Introduction:
1. This morning I begin my last sermon in this series on the fruit of the Spirit. I hope you’ve been touched and challenged as we’ve looked at each of these. None of us are mature in every fruit of the Spirit. Perhaps you’re very strong in the love, joy & peace departments, but struggle with patience. You may be patient, but you don’t have much gentleness in your life.
2. My goal in this series of sermons has never been to make you feel guilty about the areas where you need to grow, but to challenge each of us.
3. It was actually this final fruit of the Spirit, that originally prompted me to begin to think about doing this series of sermons. That’s because of how rarely I see people living a life that demonstrates self control. Self control impacts our lives in numerous ways. Here in the US we our struggle with self control is made obvious by the fact that so many of us are carrying around extra weight. Consider these statistics:
Cell #1--
Roughly (1 billion) people in the world suffer from the effects of malnutrition.
Roughly ( 75% ) of Americans are overweight.
A full ( 33% ) of us are clinically obese.
We spend over ( $30 billion ) annually trying to lose weight.
4. I thought about a lack of self-control when my brother shared with me some months ago about the problem he has with getting good workers at the sawmill he manages for my father. I couldn’t believe it when he shared how often when he gives a worker a raise, they simply begin showing up for work less. He said that many of them know what it takes to feed their families & once they have earned that much they just don’t show up. These workers don’t have enough self-discipline to earn a little more so their families can get ahead. Some people would be tempted to call these workers foolish, but those with very basic jobs aren’t the only ones who need more self-control.
5. If you’ve watched the news lately you’ve heard the story of the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons that had to be stopped. The trouble in the game began when a fan threw a drink at Pacers player, Ron Artest. He promptly went into the stands after the man. The game had to be stopped and when fines were eventually handed down, Artest will not be allowed to play for the remainder of the season. That means his fine will be the equivalent of a little over $4 million since he won’t get paid for the games he misses. Here is my observation, how can someone disciplined enough to become a professional basketball player lose his temper so badly that he has to miss most of the season? Therein lies the real challenge for all of us. Most of us have areas in our lives where we are quite disciplined & other areas in our lives where we are not disciplined at all. Am I wrong or can you relate to this is in your own life? That’s what I thought.
6. I invite you to join me in thinking about this final fruit of the Spirit this morning. I trust that God will speak to you through my words. Let’s turn to the Bible once again & read the passage that has been my text for each of the sermons on the fruit of the Spirit.
Cell #2--
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (NAS 95)
Prayer---
Let’s begin with an interesting first point. . .
Cell #3--
I. Self Control-- The Spirit’s Contradictory Work
1. Let me start basic & work up to more information. Let’s begin with the meaning of the word. You know the New Testament was written in the Greek language, so let’s go back to the Greek word used here.
Cell #4--
The word translated "Self-control" or "Temperance" comes from two Greek words--
EN which means In
KRATOS which means Strength or Power
2. Long before the time of Paul, ancient philosophers, like Socrates, considered this word to be the virtue that was the foundation of all others. In fact, one of Socrates’ students once summarized his teacher’s view on it like this: "Shall not every man hold self-control (same Greek word) to be the foundation of all virtue, & first lay this foundation firmly in his soul? For who without this can learn any good or practice it worthily?"
3. As if that isn’t clear enough you’ll all heard of the ancient philosopher Plato. He wrote about self control with these words in his famous work, "The Republic." Because it was so important to them, they did a lot of thinking about it. Look at what he wrote.
Cell #5--
"Isn’t the phrase ’self-mastery’ absurd? I mean, anyone who is his own master is also his own slave, of course and visa versa, since it’s the same person who is the subject in all these expressions." (Plato, The Republic)
4. It seems on the surface to be a contradiction of terms. But the brilliant philosopher went on to argue that if we can make any sense out of this expression it must mean something like this. Our noble & less noble parts are often at war with each other about which will rule our lives. When the more noble part brings the less noble part under subjection we say that a person has demonstrated self-control. Now that makes sense doesn’t it? I thought so.
5. However, now let me throw a kink into our discussion. What’s really surprising about this word in scripture is that considering how frequently it was used in Greek philosophical thought, it’s rarely used in the Greek New Testament.
6. In fact, the word appears only three times in the New Testament.
Cell #6--
This Greek word is used only 3 times in the New Testament:
Acts 24:25, 2 Peter 1:6 & here in Galatians 5:23.
7. The dilemma Plato dealt with about self-control being possible, is what Paul writes about here. In fact Paul introduces another apparent contradiction introduced into the thought. Let me warn you in advance, it’s not neat and clean, but it that takes this concept to an entirely new level. Let me illustrate what I’m talking about.
