1 00:00:01,700 --> 00:00:05,300 As we read, just a moment ago, the last virtue that's listed by 2 00:00:05,300 --> 00:00:07,400 the great Apostle. Paul, through divine 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:12,100 inspiration, that is found in a person that is walking in the 4 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:16,800 spirit and thereby, because of that is producing the fruit of 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:21,700 the spirit, that final one is none other than Temperance as 6 00:00:21,700 --> 00:00:27,000 the King James, renders it or simply self-control, you know, 7 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:31,100 in some ways one might consider this virtue of the most isn't 8 00:00:31,100 --> 00:00:35,700 because without self-control, The Works of the flesh, cannot 9 00:00:35,700 --> 00:00:39,100 be overcome you. And I understand that if we 10 00:00:39,100 --> 00:00:42,800 don't overcome, the works of the Flesh and the sinful Pleasures 11 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:45,800 In the Flesh. If we don't figure out a way 12 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:48,900 that we can stand against those things and we are going to give 13 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:52,900 in to those Temptations and we're going to sin, we 14 00:00:52,900 --> 00:00:56,700 understand that sin is a transgression of the law and 15 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:59,900 therefore we need to figure out a way that we aren't going to 16 00:00:59,900 --> 00:01:02,600 give in to those. Tations that come our way, 17 00:01:02,900 --> 00:01:06,000 especially with regards to the flesh. 18 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:10,500 We need to understand that self-control is of utmost 19 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:14,400 importance because without it, the other elements of the fruit 20 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,900 of the spirit will not be made evident. 21 00:01:18,100 --> 00:01:22,700 But let me just say this, before we go any further tonight, I am 22 00:01:22,700 --> 00:01:25,900 not one that is standing before you that believes that I have 23 00:01:25,900 --> 00:01:30,400 mastered the art of having Temperance or self-control in my 24 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:31,200 life. Life. 25 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:35,200 I am not saying that I am the model example, in any way shape, 26 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:40,700 or form with regard to that, but I'm also saying this though, it 27 00:01:40,700 --> 00:01:45,200 is something that must be developed by every child of God 28 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:48,900 saying that. I understand that as we go down 29 00:01:48,900 --> 00:01:52,800 into the Waters of baptism and we rise to walk in newness of 30 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:58,300 life, we begin as a child of God and we don't necessarily come 31 00:01:58,300 --> 00:02:03,000 from those Waters of baptism with this Idea, all figured out 32 00:02:03,100 --> 00:02:07,800 it is a journey, it is a process and it is something that must be 33 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,000 worked on and developed in our life. 34 00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:16,000 If self-control is of importance to us in the Christian Life that 35 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:19,800 we live and we better have an understanding of, not only 36 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,900 number one, what it is but how can you? 37 00:02:22,900 --> 00:02:28,000 And I as difficult as it may be, how can we develop this 38 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,800 wonderful attribute of having self-control? 39 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:34,200 Troll. But number one, let's define it 40 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:39,200 and look exactly what it is. The word Temperance comes from a 41 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:43,600 Greek word, which comes from the root word, Kratos, which is 42 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,700 where we get the word strength. So, right off the bat, we're 43 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:51,700 figuring out that it is something that is strength to 44 00:02:51,700 --> 00:02:54,100 us. Now, this word Temperance as 45 00:02:54,100 --> 00:03:01,400 defined, according to Robertson is one holding himself in now. 46 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,800 Tell you something, if you look at it from the standpoint of the 47 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:08,200 world, if you look at it from the standpoint of society, As 48 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:12,400 we're even little guys in the schoolyard, this goes against 49 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,600 the very thinking that the world would have us to believe. 50 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,900 And the world would have us to think, if you think about it, 51 00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:24,000 like this all the way back to grade school, what happens if 52 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,600 someone says something to you, that is not friendly or not 53 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,300 good. What happens if someone comes up 54 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,800 and pushes you around, there's always someone that's going to 55 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,100 be standing by. That is going to say are you 56 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:41,100 Going to take that. Surely not because one that 57 00:03:41,100 --> 00:03:45,600 takes that and says nothing when one speaks curtly it us or when 58 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:49,600 one does not retaliate, when one would push us around, either 59 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:54,600 physically or verbally or in any other way, what the world says 60 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,800 is, no, you're not strong. You're not one of great 61 00:03:57,800 --> 00:03:59,700 strength. You're a weakling. 62 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:01,500 You are one. That's the doormat. 63 00:04:01,500 --> 00:04:04,800 You're getting pushed around. You need not to do that. 64 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:11,400 That's what society says. yes, but holding oneself in Is the 65 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:15,100 definition of this word. You know, I'll tell you 66 00:04:15,100 --> 00:04:16,700 something. When someone says something to 67 00:04:16,700 --> 00:04:21,600 me that angers me in the flesh, it makes me not want to hold 68 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,600 myself in know, it wants me. It makes me want to let her go? 69 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:28,900 No, I want to say it. I want to speak it. 70 00:04:28,900 --> 00:04:31,800 I want to do it. I want to retaliate that's in 71 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,800 the flesh. And that's basically our nature 72 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:39,300 sometimes. But having self-control is one, 73 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:43,900 who feels all of those things who feels all of those 74 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,800 Temptations to respond in that manner. 