Strengthening Self-Discipline in the Pursuit of Holiness
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delve into the theme of self-discipline and its crucial role in our pursuit of holiness. We began by reflecting on the journey we started on April 14th, focusing on the pursuit of holiness. We revisited the teachings from previous weeks, emphasizing the importance of taking notes and reflecting on them to reinforce our understanding and application of scripture. Pastor Randy and Pastor Crystal shared insights on holiness, obedience, forgiveness, love, and the refining process, all of which are foundational to our spiritual growth.
We then transitioned to the core message of self-discipline. Self-discipline is defined as the ability to control our feelings and overcome our weaknesses to pursue what we think is right, despite temptations. It is a developed trait that requires time, effort, and sometimes failure. Without self-discipline, we cannot pursue holiness effectively. We need to exercise our self-discipline muscle, much like physical exercise, to strengthen it.
Jesus is the ultimate example of self-discipline. In Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Despite being hungry after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus resisted the temptations by relying on the Word of God. This passage illustrates the importance of knowing and applying scripture to overcome temptations. We are reminded that we cannot serve two masters; we must choose to serve God wholeheartedly.
We also discussed the importance of having accountability partners to help us stay disciplined. Just as runners help each other in a race, we need to support our brothers and sisters in Christ. Self-discipline is not just about avoiding sin but also about actively pursuing holiness. We need to set goals, commit them to God, and avoid procrastination. Proverbs 14:23 reminds us that hard work brings profit, while mere talk leads to poverty. We must be willing to do the hard work required to develop self-discipline.
The world is full of temptations that clash with our pursuit of holiness. Advertisements and societal pressures can lead us astray if we are not grounded in our self-discipline. We need to control our thoughts and actions, as they are interconnected. Self-discipline is the bridge between holiness and serving the world. If we do not discipline ourselves, God will discipline us, and His discipline, though just, is not something we should desire.
We concluded by emphasizing the importance of self-discipline in our spiritual journey. We need to remove distractions, set achievable goals, and commit to them. We must also be willing to start immediately, not procrastinate. The race we run is for an eternal prize, not a temporary one. We need to focus on the eternal rewards and live a life that is pleasing to God. As we closed, we opened the altars for prayer, encouraging everyone to take the first step towards establishing self-discipline and self-control in their lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Self-Discipline as a Foundation for Holiness: Self-discipline is essential for pursuing holiness. It requires controlling our feelings and overcoming weaknesses to do what is right, despite temptations. Developing self-discipline takes time, effort, and sometimes failure, but it is crucial for spiritual growth. Without it, we fall into worldly temptations and cannot effectively pursue holiness. [04:13]
2. Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Self-Discipline: Jesus demonstrated perfect self-discipline when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Despite being hungry after fasting for 40 days, He resisted the temptations by relying on scripture. This teaches us the importance of knowing and applying God's Word to overcome temptations and remain steadfast in our faith. [16:46]
3. Accountability and Support in Our Spiritual Journey: We need accountability partners to help us stay disciplined. Just as runners support each other in a race, we should support our brothers and sisters in Christ. Having someone to check in with us and encourage us helps us stay on track and pick ourselves up when we fall. [41:13]
4. The Battle Between Worldly Temptations and Holiness: The world is full of temptations that clash with our pursuit of holiness. Advertisements and societal pressures can lead us astray if we are not grounded in self-discipline. We need to control our thoughts and actions, as they are interconnected. Self-discipline is the bridge between holiness and serving the world. [05:16]
5. Immediate Action and Avoiding Procrastination: We must set goals, commit them to God, and avoid procrastination. Proverbs 14:23 reminds us that hard work brings profit, while mere talk leads to poverty. We must be willing to do the hard work required to develop self-discipline and start immediately, not waiting for a more convenient time. [36:40]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:24] - Recap of the Pursuit of Holiness
[03:06] - Introduction to Self-Discipline
[04:13] - The Importance of Self-Discipline
[15:48] - Jesus as the Ultimate Example
[16:46] - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
[19:42] - The Devil's Lies and Our Choices
[23:19] - The Walls of Self-Control
[26:38] - Acts of the Flesh vs. Fruits of the Spirit
[30:33] - The Danger of Lukewarm Christianity
[33:53] - Preparing for the End Times
[36:40] - The Thief of Time: Procrastination
[40:00] - Removing Distractions
[41:13] - Accountability and Support
[44:42] - Call to Action and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)
> Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
2. Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)
> 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.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
3. Proverbs 14:23 (ESV)
> In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
4. Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)
> A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, what is the purpose of running the race and how should one run it?
