PUTTING ON CHRIST – SELF-CONTROL PART 2

In the previous lesson in the series Putting On Christ, we did some study on the value and necessity of the last characteristic of the fruit of the spirit: self-control.

We defined self-control as: “have mastered your inner self” by submitting our spirit to God’s via His word.
Self-control is discipline, under the direction of God’s Word that enables to walk in the light and be pleasing to God.
We can control lust by the spirit of God that is in us. We can control thoughts that become addictions and “not be brought under the power of any” (1 Cor. 6:12).
We can say no, by the power of the spirit that is in us and never become slaves to anything but righteousness.

To wrap this point up I’d like to consider three topics, beginning with…

Take Every Thought Captive “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Cor. 10:5)…

PUTTING ON CHRIST – SELF-CONTROL

Solomon wrote, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

Defining self-control:

The word [ἐγκράτεια] egkráteia, comes from “en, in the sphere of”, and “krátos, dominion, mastery”. That is you have mastered your inner self i.e., “self-control”
Oxford Dictionary defines it this way. “the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.”
Webster says, “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires”.
For the believer “self-control” or “spirit-control” can only be accomplished by the power of God. Peter commands us all to add self-control to our faith (2 Pet. 1:6). It is the Christian’s spiritual wall of defense against the sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Think of yourself standing with a wall around you, outside there are all kinds of activities, some sinful, and some acceptable. It encompasses every life decision. Should I study my bible or, watch my favorite television show? Apply the fruit of the Spirit to the question and the answer will aways be study.

That is not to imply that entertainment doesn’t have a place in our life, but if there is a choice to be made between the two, the right choice must always be according to the Spirit.

“24 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. 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. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

Self-control is running the race so as to receive an imperishable crown which requires discipline. Self-control is not an option for the child of God-IT IS A MUST…

MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH

One scripture that we read this morning was from Romans 13:14. I would like to spend our time tonight by expounding a little on both verse 13, and verse 14.

“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:13-14)

Let’s begin by defining these six words Paul used to warn us how not to walk:
1. Revelry: Usage: “kómos”
2. Drunkenness: Usage: The term “methé”
3. Lewdness: Usage: The Greek word “κοίτη”
4. Lust: Usage: The term “aselgeia”
5. Strife: Usage: The Greek word “eris”
6. Envy: Usage: In the New Testament, “zelos”

Now let’s apply this and learn to Walk Properly…

We have been learning from the scriptures how we who are saved can continue the process of “Putting on Christ”, which is initially done when we accepted the invitation of Christ in baptism. (Gal. 3:27)
• Paul further enlightens us as to the meaning of putting on Christ in his writing to the church at Rome.
• In chapter 13 and verse 14 Paul wrote, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Rom. 13:14)
• Thus, putting on Christ demands that we change, through repentance.
• It is not a one-time thing, rather a lifelong process of sanctification (1 Pet. 3:15), putting on righteous-ness and putting off sin, preparing ourselves for eternity.
• The putting on of righteousness is accomplished by putting on the fruit of the Spirit.
• Thus far, we have studied how we put on love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith-fulness…

As we continue with our theme of Putting on Christ, we turn to the 8th fruit of the Spirit which is gen-tleness.

UTTING ON CHRIST CIRCLE OF FRUITFULNESS PART 1

Writing to the saints in the churches of Galatia Paul concluded by reminding them who they are saying: “26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Today we begin a few lessons that I pray will help us all understand JUST how we put on Christ. This is accomplished primarily by adopting the fruits that come from God’s Holy character which we learn of through the life and teaching of Jesus and the holy men of God who wrote the scriptures (2 Peter 1:21).

We must live fruitful lives – or be cut-off from the life-giving vine, which is Jesus (John 15:6). Jesus said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Matt. 7:18). Let’s study the Circle of Fruitfulness. • Who we are will define what we do. • What we do defines who we are. It is an endless circle. 

Now, it is, therefore, impossible for me to say I have put on Christ – if I am not living a godly and fruitful life. I can no longer say as some say, this is who I am, like it or not, and I’m not going to change now! We thank God that Peter didn’t say that, Paul didn’t say that, and we must never adopt that self-condemning attitude. What we must do is imitate Jesus, and the Apostles’ life, and teaching to the extent that we may boldly and truthfully say, such was I, but now I am washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11). . .

In his first epistle, John writes of victory in overcoming the world…
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1John 5:4-5)

This is the victory, means we have believed and obeyed Jesus, therefore, we have what we need to defeated Satan, and by the same power we’re able to cast the devil out of our life,.then one day we’ll put on immortality – and death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54)
This is the victory, means we have believed and obeyed Jesus, therefore, we will be among those caught up by Jesus on the last day (1 Thess. 4:17)
This is the victory, means we’ll be one of the “great multitude which no one could number” in Heaven, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb (Rev. 7:9)

Beloved, faithful, you, brothers and sisters, we are truly united by the one true faith that will lead us to total victory…
And my hope is that by these studies our God will grant us all according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit that is in us” (Eph. 3:16)

Let’s start with a talk about the WORLD…

THE UNPOPULAR WAY – SAINTS AND SWIMMING

Like clockwork, once a year summer comes. And, rightly so, many are thinking of vacations, picnics, gatherings with family, and all kinds of outdoor sports and
activities.

One such activity—is Swimming i.e., Public Bathing.

The question of the day: Is swimming sinful? Short answer is not if it is males together with other males out of sight of women. Not if it is women together with women, out of sight of men. But when you combine the two—i.e., summer mixed pool parties where both men and women swim together—then you have a problem. And it isn’t the act of swimming per say. The problem we will address has everything to do with the various states of undress among men and women. Improper clothing that shows the nakedness of the body, and what happens in the heart.

Please don’t insult me, or any other by claiming that nobody is looking, that nobody cares! After the lesson is done I believe you’ll have enough material to be convinced that somebody does care—God…

Paul wrote in his second letter to the saints at Corinth, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

That’s a pretty amazing statement. A great change takes place in the life of one who is a Christian!
1. I’d like to know what this change is—and how it will affect me personally.
2. If I am a New Creation – how does God see me?
3. And how does this change me, my lifestyle, my likes, and habits?
4. What old things am I giving up, and how will these new things affect my old way of life?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives us answers to such questions.

Turning to Ephesians 2 and verse 6 we begin to see some ways a Christian is described…

THE UNPOPULAR WAY (4) – SAINTS AND DEI

There is an acronym used by educators, businesses, clubs, and even the many denominations. You may or may not know it.

It is DEI, which stands for “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”, and you will be unpopular for standing against it.

The problem with this is at its core, it denies a biblically informed doctrine of sin.
Even greater its goal included “canceling” the Lord’s church preventing souls from hearing the truth about sin, causing some to be eternally lost.
Jesus told His disciples the Holy Spirit will come and, “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:8-11).
The church of Christ will never affirm immorality or sinfulness of any nature in the name of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” or any other practice as so many others do.
Jesus opening the understanding of the 11 disciples said, “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47) and that is opposed to DEI’s core teaching.
If we are not watchful, we can fall from our own steadfastness, and be led away with the error of the wicked, (2 Pet. 3:17).

Paul tells us how to prevent this from happening…

“HEAVEN HOLDS ALL TO ME” INTRODUCTION The wonderful and comforting song we just sang, Heaven holds all to me… As I sing this song, I think of how this world is perishing, coming to an end., I think of the country to which I am going – Heaven that is eternal. I think of the…