Acts 24:25

Self-control means “mastery” or “restraint”. It means that we have the ability to do something, but we refrain from doing it.

If no one in a society exercised self-control, there would be total chaos and anarchy.

Why must we exercise self-control in these areas?

Emotions (Proverbs 16:32

Emotions themselves are not sinful, but they can cause us to sin if we leave them unchecked.

Speech (James 1:26

If we don’t control our speech, we can greatly harm others and ruin whatever good influence we may have with them.

Rmans 4:1-12 - If a man is saved, it will be because of his faith which reaches out to grab the grace and forgiveness that God offers.

Lessons from aforetime:

Abraham (Genesis 22:1-12

Job (Job 1:21

Joseph (Genesis 39:7-10

Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26

The results of a positive faith:

As relates to daily living: (I Timothy 5:22

As relates to the local church (I Corinthians 16:1-2

As relates to the sinner who has come to have a positive faith

As relates to the newborn Christian

As relates to the mature Christian (Hebrews 5:14

As relates to the negligent

As relates to the apostate (Acts 8:22

Luke 19:1-10

What a short story about a short man teaches me about serving God today

Jesus loves the small guy

Luke 3:12-13 - Many tax collectors of that day abused their power and collected more taxes than necessary.

James 2:2-4 - warning about being prejudiced for or against those with wealth

Romans 12:16 - Do not be wise in your own estimation.

The grumblers missed the point

Luke 15:1-2 - More grumbling about Jesus associating with tax collectors.

Luke 7:36-39 - the Pharisee grumbling about the woman anointing Jesus

We need to be careful not to miss the point. Religion is not about pomp or entertainment or elevating your status - it’s about serving God and saving souls.

Zaccheus was ready to repent, not brag.

Luke 18:18-23 - The rich young ruler.

We must not rest on our laurels!