Fruit of the Spirit lesson 2 Self-Control by Fredlyne Black I. The Oneness of the Spirit s Fruit A work is something which a man produces for himself; a fruit is something which is produced by a power which man does not possess. (William Barclay) The great mistake made by most of the Lord s people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone. (A. W. Pink) Galatians 2:20 It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Romans 8:9 you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit Colossians 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory. Fruit is not that which we are called to produce within ourselves, but it is the outworking of His life within.
II. Fruit: the Test of the Spirit s Indwelling 2 Corinthians 13:5 do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Faith and fruit are the two main ways we have assurance of salvation. (R. C. Sproul) 2
Factions Immorality Dissensions Sensuality Impurity Idolatry Sorcery Murders Carousing Jealousy WORKS OF THE FLESH Gal. 5:19 21 Those who practice such things will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. Gal. 5:21, I Cor. 6:9 10 SEED produces like kind So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Matt. 7:20) Self-Control Envy Disputes Enmity Drunkenness Strife Outbursts of anger Kindness Peace Love Joy Goodness Faithfulness Patience like kind them. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT Gal. 5:22 26 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:24 3 Gentleness SEED - produces Therefore by ll know
III. Self-Control: Mastery Over Lusts of the Flesh Greek: ENKRATEIA The controlling power of the will under the operation of the Spirit of God. (Vine s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words) The three occurrences of ENKRATEIA in the New Testament: Galatians 5:23 2 Peter 1:6 Acts 24:25 Self control is that quality which enables one to live and walk in the world, and yet keep one s garments unspotted from the world. (Barclay) To say that a person is Spirit filled is to say that person s self is controlled by the Holy Spirit. "Self control means that I am an individual governed by God. My entire life, every aspect of it whether spiritual, moral or physical has become subject to the sovereignty of God's Spirit. I am a man under authority. The running of my affairs, my attitudes, my actions is a right which has been relinquished and turned over to God's gracious Spirit." (Philip Keller) 4
IV. Cultivating Fruit: God Has Given; We Diligently Work. 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness 2 Peter 1:5 now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith Philippians 2:12 13 work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. The only estimate of consistent Christian character is the life of Jesus being made manifest in our mortal flesh. (Oswald Chambers) Self control is a fruit of the indwelling Spirit, but it works out in diligence and discipline in our lives over lusts, passions, desires and inordinate appetites. We will never enter into the life of the Spirit unless we diligently DO the things God has told us to do. (John F. Walvoord) Self control has to be one of the greatest of all Christian virtues. (John MacArthur) 5
V. Self-Control: Putting Off Old Nature / Putting on Christ SCRIPTURE PUT OFF WORKS OF FLESH 6 PUT ON CHARACTER OF CHRIST 1. Eph. 4:25 falsehood/lying speaking the truth 2. Eph. 4:28 stealing labor to have to share 3. Eph. 4:29 unwholesome words 4. Eph. 4:31 32 bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander 5. Eph. 5:11 unfruitful deeds of darkness good words to edify kind, tenderhearted, forgiving expose them as children of light 6. Eph. 5:4 silly talk, coarse giving of thanks jesting 7. Eph. 5:18 drunk with wine filled with Spirit 8. Phil. 4:6 anxiety/worry prayer, supplication giving thanks 9. Col. 3: 8, 9, 12,13,14 anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, lying 10. Rom. 13:12 14 carousing, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, strife, jealousy compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love THE LORD JESUS CHRIST Putting off the works of the flesh (old nature) and walking in the Spirit is not a suggestion, but a command.
VI. Controlled by Christ We are not capable in ourselves, of self control. Yet, we are to apply all diligence in our faith. Christ desires to control our minds, our emotions and our will. As we pray, not my will, but Thine be done, we discover that it is God who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Thus we experience true self control. Christ with us Christ for us and Christ in us! 7
Produced and distributed by: Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 2015 Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright, 1960,1962,1963, 1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. 8