1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,600 It's been just awesome to to be able to be here. 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:05,760 And be a product. Of of Weinberg School. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:10,880 And also grew up in spiritually was fed. 4 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:14,520 With the word of God and at Hoffield right which? 5 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:16,120 Is done that way. Right. 6 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:17,760 So Assemblies of God, Hoffield. Right. 7 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,720 Started in in in Sunday. School, at that time, they used 8 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:28,320 to call it Sunday School, and I just grew up in the church and 9 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:30,200 that's where I got to. To know the Lord. 10 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,600 To meet this. Wonderful and glorious Savior 11 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,400 that we've been singing. About this this. 12 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:37,840 Morning and worshipping him. And so that's where. 13 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:39,480 I spent my my. Church. 14 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:42,840 Church Life. And and then really my wife is. 15 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:45,880 Here with me this morning. She's the better off. 16 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,440 Of of me and. We've been married. 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,320 For 34 years. And this. 18 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:56,640 Is this year's 35th. And we come from, as I said. 19 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:58,960 From the West Coast, we're part of the body. 20 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,680 They're. Part of an advanced. 21 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,840 Church. By the name of Nibba Liba. 22 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,760 OK, so it's. New life in English OK New life 23 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:09,160 church. It's just been. 24 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:13,560 God has just been. Gracious to us and we had the 25 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:17,880 privilege of having Eric and and Zucchia's were ministering to us 26 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,120 last. May Can you believe it? 27 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:24,720 Just before the Advance Africa conference. 28 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,440 Lord God, we just thank you for this, this opportunity of just 29 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:32,160 being in your presence, Lord, and. 30 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:34,760 And what a joy it is just to be with the Saints. 31 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:37,280 Lord, we just thank you for your. 32 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,160 Word Lord, we, we. Just want to take our eyes. 33 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:42,640 Off of ourselves. This morning and just put our 34 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:45,240 eyes on to you, Lord, we we acknowledge Lord. 35 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:47,920 That we need your grace, Lord. We need your love. 36 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:51,840 And Father, we just thank you that you pour that out into our 37 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:52,880 lives. Lord that. 38 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:57,080 You. You really as we've just felt. 39 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,840 This morning your your. Love, Lord is, is, is so. 40 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:05,280 Tangible and so present here and your presence, Lord and we just 41 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,640 want to thank you for. That so Lord, I just pray your 42 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,720 your your. Blessing upon this word. 43 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,120 And Lord, may the. Words of my mouth and the 44 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,040 meditation of my heart. Lord be. 45 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:20,240 Pleasing in your sight, in Jesus mighty name, Amen. 46 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:23,360 Right. So I've been, I've been given 47 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,360 the the daunting. Task of of. 48 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaking about self-control. You guys are busy with the 49 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:34,360 series. By the name of the fruit of the 50 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:36,520 Spirit, and and one of the one of. 51 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:42,280 Those characteristics is. Self-control and it sounds so 52 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:44,440 simple and and straightforward and. 53 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:47,360 If I had to give her. A simple definition it would be 54 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:49,080 being. Able or the ability? 55 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:53,760 To control yourself. But as we all know, it's not 56 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:57,200 that easy. It's not an easy thing to do, 57 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:58,320 you know. We try to. 58 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,560 To master our own domains and we've got. 59 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:06,720 This this. Incredible task of being able to 60 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,800 control our sinful passions which at most times are 61 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:17,120 uncontrollable and you know. We we called by by the word to, 62 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,320 to, to. Control ourselves in, in, in 63 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:21,960 that, in that respect all these sinful passions. 64 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,280 That that that affect us, affect our. 65 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:27,920 Lives and our daily walk with Christ on a daily basis. 66 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:31,200 Can you hear me? All right, you got me. 67 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,960 OK. And so, so you know, we, we've, 68 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:36,680 we've. Got this practice? 69 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:42,480 Of of of giving over our sinful tendencies every single day and 70 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:43,960 every moment of our lives. To. 71 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,800 To God's control. So it's it's it's. 72 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,040 Tough and. So. 73 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,920 We we need. The grace of our Lord Jesus 74 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:54,640 Christ, and we're going to speak a lot about that. 75 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,840 This morning, but basically self-control. 76 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:03,320 Is easier said than. Done you all agree. 77 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,680 Is there anybody that's? Mastered self-control. 78 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:09,920 In your life, thank you for those hands. 79 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:18,760 Not easy and if you're like me, I rely heavily. 80 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,760 On the grace of our Lord Jesus. Christ, when it comes to to 81 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:27,880 self-control, my daily walk, just like you, I'm a fellow 82 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:31,640 Pilgrim of of sanctification. Big word, but what it? 83 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:36,160 Means is that God is changing us from the inside out and He's. 84 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:38,280 He's he's, he's. Forming us in the likeness. 