Discipline: What is it?

Discipline: What is it?

2004031

Topic # 1494

Introduction:

A. On the road a lot? Then you know the joyful expectation of coming home & being able to sleep in the comfort of your own bed.

1. In our society – comfort gets priority!

2. We desire a comfortable chair to watch TV; comfortable car; home; etc.

3. Life in America IS about comfort. Something uncomfortable? Tend to avoid it or get rid of it.

4. The uncomfortable is replaced w/the more comfortable.

B. w/all the emphasis on comfort & convenience it is hard to imagine that some discomforts are in our best interest:

1. Healthy diet & exercise.

2. Many medical treatments…but absolutely necessary for our good health; changing lifestyles for the better.

3. disciplining one’s body for righteousness

C. Think of the topic of salvation:

1. Contains elements of great comfort.

a) destruction of guilt

b) forgiveness; mercy; compassion; kindness; grace

c) redemption; reconciliation

2. But. also contains things that are not comfortable:

a) Repentance – when properly understood & practiced.

b) Acknowledgement of personal flaws & weaknesses.

c) Confession of sin

d) Is it always pleasant/comfortable to practice humility? Learn unselfishness? Forgiveness? Kindness? Compassion?

D. The Christian life is diametrically opposed to that of the world. Think of the sharp contrast between the disciplined life of a Christian & that of those given over to worldliness:

1. a do as you please society full of non-judgmental & tolerant mentalities…

2. Perfectly acceptable to be sexually immoral & do what feels good.

3. Society embraces those who live any way they wish & do anything they want.

4. It is not comfortable to stand up against the tide of perversity in our society.

5. But necessary – since undisciplined life leads to a person’s destruction.

E. Mt. 7:13-14 – heaven will not be reached w/o some difficulty/effort/discipline!

F. Are we willing to do what it takes to get there?

I. The disciplined Christian is described in 1 Cor. 9:24-27

A. Paul is one of the greatest examples of a disciplined life.

1. Acts 9 – face to face experience w/the Savior. Obeys gospel & begins teaching the lost.

a) No small matter. Went from seeking to destroy church to becoming one of the pillars of the FC church.

b) Went from violence; insolence to…. Gal. 2:20

c) POWER in this statement

2. He stopped living for self & let Jesus take charge of his life; mind; body. Paul let Jesus determine WHO he was and WHAT he did.

3. Are we as disciplined?

B. 1 Cor. 9:24-27

II. Discipline involves self-control.

A. Some versions use “temperate” here.

1. Means: to exercise self-restraint.

2. Webster’s: being in self control of ones passions & appetites.

B. During Paul’s day – runners were to be temperate in their preparation for approaching games.

1. For 10 months – they subjected themselves to rules of their trainer.

2. constant exercise of arms & legs

3. Strict control over food & drink. Athletes required to get right amount of sleep.

4. All done to obtain a perishable crown.

C. Our trainer is Jesus! He wants us to compete for an imperishable crown!

1. Mt. 16:24; Col. 3:5-11 – here are some expectations of what we are to put off. May be uncomfortable to put some of these off.

2. Gal. 5:24 – these are to be part of the past.

D. We should gladly do away w/these things since we’re striving for an incorruptible crown!

E. Are we fully committed to exercising self control?

1. No half hearted service – Rev. 3:15-16

2. 1 Cor. 9:25 – self control must be evident in ALL aspects of life!

a) Athletes who exercised self-control in eating but not in drinking FAILED!

