Greater Reward Week 1 - Help I’m Out of Control

Video

To fill in a few details about Michael Redd. Michael Redd was drafted 43rd overall in the 2000 NBA draft. He played 12 years in the NBA. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 while playing for Team USA.

After the 2004-2005 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Redd signed a new contract with the Bucks that lasted 6 years and was worth $91 million dollars. His first purchase after signing this contract - a church building for his father’s ministry. The church was named Philadelphia Deliverance Church of Christ and was built in Redd’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

Now for a real Cliff Claven tidbit. Philadelphia is one of the seven churches in the book of Revelations. The message to Philadelphia shows us the blessings that come when we maintain our faith despite life’s tribulations. In fact, those who perservere despite weaknesses will stand strong as pillars in Heaven.

Michael Redd chooses to live a disciplined life.

Introduction

When you hear the word “discipline” what immediate thoughts and feelings pop up? Maybe it’s guilt - because you don’t view yourself as a disciplined person, but you’d like to be. Maybe it’s fear - because you’re imagining the kind of discipline you get when you make a mistake and face consequences. Or maybe it’s dread - because you want to be disciplined but know that it will require hard work.

Here’s the thing: Most of us want the product of discipline without the pain of discipline. But as much as we might like it, we can’t have the rewards without the process.

Maybe at times you feel out of control and you’re not sure where to begin. Well you aren’t alone and there is some pretty good company found in feeling out of control and undisciplined. Listen to these words that Paul, you know the guy that wrote almost 1/3 of the New Testament has to say.

Romans 7:15, 18-19, 24 NLT

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…18 I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Discipline

It sounds like Paul is searching for some help in developing some self-discipline. Discipline seems to always get a bad rap though. Discipline usually brings to mind negative thoughts - I did something wrong so now there are consequences. I going to pay for eating those 6 doughnuts.

Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now. Desires don’t determine who you become. Disciplines determine who you become.

If you want to look better in that swimsuit, you need to discipline what you eat and getting to the gym. If you want to save up for a major purchase, you need to discipline your spending habits. But why is it that so often when we try to be more disciplined and form better habits we still fail.

Simple will power does not work.

It is where we find our identity that helps us overcome. You see Satan will tell you before you fail at something, “It’s no big deal!” and then immediately after you fail, Satan will tell you “You’re horrible! You couldn’t even resist!”

Remember how Paul described himself. “Oh, what a miserable person I am!” Romans 7:24 NLT

We often begin the cycle of shame with thinking we are bad. So we need to try harder. However, our willpower begins to fade and we fail yet again. We feel guilt and shame because we have failed yet again and because we failed, yet again, we are a bad person. And the cycle continues!

Is there any hope?

Paul share the answer to in Romans 7:24-25 NLT - Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is not behaviour modification that we are talking about, it is spiritual transformation that we are talking about.

Discipline comes from God and brings glory to Him.

Our Identity

It begins with our identity. Satan calls us by our sin, God calls us by our name. You and I - we belong to Jesus. His Spirit empowers us to choose what we want most over what we want now.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

These two passages remind us that discipline and self-control aren’t something we make on our own but something we can rely on the Holy Spirit to provide.

With God’s help, we can master our minds and choose what we want most over what we want in the moment. That’s discipline.

Greg Groeschel puts it this way: “The decisions you make today determine the stories you tell tomorrow.”

Discipline is a decision - a decision to invite the Holy Spirit to change our desires and to decide to do what’s best over what’s easiest.

There was once a young boy who wanted to play soccer like his heroes. He began training every afternoon, practicing his dribbling until his legs ached. At school, his friends chose to play video games instead, but he remained focused, knowing each hour of practice would bring him closer to his goal. His self-control turned him into the star of the team. Discipline in our lives can transform ordinary aspirations into extraordinary achievements.

There is no way to sugarcoat it though - discipline isn’t always easy. But it’s worth it. It’s not some elusive ideal that’s exclusive to an elite group of followers of Jesus. Discipline is available to all of us, and it’s like a muscle. It gets easier the more you work at it. At first, it may feel overwhelming. But don’t give up - though discipline may be painful, it’s accomplishing a purpose.

Hebrews 12:1-11 NIV

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Discipline takes time. We need to learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us.

Galatians 5:16 NLT

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

True discipline is not shame driven, it is Spirit led! Discipline isn’t about us trying to control our desires but us relying on the Spirit of God to control our desires.

Picture a child learning to ride a bike. Initially, they wobble and fear falling. If the parent encourages them gently, celebrating progress, they gradually gain confidence. But if the parent only focuses on the mistakes, the joy of learning is overshadowed by fear. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, being led by the Spirit provides the safety and love needed to venture into new territories, rather than being driven by the fear of failure that shame produces.

Envision a potter shaping clay. If the potter’s hand guides with love and intention, the clay molds effortlessly into a beautiful vessel. However, if that creation is met with harsh criticism, it risks cracking and breaking. Just as the potter uses gentle hands, we’re reminded that discipline in our spiritual lives should reflect the Holy Spirit's nurturing presence, leading us toward wholeness rather than shame. In love, we are shaped into vessels of His grace.

Because we belong to Jesus, Jesus is empowering us to become more like Him. We no longer have to strive for results; we need to live from our identity. Our identity drives our actions and actions produce results.

As we learn to depend on the Spirit, our faith will grow. As our faith grows, we become empowered to do the right actions and this will draw us closer to God.

This creates the opposite cycle to the shame cycle of we are bad, we need to try harder, that we talked about earlier.

Christ’s power in me is stronger than the wrong desires in me.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1 John 4:4 NLT

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Discipline produces a harvest - and you don’t yield crops without consistency over time. Over this next week, let’s set aside some time to cultivate discipline in every area of our lives. And if we are feeling a little overwhelmed, that’s okay. Ask God for help filling you with more of His power, love, and self-discipline.

None of us has the will power! The Spirit provides what we need. Remember these words from Paul: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Conclusion

God’s Spirit resides in you and helps you choose what you want most over what you want now.

What do you want most? Not just what do you want - who do you want to become?