85 00:04:38,280 --> 00:04:41,240 Of Jesus, he, he's. We're becoming more like Jesus, 86 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:43,800 and so he's changing us all the time. 87 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:49,880 And even though I've spent many years in ministry, you know I've 88 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:54,400 got this tag under construction. That God is. 89 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,560 Still still working in in my life and it's. 90 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,480 Just a case of of God having to qualify. 91 00:05:00,840 --> 00:05:08,440 The unqualified and so. It's just a as I was what I did. 92 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,600 As well as. I went through your your series. 93 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,760 And I listened to all the the sermons and Ryan, I just managed 94 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:17,400 to. Get a little part of yours and 95 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,080 then my grand grandson distracted. 96 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,640 Me when I will finish it? But I got up. 97 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,320 To Ryan. You did a gentleness. 98 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:28,960 Right. Yeah, and, and Stefan actually 99 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:33,080 prayed in his prayer when he. He spoke about joy. 100 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:37,280 He said that. You know, thank you, Lord, that 101 00:05:37,280 --> 00:05:41,120 you use imperfect people. And so we're not in Christ. 102 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:44,440 We we are made perfect. But as I said. 103 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:48,480 We are under construction. So let's let's get to the text. 104 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,640 And you know what I love? About the Holy Spirit, is that 105 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:53,120 he? Doesn't just command us to do 106 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:57,720 things, he also imparts his power and enables. 107 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:01,480 Us to be able to do what he desires isn't that great and so 108 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,040 when. You've been talking about the 109 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:08,040 law and Galatians 5 talks much about the law, but when we walk. 110 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:09,600 By the Spirit as Eric. Eric. 111 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,840 Said is that we we do more than keep. 112 00:06:13,840 --> 00:06:16,200 The law we we. Fulfill it. 113 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:21,080 And how do we do that? Well, you know, for example, the 114 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,760 law will. Say that you mustn't covet your 115 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:26,040 neighbor's wife, or you mustn't. Covet his his property. 116 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:30,640 But God imparts his power and his love, and he enables us. 117 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,360 To, to, to, to love. That person he imparts. 118 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,360 His love so that. We can love them so that we 119 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:40,560 won't need to covet. Somebody else's property. 120 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,280 Or to do any harm to them and so. 121 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:45,640 The Spirit calls us. To a higher way and he. 122 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:48,760 Calls us to to love. And so. 123 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,160 We're able to to share a broader. 124 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:56,200 Love with one another. So he doesn't just say obey the 125 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,920 law, He gives us the power to be able to do that. 126 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:01,880 He imparts his. Grace and His love. 127 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,400 To help us. And so we. 128 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:06,800 Actually exceed the. Requirements of the law. 129 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:12,920 Because of his love saying. Imparts his ability to us and 130 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:15,560 he. Gives us his love. 131 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:23,280 And so Paul turns our attention to to Galatians 5/22/23 and, and 132 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:25,960 these are the. Beautiful characteristics and 133 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:27,800 the character traits that reflect. 134 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,400 The nature of Christ and and which? 135 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:34,600 The Holy. Spirit imparts to us and that He 136 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:39,560 desires to to spontaneously produce in US and our head. 137 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:41,680 I brought a little. USB. 138 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:45,920 To but I I copied. It in the wrong format, sorry. 139 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,200 We do things differently in the West Coast. 140 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:52,680 So if you will just bear with me, I will. 141 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:56,480 I will read the scripture. And then just highlight some of 142 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:58,160 the points. That I I. 143 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:01,960 Had on on the board. So. 144 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:04,320 The Spirit of. God wants to produce these. 145 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:08,720 Fruits in our lives spontaneously and Galatians. 5 146 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:11,800 is you should. Know it by now 22 to 23 that 147 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:13,080 the. Fruit of the Spirit is. 148 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:19,680 Lovejoy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness 149 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:26,080 and gentleness and self-control. And the Bible says that Paul 150 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:30,640 says that. Against these things there is no 151 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:35,720 law and if I can just just reflect on the fruit at the at 152 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,679 the moment is that you've been you've been addressing the 153 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,559 individual fruits Lovejoy peace, patience. 154 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:46,520 But the actual scripture says that the fruit of the Spirit. 155 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,880 So it's not the fruits of the Spirit, but the fruit of the 156 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,440 Spirit. And so it's in the singular 157 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:58,000 fruit, not in just individual. Fruits of the Spirit it's. 158 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:00,000 Not. Plural. 159 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:02,240 It's singular. It's. 1. 160 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,760 Package that Paul puts. It into and. 161 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,920 So we don't grow. In in in some areas and then not 162 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:12,480 in the other. Areas so we don't grow in. 163 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:16,120 In love and joy and and and then we we, we miss out on 164 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:18,400 gentleness. See these things come. 165 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:22,400 Together, they grow together because. 166 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,720 Patience needs self-control, am I right? 167 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:30,360 And self-control needs patience. Other. 