Cell #7--
Is this really- - -
( Self-control ) OR ( Fruit of the Spirit )
8. We each understand Plato’s suggestion of how there is good & bad inside of each of us which is at war. However, as I said a few moments ago, Paul takes this concept to a new level. Paul says that self-control is a "fruit of the Spirit." Now, I want you to ponder something for a moment. Apples come from where? That’s right they are the fruit of an apple tree. Now, apply the same principle to our discussion. The fruit of the Spirit means, that the self-control we’re talking about this morning comes from where? That’s right, from the Spirit. The contradiction is that it is both self-control & a fruit of the Spirit all at the same time.
9. Let me put it a slightly different way. Each fruit of the Spirit takes place both through God’s Spirit & through our own effort. It’s not either or, it’s both God and us.
TS Now, we’re ready to move to a second surprising fact about this particular fruit of the Spirit.
Cell #8--
II. Self Control-- The Spirit’s Unrecognized Work
1. I want to suggest to you that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives even when we are unaware of what He’s doing. I want to ask a question that on the surface is going to seem outrageously obvious. Are you ever tempted to do the wrong thing?
2. Yes, I know the answer to that question, but I still wanted to ask it. The Holy Spirit gives us the extra power we need to do the right thing even when it’s not easy. The right thing yields the right results. Let me illustrate from our culture in a way that I think will help me make the point I’m trying to make.
3. People often assume that freedom from the rules will make them happier & more fulfilled than having to keep the rules. That simply is not the case. Consider the statistics regarding couples who live together. This is something which has become a phenomenon in our culture.
Cell #9--
In 1960 there were ( 430,000 ) couples living together.
In 1998 there were ( 4,236,000 ) couples living together.
4. You can see that living together before marriage has become widely accepted in today’s culture. In fact, in a recent survey of high school seniors a full 60% of them thought it was a good idea to live together before marriage. In fact, on the surface it would seem to make sense. A couple who lives together before marriage should know one another better & thus have a better chance of staying marriage. There’s only one problem, it doesn’t work like that. Many studies have been done from many different sources & they all agree that living together before you get married decreases the chance that a couple will stay married. That’s not all, not only does a couple’s chance of marital success go down when they live together, but their chances of happiness do as well. Consider these significant statistics. . .
Cell #10--
According to a Rutgers University report:
Living together before marriage dramatically increases your chances of divorce after you’re married.
Cohabiting women are twice as likely as married women to be physically abused.
Cohabiting women are also three times more likely to be depressed.
5. Just because something is accepted by our culture doesn’t mean it’s accepted by God. But how are our young people supposed to deal with the temptations they face? For that matter, how can any of us deal with the temptations we face in the world today? I want to suggest that we can successfully face our temptations because the Holy Spirit is working in our hearts & lives helping us with self-control even when we aren’t aware that He is helping us.
Cell #11--
The Holy Spirit’s work is often not recognized in the lives of Christians but that doesn’t mean He’s not working there. Consider the following facts:
Cell #12--
One study reported that 89% of alcoholics said they had lost interest in religion in their youth. (DB Larson & WP Wilson, "Religious Life of Alcoholics" Southern Medical Journal, June, 1980, PP 723-27)
Cell #13--
Joseph Califano, former secretary of the department of health & human services has said, "Every individual I have met who successfully came off drugs or alcohol has given religion as the key to rehabilitation."
Cell #14--
Several studies have found a direct correlation between religious commitment and lower levels of depression and stress. (Larson & Larson, Forgotten Factor, 76-78),
Cell #15--
Those who don’t attend church are four times more likely to commit suicide than those who attend frequently. In fact, lack of church attendance correlates more strongly with suicide rates than any other risk factor, including unemployment. (Larson & Larson, Forgotten Factor, 76-78)
Cell #16--
84% of strong families identified religion as an important contributor to their strength. ("A nationwide study of families who Perceive Themselves as Strong" Cited by Patrick Fagan, "Why Religion Matters" The Heritage Foundation Report, January 25, 1996)
Cell #17--
A 1978 study found that church attendance predicted marital satisfaction better than any other single variable. (Larson & Larson, Forgotten Factor, 73)
Cell #18--
All of these facts together point to the fact that the Holy Spirit makes more of a difference in our lives than we realize.
6. This certainly doesn’t mean that when the Holy Spirit is at work in your life you’re on Easy Street, & can just coast. But it does demonstrate that even when Christians aren’t aware of the fact that the Holy Spirit is working in their lives He is. It certainly shows up in these statistics.
7. In a sense, the first two major points of this morning’s sermon, are theoretical. However, I always want to be very practical when it comes to scripture, so finally, I want to look at the final point of the sermon.
Cell #19--
III. Self Control-- The Spirit’s Practical Work
1. In the rest of the sermon let’s examine some areas where self-control comes into play in our lives. Should the areas I mention this morning not be relevant, find others that are.
