Temperate Series

Sermon for 2/11/2001

Temperate

Titus 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:2

Introduction:

A. Once the devil was walking along with one of his demons. They saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny. “What did he find?” asked the demon. “A piece of the truth,” the devil replied. “Doesn’t it bother you that he found a piece of the truth?” asked the demon. “No,” said the devil, “I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it.”

WBTU:

A. (Eccl 7:18 NIV) It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

B. This is not found in other versions, translations of the Bible. However, the concept is clearly defined in the context.

1. Avoid extremism in seeking to be righteous and wise, lest you destroy yourself.

2. Do not be so holier than thou.

3. Avoid extremism in wickedness and foolishness, lest you die before your time.

4. Those people who give into their weaknesses and sins end up dead.

5. Don’t refrain from true righteousness and wisdom.

6. Fearing God will help one escape extremism.

7. The Pharisees tithed a tenth of their garden spices but forgot other portions of the Law which where more important.

C. Look up 1 Timothy 3:2- Temperate.

D. What do we think of when we here the word temperate? Drinking or anger. Both of these apply and so much more.

E. Webster’s Dictionary- Not extreme or excessive; moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire; moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors.

F. Focus in on the first phrase more than the others, the rest modifies the first.

G. NIV uses the word temperate, KJV uses the word vigilant.

H. Paul was describing a person who has a clear focus on life. Practically speaking, a temperate man doesn’t lose his physical, psychological and spiritual orientation. He is stable and steadfast, and his thinking is clear.

I. This person has a correct perspective on life in this world. He/she knows what truly is important.

J. A temperate man doesn’t go to extremes. On the one hand, he doesn’t believe he is responsible to solve all the problems in the world, allowing himself to get sidetracked from his priority as a Christian. On the other hand, he does what he can to solve humankind’s social ills, but again without neglecting his biblical priorities.

K. A temperate man/woman doesn’t go on emotional tangents. He/she has a sense of inner peace and security, no matter what is happening in life generally.

L. Fits of rage do not describe a mature Christian. Not violent. Not quick-tempered.

M. This person is sober and calm in judgment. He is someone who is stable and does not overreact to situations, becoming overwhelmed, nervous, or insecure.

N. Warren Bennis- Effective leaders reward dissent, as well as encourage it. They understand that whatever momentary discomfort they experience as a result of being told from time to time that they are wrong is more than offset by the fact that “reflective back talk” increases a leader’s ability to make good decisions.

O. A person who does not want any constructive criticism is not a mature Christian. Cannot improve if we do not know where we are wrong or weak.

P. Also, in our world we can get sidetracked onto extremes. Take for instance the issues that we discussed last week.

1. Homosexuality- Matthew Shepherd to whatever.

2. Sexuality- Mark them with an “A” and shun them to well everybody does it in this world.

3. Abortion- Kill the abortion doctors to whatever.

4. Addictions- Kill the drug dealers and boycott all bars and sellers of alcohol and lock up the drugies, to whatever.

5. The government- Timothy McVeigh to whatever.

Q. Some people have become like Rush Limbaugh and this is all of there message. Maybe gone ever more extreme than that.

R. As we watch the news, are we lead into a frenzy because of the corruptness around us. Many people get sidetracked and forget that God is still God and that He is in control of the universe and our nation. Need to get back into balance. We should be concerned but this should not be our focus.

S. Gene Getz- God never called us as Christians to save America- as a nation, that is. Rather, we are to be “light” and “salt” in a world that desperately needs Christ.

T. Protesting is good sometimes, but some people are so into this that they forget the most important thing is to be witnesses in this world.

U. However, this does not mean we should not be good citizens. We should be informed. We should take every opportunity to voice our opinions through the political process.

V. The New Testament Christians did this and were defeated in the political realm. However, they were joyful in the midst of trials and tribulations. Many people are not in our world.