Fruits of the Spirit

Self Control

Introduction

We need to live out values not just believe them…They shall us by our fruit. 2. Fruit lets us know if we are living out our walk right…it’s a byproduct of who we are. 3. God wants great things for us…God has more.

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

-External law without a heart transformation is being under the law. -It’s not a law but a transformation inside us. -Self control or temperance. ‘Proverbs 25:28 “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

GREEK: Self control- the virtue of one who masters their desire and passions especially their sensual appetites…without it we are living out of control. -the ability to be a master of our feelings and desires…thoughts, emotions, temper, finances, health.

Romans 7:15–24 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

Cycle or our of control

-When I try to do right but fail I feel hopelessness and shame. -Holy Spirit convicts but condemnation is you beating yourself up. ‘What next if I don’t let God in? -It becomes a part of my identity. -Stop taking on other labels as your identity. ‘Then next? -When I’m challenged to change, it becomes a threat to me. -Get defensive in our sin…choices lead and feelings follow…your not who your feelings are.

Then next?

-I begin to lose my life…a life spinning out of control and chaos.

Romans 7:24 “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:25 “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

-Answer is Jesus!

Romans 8:1–4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Definition self control- is the fruit of Gods power in me that helps me do what I want to do and not do what I now I shouldn’t do so I can have the life I want in the future. -If you will allow us to take you on a journey you can be free and live a life you always wanted to live.

SOLUTIONS to all 9 fruit…go do this and you will bear these fruits. 1. Repentance- change your mind so you can change your direction….God is right and I’m wrong. -it’s not my truth but it’s God’s Truth…even though I don’t understand it or like it. Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” …times of refreshing will come.

2. Fall in the love with Jesus

-When I’m so in love with him it won’t be I have to obey but I will want to…commands will follow my choice to love John 14:15 ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Titus 2:11–12 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,”

-How God loves me, he teaches me to say no.

-Grace is when I ought to do becomes what I want to do.

3. Commit to the lifestyle of a disciple

-Sermons cant change your life…you must walk it out, if not you won’t make it to Wednesday. Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

-Walk- Greek, living a habitual way of life. 2 Peter 1:3–8 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

-If I keep adding things as the spirit helps me then I won’t look like who I was.

Action steps;

KNOW GOD

-Make my relationship with God public…baptism. -Spend time daily with God in Bible reading, prayer, books, etc

-Weekly intentionally attend church and engage in worship…average Christian attends church twice a month, don’t be average.

2. Grow together

-Make a church my home..belong to one not attend one. -Get into a group. -Be honest and transparent. -Get free…freedom group

3. Discover Purpose

-Discover my gifts, passions, and personality.

-Join a team.

-Continue to grow…life long learner. 4. Make an impact

-Serve God by serving others. -Give generously. -Share our faith.

4. Guard against going back to your old way of living

-Meaning you have to put something in place. -What could I put into place to stop these cycles?

What point do we actually do this verse…

2 Corinthians 7:1

Conclusion

Prayer