GOD'S TRANSFORMING POWER "Self-Control" Pastor Duane Cross | 04.06.2014

"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:16-25 (NLT)

4 Battles You Can't Afford to Lose:

1) The battle against anger.

2) The battle of the tongue.

3) The battle of spending.

4) The battle of sexual behavior.

3 Options for Dealing with Self-Control:

1) Do nothing. "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires... the mind of the sinful man is death." Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)

2) Passionately pursue mediocrity. "... he who doubts is like a wave of sea, blown and tossed by the wind... he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:6 & 8 (NLT)

3) Spiritual transformation.

3 Challenges to Begin Transformation:

Challenge #1: Addition "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8 (NLT)

Challenge #2: Subtraction. Challenge

#3: Compassion.

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week - to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Scripture Reading Galatians 5:16-25; Proverbs 29:11; Ephesians 4:26-27; Proverbs 15:4; James 3:8; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Romans 8:5-6; James 1:6-8; Psalm 16:8

Getting Started

In what area(s) of your life do you find self-control challenging?

Write a sentence about the difference between a life controlled by the flesh (sinful inclinations) or the Spirit.

Why do you think that some areas of life are easy to control and others are not? Explain.

A Closer Look

Pastor Duane said there are 4 battles that you can't afford to lose. Read the passages and comment on each one:

- The battle against anger (Proverbs 29:11; Ephesians 4:26-27)

- The battle of the tongue (James 3:8; Proverbs 15:4)

- The battle of spending (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

- The battle of sexual behavior (Galatians 5:19) Digging Deeper Pastor Duane said there are 3 (at least) options for dealing with self-control.

- Do nothing (tongue-in-check)

- Pursue mediocrity (tongue-in-check)

- Spiritual transformation

Answer these questions based on these options:

1) How do you deal with issues of self-control that are out of control?

2) Do you believe it's important for a Christ-follower to live a disciplined life? Why or why not?

3) What area of your life will you surrender to Jesus that has been challenging to live with self-control?