VITAL SIGNS                                                                         EAST BAY FELLOWSHIP

(Series, #9)                                                                                             November 6, 2005

SELF CONTROL

TEXT: 1 Cor. 9:25-27

INTRODUCTION

· “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Prov 25:28 (NIV)

· But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.   Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)

1) FOCUS ON THE GOAL

· Self-control is about direction.

· The life of someone who loves God is about fulfilling His will. 

2) COMMIT TO THE TRAINING

· Self-control requires discipline.

· There are basic disciplines that all of us should be involved in:

a. reading the Bible

b. praying

c. worshipping

d. staying sexually pure

e. sharing our faith with others      

· committing to training means staying open and vigilant in the spiritual needs of your own life.

3) RE-FOCUS ON THE GOAL

· Self-control demands vigilance.

· Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Heb 12:2 (NIV)

4) CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS

· Self-control benefits everyone.

· “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.”   1 Cor 10:24 (NKJ)

CONCLUSION

· Then he said to all, "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me!  Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it;   Luke 9:23-24 (TLB)