75 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:52,300 And yet does not. Now, that's hard to do as we 76 00:04:52,300 --> 00:04:55,700 live in this life. Let's go further though, mr. 77 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:58,900 Thayer defines it like this? It is. 78 00:04:58,900 --> 00:05:04,100 The virtue of one who Masters his desires and Masters his 79 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:09,100 Passions. A his but not limited to his 80 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:13,400 sensual appetites. So it is one that brings his 81 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:18,300 body, his mind and all of his being into subjection when 82 00:05:18,300 --> 00:05:23,900 Temptation comes our way. Mr. McKnight adds this he says, 83 00:05:23,900 --> 00:05:29,100 when this virtue subsists Temptation can have very little 84 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:35,000 influence in our life, why is that important? 85 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:37,400 You know, we are tempted every day. 86 00:05:38,300 --> 00:05:42,200 Jesus was tempted. He's the greatest example of 87 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,700 what to do when you're tempted. He beat the devil, he beat the 88 00:05:45,700 --> 00:05:49,400 devil, the Devil with the word of God, and he set a wonderful 89 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:55,100 example as one who paved the way for you and I jesus now knows 90 00:05:55,100 --> 00:05:59,200 every single thing that you are going through in your life. 91 00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:01,500 Have you ever stopped to consider that? 92 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:04,500 Don't forget that, the Bible says regarding Jesus. 93 00:06:04,700 --> 00:06:08,800 He was Did in all points like as we are. 94 00:06:09,100 --> 00:06:14,100 But the difference is he had Temperance, he had self-control 95 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:18,100 and he did no sin. We talked about temptation all 96 00:06:18,100 --> 00:06:21,100 the time, we talk about James 4 & 7. 97 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:24,200 Here's a wonderful pattern of how you, what you do when you're 98 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:28,600 tempted submit yourself, therefore unto God, resist the 99 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:33,500 devil and he will flee from you. The Apostle Paul further says, 100 00:06:33,500 --> 00:06:36,800 we're not going to be tempted. Greater than we are able to 101 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,100 bear. And with the Temptation, we are 102 00:06:39,108 --> 00:06:42,700 going to be given a means of Escape also. 103 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,600 There's no, not going to be a trial. 104 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,700 That would come in my way, or, by my way, in my life, that is 105 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:53,000 not common to man, meaning this, I might think that I have these 106 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:57,300 things in my life that are cast, before me as great, stumbling 107 00:06:57,300 --> 00:07:00,000 blocks and so on. And I might think that they're 108 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:04,000 just for me, but it is common to man. 109 00:07:04,500 --> 00:07:08,300 And something that I've Always found in the times of sometimes. 110 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:11,600 The most difficult aspects and difficult things that I've had 111 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:14,100 in my life. If you keep your eyes open 112 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:17,400 during that time, you know what you find, you find, someone's 113 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,500 had it way worse. There's always someone that had 114 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:22,600 it way worse. I might think that I'm 115 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,800 struggling in the flesh as I live this fleshly life day by 116 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,000 day, that I have temptations coming my way that are pulling 117 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,800 me aside stronger than everyone else, but if you'll keep your 118 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:35,200 eyes open, and you'll look around. 119 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:40,100 You you will find someone is going through worse. 120 00:07:40,500 --> 00:07:43,800 Oh, but there's a wonderful example is found in God's word 121 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,200 of what happens when we don't give in to those things. 122 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:50,600 The Book of Proverbs further tells us with regards to 123 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:52,800 Temptation. What does he say? 124 00:07:53,100 --> 00:07:58,300 He says, if Sinners entice thee consent down not, by the way. 125 00:07:58,300 --> 00:08:01,800 We're getting to this point. Follow me of just for a moment. 126 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:08,400 Solomon says if Sinners entice thee consent thou not what else 127 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,800 does he say? He says that if people are going 128 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:16,000 to ask you or bid you to go with them and they're going to do 129 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:19,500 something that is wrong. And something that is sinful 130 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:23,800 that we ought to stop dead in our tracks and refrain the foot 131 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,800 from their path. Another words, I need to go in 132 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:31,000 the about-face in the opposite direction and go as fast as I 133 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:35,700 possibly can. I said all of that to say this 134 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:39,299 going back to McKnight's definition of that. 135 00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:43,799 Notice the definition once again, when you have 136 00:08:43,900 --> 00:08:50,300 self-control Temptation, can have little influence, that's 137 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:53,700 what I want to know. I want to know that in my life, 138 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:59,100 how can I not, stumble and sin? I cannot stumble and sin or I 139 00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:03,300 won't fall under the traps that come my way in the flesh and 140 00:09:03,300 --> 00:09:06,900 give in to those things. If I have self-control when I 141 00:09:06,900 --> 00:09:10,600 tell you this too though if I don't have this and I don't 142 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:14,000 determine and decide the person that I want to be long in 143 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:18,200 advance I'm going to stumble. And I'm going to fail every day 144 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:21,100 of my life. The decision has to be made long 145 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:24,800 in advance and I must do that. And purpose that I'm going to 146 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,100 stay the course and when the temptation Tations come my way. 147 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:32,500 I am not giving in. I'm going to have self-control. 148 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,200 We're going to get to how you do that in a minute. 