1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,001 Dr. Gregg Marutzky: 2 00:00:00,001 --> 00:00:04,877 Today is, gonna be a great lesson on self-control. 3 00:00:05,617 --> 00:00:11,677 It's going to be the last in our series of Life on the Vine, and, uh, I hope 4 00:00:11,747 --> 00:00:13,517 that it's, uh, helped us to focus. 5 00:00:13,617 --> 00:00:16,587 It's helped me to focus to be more spiritual. 6 00:00:16,587 --> 00:00:18,337 I, I beg God. 7 00:00:18,697 --> 00:00:20,097 My prayers have changed. 8 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:25,147 I beg God to fill him, fill me with His Spirit so I can be more spiritual, so I 9 00:00:25,147 --> 00:00:27,267 can display these fruits of the Spirit. 10 00:00:27,647 --> 00:00:31,957 They're so very important, and we need them desperately. 11 00:00:32,247 --> 00:00:33,387 We need love. 12 00:00:33,517 --> 00:00:38,387 Our world is full of hate and division and prejudice, and we need love. 13 00:00:38,427 --> 00:00:39,397 We need joy. 14 00:00:39,397 --> 00:00:43,927 There's so many depressed, discouraged, depressed, an- anxious people. 15 00:00:44,237 --> 00:00:45,257 We need joy. 16 00:00:45,377 --> 00:00:46,357 We need peace. 17 00:00:46,387 --> 00:00:47,287 There's war. 18 00:00:48,127 --> 00:00:50,587 There's so much strife and hatred. 19 00:00:51,177 --> 00:00:52,437 We need patience. 20 00:00:53,077 --> 00:00:56,137 Oh, we're all in such a hurry. 21 00:00:56,707 --> 00:00:57,607 We need kindness. 22 00:00:58,477 --> 00:00:59,497 So much rudeness. 23 00:01:00,007 --> 00:01:01,677 We need goodness, don't we? 24 00:01:02,117 --> 00:01:03,407 We need faithfulness. 25 00:01:03,887 --> 00:01:08,767 We need gentleness, and now, wrapping it up, we need self-control. 26 00:01:09,317 --> 00:01:12,817 Boy, I had a couple experiences of the need for self-control 27 00:01:12,817 --> 00:01:14,787 just these last couple of days. 28 00:01:14,897 --> 00:01:19,587 I took, uh, my granddaughter to, uh, the movie yesterday. 29 00:01:19,837 --> 00:01:21,717 We saw Paw Patrol. 30 00:01:21,767 --> 00:01:23,396 Oh, it was tremendous. 31 00:01:23,747 --> 00:01:23,767 Wow. 32 00:01:23,777 --> 00:01:25,087 It was so good. 33 00:01:25,207 --> 00:01:27,567 I mean, she was standing on her chair cheering. 34 00:01:27,967 --> 00:01:29,247 It was so awesome. 35 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:33,377 But she got so excited, she didn't realize that she was 36 00:01:33,377 --> 00:01:34,947 in need to go to the restroom. 37 00:01:34,957 --> 00:01:34,967 Oh. 38 00:01:36,387 --> 00:01:39,247 So about three-quarters of the way through it, she goes, "Papa, 39 00:01:39,247 --> 00:01:41,287 Papa, I gotta go to the bathroom. 40 00:01:41,287 --> 00:01:42,517 Let's go, let's go, let's go." 41 00:01:42,837 --> 00:01:46,077 And so, you know, we ran out and I'm just praying, "May she 42 00:01:46,077 --> 00:01:48,287 control it till we get in there." 43 00:01:49,167 --> 00:01:53,176 And, and nobody, no, no, no, nobody else was in the men's bathroom. 44 00:01:53,197 --> 00:01:54,007 She went in. 45 00:01:54,317 --> 00:01:56,047 She had to choose which stall. 46 00:01:56,067 --> 00:01:59,247 That's, that was making me worried that she wasn't gonna get there. 47 00:01:59,577 --> 00:02:03,877 She finally chose the one she wanted, and everything worked out great. 48 00:02:03,927 --> 00:02:06,937 Oh, praise God for some self-control for a five-year-old. 49 00:02:09,255 --> 00:02:12,505 And this morning, oh, I needed a little self-control. 50 00:02:13,365 --> 00:02:18,065 I stopped at a stoplight, and I got a notification on my phone, and I 51 00:02:18,065 --> 00:02:20,935 got a picture from, uh, uh, Yev. 52 00:02:21,165 --> 00:02:23,425 She sent me a picture of Audrey. 53 00:02:23,435 --> 00:02:26,505 If you didn't notice, she was playing the keyboard this morning, 54 00:02:26,505 --> 00:02:28,325 one of our preteens, amen. 55 00:02:29,235 --> 00:02:35,454 And, uh, so during practice she sent me a picture of, uh, Audrey, and so I was 56 00:02:35,454 --> 00:02:38,325 looking at it, but I had the self-control. 57 00:02:38,825 --> 00:02:42,065 When the light changed, I quit looking at my phone. 58 00:02:42,785 --> 00:02:44,265 Both hands on the wheel. 59 00:02:44,685 --> 00:02:47,335 You know, whatever, nine and, nine and ten, or nine… 60 00:02:47,405 --> 00:02:48,335 Whatever it was. 61 00:02:48,935 --> 00:02:49,345 You know? 62 00:02:50,755 --> 00:02:51,965 And I started forward. 63 00:02:51,965 --> 00:02:56,835 The car in front of me decided to change lanes in the middle of the 64 00:02:56,835 --> 00:03:03,335 intersection, which is not allowable by statute, and started coming over, 65 00:03:03,335 --> 00:03:05,535 and I had to swerve to miss him. 66 00:03:06,245 --> 00:03:08,445 Otherwise, I'd have been late for church. 67 00:03:10,035 --> 00:03:14,485 And they w- they woke up, or they q- got off of their phone or whatever was causing 68 00:03:14,485 --> 00:03:17,495 them to be distracted, and I'm here safe. 69 00:03:17,495 --> 00:03:21,285 Oh, praise God for self-control, staying off of that phone 70 00:03:23,911 --> 00:03:25,871 We're gonna start light this morning. 71 00:03:25,981 --> 00:03:26,461 Amen. 72 00:03:26,471 --> 00:03:27,351 Have you noticed? 73 00:03:27,721 --> 00:03:29,061 I've got a couple good ones. 74 00:03:29,521 --> 00:03:32,551 Why are artists so good at self-control? 75 00:03:35,357 --> 00:03:37,637 Because they always know where to draw the line 76 00:03:41,029 --> 00:03:47,459 Needed people with a lot of self-control to work at the bubble factory. 77 00:03:48,039 --> 00:03:49,839 Bubble wrap factory, excuse me. 78 00:03:50,299 --> 00:03:52,909 Gotta get the punchline right. 