168 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:35,800 Fruits require self-control as much as self-control needs to be 169 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,080 applied. To the other fruits. 170 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:40,440 They're not. Individual. 171 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:42,960 Fruits in a believer's life, we need to know that it's. 172 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,400 It's it's the fruit of the spirit, it's package. 173 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:49,000 It comes together. And so one way of telling that 174 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,240 you've. You you have. 175 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:52,240 Fruit in your life. That you have the fruit of the. 176 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,080 Spirit in your life. Is that? 177 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:58,600 For example, your love will be accompanied. 178 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:02,240 By all the other. Fruits and it's very important 179 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,480 that we we. Know that and I'm. 180 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,760 Sure, you guys mentioned it somewhere during. 181 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:12,240 The the preachers and. So I want to close out the the. 182 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:14,640 Series. Are we closing it out this 183 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:22,280 morning or is there still another no on #9 #9 the 9th? 184 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:25,720 Fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is. 185 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:31,960 Self-control, all right, and and self-control is a slice of the 186 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,720 of the. Fruit that the Spirit produces. 187 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:37,640 In our in our lives. So on the one. 188 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:41,240 Hand it's, it's it's. When it comes to self-control, 189 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,880 there's there's work to do and what what is very important, we 190 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:49,080 need to develop and exercise and and grow self-control in our 191 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:50,800 lives. But on the other hand, it's a 192 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:55,520 work that we cannot do. So it's work that. 193 00:10:55,520 --> 00:11:00,120 We, we, we, we encourage to do, and it's work that we cannot 194 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:02,880 drill. And try as you may, it doesn't 195 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:05,960 matter. How tall, How smart? 196 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:10,400 How? Who you are, it doesn't matter 197 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:12,520 at all. It is. 198 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:17,760 It depends simply on. The lack of self-control that 199 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:18,920 we. Apply in our lives. 200 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:22,000 That we're required to work is that we fall short of the worthy 201 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:23,360 of the. Calling. 202 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:25,880 The the. Worthiness of Our Calling that 203 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:29,840 Paul talks about in Ephesians. 4 verse one we. 204 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:34,960 Simply lack. Self-control as the word 205 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,200 exhorts. Us and encourages us. 206 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,800 To do. And so I think it's important at 207 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,000 this juncture as well to make a distinction between between 208 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,880 self-control in the flesh, which is, which is in which is our 209 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:53,240 human nature and which relies on, on human willpower and 210 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:57,000 effort, and then on self-control which comes from the indwelling 211 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,040 presence. Of the Holy Spirit so when you. 212 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:04,040 When you put your faith in Christ, the. 213 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:06,680 Spirit of. God comes and he dwells in US, 214 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:12,800 and so, so self-control. Largely with the self. 215 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:15,880 Control that we're talking about here, biblical self-control, 216 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:19,920 depends on the Spirit of God that's dwelling in us. 217 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:28,080 He's the one that that imparts. This control to us, so as we 218 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:29,960 discussed. The. 219 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,720 The. Fruit of self-control we need. 220 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:37,280 To. Be aware and and and know that 221 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,520 of the empowering. Spirit of. 222 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,760 God in our life, that His presence, His provision, and His 223 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:49,120 power dwells in US and enables. Us to produce all these 224 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,600 beautiful fruits. Which reflect the nature. 225 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,600 Of God and so. Willpower is, that is. 226 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,320 Also a gift that's. Given. 227 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:04,880 To us by God, but it also helps us to show self restraint and 228 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:06,840 there's a. There's a word in the in the in 229 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:10,000 the in the New Testament called temperance, which means 230 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:13,480 restraint. And and so we we we show 231 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:15,480 restraint by not touching handling. 232 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:17,960 Or. Eating because. 233 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:22,800 So you stand in front of a cookie jar and you don't eat it. 234 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:27,640 OK, that's restraint and so willpower. 235 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,920 Is is is a. Version of self-control, and 236 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:33,080 it's easily it's easily seen and measured. 237 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:37,760 Because you. See a cake and in my case we'll 238 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:40,080 go and eat it. But in you see a cake, but you 239 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,880 don't eat. It OK you show self. 240 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:48,120 Restraint so it's easily seen and measured, but what we don't 241 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:52,560 know is the motivation. Of your heart. 242 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:58,880 What drives this self-control that you don't partake of that, 243 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:04,080 of that cake, you know, maybe you, you, you don't want to eat 244 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:09,360 it because you, you're jamming, you're exercising hard and, and 245 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:12,400 the reason that you, you're not eating right and, and. 246 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:16,240 Exercising hard is that? You want to be in great shape, 247 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:18,760 which is nothing wrong with that, but what is the 248 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:20,160 motivation? Is it pride? 249 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:21,200 Is. It conceit. 