149 00:09:37,900 --> 00:09:39,800 A lot of those things are easier said, than done. 150 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:44,200 I understand that we're going to get to how you can do that in 151 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,200 just a moment. You know, this word is found 152 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,500 three times only in the New Testament. 153 00:09:50,500 --> 00:09:53,800 Scriptures. Remember this morning we quoted 154 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,600 from acts 24 and 25. Remember, we are talking about 155 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:01,700 sad words that are in the Bible. Some of the saddest words, 156 00:10:01,700 --> 00:10:06,100 uttered this morning when we mentioned acts 24 and 25, when 157 00:10:06,100 --> 00:10:09,400 the Great Apostle Paul was talking to Governor Felix, you 158 00:10:09,408 --> 00:10:12,100 remember what he said? He reasoned with him of 159 00:10:12,100 --> 00:10:16,700 righteousness Temperance and judgment to To come. 160 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:20,500 Now, why would I point that out? I point that out because we 161 00:10:20,500 --> 00:10:24,500 understand about righteousness, we also understand the flipside 162 00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:26,800 of that and that's unrighteousness. 163 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,200 What is unrighteousness. The Bible says, all 164 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:34,900 unrighteousness is sin, sin is a transgression of the law and 165 00:10:34,900 --> 00:10:37,900 sin. Unrepented of will cause us to 166 00:10:37,900 --> 00:10:41,000 lose our soul in the devil's, hell one day. 167 00:10:41,100 --> 00:10:45,300 So it's of ever-important between before our eyes as we 168 00:10:45,300 --> 00:10:50,400 live, the in life, but notice what he said, he not only 169 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:55,000 reasoned of righteousness, he not only reason with him of 170 00:10:55,000 --> 00:11:01,700 judgment to come but also self-control Mr. Irvine says 171 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:06,200 this he says that the word follows righteousness in this 172 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:11,800 passage in Acts 24 and 25 it follows righteousness, which by 173 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:16,500 the way represents God's claims and the word Temperance here, 174 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:20,800 follows righteousness, indicating that self-control is 175 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:25,000 a man's response to such claims such as what. 176 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,200 Mr. Vine says about that. Thought that was rather 177 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:31,800 interesting. So God's claims are described 178 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,200 with righteousness. The word of God is described and 179 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:39,500 given to us today. My self-control is going to tell 180 00:11:39,500 --> 00:11:42,600 whether or not I'm going to submit to the claims that are 181 00:11:42,608 --> 00:11:46,100 found in that word. That's the first place that this 182 00:11:46,100 --> 00:11:48,600 work is found in all the New Testament. 183 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:53,000 The second place is found in Galatians chapter 5 and verse 184 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:58,600 23, where we see it evidenced as one that walks in the spirit and 185 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:03,100 being led by the Pirate look in Galatians 5, beginning in verse 186 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:08,600 number 14. For all the law is fulfilled in 187 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:14,900 one word even in this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thyself 188 00:12:15,500 --> 00:12:19,700 but if you bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not 189 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:23,700 consumed. One of another, this I say, then 190 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:28,000 walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the 191 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:33,100 flesh for the flesh, lusteth against the spirit, and the 192 00:12:33,100 --> 00:12:37,500 spirit against the flesh. And these are contrary, the one 193 00:12:37,500 --> 00:12:41,900 to the other so that ye cannot do the things that you would, 194 00:12:42,500 --> 00:12:46,800 but if ye be led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 195 00:12:47,300 --> 00:12:50,600 Now, the works of the flesh are manifest which are these 196 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:55,400 adultery fornication, uncleanness lasciviousness 197 00:12:55,700 --> 00:13:01,200 idolatry, witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath 198 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:05,800 Strife, seditions heresies envyings murders, Drunkenness 199 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:10,200 revellings and such like of the, which I tell you before, as I 200 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:14,600 have also, told you in time past that they, which do such things 201 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:19,300 shall not inherit the kingdom of God, but the fruit of the spirit 202 00:13:19,300 --> 00:13:24,400 is love, joy. Peace longsuffering, gentleness, 203 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:29,100 goodness, Faith meekness Temperance against such. 204 00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:33,300 There is no law and they that are Christ's have crucified. 205 00:13:33,300 --> 00:13:36,900 The flesh with the affections Sections and lusts. 206 00:13:37,100 --> 00:13:43,000 If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. 207 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:47,600 And so we find In this passage of scripture that this is a way 208 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:51,900 where we see it, as evidence of one walking in the spirit. 209 00:13:52,100 --> 00:13:56,500 If I can control myself day by day, it's evidence that I'm 210 00:13:56,500 --> 00:14:01,600 walking in the spirit. If I can control my anger, it's 211 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,300 evidence that I'm being led by the spirit. 212 00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:07,600 We are Led by the Spirit by being led by the things that are 213 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:11,300 found in this book. And if I go out and I have 214 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:15,700 self-control and by the way, as all of, you know, I know, you 215 00:14:15,700 --> 00:14:21,100 know this, if you call yourself a Christian or you profess to be 216 00:14:21,100 --> 00:14:24,900 a Christian, what you're saying is you are saying that you are 217 00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:29,700 being led or Guided by a higher standard that you are following 218 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:33,900 something that not every single person in the world is going to 219 00:14:33,900 --> 00:14:37,600 follow but I'll tell you something when you do that the 220 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:42,100 entire world is watching just to see if you're going to practice 221 00:14:42,300 --> 00:14:44,900 all the things you say that you believe. 