Oh, we've all been sitting here
watching for the little fish
00:00:31.97\00:00:34.85
to jump up out of the
water at the end of that
00:00:35.05\00:00:37.20
which is not a staged
thing... it was a God thing.
00:00:37.40\00:00:40.71
We just want to welcome all
of you from around the world
00:00:41.01\00:00:43.99
to 3ABN's 2013
Spring Camp Meeting.
00:00:44.19\00:00:47.39
Don't you just love
Spring Camp Meeting?
00:00:47.59\00:00:49.97
Amen! And are you
being blessed? Amen!
00:00:50.27\00:00:53.87
Amen. You know,
I love all seasons.
00:00:54.17\00:00:57.66
They all represent
something different.
00:00:57.97\00:00:59.63
But I'm the kind of
person... I like the snow,
00:00:59.73\00:01:02.43
I like the
Fall... I like Spring.
00:01:02.63\00:01:05.66
I like... Summer's probably
my... I don't like it too hot.
00:01:05.86\00:01:08.91
But Spring
always brings new life.
00:01:09.11\00:01:12.77
And what fun it is to
watch as things are blossoming
00:01:12.97\00:01:16.24
and have the little baby birds
who are building their nests,
00:01:16.34\00:01:19.47
et cetera. So we're just
grateful. We're coming to you
00:01:19.67\00:01:22.56
live from the Thompsonville
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:01:22.66\00:01:25.72
or the 3ABN Worship
Center I should say.
00:01:25.83\00:01:27.99
And what we have for
you now is Dr. Magna Parks.
00:01:28.29\00:01:33.74
Dr. Parks is a
precious woman of God.
00:01:34.04\00:01:37.73
She has been... She's
taught at Oakwood University
00:01:37.97\00:01:43.09
so she's been in the
educational profession.
00:01:43.19\00:01:46.44
She's also had her own
practice as a psychologist.
00:01:46.74\00:01:50.00
And then she and her husband
began doing health seminars.
00:01:50.31\00:01:55.44
She shut her practice down.
00:01:55.64\00:01:58.01
They began
doing health seminars.
00:01:58.21\00:02:00.33
And unfortunately, her husband
went to rest with the Lord
00:02:00.63\00:02:03.38
several years ago and
Magna is continuing on
00:02:03.58\00:02:06.97
and God is using her.
00:02:07.17\00:02:09.48
Today she's going to talk
on a topic that is going to
00:02:09.68\00:02:14.18
put me on the
front row taking notes.
00:02:14.28\00:02:17.47
She's going to be
talking about self-control.
00:02:17.77\00:02:21.37
And you know, God wants
us to lead balanced lives.
00:02:21.67\00:02:26.54
The Bible says He's given
us a spirit of self-control.
00:02:26.74\00:02:30.11
And we all need to be
aware of that, do we not?
00:02:30.41\00:02:33.93
But before she does, we have
our own precious Yvonne Lewis,
00:02:34.34\00:02:39.54
a special friend of
mine, who is coming to sing
00:02:39.74\00:02:43.12
a medley of hymns. And
the interesting thing is
00:02:43.32\00:02:47.40
she was going to
sing something different
00:02:47.60\00:02:49.71
but God impressed her to start
with I Need Thee Every Hour.
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And boy, when it
comes to self-control
00:02:55.22\00:02:57.70
how can we do it
without the Lord's help? Amen?
00:02:58.00\00:03:01.21
So Dr. Yvonne Lewis. Thank you.
00:03:01.31\00:03:04.05
I need Thee every hour,
00:03:18.96\00:03:24.92
most gracious Lord;
00:03:25.37\00:03:30.69
No tender voice like Thine
00:03:31.64\00:03:37.25
can peace
00:03:38.29\00:03:41.13
afford.
00:03:41.33\00:03:46.64
I need Thee,
00:03:46.95\00:03:50.36
O I need Thee!
00:03:50.46\00:03:55.11
Every hour
00:03:55.41\00:03:58.78
I need Thee;
00:03:59.08\00:04:02.62
O bless me now,
00:04:02.83\00:04:06.20
my Savior!
00:04:06.60\00:04:09.49
I come to
00:04:09.79\00:04:15.12
Thee.
00:04:15.32\00:04:17.84
Oh-oh-oh...
00:04:18.04\00:04:22.39
I must tell Jesus
00:04:22.69\00:04:26.58
all of my troubles;
00:04:26.88\00:04:31.73
I cannot bear my burdens
00:04:32.13\00:04:38.12
alone;
00:04:38.32\00:04:41.05
In my distress
00:04:41.35\00:04:44.18
He kindly will help me;
00:04:44.38\00:04:50.30
He ever loves and
00:04:50.60\00:04:55.16
cares for His own.
00:04:55.36\00:04:59.29
I must tell Jesus!
00:04:59.69\00:05:04.41
I must tell Jesus!
00:05:04.71\00:05:08.85
I cannot bear
00:05:09.15\00:05:12.10
my burdens alone;
00:05:12.40\00:05:17.99
Oh no...
00:05:18.29\00:05:19.86
I must tell Jesus!
00:05:20.16\00:05:24.06
I must tell Jesus!
00:05:24.46\00:05:29.22
Jesus can help me,
00:05:29.62\00:05:33.82
Jesus alone.
00:05:34.12\00:05:38.27
Oh, I must tell Jesus!
00:05:38.57\00:05:44.43
I must tell Jesus!
00:05:44.83\00:05:49.40
I cannot bear
00:05:49.63\00:05:52.40
my burdens alone;
00:05:52.43\00:05:58.33
No...
00:05:58.63\00:06:00.33
I must tell Jesus!
00:06:00.36\00:06:04.62
I must tell Jesus!
00:06:05.02\00:06:09.67
Jesus can help me,
00:06:09.97\00:06:14.13
Jesus alone.
00:06:14.43\00:06:18.76
Jesus
00:06:23.63\00:06:25.46
knows all about our troubles,
00:06:25.67\00:06:31.29
He will guide
00:06:31.59\00:06:34.17
when the day is done;
00:06:34.47\00:06:39.09
There's not a friend
00:06:39.49\00:06:42.28
like the lowly Jesus,
00:06:42.58\00:06:46.20
No, not one!
00:06:46.79\00:06:50.55
No, not one!
00:06:50.85\00:06:54.56
Jesus knows all about
00:06:54.86\00:06:59.74
our troubles,
00:06:59.84\00:07:02.19
He will guide
00:07:02.49\00:07:05.58
when the day is done;
00:07:05.88\00:07:10.44
There's not a friend
00:07:10.74\00:07:14.81
like my lowly Jesus,
00:07:15.01\00:07:19.56
No, not one!
00:07:19.86\00:07:23.39
No, not one!
00:07:23.69\00:07:29.66
O bless me now,
00:07:30.62\00:07:34.25
my Savior,
00:07:34.45\00:07:38.77
I come
00:07:42.54\00:07:46.27
to
00:07:46.48\00:07:48.82
You.
00:07:49.02\00:07:54.52
Jesus,
00:07:55.02\00:07:57.04
Lord.
00:07:58.03\00:08:03.99
Amen!
00:08:05.89\00:08:07.50
Good afternoon everyone!
00:08:13.03\00:08:14.75
Good afternoon!
00:08:14.85\00:08:16.22
So good to be here with
you at 3ABN Spring Camp Meeting
00:08:16.25\00:08:19.79
2013. Amen?
00:08:20.09\00:08:21.67
Have you been blessed so far?
00:08:21.87\00:08:23.70
Amen! Amen. The few
things that I did hear
00:08:23.80\00:08:26.17
I was blessed. Thank you,
Yvonne, for that wonderful song.
00:08:26.37\00:08:28.56
And I'm so grateful that
she listened to the Holy Spirit
00:08:28.66\00:08:30.90
to change it because we
need the Lord every hour,
00:08:31.01\00:08:33.55
don't we?
Especially with this topic
00:08:33.65\00:08:35.62
that we're going to talk about.
00:08:35.72\00:08:37.09
You know, I'll
share this personal thing.
00:08:37.24\00:08:39.79
C.A. Murray called me
probably about 4 or 5 months ago
00:08:40.09\00:08:43.05
and said: "We would like
for you to speak at our Spring
00:08:43.25\00:08:46.79
Camp Meeting. " I
said: "Are you serious? "
00:08:46.89\00:08:49.61
I've been watching it on
3ABN but I never imagined myself
00:08:50.91\00:08:54.10
coming here to speak.
00:08:54.30\00:08:55.67
But the Lord opened up
the door for me to do so.
00:08:55.76\00:08:57.50
Initially I was very nervous.
00:08:57.71\00:08:59.57
I sent him e-mails: "I
don't know if I can do this. "
00:08:59.77\00:09:01.75
And he kept
encouraging me and I'm here.
00:09:01.85\00:09:03.67
So you pray for
me as I speak. Amen?
00:09:03.90\00:09:06.74
And let's pray
together one more time.
00:09:07.04\00:09:08.64
Bow with me.
00:09:08.84\00:09:10.21
Father, we thank you
so much for who You are
00:09:10.83\00:09:13.31
and for what You seek to do
00:09:13.61\00:09:15.78
through mere vessels
such as myself and others.
00:09:15.98\00:09:18.93
And Father, as I stand before
Your people I ask for Your
00:09:19.13\00:09:21.52
Holy Spirit to give
me wisdom and direction.
00:09:21.62\00:09:23.88
And I pray that You may
be with everyone listening
00:09:24.28\00:09:26.80
that they may be
able to take one nugget
00:09:26.90\00:09:28.92
from this that will
draw them closer to You.
00:09:29.12\00:09:31.23
We thank you for this privilege
00:09:31.53\00:09:33.13
of being able
to come before You.
00:09:33.23\00:09:34.60
In Jesus' name
we pray, Amen. Amen.
00:09:34.70\00:09:37.86
Turn with me in your Bible...