250 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:24,560 Is it arrogance? Why? 251 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:28,160 Why are you? Doing that, are you somebody 252 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:31,400 that loves attention? You seek attention. 253 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:33,120 You know you. Walk on the. 254 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:41,000 Beach, unfortunately. You know, I use the mic to to to 255 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:45,040 support my or my tummy uses the mic to support my the mic. 256 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:51,880 But yeah, so my, my, we say in Afrikaans that my, my chest has 257 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:57,400 become a cupboard. OK, so that six pack is I'm 258 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:00,280 working on that. But yeah, maybe you want to, you 259 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,560 know, that's that's the idea. Is that yourself? 260 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:05,560 Seeking and you want people to wow and you know, oh, he's a 261 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:08,600 great guy and oh, he looks good and and and So what is the 262 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:14,080 motivation for the reason that you you're not eating maybe. 263 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:17,240 You you show self. Control by by being. 264 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:21,920 Frugal. By by by saving your money, but 265 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:25,880 it doesn't necessarily mean that you you want to to to be that 266 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:28,080 you want to be a generous person, that you want to support 267 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:29,720 your family, your friends, your church. 268 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:34,480 It it it might not mean that you know it it mean it might mean 269 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,480 that you you're saving your money to buy a a. 270 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:40,280 Beautiful car. You, you, you. 271 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:44,040 You saving your money to buy a stylish house so that people can 272 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:45,080 notice you. OK. 273 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:48,680 So did you see the motivation in terms of of willpower? 274 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:54,680 But Eric guarantees and says that it's not like that yet. 275 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:59,160 Common ground in Weinberg. OK, so these are these are all. 276 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:06,360 Semblances versions of self-control, willpower and this 277 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:11,440 is not exhibiting biblical spirit LED control because 278 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:16,120 there's a motivation, a negative motivation may be behind. 279 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,440 That so willpower. Alone is not enough, and that's 280 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:21,720 what we're trying to say. It's not enough, you see. 281 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:25,160 Willpower your. Faith in God, your faith in the. 282 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:27,160 Word has to be. Mixed. 283 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:33,000 With willpower so that. Biblical control doesn't become 284 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,440 a thing where we will be bending our walls. 285 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:41,640 To suit our desires. But biblical self-control is. 286 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,040 God through his Spirit. Teaching us to bend our walls 287 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:50,680 and to submit our. Walls to suit his desires for 288 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:52,440 us. It's not making the choices that 289 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:57,440 we think are right, but it's making or having the ability to 290 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,080 to make choices that we think. God is or. 291 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,320 That we think, or that God thinks? 292 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:08,880 Are best for us. So self-control is not simply 293 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:12,240 being able to control our own worlds, but ultimately 294 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,400 self-control. Is the ability to submit. 295 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,200 Ourselves under the will. Of God and this. 296 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:21,520 Is the key distinction between self-control of the? 297 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,040 Flesh which is. Fueled by pride and and 298 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:28,920 arrogance and self conceit and by the self-control which the 299 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:30,880 Holy Spirit imparts. To us. 300 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,360 Which is is. Love for God. 301 00:17:34,360 --> 00:17:38,160 And for our neighbor. Which he gives us through his 302 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,840 Spirit. And so here comes the hard part. 303 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:46,280 If we belong to Christ. We have ultimately crucified our 304 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:51,360 desires. And passions Galatians 5 you've 305 00:17:51,360 --> 00:17:55,360 read it on numerous occasions. Verse 20 forces and those who 306 00:17:55,360 --> 00:17:59,120 belong to Jesus Christ have. Crucified the flesh. 307 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,520 And its passions and its desires. 308 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:08,320 Amen. So we still have the. 309 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:10,600 Capacity to sin. But the great. 310 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:13,920 News is and we've we've heard it over and over how Jesus died for 311 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:16,560 us and, and, and he set us. Free he set us. 312 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:20,640 Free from the power of sin. And so we're able. 313 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:23,040 To to live in freedom and and and the great. 314 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:25,160 Thing is, is that the the the power? 315 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:29,880 Of sin no longer has. Power over us, and so we don't 316 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:31,920 have to. Give in to sin anymore. 317 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,640 But why? Because we have the. 318 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,840 Indoor indwelling spirit. Which helps us to. 319 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:40,280 Overcome. So when we're. 320 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:44,160 Repentant and when we confess our sin and we go to, we run to 321 00:18:44,360 --> 00:18:48,320 to the mercy throne of God the Spirit. 322 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,200 Gives us. Power to to overcome. 323 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:55,480 And so this is what it this is what? 324 00:18:55,480 --> 00:19:00,440 Self-control comes down to it's our controlling our souls is 325 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:03,080 about being controlled by Christ. 326 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:11,280 Our controlling our souls is about being controlled by 327 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:14,400 Christ, and so Jesus. Was the the perfect? 328 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,160 Example of of soul control. Because he lived a. 329 00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:19,440 Sinless life and. And he was. 330 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:20,920 Full. Full of. 331 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:25,840 The fruits of the Spirit, and he was sent to earth. 