Finding True Control Through Surrender to the Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to explore the profound concept of control and self-control, as highlighted in Galatians 5:22-23. We began by acknowledging the anxiety and frustration that often accompany situations beyond our control. This led us to reflect on the providence of God, who orchestrates circumstances to teach us deeper spiritual truths. The focus of our discussion was on the fruit of the Spirit, particularly self-control, which I proposed might be better understood as a "controlled self."
The Greek term "agratia," often translated as self-control, implies a mastery of self that is not achievable through mere human effort. Our culture's emphasis on self-sufficiency and discipline contrasts sharply with Paul's teaching that true control comes from surrendering to the Spirit. Paul’s writings, especially in Romans 7, reveal the struggle of the flesh and the impossibility of self-mastery without divine intervention.
We examined how the works of the flesh—such as sexual immorality, drunkenness, and fits of rage—are misguided attempts to gain control. These actions misuse God's good creation, leading to further chaos rather than true control. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit offers a path to a controlled self, characterized by love, joy, peace, and self-control.
The Spirit provides us with a shameless and spotless self through the gospel. Shame often drives our attempts to control the narrative of our lives, but the Spirit frees us from this bondage. We are reminded that in Christ, we are new creations, seen as beloved children of God, free from the old self's shame and sin.
Jesus' example in the wilderness, where He faced and overcame temptations of power, position, and possessions, shows us the way to true control. By surrendering to the Spirit, responding with God's Word, and remaining under the Spirit's control, we can navigate our own temptations.
Finally, we acknowledged that while the Spirit empowers us, we still have a role to play. We must choose to surrender to the Spirit and walk in obedience. The gospel assures us that even when we fall short, our standing before God remains spotless because of Christ's perfect work.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Control Comes from Surrender: Our culture often promotes self-sufficiency and discipline as the keys to self-control. However, Paul teaches that true control comes from surrendering to the Spirit. The self cannot master itself; it requires divine intervention to achieve true mastery. [05:22]
2. Shame and the Desire for Control: Shame often drives our attempts to control the narrative of our lives. This shame can lead to the works of the flesh, such as jealousy, envy, and fits of rage. The Spirit, however, offers us a shameless self through the gospel, freeing us from the bondage of shame. [18:35]
3. Misuse of God's Creation: The works of the flesh are misguided attempts to gain control by misusing God's good creation. For example, sexual immorality and drunkenness are attempts to control our lives that ultimately lead to chaos. True control respects God's design and context for His creation. [12:47]
4. Jesus' Example of Overcoming Temptation: Jesus faced temptations of power, position, and possessions in the wilderness. By surrendering to the Spirit, responding with God's Word, and remaining under the Spirit's control, He showed us the way to true control. We can follow His example in our own lives. [32:23]
5. The Role of Choice in Surrender: While the Spirit empowers us, we still have a role to play. We must choose to surrender to the Spirit and walk in obedience. The gospel assures us that even when we fall short, our standing before God remains spotless because of Christ's perfect work. [29:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:17] - Introduction: Control and Anxiety
[02:17] - God's Providence and Self-Control
[03:10] - Personal Accountability and High School Memories
[04:04] - The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
[04:42] - The Greek Term "Agratia"
[05:22] - The Challenge of Self-Mastery
[06:23] - Cultural Differences in Understanding Control
[07:21] - The Flesh and Its Limitations
[08:13] - Surrendering to the Spirit
[08:39] - Paul's Struggle in Romans 7
[09:38] - The Context of Paul's Letters
[10:12] - The Works of the Flesh
[11:20] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[12:03] - Misuse of God's Creation