222 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:52,500 Self-control is a way that I can prove to the world that I am 223 00:14:52,500 --> 00:14:56,900 walking in the spirit and led by the spirit. 224 00:14:57,500 --> 00:15:00,100 You know, it's also found in another passage of scripture, 225 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:02,700 this word, second, Peter 1 and 6. 226 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:07,800 You remember where the Bible says, add to your faith virtue 227 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:10,900 and virtue, knowledge and knowledge Temperance. 228 00:15:11,300 --> 00:15:13,800 Let me just say this, I don't believe that every time that 229 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:16,200 there's a list in the were in the word of God. 230 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:20,900 That it's saying that you must in this fixed succession do and 231 00:15:20,900 --> 00:15:24,300 accomplish these things because I think in the Christian Walk of 232 00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:28,300 Life as we grow and develop and so on, sometimes I have things 233 00:15:28,300 --> 00:15:31,400 that I struggle with that. You would not or things that you 234 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:33,900 struggle with, I don't struggle with. 235 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:37,300 So, some of the things in our Christian growth, may be easier 236 00:15:37,300 --> 00:15:40,500 for me, and other things might be easier for you. 237 00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:42,700 But let me just say this, I thought this was rather 238 00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:47,600 interesting about why Temperance follows Knowledge, mr. 239 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:53,000 Vine says this, it follows knowledge suggesting that what 240 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,800 is learned requires to be put into practice? 241 00:15:57,500 --> 00:16:02,200 Now that makes sense to me. You know, there was a sermon 242 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:08,200 preached one time. Entitled, can you recommend your 243 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:12,200 religion? And one of the points was, can 244 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:17,000 you recognize in you recommend your religion by the way that it 245 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:23,200 works for you by the things that come your way in your life can 246 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:28,900 others look to your life and see that everything that you profess 247 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,900 is real. That's what the world wants to 248 00:16:31,900 --> 00:16:35,300 know. I'll tell you this, you know, 249 00:16:35,300 --> 00:16:37,900 the man once said, one time that our religion, that makes a man, 250 00:16:37,900 --> 00:16:41,100 look sick, won't cure the world. I'll tell you something else, 251 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:44,200 too. If I living in my life, do not 252 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,300 go through the things, whatever Trials, come my way, and I can't 253 00:16:47,300 --> 00:16:50,800 get through them. Then my religion, or all that, I 254 00:16:50,808 --> 00:16:55,100 believe my faith in view of the world is meaningless. 255 00:16:55,900 --> 00:17:00,100 And if I don't live as I should, and I don't have self control. 256 00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:04,000 Then I am rendering My Religion, meaningless. 257 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,599 On the other hand, when I finally get a knowledge of God's 258 00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:11,400 word and I put it into practice Temperance, that's a choice. 259 00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:14,700 That means that I have a responsibility after I learn, I 260 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:18,099 have to put it into practice. That religion is something that 261 00:17:18,099 --> 00:17:21,900 you're showing the entire world that is Meaningful and 262 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:26,200 beneficial self control. Van is being in control of 263 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:30,800 oneself, in the context of the scriptures and control, In 264 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:34,000 oneself. So as to be in harmony with the 265 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:38,200 will of God, but as I mentioned, just a moment ago though, it's a 266 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:42,500 whole lot easier to Define than it is to develop. 267 00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:46,000 And let me just ask you this. Are you like me? 268 00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:50,000 Have you had a problem? At least a time or two in your 269 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,800 life with not being able to control yourself. 270 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:58,000 He ever slipped? Have you ever knowing you need 271 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,300 to have self-control ever made a mistake? 272 00:18:00,300 --> 00:18:04,300 I have, I would think that, if all of us were very honest with 273 00:18:04,300 --> 00:18:07,600 one another with yourself, not to me, it's between you and 274 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,500 yourself. But if we are all honest with 275 00:18:10,500 --> 00:18:14,200 ourself, I'll bet we can all understand that, we've all 276 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:17,900 fallen short along this line that We have there been times 277 00:18:17,900 --> 00:18:20,100 when we did not do what we should do that. 278 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:23,900 We gave in that anger over took us and we said something that we 279 00:18:23,900 --> 00:18:29,100 really shouldn't have said. That's something must be worked 280 00:18:29,100 --> 00:18:31,900 on, that's difficulty in our life, I know. 281 00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:35,400 But you know, the scriptures describe how difficult 282 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,900 self-control is, one of the wonderful things about the word 283 00:18:38,900 --> 00:18:42,600 of God is Not only does it, say what we must do. 284 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:47,600 And what we must not do it even understands how difficult some 285 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:51,100 of these things are. Now we know that the Bible says 286 00:18:51,100 --> 00:18:54,300 we have to have Temperance or self-control. 287 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:57,200 You know what Solomon said of old go regarding this. 288 00:18:57,300 --> 00:18:59,200 It To me feel a little bit better. 289 00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:01,300 That the god that the great God Of Heaven. 290 00:19:01,300 --> 00:19:05,700 That I serve day-by-day understands how difficult this 291 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:09,200 is for me. In verse 32 of Proverbs chapter 292 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:15,700 16, it says he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty 293 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:21,200 and notice this and he that ruleth his Spirit, then he that 294 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:26,200 taketh a city. It is easier to take a city than 295 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:30,400 to rule one. Itself then to bring oneself 296 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:33,100 into subjection. But does that mean that we don't 297 00:19:33,100 --> 00:19:36,200 have the responsibility of doing such? 298 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:38,500 Absolutely. Not the same writer. 