“The Christian Grace of SELF-CONTROL!” 2 Peter 1:6

…Checking the edge the barber turned to the customer in the chair and asked, “Friend, are you ready to die and meet God?!”

“If I couldn’t stuff an owl better than that I’d quit the business “If I couldn’t stuff an owl better than that I’d quit the business. The head isn’t right; the feet are at the wrong angle and the eyes are obviously fake.” As soon as this young man finished his rant…

to see what the Christian grace of self-control involves Purpose: to see what the Christian grace of self-control involves

I Abstinence from EVIL A. Not the Lack of Pleasure B. Refusing All Forms of Evil

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

Self-control Christians realize there is no such thing as “sinning in moderation” or “little sins.”

This is the mark of the Christian grace of self-control in one’s life – abstinence from all EVIL!

II Abstinence from LAWFUL THINGS A. The Strong Must Bear the Weak

Lloyd Pelfrey would annually invite the preacher from the non-instrumental Church of Christ to preach in chapel…

II Abstinence from LAWFUL THINGS A. The Strong Must Bear the Weak B. Each Must Love His Neighbor C. Christ Didn’t Please Himself

III MODERATION in Law- ful Things A. Self-Control is Not an Extreme B. Self-Indulgence is an Extreme

1 Corinthians 6:12 “…all things are lawful to me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

The question has been and always will be – “Who is your master or by what are you mastered?”

Never once did He bend to temptation to do anything wrong… Never once did He do any lawful thing to the injury of others…

Conclusion and Summary …May we with all diligence look to our Lord, see the grace of self-control perfectly illustrated through Him and then may we with the power of His Spirit in our lives add this grace to our faith!