them I have had the opportunity to pass out lots of bibles. Make goals to maybe be determined to pass out scriptures.

Accept the wisdom of those who will correct you.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

I am not a marathon runner or a good athlete, but I also don’t listen to wise counsel very well. My Father is an amazing teacher of individual games. Like horseshoes and bowling. My Dad taught and taught me how to bowl. Did I listen? NO! Today I don’t bowl much, but sometimes key word sometimes those little things my dad taught me come back and guess what they actually work. The same comes from our spiritual life. Make sure that you have a mentor someone who is dicipling you. If you dont’ have someone. Get someone! You need someone to help you be self-disciplined

Christians are self disciplined for the Glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

When you are living self disciplined you aren’t doing it for yourself or to impress others. That is what the world would have you do. No our self discipline should be for God. Have you ever heard this. You should do this for yourself. Um no! You don’t be self disciplined with drugs for your sake, no do it for God’s sake. Will you benefit, YES! But remember your priorities, You are doing it for God!

*Self discipline is a battle of the old man against the new man.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

When it says sober that doesn’t just mean to not be intoxicated but to be clear headed. Good Christian Character looks to be more disciplined with the things that he has in his life.

The battle against self discipline is lost in the flesh.

Romans 13:13–14 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Temptation will defeat you in the battle for self discipline.

James 1:14–15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

You want to be self disciplined. Temptation is going to come. Not from a guy in a little red suite but from your own mind and heart. Temptation lead to sin which is addictive and destructive it will destroy your self discipline and your life.

Give the battle of the mind over to the LORD.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Sometimes the battle for self discipline is lost right here in the mind. I believe that in my experience the answer to self discipline is with the power of Christ. I am telling you I am not a naturally self disciplined person. If I have any form of discipline in my life it is given over to Jesus Christ.

Remember who you are in Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

In a moment I am going to talk about keeping your life sexually pure. That means no sex outside of marriage. Keeping your eyes from allowing indecent images and your mind from dirty thoughts. That is the context of 1 Corinthians 6:19 and it is good to keep that verse close to your mind.

Guard your heart diligently.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

I can’t stress the importance of self discipline enough.

God’s word will help you succeed in self discipline.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Self Discipline requires the help of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 20:22–24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

The Christian life is a marathon. One that is not easily attainable. Just think of all the pastors that have failed in their race they didn’t rely on the LORD. The goal is to be self disciplined for the LORD well done thou good and faithful servant enter the joy of my rest. You can’t do that without the Holy Spirit.

SELF DISCIPLINED LIST

Make sure what you are going to work on is manageable. Don’t say I am going to read the Bible every day I am going to run a marathon every week, I am going to pray 10 hours a day and completely shut out sugar in my life. That’s not happening. I attempted to make a big list and put them in their level of importance (I believe!) This list is not inspired or complete but this is a good place to start and I tried to include a verse for each

Bible Reading 2 Timothy 3:16

Prayer Hebrews 4:16

Share the Gospel Acts 1:8

Live sin free 1 John 3:6

Guard your Tongue Proverbs 13:3

forgiveness Ephesians 4:32

Confession Proverbs 28:13

Strive for Sexual purity (no sex outside of marriage or pornography) 1 Corinthians 6.18

Give up idols 1 Corinthians 10:14

Strive for soberness Romans 13:13

Discipleship Matthew 28:19-20

Compassion Colossians 3:12

Giving Acts 20.35

Resting Matthew 11:28

Bible Memory Psalm 119:11

Fasting Matthew 6:16-18

Good work habits Colossians 3:23-24

Serving Matthew 23:11

Fellowship Acts 2:42

Financial Freedom Matthew 6:19-24

Cleanliness 2 Corinthians 7:1

Exercise 1 Timothy 4:8

Healthy Living (Weight loss) 3 John 1:2

A Self Disciplined has eternal rewards.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.