DEFINITIONS OF SELF CONTROL:

• “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires” 1

• For the believer:

o 1466 /egkráteia (“self-control, Spirit-control”) can only be accomplished by the power of the Lord.2

o Accordingly, 1466 /egkráteia (“true mastery from within”) is explicitly called a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:23).2

o “Physical and emotional self-mastery, particularly in situations of intense provocation or temptation. Selfcontrol is the mark of a wise person.” 3

Galatians 5:19–26 (NIV) 19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

SELF-CONTROL IS NOT SUSTAINABLE IN ME THROUGH HUMAN EFFORT AND FOCUS.

• “True self-control is not about bringing our selves under our own control, but under the power of Christ.”4

Colossians 2:20–23 (NIV) 20Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 (KJV 1900) 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10:6

Galatians 2:19–21 (NIV) 19For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Romans 7:4–6

SELF CONTROL IS FORMED IN ME AS I SUBMIT TO GOD AND OTHERS.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

James 5:16 (NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

1 John 1:5–9 (NIV) 5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 19:12-14 (NIV) 12But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

THE INVITATION

2 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV) 3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 28Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

PRAYER

Ephesians 1:17–23 (NIV) 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Titus 2:11-14, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 25:28

Icebreaker: Are you a more of a planner or an adapter? Or, How do you deal with urgent things and important things?

1. Share what was meaningful to you from the sermon.

2. Choose a passage used in the sermon. Read it twice. What is the passage saying about God’s way of life and self control? A) How does this truth impact decisions and choices in everyday life?

3. What is the difference between will-power and the Spirit-produced fruit of self-control?

4. Read Titus 2:11-14. Think about how God’s grace appeared to you. Share some ways you experience grace and salvation. A) How does the future return of Jesus impact your thinking on a regular basis? B) How would this awareness affect your approach to self-control?

5. Which fruit is the Spirit of God seeking to produce in your life at this time? (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) A) What is your part in that process? B) Think of your relationships—your walk with God, your family and friends, your fellow believers and church leaders, your neighborhood and co-workers. How does that fruit impact those areas? (choose one or two to focus on)

6. From this sermon series, Cultivate!, what have you been challenged to think, pursue, address, or act on?