Cell #20--
Some areas where we need the Holy Spirit’s help:
1) Procrastination
2) Controlling our tongue
3) Controlling our sexuality
4) _________________________
2. I want to look at. . . (Cell 20 #1) Some areas where we need the Holy Spirit’s help. I suspect the first area is one that almost everyone of us can relate to struggling with when it comes to self-control.
3. (Cell 20 #2) "Procrastination." How many of us struggle with putting things off that we know we need to get done? This is a question I’m pretty confident in asking, because so many of us struggle with it. However, it also relates to how we live our lives under the control of the Holy Spirit. Procrastination affects almost every person in a different way. Some put off paying their bills until they’re past due. Others procrastinate with house work, or the job at the office that they really don’t like. The details may be different for each of us, but each of us have the same need. We need the Holy Spirit working in our lives to develop a greater degree of self-control.
4. If I missed you with procrastination, I know this next area will relate to you. (Cell 20 #3) "Controlling our Tongue." I think I could stop right there because we all know what it is say something & then wish that we could cram the words back into our mouths. I want to briefly mention four different areas where we struggle with our words. You probably don’t struggle with all four, but you do likely have at least one where you struggle.
1) Lying Some people struggle with telling the truth. Even though they know what the truth is they struggle to stick with it. Ephesians 4:25 tells us that we are to speak the truth in love.
2) Foul Language Our language isn’t to be filthy, dirty or offensive. Ephesians 4:29 tells us that we are to let no corrupt word come out of our mouth.
3) Insulting or Abusive Language The person who struggles here typically has a problem with keeping their mouth shut when they get mad. They may not struggle with the first two areas, but this third one gives them fits. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This person has a tendency to make the situation worse when they get upset.
4) Slander The more common word we use for this is "gossip." This is the person who can’t resist passing on the latest bit of news when they see someone mess up or hear how someone has failed. Proverbs 10:18b says, ". . . whoever spreads slander is a fool." Here’s a general rule that is rarely ever wrong. The person who will talk to you about other people will almost certainly talk to other people about you as well.
5. Let me briefly mention about another area that requires "self-control." (Cell 20 #3) "Controlling Our Sexuality" In today’s promiscuous world, remaining sexually pure is more of a challenge than it has been in a long time. This is a key part of what’s meant when we talk about self-control. It’s doing the right thing morally, when we are tempted to do the wrong thing. In this sexually charged world that we live in, living pure lives requires the effort on our part as well as the work of the Holy Spirit. Having said that let me make an important point. You have no right to say this is an area you cannot control, because you have the Holy Spirit helping you. I don’t mean to be unsympathetic, but we as Christians have no legitimate excuse for not remaining sexually pure, we have the Holy Spirit helping us with self-control.
6. Last but not least. . . (Cell 20 #4) That’s right, I left this one blank because I want you to think about your own struggle with self-control. The area I struggle with may not be the same as the area you struggle.
Cell #21--
What areas do you need to have the Spirit working more in your life?
Conclusion:
1. Let me conclude this morning’s sermon with a true story that took place about 250 years ago. Admiral Phipps, was a commander of the British fleet in 1750. When the British and French were fighting in Canada, Phipps was to anchor outside of Quebec & wait for the British forces to arrive by land. Then he was to support them when they attacked the city. The plan worked almost perfect. Phipps’ ships arrived early. As they waited, he became annoyed by the statues on the towers of a nearby cathedral and gave the order for his men to shoot them down with the ships’ cannons. No one knows how many shots were fired, but when the land forces arrived and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was unable to help. He had used up all his ammunition shooting at the "statutes." (Copied from www.sermoncentral.com illustrations)
2. I want God to use me don’t you. I don’t want to be confined to the sidelines because I won’t do my part to control myself. When the time came for the battle Admiral Phipps could do nothing more than watch. I don’t want to see God do something & be confined to the sidelines watching do you? Then, we must allow God to help us control ourselves for His sake & for His kingdom. Will you pray with me?
1) Jeff Armbrester, "The Virtue of Self-Control" March, 2003.
2) R David Reynolds, "The Fruit of the Spirit Is Self-Control"
3) James Westervelt, "Strawberry of Self-Control" (Grace Fellowship Church)
4) Eldon Reich, "Self-Control" February, 2002.
5) Bruce Barton, Linda Taylor, David Veerman, Neil Wilson, The Life Application Bible Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers) 1994.
6) Frank Gaebelein, Ed. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Galatians, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1976-92.
7) Timothy George, The New American Commentary: Galatians, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press) 1994.
8) Thomas Trask, Wayde Goodall, The Fruit of the Spirit, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 2000.
9) Philip Kenneson, Life on the Vine, (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press) 1999.
10) Reported on the Indiana Pacers web site. Articles originally from the Associated Press, May, 25, 2004 & December 2, 2004.