00:09:38.06\00:09:39.43
It will also be on the
screen but turn with me to
00:09:39.51\00:09:41.72
I Corinthians 9
verses 25 through 27.
00:09:41.82\00:09:46.22
I Corinthians 9
verses 25 through 27.
00:09:47.32\00:09:51.97
And it reads:
00:09:56.86\00:09:58.46
"And every man that
striveth for the mastery
00:09:58.66\00:10:02.30
is temperate... "
In how many things?
00:10:02.50\00:10:05.05
"all things. "
00:10:05.35\00:10:06.84
Paul is using the analogy
of training and athletics
00:10:37.51\00:10:42.21
to help us understand
part of the dynamics of
00:10:42.31\00:10:44.33
the Christian life.
00:10:44.54\00:10:45.91
In particular, he focuses on an
ingredient that we're going to,
00:10:46.10\00:10:50.03
ingredient that we're
going to talk about today.
00:10:50.13\00:10:51.66
He doesn't say the
word but when he talks about
00:10:51.76\00:10:54.14
running, not as uncertainly,
00:10:54.44\00:10:57.56
fighting, keeping
his body under subjection
00:10:57.76\00:11:00.81
what is he talking about here?
00:11:01.01\00:11:02.73
Self-control.
00:11:03.03\00:11:04.97
I believe when Paul came up with
this through the Holy Spirit
00:11:05.17\00:11:08.70
he thought about not only
what we need to do in terms
00:11:09.00\00:11:11.83
of gaining eternal life
00:11:11.93\00:11:13.30
but Paul was also looking at
00:11:13.47\00:11:15.99
what we can do as
we live on this earth.
00:11:16.02\00:11:19.60
Amen? Amen.
00:11:20.00\00:11:21.68
And self-control
is very important.
00:11:21.78\00:11:23.90
Now I believe if I went through
this audience and talked to
00:11:24.10\00:11:26.98
each one of you you
could tell me one area
00:11:27.08\00:11:29.23
that you have
problems with self-control in.
00:11:29.43\00:11:30.91
I myself am
speaking to you about this
00:11:31.11\00:11:33.35
but there are areas in
which I have self-control issues
00:11:33.55\00:11:35.18
so each time I preach this
I'm also preaching to myself.
00:11:35.28\00:11:37.94
We live in a world today
that tells us: "If you want it,
00:11:38.24\00:11:41.97
get it. " Things about
resisting unhealthy desires,
00:11:42.17\00:11:45.96
emotions, habits...
that's not encouraged
00:11:46.16\00:11:48.36
and the idea of self-control
is foreign to many people.
00:11:48.66\00:11:51.88
We sometimes desire it
but rarely are we successful
00:11:52.08\00:11:55.87
with it. God in
His Word admonishes us
00:11:55.97\00:12:00.37
about self-control. The
word self-control is not
00:12:00.47\00:12:03.02
used in the Bible but God
admonishes us in different ways.
00:12:03.13\00:12:06.40
Let's look at some examples.
00:12:06.61\00:12:08.09
In Proverbs 25:28-
you could read it with me:
00:12:08.39\00:12:11.47
When you can't
rule your emotions,
00:12:21.83\00:12:24.19
when you can't rule
your thoughts, your spirit,
00:12:24.39\00:12:26.90
it's like you have no defense.
00:12:27.10\00:12:29.30
Lack of self-control.
00:12:29.50\00:12:31.55
Another verse that
we often talk about:
00:12:31.85\00:12:33.64
the fruit of the
Spirit in Galatians 5:22.
00:12:33.84\00:12:36.05
"But the fruit of
the Spirit is... "
00:12:36.36\00:12:39.52
Some people use the word
temperance and self-control
00:12:52.31\00:12:54.71
synonymously.
They're a little different
00:12:54.81\00:12:56.63
but they're kind of the same.
00:12:56.83\00:12:58.20
We're told by the servant
of the Lord that temperance is
00:12:58.24\00:13:00.77
abstaining from things that are
harmful and using judiciously
00:13:00.97\00:13:04.23
those things that are
good for us: self-control.
00:13:04.33\00:13:07.14
Now interestingly
when you look at this verse
00:13:07.44\00:13:09.49
if you go through
the verse before -
00:13:09.60\00:13:11.29
the words of the flesh - they
all show a lack of self-control.
00:13:11.49\00:13:14.99
Adultery, fornication,
idolatry, wrath, strife,
00:13:15.80\00:13:20.50
murder and drunkenness.
00:13:20.60\00:13:22.07
All of these works of the flesh
show a lack of self-control.
00:13:22.27\00:13:26.49
So God wants us
to have that control.
00:13:27.37\00:13:29.07
And then in Titus 2... I'm not
going to read all the verses...
00:13:29.28\00:13:31.27
but in Titus when
Titus gives the admonition
00:13:31.47\00:13:34.74
to the different age groups
and to the different genders
00:13:34.94\00:13:37.36
you know that verse.
He talks to aged men;
00:13:37.56\00:13:39.69
he talks to aged women;
00:13:39.89\00:13:41.51
young men; young women.
00:13:41.71\00:13:43.40
You remember that verse?
00:13:43.50\00:13:44.87
We won't take the
time to look at it today.
00:13:44.90\00:13:46.36
But if you look at that
verse there's a word that he
00:13:46.46\00:13:49.07
constantly uses for his
admonition to each group
00:13:49.17\00:13:51.72
and that's the word sober.
00:13:51.82\00:13:53.50
He wants them to be
sober... each group.
00:13:53.70\00:13:56.08
Now in order to be sober...
00:13:56.28\00:13:58.00
Sober refers to clear thinking.
00:13:58.20\00:14:00.44
And in order to
exercise self-control
00:14:00.64\00:14:03.48
we must be thinkers. Amen? Amen.
00:14:03.68\00:14:07.34
Our desires, our urges, our
tendencies must be approached
00:14:07.57\00:14:12.41
with careful,
rational, clear thinking.
00:14:12.51\00:14:16.80
So when Titus is
giving this admonition
00:14:16.90\00:14:19.23
he's saying: "Older
men: I want you to be sober.
00:14:19.43\00:14:23.08
I want you to
exercise self-control. "
00:14:23.28\00:14:24.93
"Young men: I want you
to do the same: be sober. "
00:14:25.23\00:14:27.59
Young women... older women.
He doesn't leave anybody out
00:14:27.82\00:14:31.57
when he talks about the
idea of sobering themselves
00:14:31.67\00:14:34.80
and exercising clear thinking.
00:14:34.90\00:14:37.09
Now if we look at the
Bible... and I wish we had time.
00:14:37.39\00:14:39.79
We could look at the biographies
of many people in the Bible
00:14:39.89\00:14:43.16
and see that most of
them, sadly, did not exercise
00:14:43.37\00:14:46.68
self-control. Amen?
There's a few that did...
00:14:46.78\00:14:50.01
I'm just going to mention a few.
00:14:50.11\00:14:51.48
Esau. Remember Esau came in
from working, was very hungry?
00:14:51.57\00:14:55.04
He exercised a
lack of self-control
00:14:55.45\00:14:58.89
when he said to I
believe it was Jacob
00:14:59.10\00:15:02.30
he said: "Please give
me that pot of lentils.
00:15:02.50\00:15:05.06
I will do anything.
I'll give up these blessings
00:15:05.26\00:15:07.21
for you to give me
the pot of lentils. "
00:15:07.31\00:15:08.68
Example of a
lack of self-control.
00:15:08.87\00:15:10.51
Another person who showed some
self-control and who's one of my
00:15:10.81\00:15:13.72
favorite characters
of the Bible is Joseph.
00:15:13.83\00:15:15.79
When Potiphar's
wife came at him he fled.
00:15:16.09\00:15:19.35
One of the best ways to deal
with self-control is to flee.
00:15:19.49\00:15:22.22
And he was successful with this.
00:15:22.52\00:15:24.90
Now Moses'
biography is interesting.
00:15:25.00\00:15:27.38
Remember when
Moses was ruling in Egypt
00:15:27.58\00:15:29.78
and he saw the Egyptian
man doing something to the
00:15:29.98\00:15:32.26
Hebrew slave? He
showed a lack of self-control
00:15:32.36\00:15:35.21
because he instantly went out
and killed that man, didn't he?
00:15:35.31\00:15:37.92
Then he was sent for
40 years in the wilderness
00:15:38.22\00:15:41.19
to learn you need
to control yourself
00:15:41.29\00:15:43.60
because you're going to be
dealing with some hard-headed
00:15:43.90\00:15:45.90
people. And then for 40
years he dealt with Israel
00:15:46.00\00:15:49.26
and showed a lot of control
00:15:49.46\00:15:51.79
until the very end
when he struck that rock
00:15:51.99\00:15:55.83
instead of speaking to it.
00:15:55.93\00:15:57.30
So Moses had an
up-and-down history.
00:15:57.33\00:15:58.92
But God is so
merciful. In spite of that
00:15:59.12\00:16:00.86
He still took him to heaven.
00:16:01.06\00:16:02.43
That's the
merciful God that we serve.
00:16:02.46\00:16:04.65
And then with David...
the history with Bathsheba
00:16:05.05\00:16:08.94
surely showing a
lack of self-control.
00:16:09.90\00:16:12.32
Then we have Samson, the
strongest man in the world
00:16:12.52\00:16:15.74
but also the weakest.
00:16:15.94\00:16:17.46
He showed a lack of self-
control in choosing women.
00:16:17.66\00:16:20.01
He showed a lack of
self-control... I believe
00:16:20.22\00:16:22.03
there was a riddle that he
gave them to solve one day.
00:16:22.14\00:16:24.52
He thought that he
was going to trip them up
00:16:24.62\00:16:26.29
and they deceived
his mate at that time
00:16:26.39\00:16:28.78
and they were able to
get the answer. Remember?
