Concordia Lutheran Church
Self-Control
In Matthew 4, Jesus spends 40 days fasting. The discipline of fasting – giving up food – can help us take up spiritual control. When we can tame our physical appetites, we can better endure spiritual temptations.
Locations & Times
Concordia Lutheran Church
16801 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Worship Online
https://live.concordia.ccGive Online
https://tinyurl.com/s3k9z53Take Up: Self-Control
Matthew 4:1-11
3.6.2022
The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday. Each of the seasons of the Church Year have different emphases, based on the life and ministry of Jesus.
- Advent – the first and second coming of Jesus
- Christmas – birth of Jesus
- Easter – the resurrection of Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11
3.6.2022
The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday. Each of the seasons of the Church Year have different emphases, based on the life and ministry of Jesus.
- Advent – the first and second coming of Jesus
- Christmas – birth of Jesus
- Easter – the resurrection of Jesus
“Giving up” something is only part of what the Lenten season is about. Jesus invites us not just to “give up” something, but to “take up” something, as well.
That’s where we begin. Jesus’ invitation, even more than giving something up, is to take something up. He invites us to take up our cross and follow Him!
One ways we can “take up our cross” is to “take up” self-control. This is a tough topic. You know that if you have ever tried to …
- Lose weight or get started on an exercise plan?
- Change your habits around TV or Video Games or Social Media?
- Change almost any pattern or habit in your life?
One ways we can “take up our cross” is to “take up” self-control. This is a tough topic. You know that if you have ever tried to …
- Lose weight or get started on an exercise plan?
- Change your habits around TV or Video Games or Social Media?
- Change almost any pattern or habit in your life?
Why?
1. Some things, even good things, aren’t good for us.
1. Some things, even good things, aren’t good for us.
NB: Some things aren’t good for others. After Paul says just because he CAN do something, this doesn’t mean he SHOULD do something, he continues…
Self-control allows us think about others ... beyond just what is good for us. It allows us to consider what’s good for those around us.
1. Some things, even good things, aren’t good for us.
2. Taking up self-control means trading up in life!
God wants more for our lives than sin could ever offer!
<ILL: What do you want for your loved ones?> God wants SO MUCH more for us!
Self-control is trading up to a better life for ourselves or others or both.
- More diet and exercise are a trade up to better health
- Less TV/Video Game/Social Media is a trade up to more time for people
- Healthier boundaries around work means more time for family or other pursuits
The Christian faith is about trading up.
- Sin for righteousness
- Guilt for freedom
- Death for life
Jesus traded up! He could have had a pretty nice life. When He invites us to take up our cross and follow Him, he is inviting us to take up self-control and trade up to a better life.
Where do you need to trade up? Where do you need to take up self-control?
1. Some things, even good things, aren’t good for us.
2. Taking up self-control means trading up in life!
God wants more for our lives than sin could ever offer!
<ILL: What do you want for your loved ones?> God wants SO MUCH more for us!
Self-control is trading up to a better life for ourselves or others or both.
- More diet and exercise are a trade up to better health
- Less TV/Video Game/Social Media is a trade up to more time for people
- Healthier boundaries around work means more time for family or other pursuits
The Christian faith is about trading up.
- Sin for righteousness
- Guilt for freedom
- Death for life
Jesus traded up! He could have had a pretty nice life. When He invites us to take up our cross and follow Him, he is inviting us to take up self-control and trade up to a better life.
Where do you need to trade up? Where do you need to take up self-control?