Restraint: The Difference Between Winning and Losing
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Intro
Intro
Text - Exodus 32.25-26
25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),
26 then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
Title - Restraint: The Difference Between Winning and Losing
Definition
Definition
Restraint (noun)
Dictionary of Bible Themes 5934 restraint
The holding back of actions, emotions or forces, whether one’s own or another’s.
Restrain (verb)
to control, hold back; to not let loose or go out of control
Different translations
25 Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control—for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies—
25 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies),
25 When Moses saw that the people were running wild (for Aaron had let them run wild, to the derision of their enemies),
Background
Background
Israel was recently delivered from bondage in Egypt
Also, God very recently given His commandments in person, at Mount Sinai
40 days later, they were afraid that Moses will not come back, and demanded an idol to lead them
a golden calf was made, and they began to offer sacrifices and celebrate a feast with eating and dancing
2 things happened that should not have:
first, Israel was allowed to have his own way - they gave in to fear, resulting in unrestrained activities
Israel was a young nation before God, and not familiar with God’s righteousness
Israel was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture and religion
second, Aaron allowed it to happen - he was supposed to watch over them while Moses was up on the mountain and receiving the laws of God. Instead, Aaron listened to Israel’s clamor and helped them make a golden calf.
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
Effective living requires certain type of control
Effective living requires certain type of control
Unrestrained life leads to sin and lawlessness
Because man is sinner by nature.
Psalm 14.1-3
Romans 3.9-18
Jeremiah 14.10 - the sinner loves to wander (stray)
Hosea 4.1-2
God gave His commandments to Israel to serve as a “restraint”
Galatians 3.19
Galatians 3.23-24
Israel was a unique nation on earth, because she was governed by the laws of God.
those who did not abide by God’s laws were removed from their midst
3 Significance of restraint in the Christian life
3 Significance of restraint in the Christian life
It is a fruit of the Spirit
It is a fruit of the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Hence, it is an attribute of God
Our God is not like the gods of the Gentiles who
give them trouble and need to be pacified by gifts
go into relationship with humans
fight among themselves
He does not change, and gives allowance for repentance
6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’
He is compassionate
Lamentations 3.21-23
Out-of-control anger is not compatible with His nature
Isaiah 48.8-9
Christians are admonished to cultivate “self-control”
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
Note
Christians are not controlled “from the outside” - by laws and regulations.
They are controlled “from the inside” by the indwelling Spirit of God and the Word. Hence “self-control”
It is a mark of maturity
It is a mark of maturity
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
Unrestrained life is a sign of immaturity
the “child” goes wherever he wants to go, etc.
the child needs to be controlled by parents, teachers, or guardians
Most teenagers have wrong concept of maturity
“Stop telling me what to do. I’m old enough to do whatever I want to do.”
Maturity is not being free to do what you were told not to do as a child.
True maturity is learning to do and practice on your own the things that have been taught to you as a child.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.
6 And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”
7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
1 I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”
19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 17.27-28
James 1.19-20
It is the difference between winners and losers
It is the difference between winners and losers
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.
temperate - exercising self-control
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 25.28 - no rule over his own spirit… broken down
Psalm 141.3-5 - a person with self-control has no problem receiving discipline
Canaan was conquered by a different type of Israelites
those who cannot be restrained by God’s words were destroyed and died in the wilderness
1 Cor 10.5-11 - idolaters, sexually immoral, they tempted Christ, complained
40 years later a new breed of Israelites were ready to claim God’s promises!
they grew up governed by the Word of God!
they learned their lessons from their parents
they are willing to submit to Joshua’s instructions!
Joshua himself must be controlled by the Word of God
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
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.
the people demonstrated discipline and submission
16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.
18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”
they were willing to receive instructions
they were willing to follow
they supported his leadership
Conclusion
Conclusion
What kind of Christians are we today?
unrestrained?
restrained?
Are we maturing in our faith?
are we becoming more obedient and submissive to authority?
are we becoming rebels?
What is holding you back from your victory?
not other people
not your lack or poverty
It’s your lack of self-control that keeps defeated and broken down
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