Sunday Morning 10.2.11 last message on fruit of Spirit
2 views
Skip to first unread message
jmichaelwalls
Oct 2, 2011, 6:45:11 AM10/2/11
to BaptistOut...@yahoogroups.com
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS TEMPERANCE.
Galatians 5:22-23
Part 3
Introduction: In the previous two messages we have looked at many truths
that have spoke to us in a very personal way. You cannot fake meekness
and temperance. If you think that you are the tower of character, let
some one cross you and you will find out that you are lacking meekness
and temperance very quickly. This is one reason why we need the virtues
of meekness and temperance.
Flesh does not like the Holy Spirit working in your life. It will
actually work against the working of the Holy Spirit. The old Indian
chief got saved. The missionary asked him what he felt like. He said that
it felt like two dogs fighting in him. "Which one wins?" asked the
missionary. The chief said the one he feeds. It may be a simple way to
look at it but it is scriptural.
Galatians 5:17
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do
the things that ye would."
In the first message we saw the definition of temperance. It is not
self-control. It is Spirit control. I cannot trust myself to control
myself. I need help. When we get that point that is when the Holy Spirit
steps up. There is an old adage that people claim is in the Bible. After
read the Bible for more than thirty-six years I not only cannot find
this, I cannot even find the principle here. The adage is that God helps
those who help themselves. If that was true then Jesus came for nothing
if we could help ourselves. The real principle is that Jesus will and
does help those who cannot help themselves. It is absolute control. It is
a joyful control. It is more than absolute and joyful control; it is
divine control. I heard some one say on several occasions that children
would be easier to raise if they came with an owner�s manual. They do. It
is called the Bible. The same is true about our spiritual lives. They
come with an owner�s manual. It is the Bible.
In both of the previous message, I covered six areas in which temperance
will be the master if we allow the Holy Spirit control us. We need
temperance for our tongues, our thoughts, our temper and anger, our
thirst, our trade and taste for liquor.
So let�s look at a few more areas in regards to temperance today.
V. THE MIGHT OF OUR TEMPERANCE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
This is victory that shows the might of the temperance from the Holy
Spirit.
A. The temperance that we have is not found in resolutions, and self-help
efforts.
Matthew 12:43-45
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into
my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it
empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven
other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell
there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so
shall it be also unto this wicked generation."
All resolutions and self-help does it make you seven times worse than
before you tried. It is more full of self-righteousness, or more regrets.
It is not even found in drinking in moderation. One of the greatest lies
of the devil is that you can drink in "Moderation". Nobody can "handle"
fermented liquor in moderation. Here is the truth of the matter. God did
not invent liquor and it is one of the most grievous sins that are one of
the greatest robbers in the world. It will rob you of your money, memory
and mind and might.
Temperance is found in the fruit of the Spirit. We are talking about a
real life. We don�t have a dead religion. We have a living Saviour that
gives us real life. This life in Christ is more abundant than drugs,
drink, debt, lust and constant cycles of defeat and disappointments. This
is the real life that the world does not or will not ever know because it
does not know the Lord. This victory is already provided.
1st Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord."
This victory is by the Son of God.
John 8:32,36
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." "If the
Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
The blood of Jesus Christ can purge out all the failures, and make your
life both clean, and full of REAL life. Hebrews 9:13,14
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God?"
Too many people mistake the life that you get from sin as a real life.
Real life is only found in the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
VI. MANIFESTATION OF TEMPERANCE IN THE BIBLE
If I tried to show myself as an example of temperance, someone could pick
through the layers and find this is not true outside of the Holy Spirit.
But I can show several folks in the Bible that showed temperance. What
makes these examples so real is that they had temperance without the Holy
Spirit living within them.
A. The first example is Daniel and his three friends in Daniel chapter
one. We can see their temptation. Daniel and his three friends are
tempted to live like the world (world�s music, world�s fashions, world�s
attitudes, etc), but they choose to submit themselves to living like God
told them to do.
We also see their trust. They did not react with their pride to
arrogance, but in surrender to God�s word, His will, His Law! They were
like many Fundamentalists I know. They were pride of the fact that they
did not do certain activities. They were trusting in the principles
taught to them as children from the Word of God.
We can observe their trial. They abstained from the king�s food � because
it was everyday first used in the worship of demons, and therefore not to
be eaten by God�s people! They could have caved to the opinions of their
fellow captives. They showed templanza by not giving in to the trial that
is before them.