299 00:19:38,500 --> 00:19:42,500 Now in the 25th, chapter of the Book of Proverbs and verse 28 300 00:19:42,500 --> 00:19:48,100 says this he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a 301 00:19:48,100 --> 00:19:51,700 city that is broken down and without walls. 302 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:55,400 So we understand that we are headed for Destruction if we 303 00:19:55,400 --> 00:20:00,200 cannot rule our own say. Self if we cannot bring our self 304 00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:03,900 in its objection. Incidentally, you ever studied 305 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:07,000 the qualifications of being an elder. 306 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,300 I'll tell you something, you find people that are Peaceable 307 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:18,000 soft-spoken, they're quick to listen and slow to speak. 308 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:21,900 I got to be careful. I got to be careful because 309 00:20:21,900 --> 00:20:26,100 that's one of the hardest things for someone like me in my life 310 00:20:26,100 --> 00:20:28,700 is being slow to speak because I want to respond. 311 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:34,800 I want to say it. but according to God's word, that is not 312 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:38,400 something that it is a positive characteristic in my life. 313 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:41,300 So that's something that I must work on. 314 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,300 You know what, also understanding how difficult that 315 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:45,900 it is. Also notice. 316 00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:48,800 This, you remember in our Wednesday evening studies, we 317 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:51,400 studied the Book of James and great detail. 318 00:20:51,700 --> 00:20:53,900 We spent some months in the Book of James. 319 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:57,900 In fact, we spent about four weeks on every chapter until we 320 00:20:57,900 --> 00:21:00,500 exhausted the subject and exhausted. 321 00:21:00,500 --> 00:21:05,300 The Book of James in James chapter 1 and verse Verse 26, 322 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:06,800 you know what? James says? 323 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:11,400 He says this first. He says that with regards to the 324 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:15,700 tongue that it makes no difference what I say in my life 325 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:19,500 by way of my Christianity. It makes no difference about all 326 00:21:19,500 --> 00:21:23,300 the things that I might profess. It makes no difference about all 327 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:27,200 the things that I will do in my service to the great God of 328 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:31,100 heaven and all my outward profession of being a Christian. 329 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:37,700 If I cannot Bridle my tongue, It renders my entire religion, vein 330 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:42,000 or useless but then fast forward. 331 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,800 Now little bit further in the Book of James and we find an 332 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:51,200 understanding of how difficult that that really is in our life. 333 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:56,000 You know this is some reassuring words to us that we can look to 334 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,200 God's word and find that. They understand that God 335 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:02,800 understands what we go through with regards to broadening the 336 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:05,100 tongue. James says, You have to do it 337 00:22:05,100 --> 00:22:07,500 but look how difficult it really is. 338 00:22:08,100 --> 00:22:12,200 Beginning in verse 3, James says, behold we put bits in the 339 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:17,000 horses mouths that they may obey us and we turn about their whole 340 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:20,400 body behold. Also the ships, which though, 341 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:24,200 they be so great and are driven of fierce winds yet. 342 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,200 Are they turned about with a very small Helm? 343 00:22:27,300 --> 00:22:30,200 Whithersoever the governor listeth even. 344 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,300 So, the tongue is a little member and boast of great 345 00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:35,800 things. Behold how great a matter a 346 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:40,200 little fire Kindle with and the tongue is a fire a little of 347 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:42,700 iniquity. So is the tongue among our 348 00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:46,900 members that it defy with the whole body and set on fire. 349 00:22:46,900 --> 00:22:51,200 The course of Nature and is set on fire of hell, for every kind 350 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:53,700 of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents. 351 00:22:53,700 --> 00:22:57,700 And of the things of the sea is tamed and have been tamed of 352 00:22:57,700 --> 00:23:00,900 mankind. But the tongue can, no man. 353 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:05,900 Tame is an unruly Evil Soul. Full of deadly poison. 354 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,600 You know. I know there's some horse people 355 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:14,500 here in this room Everett, Judy, and d and maybe some others. 356 00:23:14,500 --> 00:23:18,900 I don't know. But I'll tell you something, you 357 00:23:18,900 --> 00:23:21,600 can take a horse even with a hard mouth. 358 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:26,200 You know, a hard mouth is what happens when you repeatedly over 359 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:29,000 time. Pull back on a horse's head and 360 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:32,800 the bit actually breaks the skin and then, you know how it is. 361 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,700 Just like your hand with a blister. 362 00:23:34,700 --> 00:23:36,700 You get a callus. Now it becomes hard. 363 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:41,500 A horse with a hard mouth is hard to stop but you can make a 364 00:23:41,500 --> 00:23:43,700 horse. Have a hard mouth with a curb 365 00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:45,900 bit in his in his mouth and he won't. 366 00:23:45,900 --> 00:23:48,000 Listen. What's the difference? 367 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:52,700 You can go up to severity or up to a greater severe bit, you can 368 00:23:52,700 --> 00:23:55,400 put a spade bit in his mouth with a tongue that long and I 369 00:23:55,408 --> 00:23:58,400 tell you something I not only can control his tongue, I can 370 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:01,100 cut it off. I can rear back and have that 371 00:24:01,100 --> 00:24:03,000 spoon go through the roof of his mouth? 