00:16:28.98\00:16:31.22
And what did he do?
He killed several animals
00:16:31.42\00:16:34.14
and did several things
showing his lack of self-control
00:16:34.44\00:16:37.89
so he could get the gifts...
the garments that he offered
00:16:38.09\00:16:39.88
to them. And Daniel - another
favorite of my characters -
00:16:39.98\00:16:42.93
purposed in his heart that
he would not defile himself.
00:16:43.23\00:16:46.65
And I could go on and on
about the different characters
00:16:46.75\00:16:49.27
in the Bible but
you get the idea.
00:16:49.37\00:16:51.49
Many of them suffered and
struggled with self-control.
00:16:51.79\00:16:54.54
But we can also
look through history.
00:16:54.74\00:16:57.38
Alexander the Great
conquered all these nations
00:16:57.58\00:17:00.02
but I believe if
history tells me correctly
00:17:00.12\00:17:02.17
he died in a drunken stupor.
00:17:02.27\00:17:03.65
Lack of self-control.
00:17:03.85\00:17:05.78
And then we have, coming
up to more contemporary times,
00:17:06.08\00:17:09.58
we hear of leaders falling
because of different problems
00:17:09.88\00:17:12.98
with affairs. We hear of people
having problems with drinking.
00:17:13.18\00:17:15.80
We can go on
and on with history.
00:17:16.00\00:17:18.00
And then when we
come closer to home
00:17:18.10\00:17:20.18
and look at our own lives,
00:17:20.38\00:17:21.86
some of us have
problems with appetite.
00:17:22.06\00:17:24.10
Some of us have problems
with this thing that I'm using
00:17:24.40\00:17:27.25
right now... the tongue.
00:17:27.45\00:17:29.02
Some of us have problems
controlling our emotions.
00:17:29.32\00:17:31.78
The list goes on and on.
00:17:32.08\00:17:33.83
Self-control is a real issue.
00:17:34.03\00:17:36.64
And there are three main areas
that are prominent for looking
00:17:36.95\00:17:39.80
at self-control. I'm
going to just look at one today.
00:17:39.90\00:17:42.18
The main areas are
behaviors and activities,
00:17:42.38\00:17:45.38
our words and our speaking.
00:17:45.68\00:17:49.16
There's also emotions.
00:17:49.36\00:17:50.74
But today I'll be focusing
more on behavior and activities.
00:17:51.04\00:17:54.99
Now there was a study
done by the Barner Group.
00:17:55.39\00:17:58.35
Have you ever heard
of the Barner Group?
00:17:58.55\00:17:59.92
They're a group of
people that conduct research
00:18:00.07\00:18:02.68
with a lot of
Christians in the United States
00:18:02.88\00:18:05.25
and they studied the
favorite sins and temptations
00:18:05.65\00:18:09.59
that people admit to in the USA.
00:18:09.79\00:18:12.36
I have the chart, but I
wasn't able to show that.
00:18:12.56\00:18:14.55
Some of the sins
that people admitted to
00:18:14.76\00:18:16.87
was eating too much.
00:18:17.07\00:18:18.75
Spending too much money.
00:18:19.77\00:18:21.64
Gossiping.
00:18:21.67\00:18:23.69
Feeling jealous.
00:18:23.89\00:18:25.41
Viewing porn.
00:18:25.61\00:18:27.45
Engaging in a sexually
inappropriate behavior.
00:18:27.65\00:18:31.43
Lying; cheating.
00:18:31.63\00:18:33.62
You know, the interesting
thing: the worse the temptation
00:18:33.82\00:18:36.37
got the fewer
people admitted to that.
00:18:36.57\00:18:39.25
It's hard for us to admit to
what we're having problems with.
00:18:39.45\00:18:42.08
And then they
asked the respondents
00:18:42.28\00:18:44.93
"How do you resist temptation? "
00:18:45.13\00:18:47.05
"What do you do when
temptation comes your way? "
00:18:47.25\00:18:49.62
And it was just interesting.
18% of those who responded said
00:18:49.82\00:18:54.17
that they pray.
12% said that they use
00:18:54.27\00:18:59.38
reason and reminders.
00:18:59.48\00:19:01.59
10% said they "Just say no! "
00:19:01.79\00:19:05.27
Do you remember Nancy
Reagan having that campaign?
00:19:05.57\00:19:08.37
If you kept up to it you find
out the campaign didn't really
00:19:09.40\00:19:12.49
work, did it? People
became more aware of drug use
00:19:12.60\00:19:16.61
but it did not affect or
decrease people using drugs.
00:19:16.81\00:19:20.50
3% used will power
00:19:20.80\00:19:24.06
which sometimes is also used
synonymously with self-control.
00:19:24.26\00:19:27.63
And 1%... I thought
it was cute... they said
00:19:27.93\00:19:30.09
they just go to bed.
00:19:30.19\00:19:31.56
That's how they resist.
00:19:31.91\00:19:33.53
OK. So there are
different ways that we deal with
00:19:33.83\00:19:38.09
self-control.
Now, psychologists have
00:19:38.19\00:19:41.87
become very interested
in this area. You know,
00:19:41.97\00:19:44.29
the thing that I like
about how God has led me...
00:19:44.50\00:19:47.13
I used to be in practice,
and many of the things I did
00:19:47.23\00:19:49.94
in practice the Lord impressed
me that some of those things
00:19:50.04\00:19:53.13
are not Biblical. I
still believe in counseling
00:19:53.23\00:19:55.88
but we have to use
God's methods. Amen?
00:19:56.08\00:19:58.06
But what I'm
getting excited about
00:19:58.26\00:20:00.08
as I look at research I'm seeing
that the rocks are crying out
00:20:00.28\00:20:03.22
and many of the things that God
told us thousands of years ago
00:20:03.42\00:20:07.08
science is starting to show.
00:20:07.28\00:20:08.84
And psychologists have become
interested in this whole area of
00:20:09.14\00:20:12.42
will power. Some of them
use the word "regulation. "
00:20:12.52\00:20:15.38
Some of them use the
word "self-control. "
00:20:15.58\00:20:17.69
But they are
becoming interested in this.
00:20:17.79\00:20:19.27
And I'm going to share
some of that with you today
00:20:19.37\00:20:21.00
if you don't mind. I am a
teacher more than a preacher.
00:20:21.10\00:20:23.44
OK? So I'm going to
share some of what I found out.
00:20:23.64\00:20:26.24
There was a study
done way back in the 1960's
00:20:26.44\00:20:29.89
with several pre-schoolers
by Dr. Walter Mischel.
00:20:30.10\00:20:33.26
And this is what he did.
00:20:33.56\00:20:35.08
He presented them with the
choice of eating one marshmallow
00:20:35.28\00:20:39.00
now or two marshmallows
15... Some of you are shaking
00:20:39.21\00:20:44.46
your head... you
probably heard of the study.
00:20:44.56\00:20:45.93
Fifteen minutes later.
00:20:45.96\00:20:47.33
So he said to the pre-schoolers:
00:20:47.36\00:20:48.73
"If you eat this one marshmallow
you will only get one right now,
00:20:48.78\00:20:51.47
but if you wait
I'll give you two. "
00:20:51.57\00:20:53.28
And it was interesting what
he found because he followed
00:20:53.38\00:20:56.49
these people for decades later.
00:20:56.60\00:20:58.66
Look at what he found... you
will see with me on the screen.
00:20:58.86\00:21:01.41
The ones who
waited for 15 minutes:
00:21:01.71\00:21:06.24
they had better relationships.
00:21:06.44\00:21:09.90
I don't know if I'm reading
it in the right order here
00:21:10.10\00:21:11.86
but it's up there.
00:21:11.96\00:21:13.33
That one little test
of waiting for 15 minutes
00:21:26.64\00:21:30.19
determined how successful
they were in life later on.
00:21:30.39\00:21:33.50
Psychologists have done research
and they found two major things
00:21:33.80\00:21:37.03
that help
people do well in life:
00:21:37.23\00:21:38.97
one is intelligence
and one is self-control.
00:21:39.17\00:21:42.12
Which one do you think
they found is the most important
00:21:42.42\00:21:44.67
of those two? Self-control!
00:21:44.77\00:21:47.45
When I read the
research I said to myself:
00:21:47.65\00:21:49.58
this is why we see
some very smart people
00:21:49.78\00:21:52.81
not doing well in life.
00:21:53.01\00:21:54.83
They lack self-discipline
and they lack self-control.
00:21:55.03\00:21:58.21
It used to baffle me.
I'd see people not doing well
00:21:58.32\00:22:00.73
and I said:
"But he's so smart. "
00:22:00.83\00:22:02.20
"But she's so smart. "
And then when I started to
00:22:02.29\00:22:04.38
study this I recognized
the reason for many of them
00:22:04.48\00:22:07.40
is they did not learn
how to be disciplined.
00:22:07.60\00:22:10.06
They have not learned
how to control themselves.
00:22:10.26\00:22:12.26
And when they look at
students they find that students
00:22:12.46\00:22:16.05
who exercise self-control
do better in school. Why?
00:22:16.26\00:22:21.17
They are more likely to
show up for class on time,
00:22:21.48\00:22:24.02
they are more likely to
start their homework earlier,
00:22:24.32\00:22:27.79
and they are more likely
instead of wanting to go and
00:22:27.99\00:22:30.40
hang out with their friends
00:22:30.50\00:22:32.05
they are going to do what
they need to do for class.
00:22:32.25\00:22:34.95
All about self-control.
00:22:35.25\00:22:37.99
You all are seeing...
Are you getting the picture
00:22:38.19\00:22:39.63
of how
important self-control is?
00:22:39.73\00:22:41.24
Now Dr. Baumeister,
he's a psychologist,
00:22:41.45\00:22:44.97
and he studied this
topic for about ten years.
00:22:45.17\00:22:47.88
And he came up with
some key ingredients
00:22:48.18\00:22:51.46
that if you're writing I
want you to write these down.
00:22:51.66\00:22:53.69
You can use for yourself
or share with other people
00:22:53.89\00:22:56.18
about ways that you
can increase self-control.
00:22:56.38\00:23:00.64
One of the things he found
- and it will ring familiar
00:23:01.77\00:23:04.81
with you as you think
of Biblical principles -
00:23:04.91\00:23:06.83
he found that to develop
self-control you have to have
00:23:07.03\00:23:10.67
a long-range focus
instead of a here-and-now focus.
00:23:10.87\00:23:16.02
You all following that?
00:23:16.42\00:23:18.10
If you know I would
like to be a doctor,
00:23:19.13\00:23:22.18
I would like to be a lawyer,
00:23:22.38\00:23:24.34
a flight attendant, or
whatever you would like to be,
00:23:24.64\00:23:27.58
and you keep that in your mind
00:23:27.68\00:23:31.25
you will be more likely
to exercise self-control.
00:23:31.46\00:23:35.12
Do you see any analogies
for the Christian walk?
00:23:35.53\00:23:38.33
If we live recognizing
there's an eternal world,
00:23:38.53\00:23:42.44
there's an eternity, there's
a time when we can live with God
00:23:42.64\00:23:45.50
and the things I'm doing
now will either help me towards
00:23:45.70\00:23:48.84
that long-term goal
or it will take away.
00:23:48.94\00:23:51.63
But if I just
live for here-and-now,
00:23:51.83\00:23:53.38
I'm not going to
exercise self-control as much.
00:23:53.48\00:23:55.66
That's one thing
that Dr. Baumeister found
00:23:56.67\00:23:58.77
and he is not a Christian.
This is just pure science.
00:23:58.87\00:24:02.31
Another thing he found that
I thought was kind of Biblical:
00:24:02.51\00:24:06.18
he said: "Develop a
self-forgetful attitude. "
00:24:06.29\00:24:11.18
Develop a
self-forgetful attitude.
00:24:12.05\00:24:16.38
Distract yourself from your
own desires and difficulties.
00:24:16.58\00:24:21.54
Remember that experiment
I talked about earlier
00:24:21.74\00:24:23.98
with the young
people... the pre-schoolers?
00:24:24.09\00:24:25.58
The pre-schoolers who waited...
you know what they did?
00:24:25.78\00:24:28.19
The marshmallow was
right in front of them
00:24:28.39\00:24:29.76
but the one who
waited for 15 minutes
00:24:29.82\00:24:31.47
they looked around the room.
00:24:31.67\00:24:33.04
They sang hmm-hmm-hmm.
00:24:33.17\00:24:35.37
They looked away, covered their
eyes from the marshmallows.
00:24:35.58\00:24:38.18
These were children...
but we as adults need to do
00:24:38.38\00:24:40.45
the same thing when we are
dealing with things that we're
00:24:40.55\00:24:42.29
struggling with.
00:24:42.39\00:24:43.76
It can't be just about focusing
on that particular thing
00:24:43.79\00:24:47.43
you want or that
you want to say or do.
00:24:47.63\00:24:49.60
You have to have a
self-forgetful attitude.
00:24:49.80\00:24:53.83
Being too self-focused
gets us in trouble a lot
00:24:54.03\00:24:56.63
brothers and
sisters. I know I can say that
00:24:56.73\00:24:58.30
for myself... I
don't know about you.
00:24:58.40\00:24:59.77
A third thing that he found was
00:25:00.64\00:25:02.80
to have what is known as
a pre-commitment strategy.
00:25:03.00\00:25:08.12
You have to commit yourself
about what you are going to do
00:25:08.32\00:25:12.53
especially when you know you're
going to get into situations
00:25:12.64\00:25:15.26
where that
temptation will be real for you.
00:25:15.46\00:25:18.17
That's what Daniel did:
he purposed in his heart
00:25:18.38\00:25:20.73
that he would not defile
himself with the king's meat.
00:25:20.93\00:25:23.33
He made that pre-commitment.
00:25:23.43\00:25:25.37
There's a story
told about Henry Stanley.
00:25:25.57\00:25:27.80
I'm sure you've heard
about David Livingstone.
00:25:28.00\00:25:30.16
David
Livingstone went to Africa,
00:25:30.36\00:25:32.27
wanted to stop the slave
trade and do some other things.
00:25:32.41\00:25:34.57
And for years no one
heard from David Livingstone.
00:25:34.87\00:25:37.65
And Henry Stanley
took a group of men
00:25:37.85\00:25:40.25
and he resolved that he was
going to find David Livingstone.
00:25:40.45\00:25:44.10
Now during the
time that he was looking
00:25:44.40\00:25:46.41
they ran across many things.
00:25:46.61\00:25:48.66
They ran across people getting
sick and dying from malaria.
00:25:48.86\00:25:52.00
They ran across people
who escaped from being killed.
00:25:52.20\00:25:56.21
People were just
dying and getting sick
00:25:56.41\00:25:58.69
but nothing
happened to Henry Stanley.
00:25:58.89\00:26:01.49
I shouldn't say
nothing happened...
00:26:01.69\00:26:03.06
I should say he kept going.
00:26:03.09\00:26:04.46
And I'd like to
read what he says.
00:26:04.49\00:26:06.24
He took a solemn
oath and he says:
00:26:06.44\00:26:09.35
"While the least of hope remains
in me I will not be tempted
00:26:10.21\00:26:16.14
to break the
resolution I have vowed:
00:26:16.44\00:26:19.01
never to give up the
search until I find Livingstone
00:26:19.21\00:26:23.92
alive... no matter what
happens. " He wrote this
00:26:24.02\00:26:27.31
in his diary. And do you
know Henry Stanley ended up
00:26:27.41\00:26:30.79
finding David Livingstone?
00:26:30.89\00:26:32.26
He made a
pre-commitment strategy.
00:26:32.46\00:26:36.05
Brothers and sisters, we need
to be making some strategies.
00:26:36.15\00:26:38.60
Lord, I'm
struggling in this area
00:26:38.90\00:26:40.89
but by Your help I am committed
00:26:41.09\00:26:42.99
that I am going to
address this in this way.
00:26:43.19\00:26:45.61
You may fail
sometimes... that's OK.
00:26:45.81\00:26:47.55
But keep making those
pre-commitment strategies.
00:26:47.75\00:26:50.43
Another thing that
Dr. Baumeister and his
00:26:50.64\00:26:53.01
researchers found
was: make your resolutions
00:26:53.11\00:26:56.49
in front of another person.
00:26:56.70\00:26:58.78
And that person has
to mean something to you.
00:26:59.72\00:27:02.34
The research shows that
when we make a resolution
00:27:02.55\00:27:05.23
in front of another person...
"You know, I have this problem
00:27:05.33\00:27:07.17
in this area and I am
committed to doing something
00:27:07.28\00:27:11.08
about this. " That
person also becomes what we call
00:27:11.18\00:27:14.22
an accountability
partner. Have you heard of that?
00:27:14.32\00:27:16.45
Very helpful in
dealing with issues
00:27:16.95\00:27:19.75
that you're struggling with.
00:27:19.85\00:27:21.39
Another thing that he said was
00:27:21.59\00:27:24.07
set up clear rules
00:27:24.21\00:27:27.28
for whatever tempts you.
00:27:27.48\00:27:31.03
Set up clear rules
for whatever tempts you.
00:27:31.33\00:27:35.21
It's interesting what he
says... and I have to read this.
00:27:35.41\00:27:37.55
He says: "If you are a
smoker or a drinker... "
00:27:37.75\00:27:41.09
And this can be
applied in any case
00:27:41.29\00:27:42.74
but I'm just using
these two examples.
00:27:42.84\00:27:44.51
"Promising yourself to
drink or smoke moderately
00:27:44.81\00:27:49.01
is not good enough.
00:27:49.21\00:27:50.58
This is a fuzzy boundary
where there is no obvious point
00:27:51.44\00:27:55.38
at which you go from
moderate to excess. "
00:27:55.48\00:27:57.70
He says you have to set a
clear line: zero tolerance.
00:27:57.90\00:28:03.08
You can't say: "I'm
struggling with sweets.
00:28:03.21\00:28:06.66
I'm just going to
eat one sweet today
00:28:06.89\00:28:08.99
and one tomorrow. " Until
you get the victory over that
00:28:09.19\00:28:12.29
you have to set a
clear line - no sweets -
00:28:12.39\00:28:15.53
until I get the
victory over that.
00:28:15.63\00:28:17.12
You all following me?
00:28:17.32\00:28:18.69
A no has to be a clear line.
00:28:18.72\00:28:21.08
And Romans tells us this.
Actually, Paul tells us this
00:28:21.18\00:28:24.00
in Romans: "Make no
provisions for the flesh
00:28:24.10\00:28:27.41
to fulfill the lusts thereof. "
00:28:27.62\00:28:29.68
Many are the times we
make provision for the flesh.
00:28:29.98\00:28:32.20
You've heard of
the story with Johnny.
00:28:32.40\00:28:33.77
You've heard of
the story with Johnny?
00:28:33.80\00:28:35.17
Johnny's mother
said: "Johnny, do not
00:28:35.28\00:28:37.48
go swimming in the pool. "
00:28:37.51\00:28:38.88
Right? One day she came
home... Johnny came home wet.
00:28:39.45\00:28:41.94
And the mother said:
"Johnny, what did you do? "
00:28:42.24\00:28:44.04
"Well, I brought my bathing
suit in case I wanted to swim. "
00:28:44.24\00:28:47.35
He made provision for the flesh.
00:28:48.54\00:28:50.41
We're laughing but we do
that in our own lives sometimes.
00:28:50.61\00:28:53.56
We have to set that clear rule.
00:28:53.76\00:28:56.36
Now this next step is the
last one I'm going to mention.