79 00:03:53,009 --> 00:03:53,978 Come on, Greg. 80 00:03:55,459 --> 00:03:57,829 And this one I tested it out with the worship team. 81 00:03:57,839 --> 00:03:58,659 This is a good one. 82 00:03:59,749 --> 00:04:02,049 Don't ever say that, then people are let down. 83 00:04:03,929 --> 00:04:09,059 But Henry and, uh, Helen went to the Grand Canyon, and they wanted… 84 00:04:09,089 --> 00:04:12,179 And, and Henry wanted to take the helicopter ride down into 85 00:04:12,179 --> 00:04:14,619 the canyon, and it was $200. 86 00:04:14,689 --> 00:04:16,608 And Helen said, "No, no, no. 87 00:04:16,619 --> 00:04:17,569 That's too much. 88 00:04:17,608 --> 00:04:19,409 200 bucks is 200 bucks." 89 00:04:19,769 --> 00:04:21,159 And, uh, so they didn't do it. 90 00:04:21,358 --> 00:04:25,759 And the next time they went back to the Grand Ca- Canyon, uh, Harry said, 91 00:04:25,779 --> 00:04:28,279 "I wanna go on the helicopter ride." 92 00:04:28,549 --> 00:04:31,719 And, uh, and it was still only 200 bucks, and Helen says, 93 00:04:31,719 --> 00:04:33,909 "No, 200 bucks is 200 bucks." 94 00:04:34,009 --> 00:04:38,339 And so the third time, oh, Harry, he negotiated with the pilot 95 00:04:38,479 --> 00:04:41,849 that, uh, could he go on the, on it for a discount or something. 96 00:04:41,849 --> 00:04:46,259 The guy said, "Well, if you can g- you and your wife can go if you don't 97 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:48,669 say anything, if you make no noise. 98 00:04:48,719 --> 00:04:51,729 But if you make some noise, if you scream or you holler, 99 00:04:51,829 --> 00:04:53,729 then you have to pay the $200." 100 00:04:54,079 --> 00:04:55,179 And they said, "Okay." 101 00:04:55,479 --> 00:04:58,649 And Helen got on with, with, uh, uh, Harry, and they 102 00:04:58,649 --> 00:05:00,229 went on the helicopter ride. 103 00:05:00,519 --> 00:05:03,739 And the guy did all kinds of rolls and flips and everything. 104 00:05:03,739 --> 00:05:05,649 He was always trying to get them to scream. 105 00:05:05,849 --> 00:05:08,569 And they parked, and the pilot turned around to Harry and 106 00:05:08,569 --> 00:05:10,459 said, "I can't believe it. 107 00:05:10,459 --> 00:05:13,439 You had such self-control." 108 00:05:13,949 --> 00:05:19,049 And Harry said, "Yeah, 200 bucks is 200 bucks, but I almost said 109 00:05:19,049 --> 00:05:21,779 something when, uh, Helen fell out." 110 00:05:27,749 --> 00:05:29,479 Now the worship team all laughed. 111 00:05:29,479 --> 00:05:31,389 You guys, some of you didn't like that 112 00:05:36,635 --> 00:05:40,225 We're talking about fruits of the spirit. 113 00:05:40,475 --> 00:05:43,885 Maybe I needed a little more self-control to not share that. 114 00:05:45,425 --> 00:05:46,925 Life on the Vine. 115 00:05:47,655 --> 00:05:50,245 If you haven't been reading this book, please get it. 116 00:05:50,245 --> 00:05:51,405 Put it on your list. 117 00:05:51,435 --> 00:05:56,445 It's such an encouraging, helpful book, especially in this study series. 118 00:05:56,985 --> 00:06:02,065 And, uh, may God fill us all up with the fruit of the Spirit. 119 00:06:02,625 --> 00:06:02,655 Yes. 120 00:06:02,845 --> 00:06:07,845 We need it in our world, and we need to be a spiritual church. 121 00:06:07,845 --> 00:06:08,405 Amen? 122 00:06:08,405 --> 00:06:09,315 Amen. 123 00:06:09,315 --> 00:06:13,725 And as I've shared with you, the difference between self-control 124 00:06:14,005 --> 00:06:16,625 is basically hubris or evil. 125 00:06:17,235 --> 00:06:17,495 That's it. 126 00:06:17,495 --> 00:06:21,785 If you're not self-controlled, if you're out of control, you're going to 127 00:06:21,855 --> 00:06:24,865 commit sin, and it's going to be evil. 128 00:06:25,225 --> 00:06:28,525 Proverbs 25 in verse 28, it's a great verse. 129 00:06:28,525 --> 00:06:33,555 It says, "Like a city whose walls are broken down," in Orange County, 130 00:06:33,755 --> 00:06:37,805 if we don't have self-discipline, self-control, it's like there is 131 00:06:37,805 --> 00:06:43,965 no protection for us or our city, "is a man who lacks self-control." 132 00:06:45,045 --> 00:06:51,925 And then the next verse, 1 Peter fi- 1:5-7, "For this reason, make every 133 00:06:51,945 --> 00:06:58,135 effort to add to your faith," every effort, "goodness," that's one of 134 00:06:58,135 --> 00:07:01,605 the fruits of the spirit, "and to goodness, knowledge," and that's why 135 00:07:01,605 --> 00:07:05,135 we only are a Bible scriptural church. 136 00:07:05,605 --> 00:07:10,995 We s- come right out of scripture, so we add every week, every time 137 00:07:10,995 --> 00:07:14,605 we gather, to knowledge of God and knowledge of scripture, "and to 138 00:07:14,605 --> 00:07:19,975 knowledge, self-control, and to s- and to self-control, perseverance, 139 00:07:19,975 --> 00:07:24,455 and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to 140 00:07:24,465 --> 00:07:27,905 brotherly kindness, the greatest love." 141 00:07:29,805 --> 00:07:29,825 Yeah. 142 00:07:29,835 --> 00:07:35,575 You know, I don't know about you, but I thought, there's times I've 143 00:07:35,575 --> 00:07:39,045 said to God, "God, take control. 144 00:07:40,065 --> 00:07:41,715 Jesus, take the wheel." 145 00:07:43,085 --> 00:07:46,155 And when you pray that, when you make that decision, he will. 146 00:07:47,005 --> 00:07:48,575 But he doesn't control you. 147 00:07:49,805 --> 00:07:54,415 Like, it almost seems like a s- a, a, a misnomer to say self-control. 148 00:07:54,415 --> 00:07:55,635 I want God control. 149 00:07:55,635 --> 00:07:57,315 I want spirit control. 150 00:07:57,315 --> 00:07:58,985 I don't want Greg control. 151 00:08:00,175 --> 00:08:02,085 I don't want self-control. 