372 00:24:03,100 --> 00:24:06,700 Listen, he's going to obey me even them. 373 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:15,000 But I can't control the tongue of my brother and he can't 374 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:20,800 control my tongue either. Secondly, the tongue is an 375 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:24,800 irresponsible member of the body simply as the outward 376 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:27,500 manifestation of the inward problem of the heart. 377 00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:30,500 So it matters not about the things that you say, it matters. 378 00:24:30,500 --> 00:24:34,500 Not about the tongue. If the heart is not fixed first 379 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:38,400 and that's different from every single Beast, that lives in this 380 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:40,400 old world, that's the difference. 381 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,100 You got to fix the heart and if you fix the heart, isn't it, 382 00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:47,000 isn't it wonderful to see that? That's the pattern. 383 00:24:47,100 --> 00:24:51,200 Fix my inner man. And every other thing in my life 384 00:24:51,300 --> 00:24:55,000 seems to fall into place rather nicely. 385 00:24:55,100 --> 00:24:59,100 Yes, it's easier to tame wild animals, James 3, 7 through 10. 386 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,800 Then the tongue, but it still is something that I must do. 387 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:08,100 Because James 1 and 26 says, if I don't it, renders my entire 388 00:25:08,100 --> 00:25:12,300 religion useless what a waste of time. 389 00:25:13,300 --> 00:25:18,000 That would be but you know in Jesus Christ there is strength 390 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,800 in controlling oneself. What you to notice a passage of 391 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:26,700 scripture found in the seventh chapter of the book of Romans, 392 00:25:26,700 --> 00:25:31,400 where we find where the Apostle Paul is dealing with the Dilemma 393 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:35,300 of the Flesh. And the spirit, notice what Paul 394 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:38,900 says, again, these are words that we understand that apart 395 00:25:38,900 --> 00:25:42,900 from Christ and without Christ help and without our effects and 396 00:25:43,100 --> 00:25:46,500 On things above, and without the Lord, guiding our life. 397 00:25:46,500 --> 00:25:50,300 And without the spirit, found in God's word, guiding me every day 398 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:52,900 of my life. I am going to have nothing but 399 00:25:52,900 --> 00:25:57,300 turmoil and problems with regards to the war between the 400 00:25:57,300 --> 00:26:01,800 Flesh and the spirit, hear the words of Paul so long ago. 401 00:26:01,900 --> 00:26:07,800 Beginning in verse 14, For we know that the law is spiritual 402 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:13,200 but I am carnal sold under sin for that which I do. 403 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:17,800 I allow not for what I would that I do not. 404 00:26:18,500 --> 00:26:24,100 But what I hate that do I if then I do that which I would 405 00:26:24,100 --> 00:26:28,700 not, I consent under the law that it is good now then it is 406 00:26:28,700 --> 00:26:31,800 no more. I that do it but sin that 407 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:37,200 dwelleth in me for I know that in me that is in my flesh 408 00:26:37,700 --> 00:26:42,100 dwelleth, no good thing for to will is present with me. 409 00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:45,100 But how to perform that which is good. 410 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:51,600 I find not for the good that I would, I do not but the evil 411 00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:58,400 which I would not that I do. Now if I do that, I would not it 412 00:26:58,400 --> 00:26:59,900 is no more. I that do it. 413 00:26:59,900 --> 00:27:06,600 But sin that dwelleth in me, notice I find then a law that 414 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:10,500 when I would do, good evil is present with me. 415 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:15,100 Keep going. For, I Delight in the law of God 416 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:19,200 after the inward man, but I see another law in my members, 417 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:22,300 warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into 418 00:27:22,300 --> 00:27:26,600 captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members all 419 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:30,400 wretched, man, that I am, who shall deliver me from the body 420 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:34,000 of this death. Notice I thank God. 421 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:37,400 Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, here it is. 422 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:41,000 Here's the Ray of Hope. Here's the encouragement, I 423 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,100 thank God through Jesus Christ Our Lord. 424 00:27:44,300 --> 00:27:48,400 So, then with my mind, I myself serve the law of God. 425 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:53,700 But with the flesh, the law of sin, Jesus Christ is the answer. 426 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:58,500 The Lord is the answer. God's word is the answer and 427 00:27:58,500 --> 00:28:01,400 listen. When I go out and War amongst my 428 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:05,100 fleshly side with the things that I know of All right, that's 429 00:28:05,100 --> 00:28:07,800 difficult. But if my affections are set on 430 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:11,600 things above, and when I'm transformed, like Paul said, in 431 00:28:11,600 --> 00:28:16,400 Romans, 12:1 and 2, I can get through this old world and I can 432 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:21,200 get through life and I cannot fall to the things that come my 433 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:24,900 way. If I am led by the spirit of the 434 00:28:24,900 --> 00:28:29,900 word of God, you know, Paul says this, this is a dilemma without 435 00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:32,900 Christ. It's a dilemma that leads to the 436 00:28:32,900 --> 00:28:36,000 inability to perform. Almost one wishes despite the 437 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:39,700 will to do. So it is also the Dilemma that 438 00:28:39,700 --> 00:28:43,600 leads to the state of captivity to the law of sin. 439 00:28:44,100 --> 00:28:47,400 It is something a dilemma that leads to the condition of 440 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:51,000 Despair. We have a glimpse or Ray of Hope 441 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:55,600 in Jesus Christ as Paul pointed out so long ago. 442 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,200 You know the answer is stated very clearly in our text and 443 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:02,300 Galatians 5 and 20. For those who are Christ's have 444 00:29:02,300 --> 00:29:06,700 crucified the flesh. Each with its passions and 445 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:09,900 desires. But let me just say this, I am 446 00:29:09,900 --> 00:29:14,700 not saying because we possess Temperance self-control and are 447 00:29:14,700 --> 00:29:17,300 led by God's word and doing our best. 448 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:21,000 It does not mean that we are not going to make mistakes. 