00:28:56.56\00:28:58.87
There are many others.
I'm going to talk about
00:28:58.97\00:29:00.94
a few others things
after that but he says:
00:29:01.07\00:29:03.45
"Become more consistent... "
00:29:03.85\00:29:07.07
Now realize this is
a secular psychologist.
00:29:07.47\00:29:09.42
He's looking at the research.
00:29:09.63\00:29:11.00
"Become more consistent
with religious activities. "
00:29:11.03\00:29:14.89
I thought that
was so interesting.
00:29:15.72\00:29:17.49
Studies show
that for the most part
00:29:17.79\00:29:21.52
religious people - when you
compare them to non-religious
00:29:21.72\00:29:24.81
people... This is not saying
religious people don't struggle
00:29:24.91\00:29:26.70
with self control... But
when you compare them with
00:29:26.80\00:29:29.11
non-religious people they tend
to exercise more self-control
00:29:29.21\00:29:32.79
and there are
several reasons for this.
00:29:32.89\00:29:34.50
For one, religion -
the research shows -
00:29:34.70\00:29:38.11
builds the power to resist.
00:29:38.31\00:29:40.55
They studied children
who go to Sunday School
00:29:40.85\00:29:43.08
and this was interesting.
00:29:43.28\00:29:44.65
Children who devoutly
attend Sunday School -
00:29:44.68\00:29:47.85
and we can add Sabbath School -
00:29:48.05\00:29:49.91
they score higher on
tests of self-discipline.
00:29:50.21\00:29:53.76
They also found that
religious devout children
00:29:54.64\00:29:58.33
tend to be less impulsive.
00:29:58.53\00:30:00.76
Religion also improves
the monitoring behavior.
00:30:02.10\00:30:05.77
Not only are we thinking
00:30:06.07\00:30:07.44
"There's a God
who's watching us"
00:30:07.51\00:30:09.18
but being in a religious
group also keeps us alert for
00:30:09.38\00:30:12.53
in case we see such and
such, Sister Such and Such,
00:30:12.63\00:30:14.88
at the store, you know?
It gives us a group that
00:30:14.98\00:30:18.44
kind of monitors our behavior.
00:30:18.54\00:30:20.87
And people tend to
exercise less self-control
00:30:21.27\00:30:25.77
when they feel
that no one is watching.
00:30:25.97\00:30:28.72
And so the idea of having...
The fact that there might
00:30:29.75\00:30:33.16
be a God or supernatural being
paying attention to what you do.
00:30:33.36\00:30:36.68
Now you have to have
that in perspective, because
00:30:36.78\00:30:38.39
some of us grow up with this
idea that God is checking off
00:30:38.49\00:30:40.36
every time we do
wrong. I'm not saying that.
00:30:40.46\00:30:42.12
But understanding that
He's watching and that there are
00:30:42.32\00:30:45.07
things He requires of
us and doing it out of love
00:30:45.17\00:30:47.77
because it's with love
that we obey God the best.
00:30:47.97\00:30:50.42
Another thing they
found with religious people
00:30:50.63\00:30:53.44
is that prayer helps.
00:30:53.64\00:30:55.79
Again remember, these
are secular psychologists.
00:30:55.99\00:30:58.23
Prayer helps
because it forces people
00:30:58.53\00:31:02.26
to interrupt their daily
activities in order to pray.
00:31:02.46\00:31:07.08
So when you have that
habit of interrupting your daily
00:31:08.05\00:31:11.04
activities to pray that develops
some self-control with you.
00:31:11.14\00:31:15.38
And interesting... I
heard a pastor talking one day.
00:31:15.58\00:31:18.51
I think it was Richard O'Ffill.
00:31:18.61\00:31:19.98
He met a woman who
he had known for a while
00:31:20.01\00:31:22.04
and he noticed
that she lost weight.
00:31:22.14\00:31:23.72
And so he said to
her: "What did you do? "
00:31:23.83\00:31:25.85
And she said: "I prayed. "
00:31:25.95\00:31:27.32
And at first it
didn't make sense to him,
00:31:27.59\00:31:29.44
but he said: "I'm going
to go home and I'm going to
00:31:29.55\00:31:31.02
you know pray myself. "
And he found as he prayed
00:31:31.22\00:31:34.33
his self-control increased.
00:31:34.53\00:31:36.76
He started to do more
things in different areas.
00:31:36.86\00:31:39.44
So prayer is very important.
00:31:39.64\00:31:41.34
And when neuroscientists
observe people praying
00:31:41.54\00:31:44.85
or meditating,
they see strong activity
00:31:45.05\00:31:48.78
in parts of the brain that is
also important for self-control.
00:31:48.98\00:31:52.98
Isn't that interesting?
00:31:53.18\00:31:54.55
When they measure
the brain and you pray
00:31:54.58\00:31:56.17
activities are going on
in that area of the brain
00:31:56.47\00:31:59.06
that also helps
you with self-control.
00:31:59.26\00:32:00.93
So praying is really
something. And one psychologist,
00:32:01.13\00:32:03.25
Dr. McCullough,
says: Prayer and meditation
00:32:03.35\00:32:07.36
are a kind of
workout for self-control. "
00:32:07.56\00:32:10.27
See, psychologists can't
run any more from the importance
00:32:10.58\00:32:13.10
of religion. When I was
going through graduate school
00:32:13.20\00:32:15.12
religion was poo-pooed.
That was 20-something years ago.
00:32:15.32\00:32:17.85
You know, "Oh, Magna,
you're a religious person.
00:32:18.05\00:32:19.93
Bless your heart. " But
now psychologists can no longer
00:32:20.03\00:32:22.76
run from that because
the research is screaming
00:32:22.96\00:32:25.46
that we have to
look at religion.
00:32:25.66\00:32:27.37
Now this was really interesting.
00:32:27.57\00:32:29.01
The study showed that the
reason that you attend church
00:32:29.21\00:32:34.53
can also affect
your self-control.
00:32:34.74\00:32:37.06
If you go to church because
you want to have a good time,
00:32:37.86\00:32:40.79
if you go to church because
you want to see your friends,
00:32:41.09\00:32:44.28
versus going to church because
of a relationship with God
00:32:45.01\00:32:49.05
the studies show you
will have less self-control.
00:32:49.26\00:32:53.62
Isn't that interesting?
00:32:54.12\00:32:55.49
The reason for which
you do these activities,
00:32:55.77\00:32:58.16
the reason for
which you attend church,
00:32:58.36\00:32:59.84
can have an impact on
how well you can control
00:33:00.04\00:33:03.69
your different things
that you're struggling with.
00:33:03.79\00:33:06.74
And the studies go on and on.
00:33:06.94\00:33:08.38
They showed... They
also looked at glucose levels
00:33:08.48\00:33:11.42
and they found that
people who are struggling with
00:33:11.62\00:33:14.87
hypoglycemia or their
sugar levels are always high
00:33:15.07\00:33:17.90
they have a problem
with self-control too.
00:33:18.10\00:33:19.70
Actually they did a study with
prisoners and they monitored
00:33:19.80\00:33:22.14
their glucose levels. And
the prisoners who had the lower
00:33:22.24\00:33:25.17
glucose levels,
they were less likely
00:33:25.27\00:33:27.03
to come back into the prison.
00:33:27.14\00:33:28.51
It's so interesting, and all of
this is related to self-control.
00:33:29.04\00:33:31.89
Now we are talking about
religion, and the servant
00:33:31.99\00:33:34.29
of the Lord way before
the psychologists started to
00:33:34.39\00:33:37.07
find out about the importance
of religion in self-control
00:33:37.17\00:33:39.58
she said something - and you'll
see it on the screen - about
00:33:39.78\00:33:41.91
religion. She says:
00:33:42.01\00:33:43.66
I thought it was interesting
that she just didn't say
00:33:54.34\00:33:56.37
"religion teaches
self-control. " Right?
00:33:56.47\00:33:58.99
She says: "True
religion teaches self-control. "
00:33:59.19\00:34:02.94
I have another one that she
has... you'll see on the screen.
00:34:03.14\00:34:05.25
In Desire of Ages she says:
00:34:05.45\00:34:07.57
Now I've talked
about all these strategies.
00:34:20.65\00:34:22.77
I've talked about
pre-commitment strategy.
00:34:22.97\00:34:25.25
I've talked about
setting clear boundaries,
00:34:25.35\00:34:27.93
you know, and
talked about other things.
00:34:28.13\00:34:29.87
But brothers and sisters,
this is only the human part
00:34:30.07\00:34:34.02
of self-control.
00:34:34.32\00:34:35.69
True self-control only comes
00:34:35.73\00:34:38.67
when God's
Spirit reigns within us.
00:34:38.77\00:34:41.86
That's what Galatians 5:22 says.
00:34:42.06\00:34:43.95
"The fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace,
00:34:44.15\00:34:46.90
temperance... " When
God's Spirit dwells within
00:34:47.10\00:34:50.28
that's when we get
the true self-control.
00:34:50.48\00:34:52.72
And this is true
because when you look at...
00:34:52.92\00:34:54.68
You've heard of different
people exercising self-control
00:34:54.89\00:34:57.48
and doing these powerful
feats like somebody stayed in an
00:34:57.68\00:35:00.63
ice place for so many
hours and did all these things.
00:35:00.73\00:35:03.56
But when you look at their lives
00:35:03.76\00:35:05.42
they lack
self-control in other areas
00:35:05.62\00:35:08.18
because that
spiritual piece is missing.
00:35:08.48\00:35:10.93
So even though I
shared all of these things
00:35:11.33\00:35:13.65
I want you to
understand that in the long run
00:35:13.85\00:35:16.08
unless we look to God
00:35:16.18\00:35:18.53
we will not have
that true self-control.
00:35:18.73\00:35:22.05
That's why the Bible says
00:35:22.26\00:35:23.63
"I can do... " How
many things? All things.