2. In Matthew 4:1-11, how did Jesus respond to the temptations presented by the devil?
3. What does Proverbs 14:23 say about the relationship between hard work and profit?
4. How does Proverbs 25:28 describe a person who lacks self-control?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is self-discipline compared to the training of an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27?
2. What can we learn from Jesus' responses to the devil's temptations in Matthew 4:1-11 about the importance of scripture in overcoming challenges?
3. How does Proverbs 14:23 illustrate the difference between action and mere talk in the context of self-discipline?
4. What are the implications of being "like a city broken into and left without walls" as described in Proverbs 25:28 for someone lacking self-control?
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, what specific area of your life requires more self-discipline to run your race effectively? What steps will you take this week to improve in that area?
2. Considering Jesus' example in Matthew 4:1-11, how can you better use scripture to resist temptations in your daily life? Identify one temptation you face and a specific Bible verse to counter it.
3. Based on Proverbs 14:23, what is one goal you have been procrastinating on? What concrete action will you take this week to start working towards it?
4. Proverbs 25:28 warns about the dangers of lacking self-control. Identify one area where you feel vulnerable to losing control. What practical measures can you implement to build stronger "walls" of self-discipline in that area?
5. Accountability is crucial in maintaining self-discipline. Who can you ask to be your accountability partner this week, and how will you check in with each other to ensure you stay on track with your goals?
Devotional
Day 1: Self-Discipline as a Path to Holiness
Self-discipline is the cornerstone of our journey towards holiness. It involves the ability to control our emotions and overcome our weaknesses to do what is right, even when faced with temptations. Developing self-discipline is not an overnight process; it requires consistent effort, time, and sometimes even failure. However, without self-discipline, we are susceptible to falling into worldly temptations and cannot effectively pursue a life of holiness.
In our spiritual journey, self-discipline acts as a muscle that needs regular exercise to grow stronger. Just as physical exercise strengthens our bodies, spiritual exercises like prayer, fasting, and studying scripture strengthen our self-discipline. By committing to these practices, we build the resilience needed to resist temptations and stay focused on our pursuit of holiness. [04:13]
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (ESV): "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Reflection: What specific area of your life requires more self-discipline? How can you start exercising this "muscle" today to strengthen your pursuit of holiness?
Day 2: Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Self-Discipline
Jesus Christ is the perfect model of self-discipline. In Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Despite His physical hunger and weakness, Jesus resisted the temptations by relying on the Word of God. This passage highlights the importance of knowing and applying scripture to overcome temptations and remain steadfast in our faith.
Jesus' example teaches us that self-discipline is not just about avoiding sin but also about actively pursuing righteousness. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and allowing it to guide our actions, we can develop the self-discipline needed to resist the devil's lies and stay true to our calling. [16:46]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more scripture into your daily routine to strengthen your self-discipline? What specific temptations do you need to guard against with God's Word?
Day 3: Accountability and Support in Our Spiritual Journey
Accountability is a vital component of maintaining self-discipline. Just as runners support each other in a race, we need the encouragement and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ to stay disciplined. Having an accountability partner can help us stay on track, provide encouragement, and offer a helping hand when we stumble.
In our spiritual journey, we are not meant to walk alone. By building a community of believers who hold each other accountable, we can strengthen our resolve and grow together in our pursuit of holiness. This mutual support helps us stay focused on our goals and provides the encouragement needed to persevere through challenges. [41:13]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who can you invite to be your accountability partner in your spiritual journey? How can you support each other in developing self-discipline and pursuing holiness?
Day 4: The Battle Between Worldly Temptations and Holiness
The world is full of temptations that can lead us away from our pursuit of holiness. Advertisements, societal pressures, and cultural norms often clash with our spiritual values, making it challenging to stay disciplined. To navigate these temptations, we need to be grounded in our self-discipline and control our thoughts and actions.
Self-discipline serves as the bridge between holiness and the world. By exercising self-control, we can resist the allure of worldly temptations and stay focused on our spiritual goals. It is essential to be vigilant and intentional in our actions, ensuring that our choices align with our commitment to holiness. [05:16]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: What worldly temptations are you currently facing? How can you strengthen your self-discipline to resist these temptations and stay focused on your pursuit of holiness?