152 00:08:03,085 --> 00:08:06,845 But that would mean God would have to take free will from me. 153 00:08:07,585 --> 00:08:07,645 That's it. 154 00:08:07,645 --> 00:08:09,225 And he's not gonna do that. 155 00:08:09,805 --> 00:08:12,315 There's times I think, "God, just take over. 156 00:08:12,525 --> 00:08:14,945 Make me good, please." 157 00:08:14,955 --> 00:08:14,995 Amen. 158 00:08:15,715 --> 00:08:17,075 "I need to be good. 159 00:08:17,075 --> 00:08:18,225 I need to be better. 160 00:08:18,225 --> 00:08:19,535 I need to be an example. 161 00:08:19,535 --> 00:08:21,675 I need to like myself." 162 00:08:23,585 --> 00:08:25,955 See how your voice gets high when you get all excited? 163 00:08:29,255 --> 00:08:31,925 I don't know if you've had that prayer, but I've had that prayer 164 00:08:32,054 --> 00:08:33,565 at different times in my life. 165 00:08:34,434 --> 00:08:35,715 "God, take control." 166 00:08:36,745 --> 00:08:39,745 And he says, "No, Greg, you be self-controlled. 167 00:08:40,835 --> 00:08:44,174 You make the decision yourself to be good. 168 00:08:44,985 --> 00:08:48,615 You make the decision yourself to be your best self. 169 00:08:48,705 --> 00:08:52,495 You make the decision and you choose to be spiritual. 170 00:08:52,785 --> 00:08:55,175 You choose to do right. 171 00:08:55,215 --> 00:08:57,215 You choose to obey. 172 00:08:57,545 --> 00:08:59,755 You choose to say no." 173 00:09:00,715 --> 00:09:05,015 And there's so many things in life, and I better get an amen on this, 174 00:09:05,295 --> 00:09:10,575 there's so many things in life we need to say no to, don't we, young people? 175 00:09:11,725 --> 00:09:11,915 Yes. 176 00:09:11,915 --> 00:09:15,135 Yeah, if we don't say no, we're gonna be in trouble, aren't we? 177 00:09:15,955 --> 00:09:19,965 I can look back at my life and say the times I sh- see the times I should 178 00:09:19,965 --> 00:09:23,355 have said no, and I regret them. 179 00:09:24,435 --> 00:09:29,775 And then I think of the times I did say no, I think, "Oh, praise God. 180 00:09:30,855 --> 00:09:34,765 If I would have said yes to that, I might be in prison." 181 00:09:35,865 --> 00:09:37,465 Oh, don't exaggerate, preacher. 182 00:09:37,555 --> 00:09:38,665 No, you don't know me. 183 00:09:39,805 --> 00:09:42,795 You don't know what I, how I grew up, all right? 184 00:09:43,645 --> 00:09:45,315 I'm not exaggerating there. 185 00:09:46,145 --> 00:09:49,885 My wife, she's told me, "If you hadn't become a Christian, you'd have 186 00:09:49,895 --> 00:09:51,395 been dead by the time you were 30." 187 00:09:51,395 --> 00:09:54,665 I said, "Kathy, don't say that kind of stuff." 188 00:09:54,725 --> 00:09:55,815 "Don't exaggerate. 189 00:09:55,825 --> 00:09:56,765 Don't be dramatic." 190 00:09:56,765 --> 00:09:57,945 She goes, "No, you'd have been dead." 191 00:10:01,725 --> 00:10:03,835 It's rough when people really know you 192 00:10:07,099 --> 00:10:09,569 We've gotta choose to be self-controlled. 193 00:10:11,409 --> 00:10:15,679 And guys, make the decision, and don't blame God when 194 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:16,929 you don't make the decision. 195 00:10:18,359 --> 00:10:20,749 It's self-control. 196 00:10:21,429 --> 00:10:22,999 The world thinks they can do it. 197 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:28,829 Here's one of their favorite books, The Willpower Instri- Instinct: How 198 00:10:28,829 --> 00:10:33,859 to be Self-Control, How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What 199 00:10:33,859 --> 00:10:37,209 You Can Do to Get More of It by Dr. 200 00:10:37,539 --> 00:10:41,409 Kelly Mc- uh, McGonigal. 201 00:10:41,489 --> 00:10:42,269 McGonigal. 202 00:10:42,649 --> 00:10:44,249 She's a Stanford professor. 203 00:10:44,249 --> 00:10:52,729 She's done a lot of, uh, research on this, and these things are helpful if you have 204 00:10:52,989 --> 00:10:58,019 some basic character traits and character virtues, and you have some strengths. 205 00:10:58,839 --> 00:11:04,549 But not everybody can follow through and do all the things that she says to do. 206 00:11:05,339 --> 00:11:11,049 You know, one of the things she says to do is pause and plan. 207 00:11:11,929 --> 00:11:14,439 Well, most people go by their emotions. 208 00:11:14,579 --> 00:11:15,879 They don't take a breath. 209 00:11:16,619 --> 00:11:20,259 They just go with whatever their body is telling them to do. 210 00:11:21,129 --> 00:11:24,549 We have this fight or flight instinct within us. 211 00:11:24,589 --> 00:11:30,069 It's automatic, and it kicks in, and she says, "No, pause and plan." 212 00:11:30,419 --> 00:11:36,439 Well, if you have a lot of self-control, you can do that, but I thought you said 213 00:11:36,439 --> 00:11:38,379 you're telling me how to get self-control. 214 00:11:38,379 --> 00:11:41,689 Well, you gotta have self-control to even be self-controlled. 215 00:11:42,099 --> 00:11:42,169 That's right. 216 00:11:42,169 --> 00:11:45,659 See, that's why it needs to be a gift from God. 217 00:11:45,669 --> 00:11:51,839 The world understands how it works, but doesn't always give us the power to do it. 218 00:11:52,049 --> 00:11:52,079 Yes. 219 00:11:53,029 --> 00:11:57,809 She says that, her research says when you're tired, when you get fatigued, 220 00:11:57,819 --> 00:11:59,609 you're not gonna be as self-controlled. 221 00:11:59,619 --> 00:11:59,919 Duh 222 00:12:02,479 --> 00:12:04,579 I didn't need research to tell me that. 223 00:12:05,339 --> 00:12:12,249 That's why I go to bed at night, because I get crankier and crankier after 9:00. 224 00:12:12,369 --> 00:12:13,559 I don't know about you. 225 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:14,259 Oh. 226 00:12:14,259 --> 00:12:15,609 Oh, you're one of those. 