00:35:23.73\00:35:26.08
"through Christ which
strengtheneth... " us.
00:35:26.28\00:35:29.74
I can resist that piece of cake.
00:35:29.94\00:35:31.68
I can not talk about
people as much as I do.
00:35:32.58\00:35:35.86
Whatever problem you have
00:35:36.06\00:35:37.96
you can do it all through
Christ which strengtheneth you.
00:35:38.16\00:35:40.28
I don't know why I
keep talking about cake.
00:35:40.38\00:35:41.88
Maybe that's a
problem for me, I don't know.
00:35:41.98\00:35:43.36
But that's the only
example I keep thinking of.
00:35:43.56\00:35:45.44
And then Philippians 2:12 says:
00:35:45.84\00:35:47.68
"For it is... "
who who works in you?
00:35:47.88\00:35:49.40
"God who worketh in
you both to will and to do
00:35:49.61\00:35:53.97
of His good pleasure. "
00:35:54.07\00:35:55.44
So God has to be within
us in order for us to really
00:35:55.60\00:35:58.90
have that true self-control.
00:35:59.10\00:36:01.04
And then we are told by
the servant of the Lord again,
00:36:01.34\00:36:03.72
she says:
00:36:03.83\00:36:05.20
"The will power is to
be under God's control. "
00:36:05.23\00:36:10.39
I read somewhere
where someone said
00:36:10.60\00:36:12.84
the writer pointed out
that regarding self-control
00:36:13.04\00:36:16.07
there's a difference
between godly self-control
00:36:16.27\00:36:19.04
and worldly self-control.
00:36:19.24\00:36:21.35
All of these things
that I just gave you
00:36:21.66\00:36:23.78
earlier, the
different tips for self-control?
00:36:23.88\00:36:26.46
If you do that, you will
have worldly self-control
00:36:26.66\00:36:29.35
and that can make
you successful in life.
00:36:29.45\00:36:31.33
But we want self-control
that will not only help me
00:36:31.43\00:36:34.65
resist cake, do well in school,
00:36:34.75\00:36:37.29
adjust well, but we
want that self-control
00:36:37.49\00:36:40.10
that will glorify who? God.
00:36:40.20\00:36:42.31
And that's what we have
to keep in mind as Christians
00:36:42.51\00:36:44.68
as we're striving
for the self-control.
00:36:44.98\00:36:46.66
"Father, I don't
want to glorify me.
00:36:46.76\00:36:48.68
I don't want to glorify
Magna; I want to glorify You.
00:36:48.88\00:36:51.23
And so I want to
put away these things
00:36:51.53\00:36:53.22
because I want to be a
better witness for You. "
00:36:53.32\00:36:55.73
And that's what we
must ever keep in mind.
00:36:56.03\00:36:57.77
Now the most... Sometimes
we feel really overwhelmed
00:36:57.97\00:37:02.94
with this thing
about self-control.
00:37:03.14\00:37:04.77
But God can be...
He can be there for us
00:37:04.97\00:37:07.66
and He can help us
if we will yield to Him.
00:37:07.76\00:37:10.89
Listen to this quote as
you read it on the screen:
00:37:11.09\00:37:13.54
I'm talking about will
power and self-control today,
00:37:51.07\00:37:53.27
but there's a slight
difference between the will
00:37:53.37\00:37:55.60
and will power. The will has
to do with making a decision.
00:37:55.70\00:37:59.64
Some of us have
problems with making a decision.
00:38:00.52\00:38:02.76
Have you ever
met people like that?
00:38:02.97\00:38:04.34
They also too might have
problems with self-control.
00:38:05.17\00:38:07.83
But God wants us to make
decisions and not waffle.
00:38:08.13\00:38:11.98
And He says here that if
we keep that decision-making
00:38:12.28\00:38:15.54
power He's given
to us on His side
00:38:15.64\00:38:18.42
He will help us in the
area of overcoming those things
00:38:18.62\00:38:22.56
that tempt us.
00:38:22.66\00:38:24.36
Now who was the
ultimate model of self-control
00:38:24.56\00:38:27.55
that we know that's
ever lived on this earth?
00:38:27.65\00:38:29.38
Jesus Christ... the
ultimate model of self-control
00:38:29.78\00:38:34.35
throughout His life. Can
you imagine being brought
00:38:34.65\00:38:38.39
before rulers,
being spit on the face,
00:38:38.49\00:38:41.21
torn... clothes torn off
00:38:43.11\00:38:44.91
and just standing
there and doing nothing?
00:38:45.11\00:38:47.27
Talk about self-control!
00:38:47.67\00:38:49.52
Especially when You
have the power to call angels
00:38:49.72\00:38:53.31
to Your side and just
demolish these people.
00:38:53.41\00:38:55.70
Ultimate model of self-control.
00:38:56.00\00:38:58.11
And throughout His
life He was mistreated
00:38:58.21\00:39:00.39
but He showed self-control.
00:39:00.59\00:39:02.29
Especially in the
wilderness He came and overcame
00:39:02.49\00:39:07.09
in appetite and pride
of life in various areas.
00:39:07.19\00:39:10.67
He did what our... He
took over where our father Adam
00:39:10.87\00:39:14.40
failed, especially in the
area of appetite we are told.
00:39:14.50\00:39:17.67
And one of the keys to
the self-control that Christ
00:39:17.87\00:39:21.42
exemplified was the fact
that the glory of His Father
00:39:21.52\00:39:25.68
was more important
than what He desired
00:39:25.88\00:39:28.41
or than what He wanted.
00:39:28.61\00:39:30.06
The glory of the
Father was more important
00:39:31.62\00:39:34.27
than what He
desired and what He wanted.
00:39:34.47\00:39:37.36
Oh, I long to get to
that point, don't you?
00:39:37.66\00:39:39.91
Where all the decisions you make
00:39:40.01\00:39:41.99
you're seeking to
glorify God more than self.
00:39:42.09\00:39:44.51
This is not something that
will come overnight, brothers
00:39:44.71\00:39:46.61
and sisters. Every single day
you have to make that decision:
00:39:46.71\00:39:50.43
"Am I glorifying God
or am I glorifying self? "
00:39:50.63\00:39:53.50
In everything that we do.
00:39:53.80\00:39:55.63
Listen to this quote...
you'll see it on the screen:
00:39:55.93\00:39:58.99
I tried to imagine what
kind of self-control that is
00:40:21.33\00:40:24.08
that's stronger
than hunger and death,
00:40:24.18\00:40:25.77
and my mind couldn't
really wrap around it.
00:40:25.87\00:40:28.39
But I believe these
words because they're inspired.
00:40:28.70\00:40:31.05
That He endured... or
He exercised a self-control
00:40:31.35\00:40:36.63
that is stronger
than hunger or death.
00:40:36.73\00:40:39.87
And He did it on our behalf.
00:40:40.07\00:40:41.77
Self-control is at the root
of so many of our difficulties.
00:40:42.07\00:40:45.45
There are people
who come and smile
00:40:45.65\00:40:48.21
and you see them happy
but in the deep dark recesses
00:40:48.41\00:40:52.64
of the night or behind
close doors some people are
00:40:52.74\00:40:55.34
struggling with some things.
00:40:55.44\00:40:57.42
Some of you might be
sitting out right today
00:40:57.62\00:40:59.72
in the audience... some
of you may be listening,
00:40:59.82\00:41:01.45
you're struggling... I pray that
something that I shared today -
00:41:01.65\00:41:05.12
one thing - you can
start working on and asking God
00:41:05.32\00:41:08.86
to help you develop
more control in your life.
00:41:08.96\00:41:12.53
He can do that. Do
you believe that? Amen!
00:41:12.73\00:41:15.11
If you're sitting today, I want
you to just think to yourself
00:41:15.34\00:41:17.68
and make that pre-commitment
in your heart even now.
00:41:17.78\00:41:20.33
"Father, this is an
area I want to give to You
00:41:20.47\00:41:23.00
because I'm struggling with
it and I believe that You can
00:41:23.20\00:41:26.33
give me the power to overcome. "
00:41:26.43\00:41:27.80
Make that
commitment in your heart today.
00:41:27.94\00:41:29.61
Even as I talk, each one of
us have an area that we have to
00:41:29.81\00:41:33.11
work on. It may be our
emotions I mentioned earlier.
00:41:33.21\00:41:35.49
For some it may be our diet.
00:41:35.80\00:41:37.49
Lunch is right after
this. As you go through the line
00:41:37.79\00:41:40.44
self-control.
00:41:40.65\00:41:42.90
Some of us it
may be our thoughts.
00:41:43.20\00:41:45.67
I've gotta be honest:
one of my problems is words.
00:41:45.77\00:41:48.70
Sometimes I
speak before I think.
00:41:48.80\00:41:50.93
And you know,
you can hurt people.
00:41:51.33\00:41:53.61
Self-control with your words.
00:41:53.91\00:41:55.87
Even... I
mentioned our thoughts.
00:41:56.17\00:41:58.07
There are certain habits
that we have to get rid of.
00:41:58.17\00:42:00.72
It might be different areas
00:42:00.92\00:42:02.29
but all of us are
dealing with things.
00:42:02.32\00:42:04.01
Be not discouraged,
though, for Christ said
00:42:04.11\00:42:06.75
"I have overcome the... " What?
00:42:06.95\00:42:08.32
The world. "the world. "
We can be overcomers as well.
00:42:08.42\00:42:11.61
The Word of God tells us:
"Submit yourselves therefore
00:42:11.81\00:42:16.09
to God, resist the devil
and he will... " Do what?
00:42:16.19\00:42:19.52
"flee. Draw nigh to God
and He will draw nigh to you. "
00:42:19.72\00:42:24.62
James tells us that in
chapter 4 verses 7 and 8.
00:42:24.82\00:42:27.42
We must make that
determination in our hearts
00:42:27.72\00:42:31.08
and ask God to give us
the strength that we need.