[13:21] - Sexuality and Control
[14:47] - Drunkenness and Control
[16:34] - The Illusion of Control
[17:18] - Shameless Self Through the Gospel
[18:35] - Shame and Control
[20:00] - Personal Testimony of Shame
[21:29] - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control
[22:06] - The Dam of Shame
[23:01] - Shame in All Forms
[24:03] - Identifying Shame
[25:09] - Cultural Lies and Control
[26:13] - New Identity in Christ
[27:31] - Old Self vs. New Self
[28:43] - The Role of Choice
[29:41] - The Beauty of the Gospel
[30:13] - Spotless Self Through the Gospel
[31:09] - Jesus' Perfect Life
[32:23] - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
[33:58] - Facing Temptation with the Spirit
[35:52] - The Offer of the Spirit
[37:28] - God's Faithfulness in Temptation
[38:24] - Choosing the Spirit's Way
[39:18] - The Gift of a Controlled Self
[40:14] - Time for Reflection
[42:40] - Prayer and Confession
[44:50] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23
2. Romans 7:15-25
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
2. According to Romans 7:15-25, how does Paul describe his struggle with sin and self-control?
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does Paul say about the identity of someone who is in Christ?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "self-control" in Galatians 5:22-23 differ from the cultural understanding of self-sufficiency and discipline? [05:22]
2. Why does Paul argue that true mastery of self is not achievable through human effort alone? [05:22]
3. How does shame influence our attempts to control our lives, according to the sermon? [18:35]
4. What does it mean to have a "shameless self" and a "spotless self" through the gospel, as mentioned in the sermon? [17:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt out of control. How did you respond, and how might surrendering to the Spirit have changed your response? [01:17]
2. Identify an area in your life where you are trying to control the narrative due to shame. How can you surrender this area to the Spirit and embrace a shameless self? [18:35]
3. Think about a time when you misused God's creation in an attempt to gain control (e.g., through anger, jealousy, or substance abuse). How can you respect God's design and context for His creation moving forward? [12:47]
4. Jesus faced temptations of power, position, and possessions in the wilderness. How can you follow His example of surrendering to the Spirit and responding with God's Word in your own temptations? [32:23]
5. The sermon mentioned the role of choice in surrendering to the Spirit. What practical steps can you take this week to choose obedience and walk in the Spirit's control? [29:11]
6. How can you support and minister to others in your community who are struggling with control and shame? What specific actions can you take to be a source of encouragement and accountability? [36:23]
7. Reflect on the concept of being a new creation in Christ. How does this new identity impact your daily life and decisions? What old self behaviors do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity? [26:13]
Devotional
### Day 1: True Control Comes from Surrender
In a world that values self-sufficiency and discipline, the concept of surrendering to achieve control seems counterintuitive. However, true mastery over oneself is not a product of human effort but a result of divine intervention. The Greek term "agratia," often translated as self-control, implies a mastery that is beyond human capability. Paul teaches that true control is found in surrendering to the Spirit, allowing divine power to guide and shape our actions. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a pathway to genuine strength and self-mastery. [05:22]
Bible Passage: "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
### Day 2: Shame and the Desire for Control
Shame often drives our attempts to control the narrative of our lives. This shame can manifest in various ways, leading to actions that are ultimately destructive, such as jealousy, envy, and fits of rage. These are misguided attempts to regain control and mask our vulnerabilities. However, the Spirit offers us a shameless self through the gospel, freeing us from the bondage of shame. In Christ, we are new creations, beloved children of God, free from the old self's shame and sin. [18:35]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a moment when shame drove you to act out of character. How can you invite the Spirit to transform that shame into a sense of divine acceptance and love today?
### Day 3: Misuse of God's Creation
The works of the flesh, such as sexual immorality and drunkenness, are misguided attempts to gain control by misusing God's good creation. These actions lead to further chaos rather than true control. True control respects God's design and context for His creation, recognizing that His ways lead to peace and order. By aligning our actions with God's intentions, we can experience the true mastery that comes from living in harmony with His will. [12:47]
Bible Passage: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area where you might be misusing God's creation in an attempt to gain control. How can you realign this area with God's design and purpose?
### Day 4: Jesus' Example of Overcoming Temptation
Jesus faced temptations of power, position, and possessions in the wilderness. By surrendering to the Spirit, responding with God's Word, and remaining under the Spirit's control, He showed us the way to true control. His example teaches us that overcoming temptation is not about our strength but about our reliance on the Spirit and God's Word. We can follow His example in our own lives, trusting that the Spirit will guide us through our struggles. [32:23]
Bible Passage: "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.'" (Matthew 4:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent temptation you faced. How can you use Jesus' example of relying on the Spirit and God's Word to overcome similar temptations in the future?