332 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:30,320 To carry out the father's wool. And he had to live a perfect 333 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:33,600 life and, and he did live a perfect life in order to set an 334 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:37,960 example for us so that we can go to him in our time of need. 335 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:41,680 And in the end, we know that He died for our sins, and he he 336 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:45,480 procured eternal life. For us through. 337 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:49,760 Him we have eternal life and say Jesus knew and this. 338 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,480 Is where the the. Aspect of self-control comes is 339 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:54,720 that he knew that he had to come. 340 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:57,600 To, to he was. Sent on a mission by his father 341 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:01,520 and he knew that, despite his own fears. 342 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:04,520 He had to submit. And and and demonstrate 343 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:06,720 self-control in his life by submitting. 344 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:10,800 To the will of the father, he said just before. 345 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,680 When he was praying in in the Garden of Gethsemane, he. 346 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:17,280 Said to his disciples. Do you think I cannot call on my 347 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:24,400 Father and he will at once at my disposal send more than 12 348 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:28,400 legions of angels? Then you remember that that that 349 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:31,960 the mission that he had was to come and save the world. 350 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:34,760 And how then would? The scriptures be fulfilled, he 351 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:39,920 says that say. It must happen this way. 352 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:44,440 And if Jesus didn't apply that self-control and and submit to 353 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,600 the. Will of the Father we would all 354 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,560 have had to face. Death and punishment for our own 355 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:58,480 sins, and an eternity away from God and he was in great anguish 356 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:02,360 over his his his approaching physical pain, his separation 357 00:21:02,360 --> 00:21:04,320 from the Father and his and his death for the. 358 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:06,200 Sins of the world. But the divine. 359 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,800 Course was set. And he in his human nature, he 360 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,600 struggled and he said my. Soul is very sorrowful. 361 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:16,200 Even to death, speaking to the disciples, he says, remain here 362 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:18,160 and watch with me and going a little. 363 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:21,480 Farther, farther he fell. On his face and he prayed, 364 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:24,960 saying my. Father, if it be possible, let 365 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:28,440 this cup pass. From me, nevertheless, not as I. 366 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:34,000 Will but as you will. See, he wasn't rebelling 367 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,720 against. The Father's will. 368 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:38,360 When he asked. The father to remove. 369 00:21:38,360 --> 00:21:42,520 The cup of suffering and separation from him. 370 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,120 He. Reaffirmed his desires. 371 00:21:45,120 --> 00:21:47,280 We've just read now. That to do. 372 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,560 God's will by saying, Nevertheless, Father, not my 373 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:54,040 will. But your will. 374 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:57,040 So self-control is not self mastery. 375 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,640 But it is spirit mastery, the spirit. 376 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:04,280 Mastering us and and so demonstrating self-control is 377 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:08,320 not about us. We can easily drum up some. 378 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:12,520 Willpower to say. No, but instead of it, instead, 379 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:19,360 self-control is announcing that Christ is in control of my life. 380 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,400 Paul says further. He says we live by the Spirit. 381 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:27,920 We live by the Spirit. Let us. 382 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:30,840 Also keep in. Step with the Spirit. 383 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:36,560 In other words, we we now live being part of God's Kingdom and, 384 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:39,320 and and being being his children, we now. 385 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:43,360 Live by the Spirit, by the Holy Spirit's. 386 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:46,440 Power in our lives, Philippians says. 387 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:53,840 I can do all things through him who strengthens me, and in our 388 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:57,000 struggles and in our battles for self-control, there's a lot of 389 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,280 things that that we're not. Able to do because. 390 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:01,640 We try and do it in our own strength and our own willpower, 391 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:03,000 not in the spirits. Power and so. 392 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,480 That we can't do all things in the flesh. 393 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:08,080 We can't. Do all. 394 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:11,760 Things through him who strengthens us. 395 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:15,760 And so I don't want to I don't want to disappoint you as we 396 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:18,880 come to to the close. I don't want to disappoint you 397 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:20,880 this morning. By by by by. 398 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:26,000 Giving you 5 or 6 steps. To be able to to help you with 399 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:27,400 your self. Control. 400 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:30,800 And and and the. Discipline in your life we know 401 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:34,200 what we need to do we need to read his word. 402 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:35,760 We need to get stuck into his word. 403 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:37,360 We need to. Ramp up our, our. 404 00:23:37,360 --> 00:23:41,080 Prayer life, we need to to renew our mind according to the word. 405 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,000 We need to bridle our our tongue. 406 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:46,440 You know, these are all things that disciplines that, that, 407 00:23:46,440 --> 00:23:48,600 that. The Word calls us to we. 408 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:52,200 We need to God our heart. Praying about that this morning. 409 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:56,440 You need to do your. Push ups OK physically to to. 410 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:04,160 Get your body into shape. We need to do these things, but 411 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:08,520 all these things are extremely important. 412 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,000 But I want to. I want to this morning. 