Last of all we examine their triumph is found in that the Lord blessed
their templanza. But we need to notice that it is NOT moderation they
practiced, but abstinence. They did not CONTROL their participation. They
totally abstained from it. God always blesses when we do what is right.
B. Joseph is another example of temperance. While he was in charge of his
master's household, the master's wife had her eyes upon this young man.
It was really a lust for the young man. It is possible that she would
have called out rape regardless whether Joseph gave in or not. Yet he
used temperance for the glory of God. It seemed to cost him those years
in prison for doing what is right. But God�s plans do not have the same
timetable that we have.
VII. THE MINISTRY OF TEMPERANCE
There is a ministry that is found in that we need that strength to do
those activities that require a different part of temperance. It is the
grace of God that will give you that strength. It takes control from the
Lord in order these activities for the Lord. If He did not help us, we
would wander around like a chicken with his head cut off.
A. You need temperance to serve God.
Hebrews 12:28
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear"
People have the self-control to do many activities. They can volunteer to
help with little league, the community food bank, neighborhood watch
programs, boy scouts, girl scouts, brownies or cub scouts and host of
other activities. Yet they have no time to serve God at the local church.
I have nothing against Habitat for Humanity but some of those folks who
work on that project would not nail one nail at the church or paint one
thing at the church. We were created for God's glory first and foremost.
If we can be servants for the public then we ought to be a servant to the
Lord Jesus first and foremost. Temperance will find the work for Jesus
first.
B. You need temperance to speak for God.
Colossians 4:6
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may
know how ye ought to answer every man."
How many people will have no trouble expressing their views about the
political arena yet say nothing for Jesus. God can give you the
temperance to speak to others about Him. It is like door knocking for the
church. We think nothing of going door to door some good cause yet when
we ought to be going door to door, we freeze up. Let me let you in a
little secret, the first three to five doors are the hardest ones to
knock on for Jesus.
C. You need temperance to sing For God.
Colossians 3:16-17
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
Father by him."
I am talking about singing in public. I am talking about the times you
feel the least like sing for God is the times you most need to sing for
God. He gives the grace to sing in the times of greatest trials,
temptations and troubles.
God has given the ability to sing some yet they prostituted that gift for
other purposes. Temperance does not misuse the gift God gave you to be
used for other purposes.
Conclusion: We have seen many truths in regards to temperance. May we
with the control of the Holy Spirit show that He is giving temperance to
us in all things!
Galatians 5:22-23
Part 3
Introduction: In the previous two messages we have looked at many truths
that have spoke to us in a very personal way. You cannot fake meekness
and temperance. If you think that you are the tower of character, let
some one cross you and you will find out that you are lacking meekness
and temperance very quickly. This is one reason why we need the virtues
of meekness and temperance.
Flesh does not like the Holy Spirit working in your life. It will
actually work against the working of the Holy Spirit. The old Indian
chief got saved. The missionary asked him what he felt like. He said that
it felt like two dogs fighting in him. "Which one wins?" asked the
missionary. The chief said the one he feeds. It may be a simple way to
look at it but it is scriptural.
Galatians 5:17
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do
the things that ye would."
In the first message we saw the definition of temperance. It is not
self-control. It is Spirit control. I cannot trust myself to control
myself. I need help. When we get that point that is when the Holy Spirit
steps up. There is an old adage that people claim is in the Bible. After
read the Bible for more than thirty-six years I not only cannot find
this, I cannot even find the principle here. The adage is that God helps
those who help themselves. If that was true then Jesus came for nothing
if we could help ourselves. The real principle is that Jesus will and
does help those who cannot help themselves. It is absolute control. It is
a joyful control. It is more than absolute and joyful control; it is
divine control. I heard some one say on several occasions that children
would be easier to raise if they came with an owner�s manual. They do. It
is called the Bible. The same is true about our spiritual lives. They
come with an owner�s manual. It is the Bible.
In both of the previous message, I covered six areas in which temperance
will be the master if we allow the Holy Spirit control us. We need
temperance for our tongues, our thoughts, our temper and anger, our
thirst, our trade and taste for liquor.
So let�s look at a few more areas in regards to temperance today.
V. THE MIGHT OF OUR TEMPERANCE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
This is victory that shows the might of the temperance from the Holy
Spirit.
A. The temperance that we have is not found in resolutions, and self-help
efforts.
Matthew 12:43-45
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into
my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it
empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven
other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell
there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so
shall it be also unto this wicked generation."
All resolutions and self-help does it make you seven times worse than
before you tried. It is more full of self-righteousness, or more regrets.
