Sermon Cloud

EXTREME MAKEOVER II

Experiencing God's Transforming Power:

Self-Control

Pastor Duane Cross

05.25.08

Four Battles You Can't Afford to Lose!

I.   Battle against  anger.

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man, keeps himself under control."       

                                                                                                        Proverbs 29:11

2.  Battle of  the  tongue.

"But no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."                                                                                                                  James 3:8

"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."                                                                                                                       Proverbs 15:4

3.  Battle of spending.

"Whoever loves money, never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.  This too is meaningless."                                                         Ecclesiastes 5:10

4.  Battle of the sexual behavior.

Safe Sex = one man, one woman for life.

Three options for dealing with self-control:

1. Do nothing.

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires...the mind of the sinful man is death."                                                              Romans 8:5-6

 2.    Passionately pursue mediocrity.

"...he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind...he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."                                                                 James 1:6  & 8

 3.    Spiritual transformation.

Three challenges to begin transformation:

 Challenge #1  Addition

"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm16:8

Challenge #2  Subtraction

Challenge #3  Compassion