00:42:31.29\00:42:34.64
Do you believe God can give
you the strength that you need?
00:42:34.84\00:42:36.82
Amen. Bow with
me as we just close.
00:42:37.12\00:42:39.37
I'm ending a little
early but just bow with me
00:42:39.47\00:42:41.52
'cause I want to pray for
anybody here who's struggling
00:42:41.62\00:42:43.73
with self-control
including myself. Bow with me.
00:42:43.83\00:42:45.96
Father, you know Your people.
00:42:46.26\00:42:48.76
They're precious people who
are sitting before me today,
00:42:49.06\00:42:52.25
who are listening out
in the world of television,
00:42:52.46\00:42:56.02
who are
struggling with things...
00:42:56.32\00:42:58.03
habits that they
want to overcome, Father,
00:42:58.33\00:43:00.62
desires that
they're struggling with.
00:43:00.82\00:43:02.92
words that they
need to get control of,
00:43:03.12\00:43:05.61
emotions, appetite. You
know what those things are.
00:43:05.81\00:43:08.58
Lord, I plead
for each person today
00:43:08.78\00:43:11.29
that they may make a
commitment in their heart,
00:43:11.49\00:43:13.93
make that resolution, find
someone that they can work with
00:43:14.13\00:43:17.31
to overcome the areas
that they struggle with.
00:43:17.51\00:43:21.28
Father, we believe that all
things through You are possible
00:43:21.58\00:43:24.39
and we believe that when we
ask this You will do it for us.
00:43:24.59\00:43:27.72
So I present my
people before You
00:43:27.92\00:43:29.72
and I thank you for what
You've given us in Your Word
00:43:29.92\00:43:32.06
to overcome. And may
we believe Your promises
00:43:32.27\00:43:34.21
and trust that
when we submit ourselves
00:43:34.31\00:43:36.32
the devil will flee from us.
00:43:36.52\00:43:38.20
Be with our
precious people today
00:43:38.40\00:43:39.95
and thank you for
this time to share.
00:43:40.05\00:43:41.79
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
00:43:41.99\00:43:44.27
God be with each of you.
00:43:44.47\00:43:45.84
Thank you, Magda.
00:43:46.13\00:43:49.49
Self-control... how do
we develop self-control?
00:43:49.69\00:43:53.77
By the grace of God.
00:43:53.87\00:43:56.00
It is only by
God's grace that we can.
00:43:56.10\00:43:58.76
And when you think about it
00:43:58.86\00:44:00.33
what are the three most
important gifts of grace
00:44:00.53\00:44:03.57
that God has
ever given to mankind?
00:44:03.67\00:44:05.78
"For God so
loved the world He gave
00:44:06.18\00:44:09.37
His only begotten Son
00:44:09.57\00:44:11.33
that whosoever would
believe in Him would not perish
00:44:11.54\00:44:13.90
but have everlasting life. "
00:44:14.00\00:44:15.49
And do you realize that is
God's greatest gift of grace?
00:44:15.69\00:44:19.50
Who is the second
greatest gift of grace?
00:44:19.80\00:44:23.15
The one that
Jesus said "Go and wait
00:44:23.55\00:44:27.41
until the Father... wait
in Jerusalem until the Father
00:44:27.61\00:44:31.03
pours out the
promise from on high. "
00:44:31.24\00:44:33.39
The Holy Spirit
living in our hearts
00:44:33.70\00:44:37.14
is God's second
greatest gift of grace.
00:44:37.34\00:44:40.46
And what is the third greatest
gift that God has ever given
00:44:40.76\00:44:44.74
to mankind? He gave us all
of this Word by inspiration.
00:44:44.84\00:44:49.72
And when we think of grace,
00:44:50.12\00:44:52.64
grace is Jesus living in
our hearts through faith.
00:44:52.84\00:44:57.34
Grace is the power
of the Holy Spirit.
00:44:57.64\00:45:00.03
This is how God works
in us to will and to do His
00:45:00.13\00:45:03.59
good pleasure. Grace is
this Word planted in our hearts
00:45:03.69\00:45:07.47
that has the
power to save our souls.
00:45:07.67\00:45:10.05
And boy I'll tell you to
make no provision for the flesh.
00:45:10.36\00:45:13.89
You know what our flesh is?
00:45:14.13\00:45:15.58
You know why Jesus
isn't back here yet?
00:45:15.78\00:45:18.07
Because our
flesh is self-seeking.
00:45:18.27\00:45:21.18
Self-seeking.
What is our destiny?
00:45:21.48\00:45:24.49
Romans 8:29 says
our destiny is to become
00:45:24.79\00:45:28.65
like Jesus. And
what God is waiting for
00:45:28.85\00:45:33.74
is for us to open
our hearts to Him.
00:45:34.04\00:45:37.81
And Romans 5:5
says He will shed abroad
00:45:38.11\00:45:41.39
His love into our hearts by
the power of His Holy Spirit.
00:45:41.59\00:45:46.95
And as that love...
See, we only love by grace.
00:45:47.26\00:45:51.03
As God gives us
that gift of love
00:45:51.37\00:45:54.89
guess what?
Instead of self-seeking
00:45:55.09\00:45:59.13
we become self-sacrificing.
00:45:59.33\00:46:02.76
And think about
this for just a minute:
00:46:03.26\00:46:05.89
the Holy Spirit...
God is holy; God is love.
00:46:07.19\00:46:12.29
The Holy Spirit is not
just the spirit of holiness
00:46:12.49\00:46:15.90
He is the spirit of love.
00:46:16.20\00:46:18.51
And when the
spirit of love is in us
00:46:18.91\00:46:22.21
as God sheds His love
abroad into our hearts
00:46:22.51\00:46:25.02
we will learn to keep
those two greatest commandments
00:46:25.22\00:46:28.62
as Mark 20:30-31 says.
00:46:28.82\00:46:31.20
We will learn and be empowered.
00:46:31.50\00:46:34.35
Beyond learning
we will be empowered
00:46:34.55\00:46:36.65
to love the Lord our
God with all of our hearts,
00:46:36.85\00:46:39.18
soul, mind, and strength.
00:46:39.38\00:46:40.75
And what is the second
most important commandment?
00:46:41.05\00:46:43.99
To love our neighbor as ourself.
00:46:44.29\00:46:47.32
See, self-control is...
We're going to take this
00:46:47.82\00:46:51.61
a step further...
00:46:51.71\00:46:53.23
is to overcome our
self-seeking nature.
00:46:53.43\00:46:58.21
We can only do it by
God's gifts of grace.
00:46:58.51\00:47:02.62
We can only do it
as the Lord works in us
00:47:02.82\00:47:07.76
to will and to do
His good pleasure.
00:47:07.96\00:47:11.92
And you know, this
is two different steps.
00:47:12.22\00:47:16.99
God first works in us to
line up our will with His.
00:47:17.20\00:47:22.17
But as He changes our desires
00:47:23.60\00:47:26.57
He doesn't necessarily
- or He never, actually -
00:47:26.87\00:47:30.90
forces us to do.
00:47:31.10\00:47:33.55
I'm going to tell
a story on myself.
00:47:34.36\00:47:36.19
When I first
started watching 3ABN
00:47:36.50\00:47:38.99
I was ill at the time.
00:47:39.29\00:47:41.75
And have you ever
noticed when you get sick
00:47:42.05\00:47:44.69
how you want to exercise?
00:47:44.89\00:47:46.52
Anybody else? When
I get sick it's like
00:47:46.72\00:47:48.97
"Oh I can't wait to get well
00:47:49.07\00:47:51.07
so I can get out there
and really start exercising. "
00:47:51.27\00:47:53.84
But then guess what
happens when you get well.
00:47:54.24\00:47:56.57
You get busy and you
forget about that strong desire.
00:47:56.87\00:48:00.92
You forget about the privilege
of taking care of your body
00:48:01.23\00:48:04.40
that way. So it was
funny 'cause I would watch
00:48:04.50\00:48:07.19
Dick Nunez on Body and Spirit.
00:48:07.40\00:48:09.90
I'd sit there; I'd
just really discovered 3ABN
00:48:10.10\00:48:12.40
and I'm like: "Ah,
boy, yeah, that looks good.
00:48:12.60\00:48:14.91
I need to do that
exercise when I get well. "
00:48:14.94\00:48:17.22
Then when I got well
guess what I found a few times?
00:48:17.52\00:48:19.94
That I'm sitting there
and I'm watching Dick Nunez
00:48:20.14\00:48:21.75
and I'm thinking:
"Yeah, God's giving me a desire
00:48:21.85\00:48:24.58
to exercise. " He was
working in me to line up
00:48:24.79\00:48:29.78
my will. But see, it says
that He works in us "to will
00:48:29.98\00:48:35.11
and to do His good pleasure. "
00:48:35.51\00:48:38.60
So what happens?
First He changes our will
00:48:38.90\00:48:42.44
lining up our will with His.
00:48:42.64\00:48:44.56
We have to take that
first step of action.
00:48:44.96\00:48:50.75
And when we do the
power of the Holy Spirit
00:48:51.15\00:48:55.20
shows up: you take
that step of faith.
00:48:55.30\00:48:58.07
The power of the
Holy Spirit shows up
00:48:58.37\00:49:01.00
and God works in us to do.
00:49:01.20\00:49:05.27
I want you to open your
Bibles to I Thessalonians
00:49:05.50\00:49:09.46
if you will,
please. I Thessalonians.
00:49:09.76\00:49:12.61
I'm going to share what
has become... there's certain
00:49:13.78\00:49:17.99
scriptures in my life that
kind of have become a banner
00:49:18.02\00:49:22.20
over the ministry
that God has given to me.
00:49:22.40\00:49:26.31
And Magna was talking
about how amazing it is.
00:49:26.81\00:49:30.54
She didn't think she
would be here at 3ABN
00:49:30.75\00:49:33.22
to be actually on 3ABN.