### Day 5: The Role of Choice in Surrender
While the Spirit empowers us, we still have a role to play. We must choose to surrender to the Spirit and walk in obedience. The gospel assures us that even when we fall short, our standing before God remains spotless because of Christ's perfect work. This choice to surrender is a daily decision, one that requires us to trust in God's grace and power rather than our own abilities. [29:11]
Bible Passage: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to surrender more fully to the Spirit's guidance in your life? How can you remind yourself of this commitment throughout the day?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "And yet God in His grace this week was really kind to me, shifted a little bit of how I normally responded, and He reminded me that He's in control of all things, and in His providence, I just recognized how much it wasn't a coincidence that today we're going to be teaching on this idea of control and self-control, right? I think there's something to that where God may have aligned what typically might have been a little bit of an anxious moment to just be able to speak into control and self-control." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our ability to have a controlled self, it comes not from a greater taming, like a greater just internal source, but rather, it's a greater surrendering. It's a greater surrendering to something that's outside, outside of the self. And in this case, well, Paul offers something outside to us. He offers us the spirit." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The spirit of God wants to solve our shame. Wants to solve it. Because, here's the thing about shame. Shame becomes this like universal damning. And there's a, there's probably a double entendre in that. But, but here's, here's what happens. Right? It's, it's shame keeps so many people from receiving the living water that Jesus offers. It's true. Because shame builds up these, these walls, these barriers, this dam, keeps damning, this thing up and building and building, building over time. Like shame builds, becomes this, this barrier." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The spirit, the spirit is the fuel for the new. And when we surrender to his control, we are able to experience walking in this reality of the new. Now I want to just share something that's important about understanding this controlled self. Yes, we see the controlled self when it's fully surrendered to the spirit for control. However, there is a small role that we do play in this process that we're responsible for. Here's what the role is. We still have to choose. We have to choose." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We can face the temptation. We can surrender to the spirit. We can respond with the truth of God's word. And we can remain under the control of God's spirit, of the spirit of God. And now listen. Don't miss this last verse, verse 11, because that whole ordeal, right, it was very exhausting for Jesus. In fact, angels came to minister to him. And so as Jesus gives us this direction, this offer of this model, I think it's also important to be reminded that when we're faced with these temptations of control of the flesh, to also recognize, yeah, it's not going to be easy, but just like Jesus was ministered to, we also need people to minister to us." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul's takeaway of the self, it's not presented as the solution to control. Right? He wouldn't present it that way. Paul, he uses this term that we see all throughout his teachings. It's the term of the flesh. The flesh. You guys remember that term? And throughout Paul's teaching of the flesh, well, what Paul typically kind of leans into is, well, the flesh is not well. In fact, the flesh is kind of sick. And so here's the question. The question goes, well, can something sick, right, can that be the catalyst for bringing about healing, right, in itself, on its own, without the help of something outside of itself? Now, Paul, he would declare, he would say, not even possible." (55 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The works of the flesh are evident. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalry, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. So, here's the reality of the self attempting to take control. Right? This is what it is. That's the works of the flesh. That's the works that we see in the flesh. Right? And rather than the self, what, being controlled. The works of the flesh are what? These are fleshly attempts at taking control. That's what they are." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The spirit allows us to have this, through the gospel, a shameless self. Here's one of the realities that we see of the self. See, the self often seeks a desire for control. And it does so in hopes of trying to control a narrative. You ever heard that term people use? We need to control the narrative, right? We need to be able to spin this a certain way, right? And really what's happening is the reality of controlling narrative is just trying to operate of trying to control how we're viewed by others, right? And also how we're viewed, I think in the context of a follower of Jesus, how we're viewed by God. And what is that the same thing? What is the source of this desire to control the narrative? What's at the root of that? Well, I think, I think it's shame." (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The spirit gives us in the gospel a spotless self. Maybe we could throw like blameless self in there. But here's the reality. As followers of Jesus, we are and we will continue to be imperfect in this whole desire to control self. And that's the truth as we live in this reality of already not yet this side of eternity. And sadly, right, that's just, that's the journey of faith. Moments where we surrender control and yes, thank you Lord. And moments when we're just stuck in the old self. Unwilling to surrender this new. And so what do we do though in those moments when we fall short? Like what happens then? Like we fall back. We fall back into the flesh. Well, this is what the unique reality of the gospel shows us. It's only in the gospel. Well, the gospel, gospel allows us to take on this spotless self because this spotless self, it isn't anything we can achieve. This spotless self, this controlled self is only something we can receive." (76 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so here's Paul's point in regards to the works of the flesh. Right? These works, they so often entice us with this feeling like we are in control. Like they entice us with this feeling. But reality, they only leave us further and further away from actually where we find real control. From where we find real control. So, here's the, if we desire to have a controlled self, which Paul calls us to as these aspects of the spirit of spirit, well that's only found, right, in the spirit. We need to go beyond the self. We need the spirit of God. We need to surrender." (44 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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