F. Self control must be continuous.

1. One day’s frivolousness destroyed weeks of training!

2. Relax & go against your principles- one lapse in godliness – undo years of Christian living!

III. Discipline requires decisiveness.

A. 1 Cor. 9:26 - - run …as not w/o aim.

1. One who enters the race undecided as to the direction he is going never wins.

2. We are heavenward bound. Phil. 3:13-14 – NIV

a) We must long to be with God w/a passion that will not be denied!

b) Pro. 4:25-26

B. To best understand decisiveness – look at Jesus.

1. His destiny was the cross. NOTHING would deter Him from it!

2. Isa. 50:7 – set face like flint. Denotes courage; firmness; resolution

3. We must resolve w/absolute certainty that we are going to heaven!

C. Heb. 12:1-3 – must keep our mind on where we are going.

1. Devil throws out discouragement; temptation; sin.

2. Life throws out curves/detours that cause us to waste valuable time.

3. Sometimes we do not think. Lose sight of goal. Give into temptation.

a) temptation says no consequences; no problems; no one will know

b) Some do this & regret it for life.

D. Every deed; decision; choice we make either moves us closer to God or farther away from Him.

1. We cannot expect to spend our lives making choices that draw us away from God & then expect to wake up in heaven some day.

E. 1 Cor. 9:26 – where are you aiming?

IV. Discipline requires effectiveness.

A. 1 Cor. 9:26-27. Paul did not waste his energy.

1. The enemy we face is real! Devil wants to rob you of your soul!

2. Eph. 6:10-13 – we can’t win the fight on our own! Got to equip ourselves w/armor of God!

a) Devil is skillful & knows where to strike as to inflict the most damage!

b) If we are not effective in our fighting against him – we lose!

B. 9:27 – Paul fought himself first.

1. He disciplined himself by bringing every thought & evil inclination into subjection.

2. Self is often the greatest enemy we face.

a) Unless we control self – we will be rejected!

b) When we have conquered self we are better equipped to carry the battle to other fields of conflict.

Conclusion:

A. Nothing wrong w/desiring to be comfortable.

1. But will have to experience discomfort of getting our life ion order before experiencing true comfort – the peace that passes all understanding.

B. If you want to lead a disciplined life: Be temperate; decisive; effective!

C. G. Henry: Heaven will be populated with people who have grown toward God. Those who have allowed God to conform their character to His. Heaven is for those who want what God wants.