449 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:24,800 It does not mean that we're not going to sin because brother 450 00:29:24,900 --> 00:29:28,000 that's not true. The Bible says that all have 451 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:32,200 sinned and all have come short of the glory of God. 452 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:36,000 I understand that I also also understand that there is the 453 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:41,300 devil who, by the way, is in a place in pits or chains of 454 00:29:41,300 --> 00:29:46,800 Darkness, awaiting his eternal fate Have you ever stopped to 455 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:50,100 consider? Where he's going. 456 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:55,200 That he'll gehenna hell of the Lake of Fire. 457 00:29:56,600 --> 00:30:01,200 It's a place that was created for the devil and his angels. 458 00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:05,100 Did you know that it was not created for man? 459 00:30:06,300 --> 00:30:10,700 It was created because of the Disobedience of the devil and 460 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:14,400 the sinful Pride of the devil. When Satan and a third of the 461 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,600 hosts of heaven was cast out of Heaven down into pics or change 462 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:21,900 of Darkness, awaiting the resurrection and on that last 463 00:30:21,900 --> 00:30:25,700 and final day when Beth and hell would be cast into the Lake of 464 00:30:25,700 --> 00:30:28,600 Fire. That's where Satan is going to 465 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:33,100 be for all eternity and he wants to take as many people with him 466 00:30:33,300 --> 00:30:37,200 as he possibly can. There's a war For your soul 467 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:40,700 every day that you live. So I'm not saying that we're not 468 00:30:40,700 --> 00:30:43,200 going to be troubled, and I'm not saying we're not going to 469 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:46,000 make mistakes. I'm simply presenting a pattern 470 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:50,700 from God's word and a way that we can stay on track, they do it 471 00:30:50,700 --> 00:30:53,700 all begins. When one is united with Jesus 472 00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:57,900 Christ in baptism, we know that we rise to walk in newness of 473 00:30:57,900 --> 00:31:00,200 life. And what do we do as we say? 474 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:05,100 So often we put to death, or we are crucified with Christ, the 475 00:31:05,100 --> 00:31:08,500 old man of sin. Says Colossians 3 is put to 476 00:31:08,500 --> 00:31:12,700 death so then I have the responsibility of doing 477 00:31:12,700 --> 00:31:15,700 something. What does that verse 5 says? 478 00:31:15,900 --> 00:31:22,400 Mortify the Deeds of the flesh mortify or put to death, all the 479 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:28,800 sinful, fleshly carnal things in my life, I must lay them aside. 480 00:31:29,900 --> 00:31:33,700 You know, I'll tell you. When you went down into the 481 00:31:33,700 --> 00:31:37,000 Waters of baptism, you didn't take your sins away. 482 00:31:38,300 --> 00:31:41,300 When I went down into the Waters of baptism, I didn't wash away 483 00:31:41,300 --> 00:31:44,800 my sins. In obedience to the gospel. 484 00:31:44,800 --> 00:31:48,200 When I went down into the Waters of baptism and I was risen to 485 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:52,700 walk in newness of life. The Bible says that I contacted 486 00:31:52,700 --> 00:31:56,100 the blood of Jesus and it was then that my sins were washed 487 00:31:56,100 --> 00:31:59,000 away and I began at that point in time. 488 00:31:59,300 --> 00:32:03,500 My Christian walk is a babe in Christ, that was beyond my 489 00:32:03,500 --> 00:32:06,300 control. I couldn't take my sins away, I 490 00:32:06,300 --> 00:32:09,000 wasn't worthy of doing such and neither were you? 491 00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:13,000 But the very second we come out of the water. 492 00:32:13,700 --> 00:32:17,600 Now it's my responsibility, the very minute I came out of the 493 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:22,200 Waters of baptism. Now I'm in control, I'm in 494 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:25,000 control whether I'm going to give in to the sinful pleasures 495 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:29,300 of this life, or my going to get to fight against those things 496 00:32:29,300 --> 00:32:34,100 and live as I should. So, we are going to be tempted 497 00:32:34,100 --> 00:32:39,000 day by day, but understand this. It means though that we are not 498 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:42,000 under the The Dominion, you know, Dominion means it's a 499 00:32:42,008 --> 00:32:45,400 fancy word for this absolute rule. 500 00:32:45,700 --> 00:32:47,500 They're all used to say this a lot. 501 00:32:47,700 --> 00:32:50,900 We're not the server's of sin. There's a difference between 502 00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:54,500 making a mistake and being the servant of sin when someone's in 503 00:32:54,500 --> 00:32:57,200 the world, Guided by the things of the world, Guided by the 504 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,000 Flesh and all of that. You are the servant of sin. 505 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:05,800 Therefore sin has Dominion or absolute rule over you. 506 00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:10,500 And all of the penalties that come with it is coming Your way. 507 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:14,100 But when you are child of God, no longer are you under the 508 00:33:14,100 --> 00:33:17,400 Dominion or absolute rule of sin? 509 00:33:17,500 --> 00:33:21,700 That's wonderful. No longer am I the servant of 510 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:24,000 that? But you know there's something 511 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:27,900 else too. Have you ever felt guilty? 512 00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:31,000 It's one of those times. We have to be honest again. 513 00:33:32,300 --> 00:33:33,800 You ever had regret in your life? 514 00:33:35,500 --> 00:33:41,700 if you show in your life self control, you don't put yourself 515 00:33:41,700 --> 00:33:45,500 in a position to feel guilt. I know, we've all felt that. 516 00:33:45,500 --> 00:33:47,000 I know the little guys feel it, too. 517 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,900 The other day, I'll use my daughter Taylor as an example. 518 00:33:51,900 --> 00:33:56,300 She had a little thing. We were working on together and 519 00:33:56,400 --> 00:33:58,600 it was a little something she needed to work on. 520 00:33:59,100 --> 00:34:00,400 She stubbed her toe a little bit. 521 00:34:00,400 --> 00:34:03,800 I confronted her, I was ready. I was ready as Dad here was a 522 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:06,000 teaching moment. I was going to get it all lined 523 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:10,600 out what a wonderful time. Here it is dead, the rights I've 524 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:12,199 got her. Now I'm going to have this 525 00:34:12,199 --> 00:34:15,300 wonderful opportunity to see. See this is what you should have 526 00:34:15,300 --> 00:34:18,400 been doing and that's what I meant but I asked her about it. 527 00:34:18,400 --> 00:34:20,600 You know, she said, Oh, I did it. 528 00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:23,800 Daddy. And boy, do I regret it? 529 00:34:25,100 --> 00:34:27,900 What do you say to that? Tell you what I said, I Stumble 530 00:34:27,900 --> 00:34:31,199 over my tongue and you see. Well that's good. 531 00:34:32,300 --> 00:34:35,300 That's right. Remember that? 532 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:41,199 We all feel regret when we do things that we know are not 533 00:34:41,199 --> 00:34:46,300 right if we're not living as we should and doing the things that 534 00:34:46,300 --> 00:34:49,600 we should in our life. Oh, the horrible. 