00:49:33.32\00:49:35.38
She's watched Camp
Meeting for so many years.
00:49:35.48\00:49:37.63
I have to tell you:
it's just constantly
00:49:37.93\00:49:42.34
I think: "Lord, who am I
00:49:42.64\00:49:44.86
that You would give
me this opportunity? "
00:49:45.16\00:49:47.63
"Who am I? " I've
had the privilege,
00:49:47.93\00:49:51.27
the blessing, to minister
on seven different continents.
00:49:51.47\00:49:54.95
I was nobody living in the
little town of Coleman, Texas,
00:49:55.35\00:49:59.60
and God just
raised me up in a ministry
00:49:59.90\00:50:03.21
and He just thrust me out here.
00:50:03.41\00:50:05.77
And it just astonishes me.
00:50:06.07\00:50:08.18
Do you have any
idea how humbling it is
00:50:08.28\00:50:10.51
to speak on behalf of the Lord?
00:50:10.71\00:50:12.60
Because if what
you're saying brings life,
00:50:12.90\00:50:16.95
who gets all the glory?
00:50:17.16\00:50:18.55
God gets all the glory!
00:50:18.85\00:50:20.23
If what you're
saying doesn't bring life,
00:50:20.43\00:50:22.97
it's because you
aren't surrendered to God.
00:50:23.37\00:50:26.15
So at first the
banner over my ministry
00:50:27.03\00:50:31.08
was Psalm 138 verse 2.
00:50:31.28\00:50:32.77
That God exalts His name
and His Word above all things
00:50:32.87\00:50:36.07
and He magnifies His
name even above His Word.
00:50:36.18\00:50:38.67
But now - although that's still
extremely important to me -
00:50:39.78\00:50:43.66
this scripture more
than any other has become
00:50:43.87\00:50:48.34
a passion for me and I
want to share it with you.
00:50:48.64\00:50:51.80
Let's look at it.
00:50:51.90\00:50:53.27
It's I Thessalonians
3. We're going to begin
00:50:53.30\00:50:56.40
with verse 12.
Paul... I love how
00:50:56.60\00:51:00.53
the pastoral heart that Paul had
00:51:00.84\00:51:04.92
for the people and he
says in I Thessalonians 3:12.
00:51:05.22\00:51:09.80
He's always praying and telling
them how he's praying for them.
00:51:09.90\00:51:14.47
And here he says:
00:51:14.77\00:51:16.14
Ah, "May the Lord make
you increase and abound. "
00:51:16.30\00:51:21.91
Let's stop there.
Who's going to do this work
00:51:22.11\00:51:24.67
that Paul's about to tell them?
00:51:24.87\00:51:26.27
The Lord. "May the Lord make you
00:51:26.57\00:51:30.64
increase and abound in love. "
00:51:30.84\00:51:36.44
Paul's saying: "Oh, may God
00:51:36.67\00:51:39.12
increase and
give you the ability,
00:51:40.04\00:51:44.17
empower you to
increase and abound in love
00:51:44.27\00:51:47.46
to one another and to all
00:51:48.37\00:51:51.08
just as we do to you. "
00:51:51.38\00:51:53.61
Now, Paul's
getting ready to tell them
00:51:53.91\00:51:57.53
why this is so important.
00:51:57.73\00:52:00.70
"So that... "
he says in verse 13
00:52:01.78\00:52:04.84
May God do this
action "so that... "
00:52:05.04\00:52:08.72
for the purpose of...
00:52:08.82\00:52:10.89
"so that He may
establish your hearts
00:52:13.14\00:52:17.47
blameless in
holiness before our God
00:52:18.95\00:52:23.13
and Father at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:52:23.33\00:52:26.26
with all of His saints. "
00:52:26.57\00:52:28.21
Do you see what
Paul is saying here?
00:52:28.72\00:52:31.96
Paul is saying
that as we grow in love
00:52:32.98\00:52:37.46
we will grow in holiness.
00:52:38.43\00:52:41.47
Remember we talked
about that this morning.
00:52:41.57\00:52:43.97
Holiness and
sanctification are synonymous.
00:52:44.27\00:52:47.33
They're one in the same. It
simply means to be set apart
00:52:47.63\00:52:50.94
for the purposes of God.
00:52:51.14\00:52:53.01
To be set apart from sin.
00:52:53.32\00:52:55.76
See, self-control will only come
00:52:56.73\00:52:59.80
when we surrender control
of our lives to the Lord.
00:53:00.20\00:53:04.72
Let Him be in control
and just say: "Father,
00:53:05.02\00:53:08.38
fill my heart with the spirit
00:53:08.68\00:53:12.79
of holiness - Your Holy Spirit -
00:53:13.80\00:53:17.70
who is also the
spirit of love. "
00:53:17.90\00:53:20.53
"Cause me to
increase and abound in love
00:53:21.66\00:53:25.14
that I may increase
and abound in holiness. "
00:53:25.54\00:53:29.42
Everything that God teaches us,
00:53:30.79\00:53:35.86
everything that God gives us
00:53:36.06\00:53:37.69
including His Ten Commandments -
00:53:37.99\00:53:40.41
are all about love.
00:53:40.61\00:53:42.23
Did you know that
the Ten Commandments...
00:53:42.53\00:53:45.36
If you read the
original Hebrew, it is written
00:53:46.13\00:53:50.60
in a future tense.
00:53:50.90\00:53:53.63
It is written... It can
be seen as a double negative
00:53:54.59\00:53:57.31
or as a promise. God
was saying to His people...
00:53:57.41\00:54:01.30
How do the Ten
Commandments begin?
00:54:01.50\00:54:03.33
"I am the Lord your God
who brought you out of Egypt. "
00:54:03.63\00:54:08.02
He is saying: "I
am your Deliverer.
00:54:09.00\00:54:11.10
I am drawing you close to Me
00:54:11.60\00:54:15.97
so that we may
have a relationship.
00:54:16.17\00:54:18.72
And because we are
in this relationship
00:54:19.02\00:54:23.75
I promise you these things:
00:54:23.95\00:54:25.97
You will have no
other gods before Me.
00:54:27.07\00:54:30.35
You will not bow down to idols.
00:54:30.75\00:54:33.18
You will not
take My name in vain.
00:54:33.48\00:54:35.75
You won't be able to
wait till Sabbath comes
00:54:35.95\00:54:39.35
that we can spend
this time together.
00:54:39.55\00:54:41.34
You will honor your
mother and your father.
00:54:41.65\00:54:44.05
You will not commit murder.
00:54:44.86\00:54:47.36
You'll not commit adultery.
00:54:47.56\00:54:49.09
You will not steal.
00:54:49.39\00:54:51.27
You will not
bear false testimony.
00:54:51.47\00:54:54.15
You're not going to covet.
00:54:54.45\00:54:56.09
Why? Because being
in relationship with Me
00:54:56.40\00:55:01.36
is what it's all about.
00:55:01.66\00:55:03.58
These are the things I
am going to do for you.
00:55:03.88\00:55:08.05
These are the things
I am doing for you. "
00:55:08.35\00:55:11.76
So as we grow in love
00:55:12.50\00:55:15.43
for God, we will
keep His commandments.
00:55:16.54\00:55:20.19
Amen? We will
be just like Jesus.
00:55:20.49\00:55:24.38
The self-control will
come when we say: "Oh Lord,
00:55:24.79\00:55:30.02
I want to do
everything that pleases You. "
00:55:30.12\00:55:32.22
"I want to be like Jesus
00:55:32.52\00:55:35.91
who was the epitome of
self-sacrificing love. "
00:55:36.21\00:55:42.00
"I'm not going to put my desires
above what You have asked me
00:55:42.30\00:55:46.22
to do, Lord. I'm
going to seek to please You
00:55:46.32\00:55:51.78
by the power of
Your Holy Spirit.
00:55:51.98\00:55:54.19
And guess what else?
00:55:54.59\00:55:56.13
I'm going by Your power to
learn to be self-sacrificing
00:55:56.43\00:56:02.36
toward others. That
self-sacrificing love
00:56:02.66\00:56:05.43
that will do for others.
" May I share this with you?
00:56:05.63\00:56:10.73
That's what God is waiting for.
00:56:11.13\00:56:13.34
God is waiting for a
people who will open their heart
00:56:14.39\00:56:18.93
to Him, allow the
Holy Spirit to pour out
00:56:19.13\00:56:23.44
the very nature of Christ
00:56:23.64\00:56:26.37
which is self-sacrificing love.
00:56:26.57\00:56:30.08
He is waiting for us to say:
"OK, I'm going to give all this
00:56:30.11\00:56:35.07
self-seeking up.
Lord, pour out Your Spirit
00:56:35.17\00:56:38.94
in me. Let me
become like Jesus. "
00:56:39.14\00:56:41.68
Someone asked me: "How do
you know if you're filled with
00:56:41.98\00:56:44.36
the Holy Spirit? "
Let me tell you something:
00:56:44.46\00:56:47.45
you can find and point out
people who are filled with the
00:56:47.75\00:56:51.19
Holy Spirit because
they become so loving.
00:56:51.39\00:56:56.68
So what God is waiting for
00:56:57.08\00:56:59.89
is for a people to stand
up and develop this love.
00:57:00.09\00:57:05.14
And when we do I guarantee
you there won't be an empty seat
00:57:05.34\00:57:09.80
in the churches
because we will be out
00:57:10.00\00:57:13.03
loving others...
loving them into the truth.
00:57:13.23\00:57:17.11
Not banging them over
the head with the Bible
00:57:17.41\00:57:19.94
or Sr. White quotes to prove...
00:57:20.04\00:57:22.83
you know, with all
of our proof texts.
00:57:22.96\00:57:24.60
But we will be loving
them and God will draw them
00:57:24.90\00:57:28.80
with His
everlasting cords of love.
00:57:29.10\00:57:31.74