1. “Not Fear, But Self-Discipline” July 29, 2012

2. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

3. Sound mind (KJV, NKJV) Sound mind (KJV, NKJV) Self-discipline (NIV, NLT, NASB) Self-discipline (NIV, NLT, NASB) Self-control (ESV, RSV) Self-control (ESV, RSV)

4. Sophronizmos: sober-minded Sophronizmos: sober-minded Sophronizmo: To bring to sober- mindedness Sophronizmo: To bring to sober- mindedness Sophroneo: To think soberly Sophroneo: To think soberly Sophronos: sober-mindedly Sophronos: sober-mindedly Sophrosune: Sobermindedness Sophrosune: Sobermindedness Sophron: Sober-minded Sophron: Sober-minded

5. A working definition: Clear thinking that leads us to make self- controlled choices, choosing what is good and rejecting what is evil.

6. V2 “self-controlled” (sophron) V2 “self-controlled” (sophron) V4 “train, encourage” (sophronizo) V4 “train, encourage” (sophronizo) V5 “self-controlled” (sophroneo) V5 “self-controlled” (sophroneo) V6 “self-controlled” (sophroneo) V6 “self-controlled” (sophroneo) V12 “self-controlled” (sophronos) V12 “self-controlled” (sophronos)

7. “For the grace of God…teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, (sophronos) upright and godly lives in this present age.”

8. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

9. Fear makes us re-active to our circumstances. Fear makes us re-active to our circumstances. Self-discipline makes us proactively devote ourselves to godliness and self- control. Self-discipline makes us proactively devote ourselves to godliness and self- control.

10. Reacts to circumstances rashly Reacts to circumstances rashly Ignores consequences Ignores consequences Not strong enough to choose rightly Not strong enough to choose rightly Lacks spiritual growth and victory Lacks spiritual growth and victory Has underlying fear Has underlying fear Regret catches up: the “What was I thinking?” moment

11. Is prepared for temptation Is prepared for temptation Avoids sin and its consequences Avoids sin and its consequences Grows in strength Grows in strength Experiences spiritual victory Experiences spiritual victory Eagerly (not fearfully) anticipates the Lord’s return! Eagerly (not fearfully) anticipates the Lord’s return!