535 00:34:49,600 --> 00:34:54,800 As the Bible says, the horrible ringing sound in my ears always 536 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:58,800 that horrible, the conscience, the voice of the soul. 537 00:34:59,500 --> 00:35:01,900 That is something that's awful for us sometimes. 538 00:35:02,700 --> 00:35:07,800 But when we are led by other things, the spirit, when we are 539 00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:12,200 led by God's word, it's going to have us make the proper and 540 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:15,800 right decisions in our life, that's powerful. 541 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,800 That means I'm going to have a better time in this life, you 542 00:35:19,808 --> 00:35:24,000 know, not only Not only living a Godly life, will it cause us to 543 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:28,300 be able to go to heaven one day, but it also helps us in this 544 00:35:28,300 --> 00:35:31,100 life. It is the wisest and smartest 545 00:35:31,100 --> 00:35:35,500 thing to do In your life is to follow God's word, it's even 546 00:35:35,500 --> 00:35:37,700 practical will be better citizens. 547 00:35:37,700 --> 00:35:39,900 We won't be in trouble. We won't be in trouble with the 548 00:35:39,900 --> 00:35:42,700 law and so on and so forth. Oh does it? 549 00:35:42,700 --> 00:35:47,500 Make a lot of sense to have self-control and manifesting 550 00:35:47,500 --> 00:35:51,600 self-control in our life? I understand, though, that it's 551 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:54,400 a process that continues as we grow daily. 552 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:58,100 You know, Colossians 3, we often quote, where it says, if you be 553 00:35:58,100 --> 00:36:01,200 then risen with Christ seek those things which are above 554 00:36:01,300 --> 00:36:04,100 where Christ sitteth on the Right hand of God and set your 555 00:36:04,100 --> 00:36:07,400 affections on things above and not on things on the earth, we 556 00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:09,300 won't go to that passage for time. 557 00:36:09,400 --> 00:36:13,000 But beginning in verse 10, it talks about some more things 558 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:16,800 that this is a continuous growth process. 559 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:21,000 Yes, indeed it is, it is a growth process. 560 00:36:21,200 --> 00:36:26,600 One more passage of scripture in the book of Philippians The 561 00:36:26,600 --> 00:36:31,400 second chapter. Where we find that this is a 562 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:37,700 two-fold responsibility in Philippians chapter 2 and verse 563 00:36:37,700 --> 00:36:39,400 12. Notice what? 564 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:45,900 Paul says, here, wherefore my beloved as you have always 565 00:36:45,900 --> 00:36:48,400 obeyed. Not as in my presence only but 566 00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:54,400 now much more in my absence work out your own salvation with fear 567 00:36:54,400 --> 00:36:58,500 and trembling, you know what? That tells me, that tells me Me 568 00:36:58,500 --> 00:37:01,300 that I have to get up every morning and go to work on 569 00:37:01,300 --> 00:37:03,000 myself. Spiritually. 570 00:37:03,100 --> 00:37:06,100 That also means that not only do I have to go out in a secular 571 00:37:06,100 --> 00:37:09,800 capacity and satisfy. The needs that I have in our 572 00:37:09,800 --> 00:37:12,600 secular capacity and give to my boss. 573 00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:15,600 If I work in that way and so on and so forth. 574 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:17,900 Not only that, but I have to go to work. 575 00:37:17,900 --> 00:37:22,900 Every day on me, I have to work out my own salvation with fear 576 00:37:22,900 --> 00:37:25,400 and trembling that's a nice way of saying this. 577 00:37:25,700 --> 00:37:29,100 I have to deal with gently strive to be the Question that I 578 00:37:29,100 --> 00:37:34,000 need to be as if it all depended on me but have the faith that 579 00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:37,900 God's going to do his part. Look at the very next verse 580 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:45,100 verse 13 for it is God which worketh in you both to Will and 581 00:37:45,100 --> 00:37:49,600 to do of his good pleasure. That's what's wonderful. 582 00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:55,900 Is God does his part to if I would do mine in conclusion 583 00:37:55,900 --> 00:37:59,800 tonight? It's so important that we have 584 00:37:59,800 --> 00:38:04,200 this attribute, this quality, this virtue of self-control 585 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:07,100 because without it, we cannot defeat. 586 00:38:07,100 --> 00:38:10,400 The Temptations that come our way without it. 587 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:13,600 We cannot overcome the works of the flesh without it. 588 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:17,600 We cannot grow as we should in Christ and without it, we cannot 589 00:38:17,600 --> 00:38:21,900 bear the fruit of the spirit. We have a wonderful motivation 590 00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:26,000 before us because if we can possess this attribute then we 591 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:29,000 will be free from the absolute. Rule of sin. 592 00:38:29,100 --> 00:38:31,700 We will understand. We're not alone that God's with 593 00:38:31,700 --> 00:38:34,100 us all the way. And here's something else, too. 594 00:38:35,700 --> 00:38:41,000 We have the blessings. And we have the confidence that 595 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:47,300 if we stub our toe and we will, if we make a mistake and will 596 00:38:47,300 --> 00:38:50,800 repent of those things, God will forgive us if we're willing to 597 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:54,200 keep trying again. And he'll wipe those things 598 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:58,600 clear and still be there to help us every step of the way, first 599 00:38:58,600 --> 00:39:03,400 John 1 and verse 9. We thank you for listening to 600 00:39:03,408 --> 00:39:08,300 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 601 00:39:08,300 --> 00:39:11,800 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 602 00:39:11,800 --> 00:39:15,100 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 603 00:39:15,100 --> 00:39:20,500 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 604 00:39:20,500 --> 00:39:23,000 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 605 00:39:23,700 --> 00:39:28,900 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 606 00:39:28,900 --> 00:39:33,300 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 607 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:36,000 We would love for you to be our honored guest.