WHEN YOU’RE ON YOUR LAST NERVE
Gal. 5:22
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. All of us can probably think of some time in our life where we went too far.
2. An elderly lady, driving a big, new, expensive car, was preparing to back into a parallel parking space when suddenly a young man in a small sports car zoomed in ahead of her.
3. The woman angrily asked why he had done that when he could tell she was trying to park there.
4. His response was simply, “Because I’m young and I’m quick.” The young man then entered the store.
5. When he came out a few minutes later, he found the elderly lady using her big new car as a battering ram, backing up and then ramming into his car.
6. He angrily asked her why she was wrecking his car. Her response was, “Because I’m old and I’m rich!”
B. THESIS
1. Have you ever had a moment when – maybe it was a screaming child, or a rude bullying driver cutting in on you, or a whole succession of unfortunate events happening – but whatever it was, it drove you to the brink of your endurance?
2. As one friend of mine put it, “She got on my last nerve!” So tonight I would like us to examine one of the most underrated fruit of the Spirit listed in Gal. 5:22 – “Self-Control” (KJV – temperance).
3. Paul said that one of the signs of the Last Days would be a lack of self-control (2 Tim. 3:3). The title of tonight’s message is “When You’re On Your Last Nerve.”
I. WHAT IS SELF-CONTROL?
A. DEFINED
1. Self-control is defined as “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.”
2. THERE ARE LIMITS TO FREEDOM. My mother used to say, “Your freedom extends to the end of your nose.” As soon as
your freedom encroaches on somebody else’s, yours has to be limited. The Law doesn’t let you hit someone, or cuss a police officer, or drive a car as fast as you want, or to pour oil on the ground, and a million other things. We have to curb our rights for the general good.
3. Self-mastery – to master our bodies, our minds, our speech, our emotions, our habits.
4. Many things in life are lawful for us, if (they are in their proper sphere, or) not excessive.
B. BROAD APPLICATION -- EXAMPLES
1. In relation to FOOD, is means MODERATION. Prov. 25:16, “If you find honey, eat just enough – too much of it and you will vomit.”
2. In relation to SEXUALITY, it’s RESTRAINT until marriage.
3. In relation to ANGER, it means FORBEARANCE. Prov. 29:11, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”
4. In SUCCESS, HUMILITY.
5. In DEFEAT, HOPEFULNESS.
6. In PLEASURE, SELF-DENIAL. Prov. 21:7 says, “He who loves pleasure will be poor…”
7. In SPEECH, it means to CONTROL OUR MOUTHS.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen….Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Eph. 4:29; 5:4.
8. In summary, Prov. 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Becoming excessive weakens us to our enemies.
II. WHY SELF-CONTROL IS IMPORTANT?
A. LIFE DEMANDS IT ALL THE TIME
1. Bad drivers.
2. Your Boss gets onto you without cause.
3. Dealing with children/ spouse/ siblings.
4. EXAMPLE: Headbutt Felt 'Round the World
In the 2008 World Cup Final, French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, reacting to trash talk by Italy defender Marco Materazzi, headbutted Materazzi in the sternum. Zidane, France's best player, received a red card and his team went on to lose the match in a penalty-kick shoot-out. For their playoff hopes, the loss of control was fatal.
B. LACK OF SELF-CONTROL – A SECRET DOOR TO SIN
1. “You’re getting on my last nerve” – but not God’s!
2. Sometimes Christians feel justified letting their anger go – shouting, cussing, berating people – when others are doing it to them. But it’s not Christ-like to behave that way.
3. ILLUS.
a. A man was going out of a building. He held the door open for a young woman, who turned out to be a feminist.
b. She said with a sneering tone, “You don’t have to hold the door for me just because I’m a woman!”
c. He answered, “I didn’t do it because you’re a woman! I did it because I’m a gentleman.”
4. It’s the same with us; we should live above other’s ways!
III. HOW CAN I GET CONTROL?
A. A MISCONCEPTION
1. “GOD’S GOING TO DO IT.”
a. Many Christians don’t realize that THEY play a part in our becoming like Christ.
b. They think the Holy Spirit is going to do it. ‘He’ll take over and make us do right.’
c. NO! He enlightens us, shows us the Word, convicts us, and endows us with the Spirit, and WE’RE supposed to change ourselves.
2. “THERE ARE SOME AREAS I CAN’T GET CONTROL OVER.”
a. Yes there are outside influences – demons, alcoholism, etc., that may require deliverance, but all else is within our grasp to reform. Jesus gives us power to overcome them.
b. Rom. 6:16-18. We used to be slaves to sin. Now we’ve been set free. We now CHOOSE which we shall serve – Christ or sin. It’s our choice.
B. HOW TO GET CONTROL?
1. SET BOUNDARIES – this far will I go and no further.
a. Married couples – never use the word “divorce.”
b. Food? Don’t get seconds.
c. On a date? Don’t be alone in a dark place.
2. THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES.
3. Get CLOSE TO GOD and FULL OF THE SPIRIT! If you’re full of the Spirit, other things won’t find room. God gives warnings and wisdom.
4. LEAN ON GOD’S RESOURCES. Depend on God’s power, not your own strength. In stress, etc., - call upon God. Restraint is a quality that will lift you in God's estimation of your character and trustworthiness.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: “Fear Without Basis”
1. A Japanese soldier, Shoichi Yokoi, lived in a cave on the island of Guam to which he fled in 1944. He stayed hidden in the jungle for 28 years.
2. He only came out at night and survived on frogs, rats, snails, shrimp, nuts, and mangoes.
3. Yokoi said he knew the war was over because leaflets had been dropped over the island. But he was afraid to come out because he thought he might be executed.
4. Finally two hunters came upon him and told him that he need not hide any longer. At last he was free! He was given new clothes, food, and taken by plane to his home.
5. We as Christians ARE FREE, but some don’t know that the war is over. You must claim your freedom; don’t hide any longer! [Paul Tan, 7700 #1651]
B. THE CALL
1. Rebuild the walls.
2. What are your weak areas?
3. Pray and let God give you wisdom when you go down to the altar area.
4. Salvation/ “make us like Jesus.”