1. There will not be anyone in heaven that is not self-disciplined.

D. How is your heart? Give it to God.

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Discipline: What is it? 2004031 Topic # 1494 Introduction: A. On the road a lot? Then you know the joyful expectation of coming home & being able to sleep in the comfort of your own bed. 1. In our society – comfort gets priority! 2. We desire a comfortable chair to watch TV; comfortable car; home; etc. 3. Life in America IS about comfort. Something uncomfortable? Tend to avoid it or get rid of it. 4. The uncomfortable is replaced w/the more comfortable. B. w/all the emphasis on comfort & convenience it is hard to imagine that some discomforts are in our best interest: 1. Healthy diet & exercise. 2. Many medical treatments…but absolutely necessary for our good health; changing lifestyles for the better. 3. disciplining one’s body for righteousness C. Think of the topic of salvation: 1. Contains elements of great comfort. a) destruction of guilt b) forgiveness; mercy; compassion; kindness; grace c) redemption; reconciliation 2. But. also contains things that are not comfortable: a) Repentance – when properly understood & practiced. b) Acknowledgement of personal flaws & weaknesses. c) Confession of sin d) Is it always pleasant/comfortable to practice humility? Learn unselfishness? Forgiveness? Kindness? Compassion? D. The Christian life is diametrically opposed to that of the world. Think of the sharp contrast between the disciplined life of a Christian & that of those given over to worldliness: 1. a do as you please society full of non-judgmental & tolerant mentalities… 2. Perfectly acceptable to be sexually immoral & do what feels good. 3. Society embraces those who live any way they wish & do anything they want. 4. It is not comfortable to stand up against the tide of perversity in our society. 5. But necessary – since undisciplined life leads to a person’s destruction. E. Mt. 7:13-14 – heaven will not be reached w/o some difficulty/effort/discipline! F. Are we willing to do what it takes to get there? I. The disciplined Christian is described in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 A. Paul is one of the greatest examples of a disciplined life. 1. Acts 9 – face to face experience w/the Savior. Obeys gospel & begins teaching the lost. a) No small matter. Went from seeking to destroy church to becoming one of the pillars of the FC church. b) Went from violence; insolence to…. Gal. 2:20 c) POWER in this statement 2. He stopped living for self & let Jesus take charge of his life; mind; body. Paul let Jesus determine WHO he was and WHAT he did. 3. Are we as disciplined? B. 1 Cor. 9:24-27 II. Discipline involves self-control. A. Some versions use “temperate” here. 1. Means: to exercise self-restraint. 2. Webster’s: being in self control of ones passions & appetites. B. During Paul’s day – runners were to be temperate in their preparation for approaching games. 1. For 10 months – they subjected themselves to rules of their trainer. 2. constant exercise of arms & legs 3. Strict control over food & drink. Athletes required to get right amount of sleep. 4. All done to obtain a perishable crown. C. Our trainer is Jesus! He wants us to compete for an imperishable crown! 1. Mt. 16:24; Col. 3:5-11 – here are some expectations of what we are to put off. May be uncomfortable to put some of these off. 2. Gal. 5:24 – these are to be part of the past. D. We should gladly do away w/these things since we’re striving for an incorruptible crown! E. Are we fully committed to exercising self control? 1. No half hearted service – Rev. 3:15-16 2. 1 Cor. 9:25 – self control must be evident in ALL aspects of life! a) Athletes who exercised self-control in eating but not in drinking FAILED! F. Self control must be continuous. 1. One day’s frivolousness destroyed weeks of training! 2. Relax & go against your principles- one lapse in godliness – undo years of Christian living! III. Discipline requires decisiveness. A. 1 Cor. 9:26 - - run …as not w/o aim. 1. One who enters the race undecided as to the direction he is going never wins. 2. We are heavenward bound. Phil. 3:13-14 – NIV a) We must long to be with God w/a passion that will not be denied! b) Pro. 4:25-26 B. To best understand decisiveness – look at Jesus. 1. His destiny was the cross. NOTHING would deter Him from it! 2. Isa. 50:7 – set face like flint. Denotes courage; firmness; resolution 3. We must resolve w/absolute certainty that we are going to heaven! C. Heb. 12:1-3 – must keep our mind on where we are going. 1. Devil throws out discouragement; temptation; sin. 2. Life throws out curves/detours that cause us to waste valuable time. 3. Sometimes we do not think. Lose sight of goal. Give into temptation. a) temptation says no consequences; no problems; no one will know b) Some do this & regret it for life. D. Every deed; decision; choice we make either moves us closer to God or farther away from Him. 1. We cannot expect to spend our lives making choices that draw us away from God & then expect to wake up in heaven some day. E. 1 Cor. 9:26 – where are you aiming? IV. Discipline requires effectiveness. A. 1 Cor. 9:26-27. Paul did not waste his energy. 1. The enemy we face is real! Devil wants to rob you of your soul! 2. Eph. 6:10-13 – we can’t win the fight on our own! Got to equip ourselves w/armor of God! a) Devil is skillful & knows where to strike as to inflict the most damage! b) If we are not effective in our fighting against him – we lose! B. 9:27 – Paul fought himself first. 1. He disciplined himself by bringing every thought & evil inclination into subjection. 2. Self is often the greatest enemy we face. a) Unless we control self – we will be rejected! b) When we have conquered self we are better equipped to carry the battle to other fields of conflict. Conclusion: A. Nothing wrong w/desiring to be comfortable. 1. But will have to experience discomfort of getting our life ion order before experiencing true comfort – the peace that passes all understanding. B. If you want to lead a disciplined life: Be temperate; decisive; effective! C. G. Henry: Heaven will be populated with people who have grown toward God. Those who have allowed God to conform their character to His. Heaven is for those who want what God wants. 1. There will not be anyone in heaven that is not self-disciplined. D. How is your heart? Give it to God. E. I N V I T A T I O N