Day 5: Immediate Action and Avoiding Procrastination
Procrastination is a significant barrier to developing self-discipline. Proverbs 14:23 reminds us that hard work brings profit, while mere talk leads to poverty. To cultivate self-discipline, we must set goals, commit them to God, and take immediate action. Delaying our efforts only hinders our spiritual growth and leaves us vulnerable to distractions.
Taking immediate action requires a proactive mindset and a willingness to do the hard work necessary for spiritual growth. By setting achievable goals and removing distractions, we can stay focused on our pursuit of holiness and live a life that is pleasing to God. The race we run is for an eternal prize, and we must be diligent in our efforts to attain it. [36:40]
James 4:17 (ESV): "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
Reflection: What goals have you been procrastinating on in your spiritual journey? How can you take immediate action today to start working towards these goals and develop your self-discipline?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Procrastination is the thief of time because it's the only thing you can't get back. What you're promising to do in two weeks, you may not be around to do. What you're waiting to do is you're trying to make a deal with God. I still want to do this for at least two more weeks. And in two weeks, we'll reevaluate this, God, because I might want to go another two weeks. I might want to go another month. Everybody wants to do things. Okay, starting Monday. I don't know what's so magical about Monday. But everybody wants to start something on Monday." [36:40]
2. "Self-discipline is the bridge between holiness and serving the world. Self-discipline is what'll keep us on the road with the Lord. But if we don't discipline ourselves, God will discipline us. So we have a choice. We can discipline ourselves or we can wait for him to discipline us. The choice is yours. And I'll tell you what, I have been disciplined by him. And it's not a fun thing. He doesn't discipline us as we deserve, but he does discipline us nonetheless." [08:00]
3. "We have to develop it. We have to take the time to do that. You have to invest in your self-discipline. There's a few things I have here that we can do to maybe help us with that. Set goals and commit to God. We have to have a clear path on what we're doing. We have to commit these goals to God for motivation. There's nothing wrong with setting goals and committing to God because the goals that we're setting are for Him." [35:17]
4. "The world is full of gratifications and temptations that will clash with our self-discipline. The things of the world are for the world. They're not for the pursuit of holiness. You know, they have these commercials that, that try and tempt you into using their products and, you know, to get you to use them over and over again. You know, and we fall into the flow of a lot of these things in the world. Because not only do we need discipline in our spiritual life, we need discipline in the world. Because that's where the battle is at. That's where the world is going to attack us. And that's where the temptations lie." [05:16]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We need to yield to the voice of flesh and listen to the voice of spirit. We need to keep those voices, those things away from inside our mind. When we have the self-control to kick them out or the desire, the discipline not to go there, we have to work on this. Self-discipline takes time. Please start small. Don't start with the biggest thing in your life because you're going to more than likely fail at it because it's hard. A Christian without self-control is an exposed Christian, is a weak Christian, is a vulnerable Christian. You're exposed to whatever comes in. You're weak to fight it. And you are vulnerable." [24:47]
2. "We need to really, really focus on our self-control, on our self-discipline as followers of Christ. And like I said earlier, the devil will use the flesh. He'll use the flesh big times. If you look at any advertisement, if you look at anything that are on TV commercials and stuff, he uses the flesh. And so what do you do? Do you have the self-control or the discipline to change his channel? Or do you continue to look at it and let it feed into those walls that are down when the commercials come on?" [25:41]
3. "We have listened to the liar speak into our life. The one with the name father of lies, we have listened to him. We have allowed him to whisper things in our ears of substances, of relationships. But I'm going to give you another tidbit of information here. He can't make us do it. We have to have self-discipline. We have to have self-control. We can allow him to say these things and we can allow ourselves to believe the things that he was saying, but he has no power, no control to make us do any of these things." [19:42]
4. "We need to discipline ourselves. We need to exercise our self-discipline muscle. A lot of times, we don't do that. We just forget about it because it's too hard. We need to develop self-discipline in our lives. And it's a developed thing. It's a thing that takes time. It takes effort. It takes work. And then it also takes some failure because it's going to happen. But in order to pursue holiness, we need to have a foundation of self-discipline. Because without self-discipline, we can't do anything. We fall into whatever is there." [04:13]
5. "We have to choose who we're going to serve. But when the Holy Spirit comes inside you, and you accept it, and you receive it, and you live it, everything changes. In Galatians 5, 22-24, it says, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, which is forgiveness, which is what we talked about, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and last but not least, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with his passions and desires. These are the fruits of the Spirit that are given to us. No law against any of these. We can do these things. But we have to crucify some things in order to live these things." [31:11]
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