Sunday Worship 31 October 2021 : "The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control"

Text: Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 24:25; 2 Peter 1:6; 1 Corinthians 9:25
31 October 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. Review: The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23
a) Love
b) Joy
c) Peace
d) Longsuffering
e) Kindness
f) Goodness
g) Faithfulness
h) Gentleness
i) Self-control

2. These are virtues that should adorn the life of every believer

3. The Spirit of God will help us cultivate and produce this Fruit

WHAT IS “SELF-CONTROL?”

1. Nuances

a) To take hold of
b) To seize

2. Close relationship

a) Strength
b) Power

3. Self-control

a) It does not mean we do not need the Spirit’s help
b) The Spirit of God will help us gain mastery of our spirit

THE DANGER OF LOSS OF SELF-CONTROL

1. Anger

a) Cain killed his own brother Abel
b) There was no control   (Genesis 4)

2. Covetousness

a) Achan coveted wealth   (Joshua 7)
b) It caused defeat in battle

SELF-CONTROL IN THE LIFE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Growth of the Lord Jesus as a child

“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”   Luke 2:40
a) The Child grew
b) Became strong in spirit
c) Filled with wisdom
d) The grace of God was upon Him

2. Becoming “strong in spirit”

a) Self-control is in view
b) The control is in the realm of the spirit
i) The human spirit
ii) The Spirit of God

SELF-CONTROL ENJOINED

1. Strengthened with might

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,”   Ephesians 3:14-16
a) To be prayed for humbly
b) To be strengthened with might
c) The word “control” is found in the phrase “strengthened with might”

2. Vital analogies

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. 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. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”   1 Corinthians 9:24-27
a) A runner
b) A boxer
c) What is needed to receive the prize?
i) The competitor is “temperate” in all things
ii) The word “temperate” is the same word “self-control”   (Galatians 5:23)

AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW

1. There are no limits set by the law

2. These qualities may be developed to a very high level!

A SUMMARY

1. Commencement of the work of the Holy Spirit

a) He gives regeneration
b) He helps us be “born again”

2. Continuing work of the Spirit of God

a) He works towards producing fruit in our life
b) Many aspects of our life may be cultivated wonderfully

3. Challenge

a) To desire this great work of the Spirit
b) To yield ourselves to His power

CONCLUSION

1. We can bear much fruit   (John 15:5)

2. Bearing much fruit glorifies God   (John 15:8)

3. The danger is not to bear fruit at all  (John 15:2a)

4. Let the Lord prune us that
We may bear even more fruit   (John 15:2b)