“Self-control isn’t about perfection. Self-control is Spirit-control.”
Sermon Title: THE MARKS OF SELF-CONTROL
Scripture Text: GALATIANS 5:22-23; 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27
Sermon Notes:
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law.
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 ESV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
“The presence or absence of self-control is one of the most determinative factors in whether we will do well or have serious problems in the Christian life.” — Steven Cole
“The biggest enemy to you being who God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, is you.”
“Self-control is really Spirit control.”
DESIRE. DISCIPLINE. DIRECTION.
I. DESIRE
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 ESV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
“Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw, may dahilan.”
REFLECT.
As a Christian running the race, WHAT DO YOU WANT? Do you want to win? Is your life showing it?
II. DISCIPLINE
1 CORINTHIANS 9:25 ESV
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
exercise | Greek: agonizomai
“to contend for a prize, struggle”
“Self-control and discipline are really two sides of the same coin.”
1 CORINTHIANS 9:25 ESV
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
REFLECT.
HOW ARE YOU RUNNING? If you come to the end of your life, would you rather have a gold medal or God’s approval?
III. DIRECTION
1 CORINTHIANS 9:26 ESV
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
“You’re not serious about life until you’re serious about God.”
“A life that is lived for the gold of this world and not the glory of God is a wasted life.”
REFLECT.
WHO ARE YOU RUNNING FOR? Who is setting the pace for your faith journey? Is it Jesus? Or is it you?
1 CORINTHIANS 9:27 ESV
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
disqualified | Greek: adokimos
“unapproved, rejected, castaway.”
REVELATION 4:9-11 ESV
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
REFLECT.
WHO ARE YOU RUNNING FOR? Who is setting the pace for your faith journey? Is it Jesus? Or is it you?
I. DESIRE: “What do you want?”
II. DISCIPLINE: “How are you running?”
III. DIRECTION: “Who are you running for?”
“Self-control isn’t about perfection. Self-control is Spirit-control.”