227 00:12:15,649 --> 00:12:17,539 Don't get judgmental now. 228 00:12:18,519 --> 00:12:19,059 All right? 229 00:12:19,499 --> 00:12:21,239 We all have our struggles. 230 00:12:22,269 --> 00:12:27,319 But the fatigue causes you to lose willpower, of course. 231 00:12:27,769 --> 00:12:30,489 But there is also a contagion effect. 232 00:12:30,729 --> 00:12:32,039 What does the Bible say? 233 00:12:32,349 --> 00:12:36,209 Good company encourages good morals. 234 00:12:36,229 --> 00:12:39,189 Bad company corrupts good morals. 235 00:12:39,859 --> 00:12:44,829 So there is a contagion effect, but all this does is reinforce 236 00:12:44,879 --> 00:12:47,089 to me what Scripture says. 237 00:12:47,539 --> 00:12:51,969 The book goes on to say you gotta just claim your personal power. 238 00:12:52,419 --> 00:12:53,159 All right? 239 00:12:53,289 --> 00:12:54,179 I will. 240 00:12:54,539 --> 00:12:55,819 You will yourself into… 241 00:12:55,849 --> 00:12:57,519 And you can do a lot with willpower. 242 00:12:57,789 --> 00:13:02,409 You can do a lot with the, the Armstrong, the bootstrap method of approach. 243 00:13:02,419 --> 00:13:05,219 You remember what you really want and you keep going for it. 244 00:13:05,539 --> 00:13:08,879 That works unless you fail and fail and fail. 245 00:13:09,249 --> 00:13:14,359 But if you wanna get inspired, go to the Paw Patrol because Marshall didn't quit. 246 00:13:14,429 --> 00:13:14,999 Anyway. 247 00:13:15,479 --> 00:13:16,939 Don't wanna ruin it for you. 248 00:13:18,509 --> 00:13:19,689 I won't. 249 00:13:20,339 --> 00:13:21,679 That's saying no. 250 00:13:22,569 --> 00:13:26,889 But I don't know how many testimonies I've heard, thousands upon thousands 251 00:13:26,889 --> 00:13:31,819 over my years of ministry, beautiful young people c- getting up here, men 252 00:13:31,819 --> 00:13:36,049 and women saying, "I decided when I was younger I wouldn't cross this 253 00:13:36,049 --> 00:13:39,049 line, and then I crossed this line. 254 00:13:40,369 --> 00:13:44,339 And I decided I'm not gonna cross this next line," and they cross this next line. 255 00:13:45,209 --> 00:13:49,939 We can say we won't, but unless God and the Spirit is filling us up, 256 00:13:49,939 --> 00:13:53,249 unless we're around good Christians and good people that wanna be 257 00:13:53,249 --> 00:13:56,149 their best self, this won't work. 258 00:13:56,189 --> 00:14:00,129 We won't always be able to resist temptation, 'cause there's gonna be those 259 00:14:00,159 --> 00:14:02,299 people around us that say, "Come on. 260 00:14:03,269 --> 00:14:04,689 Come on, chicken. 261 00:14:04,769 --> 00:14:05,949 I dare you." 262 00:14:07,269 --> 00:14:07,709 You know? 263 00:14:09,429 --> 00:14:14,139 I remember when I became a Christian, I came home from college, and 264 00:14:14,139 --> 00:14:18,069 my friends called me up, "Greg, let's go to Suds and Sounds." 265 00:14:19,349 --> 00:14:20,949 That was the disco in town. 266 00:14:22,099 --> 00:14:23,279 That dates me, right? 267 00:14:25,607 --> 00:14:27,827 And I said, "Nah, I don't do that anymore." 268 00:14:28,167 --> 00:14:28,277 "What? 269 00:14:29,267 --> 00:14:30,207 We're coming to get you." 270 00:14:31,017 --> 00:14:33,347 So they came to my front door. 271 00:14:33,457 --> 00:14:35,427 They, they just walked in the house. 272 00:14:35,567 --> 00:14:36,857 We didn't lock our doors. 273 00:14:36,917 --> 00:14:41,867 They came in the house, three of my buddies grab me, drag me outside, and 274 00:14:41,867 --> 00:14:43,807 I fought them off in the front yard. 275 00:14:43,807 --> 00:14:44,977 I got, got away. 276 00:14:45,717 --> 00:14:47,157 And they go, "What's your problem?" 277 00:14:47,907 --> 00:14:51,557 "I s- told you guys I'm not doing that anymore." 278 00:14:53,007 --> 00:14:59,167 Because I didn't have enough willpower when I started drinking to stop, and I 279 00:14:59,167 --> 00:15:06,067 didn't have enough willpower after I drank too much not to give in to all this anger 280 00:15:06,067 --> 00:15:08,857 and rage that I had pent up within me. 281 00:15:10,637 --> 00:15:14,607 And so when I said, "No, I'm not doing that anymore," I meant it. 282 00:15:15,307 --> 00:15:16,847 I didn't wanna be that person. 283 00:15:16,857 --> 00:15:16,987 Yeah. 284 00:15:18,397 --> 00:15:19,797 I didn't wanna be that person. 285 00:15:19,847 --> 00:15:23,157 But when you have friends that are just gonna keep urging you 286 00:15:23,157 --> 00:15:26,357 on, this doesn't always work 287 00:15:29,157 --> 00:15:31,217 I wanted to be different. 288 00:15:32,207 --> 00:15:35,917 I saw my life wasn't gonna be good without the spirit. 289 00:15:37,267 --> 00:15:40,727 And this whole thing of self-awareness, this next part of the book, 290 00:15:40,727 --> 00:15:43,267 self-awareness, self-care, self-motivated. 291 00:15:43,267 --> 00:15:44,987 I was very self-motivated. 292 00:15:45,977 --> 00:15:52,087 Pretty good at self-care, but the self-awareness, that's came 293 00:15:52,087 --> 00:15:55,067 about 50 years old, not at 20. 294 00:15:56,207 --> 00:15:59,827 And I know a lot of 20-year-olds that have very little self-control. 295 00:16:00,317 --> 00:16:04,087 I know a lot of 30-year-olds with a lotta, with not very much self-control. 296 00:16:04,087 --> 00:16:08,997 I know a lot of 40-year-olds with not very much self-control or self-awareness. 297 00:16:09,917 --> 00:16:13,907 And I know a lot of 50-year-olds that lack self-awareness because 298 00:16:13,927 --> 00:16:15,467 nobody told them the truth. 299 00:16:17,347 --> 00:16:17,977 All right? 300 00:16:19,197 --> 00:16:26,007 And so the book's good if you already have a measure of self-control, but 301 00:16:26,007 --> 00:16:28,937 here is where self-control comes from. 302 00:16:30,237 --> 00:16:39,817 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, 303 00:16:40,347 --> 00:16:42,567 and self-discipline or self-control. 304 00:16:43,697 --> 00:16:47,757 Where does this self-control that I'm talking about come from? 305 00:16:48,627 --> 00:16:49,977 It comes from God. 306 00:16:50,087 --> 00:16:50,717 Amen? 307 00:16:50,717 --> 00:16:51,507 Amen. 308 00:16:51,507 --> 00:16:52,897 It comes from God. 309 00:16:54,167 --> 00:16:58,007 You know, there's this famous psychological test called the 310 00:16:58,007 --> 00:17:04,517 marshmallow test in 1972 by a man named Walter Mischel, and he got 311 00:17:04,517 --> 00:17:10,457 some elementary kids together, young children, you know, ages four to six, 312 00:17:10,757 --> 00:17:12,857 and he offered them marshmallows. 313 00:17:13,416 --> 00:17:17,426 He put these two marshmallows in front of these little kids and 314 00:17:17,426 --> 00:17:23,307 said, "If you don't eat them, if you wait, I'll give you two more." 315 00:17:27,231 --> 00:17:29,201 The majority of the kids went ahead and ate them. 316 00:17:31,161 --> 00:17:41,841 The kids that didn't and waited, they did now a study ever since 1972, they 317 00:17:41,841 --> 00:17:48,131 did a long, long longitudinal study, and they found that the kids that waited, 318 00:17:48,531 --> 00:17:53,931 that had self-control, did better at SAT, did, did better at school. 319 00:17:53,961 --> 00:17:55,881 They got higher IQ tests. 320 00:17:56,301 --> 00:17:58,121 They were more socially competent. 321 00:17:58,331 --> 00:18:03,121 When they got out of school, in their 40s they've tested them, and the 322 00:18:03,121 --> 00:18:09,511 kids that held off had higher income, stronger marriages, and happier careers. 323 00:18:10,661 --> 00:18:16,601 Self-control is worth it if you let God give it to you. 324 00:18:17,311 --> 00:18:18,871 How many of you are football fans? 325 00:18:18,881 --> 00:18:18,891 Whoo. 326 00:18:20,241 --> 00:18:20,761 Yeah. 327 00:18:20,861 --> 00:18:22,211 Football season's coming up. 328 00:18:22,211 --> 00:18:23,381 I'm getting excited about it. 329 00:18:23,381 --> 00:18:24,021 Yeah. 330 00:18:24,021 --> 00:18:24,611 Yeah. 331 00:18:24,721 --> 00:18:26,151 Rams are supposed to be great. 332 00:18:26,151 --> 00:18:27,621 They're great. 333 00:18:27,621 --> 00:18:29,751 A bunch of you guys are San Francisco fans. 334 00:18:29,751 --> 00:18:30,861 I don't know about that. 335 00:18:30,891 --> 00:18:31,381 Uh. 336 00:18:32,261 --> 00:18:32,651 All right. 337 00:18:32,651 --> 00:18:35,311 I'm a Denver fan, but I'm rooting for the home team. 338 00:18:35,401 --> 00:18:35,931 All right? 339 00:18:37,901 --> 00:18:38,901 Here's a study. 340 00:18:39,801 --> 00:18:41,701 Here's why you need self-control. 341 00:18:42,351 --> 00:18:47,391 If your team wins, you'll be more self-controlled. 342 00:18:48,631 --> 00:18:53,331 But if your team loses, like if you're a Raiders fan or 49ers fan 343 00:18:55,709 --> 00:19:01,729 The study says you lack self-cont- you'll lack self-control when they lose. 344 00:19:03,069 --> 00:19:07,989 If you have more self … I- if y- if your team wins, you'll eat 345 00:19:08,179 --> 00:19:13,799 healthier food, but if your team loses, you won't eat as healthy food 346 00:19:16,573 --> 00:19:17,713 Unless you're a Christian. 347 00:19:18,703 --> 00:19:19,203 All right. 348 00:19:19,493 --> 00:19:23,123 And then you can choose because you'll have self-control. 349 00:19:24,643 --> 00:19:26,743 You know what's also been studied? 350 00:19:27,913 --> 00:19:36,393 If you're Christian, if you're spiritual, if you go to church, studies have 351 00:19:36,393 --> 00:19:39,103 shown you have more self-control. 352 00:19:40,503 --> 00:19:46,723 They did a 80-year study on this at the University of Miami. 353 00:19:46,723 --> 00:19:48,763 I, I c- that's a long time. 354 00:19:48,763 --> 00:19:51,073 They've been studying this for a long time. 355 00:19:51,443 --> 00:19:52,273 Listen, Dr. 356 00:19:52,283 --> 00:19:58,563 David Mc- uh, McCullough, who led the study, says, "We simply ask if there 357 00:19:58,793 --> 00:20:02,583 is good evidence that people who are more religious have more self-control." 358 00:20:02,783 --> 00:20:07,713 He says, "Researchers have been quietly looking into the question for many years. 359 00:20:07,803 --> 00:20:12,253 They have found it isn't a latent fear of God's wrath that helps religious 360 00:20:12,293 --> 00:20:14,293 people become self-controlled. 361 00:20:14,443 --> 00:20:18,653 The evidence suggests that the ideas of the belief system become entrenched 362 00:20:18,683 --> 00:20:23,193 into a person's systems of values, and that creates what could be called 363 00:20:23,193 --> 00:20:25,533 a set of sacred personal goals." 364 00:20:26,163 --> 00:20:30,383 Uh, the doctor says, "When you add it all up, it turns out that there 365 00:20:30,383 --> 00:20:36,463 are remarkably consistent findings that religiosity, spirituality 366 00:20:36,503 --> 00:20:40,733 correlates with higher self-control." 367 00:20:42,921 --> 00:20:45,711 Hey, I'm glad I'm at church today. 368 00:20:47,501 --> 00:20:52,601 'Cause I need self-control, but I'm also glad that God gave 369 00:20:52,601 --> 00:20:55,301 me a spirit of self-control. 370 00:20:55,321 --> 00:20:56,061 How about you? 371 00:20:56,711 --> 00:20:57,361 Amen. 372 00:20:57,361 --> 00:20:57,731 Amen? 373 00:20:57,731 --> 00:20:58,101 Amen. 374 00:20:58,101 --> 00:20:58,971 Praise God. 375 00:20:58,991 --> 00:21:00,331 He knows what we need. 376 00:21:01,311 --> 00:21:02,301 Plato said 377 00:21:05,373 --> 00:21:13,953 Isn't the phrase self-mas- mastery, it's the Greek word ekrateia, absurd? 378 00:21:14,623 --> 00:21:19,103 I mean, anyone who is his own master is also his own slave, 379 00:21:19,103 --> 00:21:20,693 of course, and vice versa. 380 00:21:21,993 --> 00:21:27,953 Since it's the same person who is subject to all these expressions. 381 00:21:29,423 --> 00:21:32,373 Plato says that doesn't really work. 382 00:21:32,733 --> 00:21:36,663 Well, it does if you add God to the mix. 383 00:21:37,423 --> 00:21:43,753 Self-control is not self-mastery, as Plato thought, since self cannot control self. 384 00:21:44,733 --> 00:21:49,213 Spiritual disciplines need to be practiced so Satan has no footholds in our lives. 385 00:21:49,573 --> 00:21:54,243 God provides the self-control to resist sin and temptation, and 386 00:21:54,243 --> 00:21:59,963 we can overcome with the fruit of self-control or spirit control. 387 00:22:00,473 --> 00:22:06,733 See, I figured out at 19 years old, I need some help in life 388 00:22:09,213 --> 00:22:11,913 Yeah, you religious people, you need a crutch. 389 00:22:12,783 --> 00:22:15,443 Yeah, and so do you non-religious people. 390 00:22:17,113 --> 00:22:18,423 Everybody needs a crutch 391 00:22:20,635 --> 00:22:21,395 Everybody. 392 00:22:22,375 --> 00:22:26,125 I've been a therapist for over t- 15 years. 393 00:22:26,905 --> 00:22:28,865 I know what's inside people. 394 00:22:30,055 --> 00:22:33,605 I've heard the c- the confessions of Christians and non-Christians. 395 00:22:33,605 --> 00:22:36,965 I've been in that safe room where you can't repeat what's 396 00:22:36,965 --> 00:22:41,165 said, and we all need help. 397 00:22:41,725 --> 00:22:41,795 That's right. 398 00:22:42,695 --> 00:22:43,965 Why can't we admit that? 399 00:22:43,975 --> 00:22:43,995 Yeah. 400 00:22:44,955 --> 00:22:48,205 Why can't we just say, "God, yeah, fill me with your spirit. 401 00:22:48,235 --> 00:22:49,195 I need help." 402 00:22:49,875 --> 00:22:49,945 That's right. 403 00:22:50,245 --> 00:22:53,405 In fact, I'll just admit I need a lot of help. 404 00:22:53,975 --> 00:22:56,295 I'll take as much help as God will give me. 405 00:22:57,485 --> 00:23:00,525 You know, I need, I needed help driving here, didn't I? 406 00:23:00,525 --> 00:23:01,220 Yeah. 407 00:23:01,220 --> 00:23:05,875 I don't know about you, but I wouldn't get on the interstate if I didn't have help. 408 00:23:06,655 --> 00:23:07,225 Okay? 409 00:23:07,355 --> 00:23:12,085 I like even the new tools in cars that tell you when you're getting out of your 410 00:23:12,085 --> 00:23:17,025 lane and hits the brakes when you, you're spacing out and they need to be hit. 411 00:23:17,955 --> 00:23:20,595 Praise God, I'll take all the help I can get. 412 00:23:21,045 --> 00:23:24,405 People in the backseat will say, "Greg, sorry to be a backseat 413 00:23:24,415 --> 00:23:26,575 driver, but it didn't seem like you were paying attention." 414 00:23:26,575 --> 00:23:29,015 I just say, "Hey, I'll take all the help I can get. 415 00:23:29,015 --> 00:23:30,385 I'm blind in the left eye." 416 00:23:32,869 --> 00:23:37,419 Once I told Marty Fuqua and Reese Neilan that, they quit letting me drive 417 00:23:41,575 --> 00:23:43,205 Let's just admit we need help. 418 00:23:43,245 --> 00:23:43,715 Amen? 419 00:23:45,085 --> 00:23:45,125 Amen. 420 00:23:45,315 --> 00:23:49,745 Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the virgins. 421 00:23:50,365 --> 00:23:55,355 "And at that time, the Kingdom of Heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their 422 00:23:55,355 --> 00:23:57,575 lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 423 00:23:58,185 --> 00:24:00,815 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 424 00:24:01,185 --> 00:24:04,875 The five ones, the five foolish ones took their lamps but did 425 00:24:04,875 --> 00:24:06,385 not take any oil with them. 426 00:24:07,255 --> 00:24:10,975 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 427 00:24:11,425 --> 00:24:14,335 The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding 428 00:24:14,335 --> 00:24:16,145 banquet, and the door was shut. 429 00:24:16,145 --> 00:24:17,755 Later, the others also came. 430 00:24:17,755 --> 00:24:20,375 'Sir, sir,' they said, 'open the door for us.' 431 00:24:20,945 --> 00:24:23,865 But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 432 00:24:24,505 --> 00:24:29,395 Therefore, keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour." 433 00:24:30,485 --> 00:24:34,815 See, God never takes self out. 434 00:24:35,995 --> 00:24:37,295 You've gotta be wise. 435 00:24:37,295 --> 00:24:38,895 You've gotta make the decision. 436 00:24:38,905 --> 00:24:42,515 You gotta exercise your free will to do what is good. 437 00:24:42,515 --> 00:24:45,225 There were five wise and five foolish. 438 00:24:45,225 --> 00:24:50,595 We all have the capacity to be good- Yes … and we all have the capacity to be bad. 439 00:24:50,595 --> 00:24:50,705 Yeah. 440 00:24:51,685 --> 00:24:57,515 We all have the capacity to be wise, and we all have the capacity to be foolish. 441 00:24:57,525 --> 00:24:57,545 Yeah. 442 00:24:58,985 --> 00:25:02,405 Let's choose self-control. 443 00:25:02,435 --> 00:25:02,915 Amen? 444 00:25:02,915 --> 00:25:03,845 Amen. 445 00:25:03,845 --> 00:25:04,675 Yeah. 446 00:25:04,775 --> 00:25:06,055 Amen to that. 447 00:25:06,565 --> 00:25:10,095 And that, then it won't matter whether your team we- wins or loses. 448 00:25:10,095 --> 00:25:11,765 I know I'm gonna hear it afterwards. 449 00:25:11,765 --> 00:25:13,555 I'm not gonna dig myself out of it. 450 00:25:13,675 --> 00:25:14,115 All right? 451 00:25:15,075 --> 00:25:16,625 I'm still gonna be a Rams fan. 452 00:25:19,715 --> 00:25:20,945 Oh, come on. 453 00:25:21,915 --> 00:25:24,365 Some of you are too serious about your teams. 