413 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:15,040 I want to take our eyes away from from ourselves and what, 414 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:17,720 what, what we need to to do and I want us. 415 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:21,160 To to focus. And and to put our faith and 416 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:26,240 trust in the sanctifying. Work of the Holy. 417 00:24:26,360 --> 00:24:28,560 Spirit in our lives. You see, because the. 418 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:32,360 Power of the gospel and the freedom that we have in Christ 419 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:36,040 becomes distorted when we we start concentrating on the 420 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:37,320 things that. We have to do. 421 00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:42,920 That needs to be accomplished in in our lives and, and you know, 422 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:47,560 preachers put a lot of emphasis and place a lot of emphasis on 423 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:54,200 what we should be doing for God and not on what God is doing in 424 00:24:54,200 --> 00:25:01,040 us through Christ on our behalf. Romans 80 says. 425 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:04,160 He who did not. Paul says he who? 426 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,280 Did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us. 427 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:10,640 All. How will he not also with him 428 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:14,800 graciously? Give us all. 429 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:23,160 Things see God wants to he wants to give us he wants to supply 430 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:27,800 our needs he wants to to work in our in our lives and give us the 431 00:25:27,800 --> 00:25:29,720 things the spiritual things that we need. 432 00:25:30,360 --> 00:25:32,400 Paul says in Ephesians one that he he. 433 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:35,280 Blesses us with every. Spiritual blessing in Christ 434 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:38,680 Jesus and He wants to give us that so that we can live a life 435 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:42,800 which glorifies His name. Let me ask you a question. 436 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:46,520 Do you have an out of control appetite this morning? 437 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:50,520 When it comes to money, when it comes to food, nicotine, when it 438 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,280 comes to drugs, when it comes to sex, you fill in the blank. 439 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:59,720 Do you have an out of control appetite? 440 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:02,840 You know we. Get so we get so upset. 441 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:07,600 Sometimes and and I fall in this hole and that our reasoning 442 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,960 skills go out the window because we're so angry, you know, and 443 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:12,920 that happens when we yell at. The kids, ladies. 444 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:20,280 And we allow anger to to rule our lives, you see, and we also 445 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:26,080 succumb to to to jealousy and to envy and to hatred and to 446 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:34,720 unforgiveness, all these things that are uncontrollable, sinful 447 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,440 passions. That we spoke about Paul lists. 448 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:42,920 The out of control life in verses 19 to 21 and I actually 449 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:44,680 had it. I didn't want to I'm not going 450 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:49,920 to read it, but it was on the IT was on my my slide, but just. 451 00:26:50,120 --> 00:26:54,840 Two or three scriptures before we get to the foot of the Spirit 452 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:59,280 Paul talks about. This out of control life where, 453 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:02,480 you know, envy and jealousy and drunkenness and that that whole 454 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:05,440 long list. And he says at the end that that 455 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:08,920 you won't inherit the Kingdom of God. 456 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:12,920 Do you remember that scripture? And so the problem is is that. 457 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:15,960 We, we, we feel. That we can't measure up. 458 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:23,960 To all these these. Requirements that God has set in 459 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:26,960 his Word and, and, and so we feel a kind of a sense of shame 460 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:31,600 and failure and, and we feel. Hopeless, you know we. 461 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:34,640 Fall into the same sins over and over and and and we. 462 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:37,200 Ask ourselves but. When we'll you know, when is it 463 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:37,880 going to? Stop. 464 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:41,320 Lord help me. When is it ever going to stop? 465 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:45,480 You know, we come to when we're reading Galatians chapter 5, 466 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:47,840 verse 22, and we come to the. Fruit of the Spirit. 467 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:52,880 We kind of, you know, just. Go to the next page because. 468 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:55,960 We we feel that that because of our struggle. 469 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:58,400 You know, Lord, I'm not. I'm not able to do all these 470 00:27:58,400 --> 00:27:59,800 things. I'm not able to love. 471 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,360 To be joyful, to be peaceful. I'm not able to be gentle. 472 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:07,240 I struggle with these things and, you know, and, and I don't 473 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:09,480 want to read. This because because I don't. 474 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:12,600 Understand and and I'm really bad. 475 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:14,080 At all this? You know. 476 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:16,760 This, this the fruit of the spirit stuff. 477 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:20,840 That's in the Bible, so it. Takes a lot of effort to grow 478 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:22,480 these fruits. Takes a lot of. 479 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:24,360 Effort, but it's not. Your effort. 480 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,080 It's not your effort. It's not the fruit. 481 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:29,200 Of your life. It's the fruit of the Spirit's. 482 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:34,640 Life in US, it's not reliance on how to manufacture. 483 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:37,600 All these beautiful fruits, but it's. 484 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:42,040 Reliance on our. God, because God's spirit lives. 485 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:45,760 Within you, it doesn't guarantee and it's very important to know 486 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:46,880 this. His spirit. 487 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:49,800 Lives in US, but it doesn't guarantee that His power is at 488 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:53,560 work within us. You see, we got to connect. 489 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:54,840 We got to plug. Into. 490 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,200 The power and that's. Why we Paul? 491 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,920 Says that you need to continue continuously walk in the. 492 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,240 Spirit, it's. A present continuous tense. 493 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:06,120 Keep. Keep on walking in the spirit. 494 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:09,360 Keep on being. Filled with his power so that 495 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:14,520 you're able. To use that power to overcome 496 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:19,600 sin in our lives. So we can't bear fruit. 497 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:23,040 John 15 I love the scripture. We can't the chapter. 498 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:26,520 We can't bear fruit unless we are not connected. 499 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:30,200 With Jesus, he says. Remain in me. 500 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:33,200 As I also. Remain in you. 501 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:39,920 No branch can bear fruit itself, It must remain in the vine. 502 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:45,960 Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me, you 503 00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:48,640 see. We have to bear fruit before we 504 00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:53,320 can share fruit with others. We need to. 505 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:56,360 Partake of Jesus. We not to partake. 506 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:57,480 Of his. Of his. 507 00:29:57,480 --> 00:29:58,480 Of his. Love. 508 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:02,440 We need to to. Befalled with his, with his joy. 509 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:04,120 We need to enjoy him. We need to. 510 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:08,240 Eat of his peace. Of his patience, of his, of his 511 00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:10,800 goodness, his kindness, his faithfulness. 512 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:20,160 We need to to consume our loving Saviours grace in our lives. 513 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:25,320 And so the secret. Of walking in victory in in in 514 00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:29,240 terms of self-control is to realize these two things is that 515 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:32,240 self-control is not something. You do for God. 516 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:35,040 It's something God does. For you. 517 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,520 Number one and number. 2 is that self. 518 00:30:37,520 --> 00:30:40,040 Control. It's not a one time. 519 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:43,760 Work, but it's a daily walk. How? 520 00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:45,880 Long does it take? For fruit to grow. 521 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:49,040 Takes a while, doesn't it? Doesn't it? 522 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:53,760 Do you even plant a seed and the next morning the tree is bearing 523 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:55,840 fruit? No, it takes a while. 524 00:30:55,840 --> 00:30:58,960 And this is where the the sanctifying work of the Holy 525 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:01,560 Spirit comes in. And so in our daily walk. 526 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:03,240 With the Lord we. Have to say no. 527 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:07,080 To. Self and yes to. 528 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:10,800 God. His spirit will then come and He 529 00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:15,040 will aid us and help us and empower us to make. 530 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:16,920 The right choices. And to. 531 00:31:16,920 --> 00:31:21,080 Choose to obey God. Instead of our own impulses. 532 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:26,840 And that's how. You activate the power that the 533 00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:29,160 Spirit of God gives you so that you can walk. 534 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:37,760 In victory, you see, he empowers us to overcome our our mind, our 535 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:40,200 emotions, our will. And there's so much to. 536 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:43,960 Talk about self. Control when it comes to the 537 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:47,800 mind the. Seat of our of our. 538 00:31:47,800 --> 00:31:51,360 Our learning and and and. So we, we it's. 539 00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:53,800 There's so much to. Say about that, but what I want 540 00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:55,120 to. Say this morning is that? 541 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:57,240 That he's able to. To help you. 542 00:31:57,240 --> 00:31:59,600 To take your thoughts captive, he's able to to. 543 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:03,960 Help you to control. Your walls, your. 544 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:10,280 Emotions and your minds and so it's it's basically saying when 545 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,360 when we when we say no to to self and we submit. 546 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:16,720 Ourselves to God it's. It's saying that that my soul, 547 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:21,320 my mind and my emotions, and my world is not for sale to my 548 00:32:21,320 --> 00:32:27,000 senses, my impulses, experiences and to my offenses anymore. 549 00:32:27,240 --> 00:32:32,240 You see, you have to bear fruit before you share fruit. 550 00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:36,440 See, I can't show love. I can't show. 551 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:42,800 Biblical love if. I don't experience the intimacy. 552 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:46,440 Of the love of. Christ, it's not possible. 553 00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:52,440 To to share it. So I want to ask you 2 questions 554 00:32:52,440 --> 00:32:53,960 this morning. As we close. 555 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,760 Or you're relying on your own willpower to change? 556 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:05,440 Or are you walking in the? Power of the Holy Spirit to be 557 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:09,480 able to produce this fruit. So maybe we should. 558 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:11,440 Just take a. Half a second or a minute just 559 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:12,800 to think about that. Are you? 560 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:16,120 Are you? Relying on your own willpower? 561 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:19,960 Or are you relying on the empowering? 562 00:33:20,560 --> 00:33:22,560 Work of the Holy. Spirit in your life. 563 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,320 To produce fruit. It's just let's just think 564 00:33:25,320 --> 00:33:28,240 about. That you see, because it's a, 565 00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:30,160 it's a. Question that's rooted in the 566 00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:33,320 grace and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ because it shifts 567 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:38,480 the attention away from from raw human effort to yielding. 568 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:41,880 To to God's. Strength and power in our lives. 569 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:49,520 Let's just think about that. Are you relying on your own 570 00:33:49,520 --> 00:33:53,080 willpower to change, or are you walking in the? 571 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:58,040 Power of the Holy Spirit. So while we're in meditation. 572 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:00,080 Is there is. There one area? 573 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:03,080 Second question, is there one area of your life currently 574 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:09,320 lacking self-control where I need to invite the Holy Spirit 575 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:15,360 to intervene? Is there an area of your life 576 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:18,080 currently where you lack self-control? 577 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:22,520 Could be anything, could be all those vices. 