Love is Self-Control  Christian Character The Lordship of Jesus. Captivity to Christ.  The Second Step The foundation of faith. The step of virtue. The step of knowledge. The step of self-control.  The Christian Leader Christian leaders are to be an example of self-control for others to imitate.  The Athletic Model Obtain the prize. Run in such a way.

Love is Self-Control  This word for self-control is the same word translated as might, strength, power and dominion, with the emphasis on inner might, strength and dominion. Self-control is a force of the recreated human spirit, the force which enables us to rule ourselves with all diligence.  We need the revelation that the Holy Spirit has filled us with the seed of self-control and we must keep our heart with all diligence, for from it grows the fruit of the Spirit which we need to cultivate and nurture.

Love is Self-Control  Strength, might, power - these can be seen as elements of self-control. Inner strength leads to personal stability and therefore also self- „ control. This is the fruit of the Spirit.  The Lord Jesus Christ The word dominion here is the same word - the characteristic which Jesus the Lord displayed throughout His life

Love is Self-Control  Christian Character Paul was preaching to the unconverted about self-control.  The Lordship of Jesus This is where self-control begins - when we put self under the control of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is what the unconverted are to be challenged with.

Love is Self-Control  Captivity to Christ Self-control is born into our spirits by the new birth, but it is developed in our thought life. If we do not think of ourselves as being under the control of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will never see this ability released within us. Consciously place yourself in captivity to Jesus Christ every day.

Love is Self-Control  The Three Steps Here we see that three things precede self- control, namely: faith, virtue and knowledge.  The Foundation of Faith Faith is the basis and foundation upon which this stairway into the love of God is built. We can have all those other steps, but without faith they will crumble and disintegrate. Faith is the basis for virtue, knowledge and self-control.

Love is Self-Control  The Step of Virtue Virtue is that strong desire and motivation to excel at pleasing God, to grow into the fullness of God. Add this desire for excellence of character to your confidence in God and your trust in His promises.  The Step of Knowledge When we have the strong desire for an excellent character before God, we are to add knowledge to it. We are to do all in our power to find out about an excellent character in the Word. What is an excellent character? Only the Holy Spirit can reveal this to us in the Self-control is puling in to practice what you know by the power of God! Word and in the life of Jesus Christ.

Love is Self-Control  The Step of Self-control Self-control is putting the revealed word of God into practice by the Holy Spirit. After this we can –Add perseverance –Add godliness –Add brotherly kindness –Add the love of God

Love is Self-Control  The Christian Leader Self-control is the characteristic of both a Christian and Christian Leader. Christian leaders are to be an example of self- control for others to imitate!  The Athletic Model –1 Corinth 9:24, 25 “Do you not know that those who run a race all run, but one receives the prize? RUN IN SUCH AWAY THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN IT. And everyone who competes for a prize is SELF-CONTROLLED IN ALL THINGS”.

Love is Self-Control  Obtain the Prize If we do not have a prize in mind we will have no reason to be self-controlled.  See the Prize What is the God-ordained goal set before us? To be conformed to the image of Christ!

Love is Self-Control  See the Value What will it benefit being like Jesus Christ? You will experience God's –Anointing –Power –Love –Peace and joy You will be instrumental in bringing salvation to multitudes. You will be rewarded with, "Well done. Go into training and keep in shape! Good and faithful servant".

Love is Self-Control  Run in Such a Way Control your – –Sleeping habits –Eating habits –Social habits –Devotional habits –Word habits –Time habits –Thought habits

Love is Self-Control  Give time and attention to developing excellence of character - the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. You will obtain the prize. The one characteristic of the fruit that makes all the Characteristics come to pass within us is the force of self-control by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, who is at work within us. It is not by accident that this is mentioned last. It is like the gate that keeps the others in control and in operation.

Love is Self-Control  Although we have seen the fruit in its individual characteristics, we are no longer to see it in this way. We are to see love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control as one whole fruit!