454 00:25:25,375 --> 00:25:26,205 I can tell. 455 00:25:26,775 --> 00:25:30,355 You are, you're gonna be mad at me till, till you say something to me. 456 00:25:31,295 --> 00:25:33,755 Obstacles for self-control. 457 00:25:33,825 --> 00:25:35,635 I know how football fans are. 458 00:25:36,185 --> 00:25:36,765 They're touchy 459 00:25:39,805 --> 00:25:41,045 Pursuit of pleasure. 460 00:25:41,795 --> 00:25:44,115 Why is it hard to be self-controlled? 461 00:25:45,205 --> 00:25:50,275 Because deep down, we have to admit a lot of us, we've just given 462 00:25:50,275 --> 00:25:52,345 ourself to be addicted to happiness. 463 00:25:53,115 --> 00:25:57,335 If we're not happy, then we're looking for happiness, and 464 00:25:57,335 --> 00:25:58,685 we'll do anything to be happy. 465 00:25:59,795 --> 00:26:01,555 You know, life isn't that easy. 466 00:26:01,815 --> 00:26:05,395 Don't get addicted to happiness, 'cause you're not always gonna be happy in life. 467 00:26:06,145 --> 00:26:10,615 Especially the older you grow up, the more responsibility you take, sometimes 468 00:26:10,615 --> 00:26:12,675 you have to choose not to be happy. 469 00:26:13,725 --> 00:26:18,215 Sometimes you have to choose to do the dirty work, do the tough things- 470 00:26:18,225 --> 00:26:20,005 Yeah … do the really hard things. 471 00:26:20,885 --> 00:26:23,485 Get out of bed when you don't really feel like it, go to work 472 00:26:23,485 --> 00:26:27,575 when you're still a little sick, because you don't have a choice. 473 00:26:27,585 --> 00:26:28,865 You gotta pay the bills. 474 00:26:28,875 --> 00:26:28,895 Yeah. 475 00:26:29,635 --> 00:26:31,395 Don't be addicted to happiness. 476 00:26:32,095 --> 00:26:36,395 Also, one of the obstacles to self-control is the lack of limits. 477 00:26:37,055 --> 00:26:37,915 We want freedom. 478 00:26:38,725 --> 00:26:41,995 Hey, nobody knows more about freedom than those of us that 479 00:26:41,995 --> 00:26:43,385 grew up in the hippie era. 480 00:26:44,925 --> 00:26:46,125 Talk about freedom. 481 00:26:47,265 --> 00:26:53,285 I mean, some of those folks, they set themselves completely free. 482 00:26:54,845 --> 00:26:57,055 LSD, you know what I'm talking about. 483 00:26:57,805 --> 00:26:58,195 All right? 484 00:26:58,195 --> 00:26:59,415 Let's not go back there. 485 00:27:00,635 --> 00:27:06,415 Addicted to freedom isn't al- is sometimes just gonna enslave you even more. 486 00:27:07,755 --> 00:27:07,775 Yeah. 487 00:27:07,775 --> 00:27:09,715 Exalting of effort. 488 00:27:10,375 --> 00:27:13,355 That's where a lot of us, especially in Orange County, I think can 489 00:27:13,355 --> 00:27:17,395 get, get too addicted to success. 490 00:27:18,775 --> 00:27:19,335 You know? 491 00:27:19,755 --> 00:27:21,895 We're around a lot of successful people. 492 00:27:22,735 --> 00:27:22,755 Yeah. 493 00:27:22,765 --> 00:27:27,705 And it becomes a dog-eat-dog kind of mentality, and keep up with 494 00:27:27,715 --> 00:27:29,975 the Joneses, or whoever they are. 495 00:27:30,785 --> 00:27:31,365 Right? 496 00:27:31,745 --> 00:27:34,535 They're behind gated commun- We don't know who they are. 497 00:27:34,885 --> 00:27:35,345 All right? 498 00:27:36,345 --> 00:27:41,595 But addicted to success, don't get addicted to success. 499 00:27:42,085 --> 00:27:44,885 My testimony is that I've had a lot of success. 500 00:27:45,445 --> 00:27:46,915 It doesn't bring you happiness. 501 00:27:47,925 --> 00:27:49,605 It doesn't bring you happiness. 502 00:27:50,555 --> 00:27:51,045 All right? 503 00:27:51,285 --> 00:27:53,165 And it doesn't bring you self-control. 504 00:27:53,175 --> 00:27:53,205 Right. 505 00:27:54,975 --> 00:27:57,065 Refusal of reality. 506 00:27:57,785 --> 00:27:59,995 Addicted to denial. 507 00:28:00,035 --> 00:28:01,995 You know, there's some things I don't wanna think about 508 00:28:04,701 --> 00:28:07,111 There's some things I really wanna compartmentalize. 509 00:28:08,271 --> 00:28:09,331 I don't wanna go there. 510 00:28:09,391 --> 00:28:11,581 I don't wanna go there come tax season 511 00:28:14,557 --> 00:28:15,987 Sometimes you don't have a choice. 512 00:28:16,887 --> 00:28:20,117 Yesterday I got two envelopes in the mail from Orange County. 513 00:28:21,577 --> 00:28:23,557 Supplemental property tax. 514 00:28:23,607 --> 00:28:24,917 Anybody know about that? 515 00:28:26,057 --> 00:28:27,187 Don't be clapping 516 00:28:32,445 --> 00:28:33,015 You know? 517 00:28:34,455 --> 00:28:38,705 One bill for 700 bucks or so. 518 00:28:38,735 --> 00:28:40,155 I said, "Oh, okay, that's not bad. 519 00:28:40,195 --> 00:28:42,905 Two, two installments of $350. 520 00:28:44,185 --> 00:28:45,845 I c- I think I can afford that." 521 00:28:46,735 --> 00:28:47,625 Then I opened the other one. 522 00:28:47,625 --> 00:28:49,455 I said, "Why do I have two envelopes?" 523 00:28:50,815 --> 00:28:55,815 Opened the next one, it was like $6,000 524 00:28:58,909 --> 00:29:03,749 That because housing prices have gone up and because I just got, bought a 525 00:29:03,749 --> 00:29:07,409 house, I have this supplemental tax 526 00:29:10,055 --> 00:29:11,005 I don't wanna think about it. 527 00:29:11,185 --> 00:29:13,095 Why am I even bringing it up right now? 528 00:29:16,349 --> 00:29:17,099 Here I am. 529 00:29:17,109 --> 00:29:18,879 What a lack of self-control. 530 00:29:20,309 --> 00:29:21,129 Help me, Lord. 531 00:29:21,139 --> 00:29:21,699 Help me. 532 00:29:22,079 --> 00:29:24,659 Proverbs 1:7. 533 00:29:24,659 --> 00:29:26,589 'Cause I want you to share my pain. 534 00:29:26,849 --> 00:29:27,099 Amen. 535 00:29:28,509 --> 00:29:33,219 The fear of the Lord's the beginning of knowledge, but fools 536 00:29:33,259 --> 00:29:36,469 despise wisdom and discipline. 537 00:29:38,179 --> 00:29:41,719 Compartmentalizing it, denying it isn't gonna make it go away. 538 00:29:42,199 --> 00:29:44,829 You have to just do what you have to do. 539 00:29:45,549 --> 00:29:50,629 It goes on, Proverbs 6 and verse 23 says, "For these commands are a 540 00:29:50,629 --> 00:29:55,659 lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline or 541 00:29:55,659 --> 00:29:59,759 self-control are the way of life." 542 00:30:00,119 --> 00:30:04,579 Self-discipline leads to self-control. 543 00:30:05,419 --> 00:30:06,089 Amen. 544 00:30:06,529 --> 00:30:10,479 In Titus 2, I love this verse because it tells me where I 545 00:30:10,479 --> 00:30:11,949 can get this self-control. 546 00:30:13,069 --> 00:30:18,919 "For the grace of God," the gifts from God, the gift of God, "that brings 547 00:30:18,929 --> 00:30:21,119 salvation has appeared to all men. 548 00:30:21,709 --> 00:30:23,429 It teaches us to say 'no'" Yeah. 549 00:30:23,439 --> 00:30:25,039 "No to ungodliness 550 00:30:27,759 --> 00:30:32,469 and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and 551 00:30:32,469 --> 00:30:35,569 godly lives in this present age." 552 00:30:36,439 --> 00:30:38,819 I mean, weren't you just so proud of Sarah up here? 553 00:30:40,129 --> 00:30:44,519 Young college grad getting ready to take on the world, you know? 554 00:30:45,199 --> 00:30:48,639 But spiritual, but so good-hearted. 555 00:30:48,779 --> 00:30:49,849 Look at this front row. 556 00:30:50,219 --> 00:30:52,859 These guys are smiling at me, trying to distract me. 557 00:30:52,859 --> 00:30:54,149 He's try- look at him wave. 558 00:30:54,199 --> 00:30:54,909 Look at him wave. 559 00:30:55,309 --> 00:30:55,709 You know? 560 00:30:56,039 --> 00:30:57,129 But aren't they beautiful? 561 00:30:57,129 --> 00:30:58,239 Aren't they awesome? 562 00:30:58,749 --> 00:31:03,349 Don't you, don't you love people that, that are gonna take over someday that are, 563 00:31:03,489 --> 00:31:09,259 that are good, that are, that are, that are upright, godly, and self-controlled? 564 00:31:10,119 --> 00:31:10,319 Yeah. 565 00:31:10,829 --> 00:31:13,049 Not whatever. 566 00:31:13,129 --> 00:31:14,139 Let's not go there. 567 00:31:15,901 --> 00:31:21,091 Self-control is motivated by grace and God's love. 568 00:31:21,101 --> 00:31:21,381 Yes. 569 00:31:22,441 --> 00:31:22,961 All right? 570 00:31:23,851 --> 00:31:27,121 Self-control is spiritual power from God. 571 00:31:27,561 --> 00:31:31,851 Self-control is not mere human effort or self mas- mastery. 572 00:31:32,271 --> 00:31:38,831 Self-control is spirit controlled because self cannot control self. 573 00:31:39,351 --> 00:31:39,391 Amen. 574 00:31:39,451 --> 00:31:42,551 So how do you cultivate this self-control in your life? 575 00:31:42,611 --> 00:31:45,161 Surrender to God, acknowledge our need. 576 00:31:45,161 --> 00:31:46,481 We already talked about that. 577 00:31:46,711 --> 00:31:47,801 Worship God. 578 00:31:47,931 --> 00:31:51,101 Surround yourself with other great people. 579 00:31:51,221 --> 00:31:54,091 Praise God, I love the San Diego church. 580 00:31:54,091 --> 00:31:55,271 I have such memories. 581 00:31:55,271 --> 00:31:56,911 I saw so many miracles. 582 00:31:56,971 --> 00:31:59,321 Thank you for coming up and encouraging us. 583 00:31:59,391 --> 00:32:02,881 This side isn't always as full as it is today, amen. 584 00:32:03,061 --> 00:32:04,631 Come every week if you want. 585 00:32:04,811 --> 00:32:05,551 Amen. 586 00:32:07,321 --> 00:32:13,031 Practice prayer and fasting, seeking God for transformation. 587 00:32:13,031 --> 00:32:14,051 God help us. 588 00:32:14,081 --> 00:32:15,141 God change us. 589 00:32:15,531 --> 00:32:21,071 And denial of self, not self-righteous and not self-centered, 590 00:32:21,101 --> 00:32:24,141 but spiritually controlled. 591 00:32:24,911 --> 00:32:27,821 Spiritually self-controlled. 592 00:32:28,571 --> 00:32:33,361 Spirit-filled, not addicted to fame, not addicted to fun, not addicted 593 00:32:33,361 --> 00:32:39,051 to fortune, not addicted to food, but spirit driven all the way. 594 00:32:39,121 --> 00:32:39,801 Amen? 595 00:32:39,801 --> 00:32:40,441 Amen. 596 00:32:40,441 --> 00:32:44,751 Not hard-hearted, hollow-hearted, half-hearted, hidden-hearted, but 597 00:32:44,751 --> 00:32:49,781 hungry-hearted, honest-hearted, humble-hearted, and happy-hearted 598 00:32:49,791 --> 00:32:52,831 because you're full of God's spirit. 599 00:32:52,891 --> 00:32:57,331 Be self-controlled so you'll be Christ-like. 600 00:32:57,331 --> 00:32:57,761 Amen? 601 00:32:57,761 --> 00:32:59,071 Amen. 602 00:32:59,071 --> 00:33:00,361 Let's be spiritual. 603 00:33:00,421 --> 00:33:02,881 May this series be a blessing to you. 604 00:33:03,141 --> 00:33:07,341 I'm gonna end with a prayer that God would just fill us up with His 605 00:33:07,341 --> 00:33:09,591 Spirit, and the lesson is yours. 606 00:33:09,621 --> 00:33:10,651 Pray with me now. 607 00:33:11,271 --> 00:33:12,721 Open up your heart to God. 608 00:33:13,521 --> 00:33:18,061 God and Father, we come before you now as a congregation that wants to be spiritual- 609 00:33:18,791 --> 00:33:20,951 Amen … and wants to be filled with you. 610 00:33:21,511 --> 00:33:23,881 We wanna be like Jesus in every way. 611 00:33:24,521 --> 00:33:26,251 We wanna say no to ourselves. 612 00:33:26,251 --> 00:33:29,311 We want the grace of God to be our motivation, and Father, we 613 00:33:29,311 --> 00:33:33,941 wanna be our best self, and yet we know we need you to do that. 614 00:33:34,511 --> 00:33:35,721 And we need each other. 615 00:33:35,841 --> 00:33:37,801 God, thank you for your Word. 616 00:33:37,881 --> 00:33:39,671 It always guides us in truth. 617 00:33:40,171 --> 00:33:44,761 We pray these things in Christ holy, holy, holy name. 618 00:33:45,221 --> 00:33:45,661 Amen.