578 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:29,280 That that Paul listed with jealousy, anger, fear, hatred, 579 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:34,320 whatever the the situation is. If you're currently lacking 580 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:38,679 self-control in that area, then I encourage you to invite the. 581 00:34:38,679 --> 00:34:43,159 Spirit of God to. Come and to help you to overcome 582 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:46,080 and to intervene. By his. 583 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:50,239 Grace and His love in our lives. So why do we bear fruit? 584 00:34:50,840 --> 00:34:55,199 Why is it necessary? For us to bear fruit. 585 00:34:55,639 --> 00:34:57,440 Why is it necessary? For us to bear. 586 00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:01,600 Love and joy and peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 587 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:03,640 faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 588 00:35:03,640 --> 00:35:04,800 Why is it? Necessary. 589 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:08,160 See. It's because it glorifies our 590 00:35:08,160 --> 00:35:13,360 Father. Jesus said in John 15 By this my 591 00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:16,720 Father is glorified, that you bear much. 592 00:35:16,720 --> 00:35:17,920 Fruit, you see. See. 593 00:35:17,920 --> 00:35:20,720 God wants. Us to bear loads, truckloads of 594 00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:23,120 fruits. In our lives. 595 00:35:23,560 --> 00:35:28,000 Because we we glorify. Him and it also says in the 596 00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:30,000 second. Part of that scripture so that 597 00:35:30,320 --> 00:35:34,200 you will prove. To be my disciples. 598 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:38,320 See. We bear fruit, people look. 599 00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:41,240 At us and say. That person is different. 600 00:35:41,680 --> 00:35:48,800 He's a follower of Jesus and so as I finish off that does 3. 601 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:52,200 Things we glorify God. When we bear fruit. 602 00:35:52,600 --> 00:35:55,120 We point. People to Jesus. 603 00:35:55,440 --> 00:36:00,280 When we bear fruit and we nurture the body of Christ. 604 00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:04,200 When we bear fruit, so we're able to share the love. 605 00:36:04,560 --> 00:36:06,640 And and the fruit that he. Gives us. 606 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,920 With with one another. So, Father, I just thank you, 607 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:14,000 Lord. For your word this. 608 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:17,720 Morning, Lord. And we just know, Father, how 609 00:36:17,720 --> 00:36:20,800 inadequate and how are. Short we fall, Lord of your. 610 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:23,640 Expectations and your requirements, but we thank you 611 00:36:24,160 --> 00:36:26,400 Jesus, that you died. For us that you. 612 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:29,600 You made a way. For us, Lord, to be able. 613 00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:31,680 To be empowered by your holy. Spirit. 614 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:36,600 That we can overcome and walk in victory in this life. 615 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:39,920 And so, Lord, I just pray Lord, for for those that are. 616 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:44,720 Struggling and battling Lord with any of these these. 617 00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:47,840 Beautiful characteristics. That we've been talking. 618 00:36:47,840 --> 00:36:51,040 About for the last few weeks. Lord Jesus, that you would. 619 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:55,880 Intervene and Lord, come and and and and shape and change our 620 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:58,080 hearts and soften our. Hearts, Lord, so that. 621 00:36:58,080 --> 00:37:00,360 We can understand and have a better. 622 00:37:00,360 --> 00:37:04,920 Grasp of of what? You, Lord, want to. 623 00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:07,840 Produce through us. So that Lord, we can be 624 00:37:07,840 --> 00:37:10,520 influenced. And I pray for for influences, 625 00:37:10,520 --> 00:37:13,800 Lord, in our community and I pray for, for common ground 626 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:16,560 Weinberg, Lord, and thank you, Lord, for them. 627 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:19,320 Thank you. For this this this beautiful. 628 00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:22,360 Friends that we're able. To to share with. 629 00:37:22,360 --> 00:37:25,000 This morning, Lord, and I just pray your blessing upon them. 630 00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:26,160 And I pray, Lord. That there would. 631 00:37:26,160 --> 00:37:28,880 Be a beacon, Lord, in Weinberg, Lord. 632 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:34,080 That there'd be influences in this community, Lord, and that 633 00:37:34,080 --> 00:37:37,360 you would produce much fruit through them, Lord, to be able. 634 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:42,240 To, to, to be witnesses. Lord, for your Kingdom and for 635 00:37:42,240 --> 00:37:45,000 the advancement of your Kingdom in this in this area. 636 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:46,760 And so, Lord. I pray that you'd. 637 00:37:46,920 --> 00:37:51,760 You'd supply Lord. All the the gracious gifts of 638 00:37:51,760 --> 00:37:55,040 the of of the the fruit. In their lives, Lord, that you 639 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:59,400 would apply that in abundance in their lives, Lord, so that they 640 00:37:59,400 --> 00:38:03,200 can truly live a life that that you've called them to, that they 641 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:07,040 can enjoy and delight themselves in our in our wonderful. 642 00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:09,320 Saviour, but at the. Same Time Lord, that they will. 643 00:38:09,320 --> 00:38:11,720 Be able to. Delight in them amongst 644 00:38:11,720 --> 00:38:17,000 themselves and enjoy Lord. The gracious love that you 645 00:38:18,240 --> 00:38:22,560 spread abroad through. Them to one another and so we 646 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,920 just thank you, Lord, that we can commit them to you, Lord, I 647 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:28,880 pray. The Paul of the The Prayer of 648 00:38:28,880 --> 00:38:30,640 Paul. In Ephesians. 649 00:38:30,640 --> 00:38:35,000 Lord, that there will. Be known in Weinberg and the 650 00:38:35,000 --> 00:38:37,920 surrounding areas. Lord for their faith. 651 00:38:38,200 --> 00:38:42,240 In the Lord Jesus and then also that they would be known. 652 00:38:42,640 --> 00:38:45,040 For their love. For one another. 653 00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:48,320 Lord, that people would. Be drawn to this community 654 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:52,760 because of their. Faith, their steadfast faith. 655 00:38:52,760 --> 00:38:56,640 In you, Lord and. Because of the love that they 656 00:38:56,640 --> 00:38:58,800 have for. One another and the fruit that 657 00:38:58,800 --> 00:39:04,800 they bear and share through the importation of the Holy Spirit 658 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:06,840 in their lives. And so I just thank you and I 659 00:39:06,840 --> 00:39:10,040 pray your blessing, Lord, upon this church community. 660 00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:13,640 Lord, add to the body, add to those that. 661 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:15,840 That are being saved and that need. 662 00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:19,240 To be saved, Lord. And that this community. 663 00:39:19,240 --> 00:39:22,640 Would truly be a. Beacon of light in in this area. 664 00:39:22,920 --> 00:39:26,320 We thank you, We praise you in Jesus name, Amen. 665 00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:30,280 Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. 666 00:39:30,280 --> 00:39:35,160 Greg feels like a double edged sword word and challenging and 667 00:39:35,160 --> 00:39:39,160 encouraging at the same time. So we thank the Lord for you. 668 00:39:39,160 --> 00:39:42,200 May the Spirit help us to apply this truth. 669 00:39:42,600 --> 00:39:44,520 Thank you so much. Thanks so much for you.