It is not even found in drinking in moderation. One of the greatest lies
of the devil is that you can drink in "Moderation". Nobody can "handle"
fermented liquor in moderation. Here is the truth of the matter. God did
not invent liquor and it is one of the most grievous sins that are one of
the greatest robbers in the world. It will rob you of your money, memory
and mind and might.
Temperance is found in the fruit of the Spirit. We are talking about a
real life. We don�t have a dead religion. We have a living Saviour that
gives us real life. This life in Christ is more abundant than drugs,
drink, debt, lust and constant cycles of defeat and disappointments. This
is the real life that the world does not or will not ever know because it
does not know the Lord. This victory is already provided.
1st Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord."
This victory is by the Son of God.
John 8:32,36
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." "If the
Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
The blood of Jesus Christ can purge out all the failures, and make your
life both clean, and full of REAL life. Hebrews 9:13,14
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God?"
Too many people mistake the life that you get from sin as a real life.
Real life is only found in the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
VI. MANIFESTATION OF TEMPERANCE IN THE BIBLE
If I tried to show myself as an example of temperance, someone could pick
through the layers and find this is not true outside of the Holy Spirit.
But I can show several folks in the Bible that showed temperance. What
makes these examples so real is that they had temperance without the Holy
Spirit living within them.
A. The first example is Daniel and his three friends in Daniel chapter
one. We can see their temptation. Daniel and his three friends are
tempted to live like the world (world�s music, world�s fashions, world�s
attitudes, etc), but they choose to submit themselves to living like God
told them to do.
We also see their trust. They did not react with their pride to
arrogance, but in surrender to God�s word, His will, His Law! They were
like many Fundamentalists I know. They were pride of the fact that they
did not do certain activities. They were trusting in the principles
taught to them as children from the Word of God.
We can observe their trial. They abstained from the king�s food � because
it was everyday first used in the worship of demons, and therefore not to
be eaten by God�s people! They could have caved to the opinions of their
fellow captives. They showed templanza by not giving in to the trial that
is before them.
Last of all we examine their triumph is found in that the Lord blessed
their templanza. But we need to notice that it is NOT moderation they
practiced, but abstinence. They did not CONTROL their participation. They
totally abstained from it. God always blesses when we do what is right.
B. Joseph is another example of temperance. While he was in charge of his
master's household, the master's wife had her eyes upon this young man.
It was really a lust for the young man. It is possible that she would
have called out rape regardless whether Joseph gave in or not. Yet he
used temperance for the glory of God. It seemed to cost him those years
in prison for doing what is right. But God�s plans do not have the same
timetable that we have.
VII. THE MINISTRY OF TEMPERANCE
There is a ministry that is found in that we need that strength to do
those activities that require a different part of temperance. It is the
grace of God that will give you that strength. It takes control from the
Lord in order these activities for the Lord. If He did not help us, we
would wander around like a chicken with his head cut off.
A. You need temperance to serve God.
Hebrews 12:28
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear"
People have the self-control to do many activities. They can volunteer to
help with little league, the community food bank, neighborhood watch
programs, boy scouts, girl scouts, brownies or cub scouts and host of
other activities. Yet they have no time to serve God at the local church.
I have nothing against Habitat for Humanity but some of those folks who
work on that project would not nail one nail at the church or paint one
thing at the church. We were created for God's glory first and foremost.
If we can be servants for the public then we ought to be a servant to the
Lord Jesus first and foremost. Temperance will find the work for Jesus
first.
B. You need temperance to speak for God.
Colossians 4:6
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may
know how ye ought to answer every man."
How many people will have no trouble expressing their views about the
political arena yet say nothing for Jesus. God can give you the
temperance to speak to others about Him. It is like door knocking for the
church. We think nothing of going door to door some good cause yet when
we ought to be going door to door, we freeze up. Let me let you in a
little secret, the first three to five doors are the hardest ones to
knock on for Jesus.
C. You need temperance to sing For God.
Colossians 3:16-17
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
Father by him."
I am talking about singing in public. I am talking about the times you
feel the least like sing for God is the times you most need to sing for
God. He gives the grace to sing in the times of greatest trials,
temptations and troubles.
God has given the ability to sing some yet they prostituted that gift for
other purposes. Temperance does not misuse the gift God gave you to be
used for other purposes.
Conclusion: We have seen many truths in regards to temperance. May we
with the control of the Holy Spirit show that He is giving temperance to
us in all things!
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
http://freedombaptistchurchnc.wordpress.com/
http://iglesiabautistalibertad.wordpress.com/
____________________________________________________________
Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat!
http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages