02-02-2020
Dr. E. Dale Locke, Rev. Trevor Johnston, Pastor Efrain Silva
Sermon Series: Best Year Yet
Week 5: Self-Control
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1. Keep practicing our memory verse for this sermon series - 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2. Read 2 Peter 1:1-8:
“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
3. This week, our focus is on adding self-control to our faith, goodness and knowledge. What have you found to be the secret to self-control in your own life?
4. This word is unique in Peter’s list, because – even though self-control is a fruit of the Spirit – it also has the word “self” in it, which at first glance almost seems like a contradiction. How can “self-control” be both a fruit of the Spirit and something that we are responsible for?
5. Read what Paul writes about himself in Romans 7:18-19: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Can you relate to what Paul says here? Why is this so difficult?
6. Read Titus 2:11-14: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” What do you notice about self-control in this passage?
7. Look again at Titus 2:11-14, and note that it’s God’s grace that teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. What does Paul mean? How does grace help us say “no”?
8. Read Proverbs 25:28: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” What is Solomon trying to communicate to us here?
God’s Grace Appears to Us
9. “Grace” means receiving what you don’t deserve. Paul reminds us that it’s God’s grace that makes it possible for us to have a way out of the hopeless messes we make of our life. Share how you’ve experienced God’s grace in your own life.
10. Read Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Note the underlined words. What does this passage add to your understanding of how to deal with it when you are tempted to do something you know you shouldn’t do?
God’s Grace Teaches Us
11. Neuroscientists point out a number of powerful things will help us develop self-control:
· Self-Care
· Common Sense
· Better Friends
12. Talk about how self-care and common sense practices can help a person have better self-control.
13. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” The friends we spend time with have a big effect on our self-control – for good or not for good. So COH offers groups to help you find new friends who will support you as you seek to say “no” to harmful habits. Celebrate Recovery meets every Monday at 7pm on our West Campus and is always open to attend. And since we know that most men struggle with pornography, we’re offering an 11-week group called Conquer to help men make a battleplan for sexual purity, beginning this week on each campus. Register at communityofhope.church/conquer.
God’s Grace Empowers Us
14. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” What do you learn here?
15. Read Psalm 121:1: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” When you need self-control, remind yourself of the truth of this verse. Post it in a prominent place to remind you of this truth.