Temperance - Self-Control That Makes A Difference
1 Sam. 25
INTRO: I missed being with you last week. I trust you enjoyed Brother Mike's messages and worshiping last Sunday Morning. It is good to be back. It is good to have someone whom I can t rust to do a good job while I have to be away.
Have you ever seen someone that was, just totally out of control? Have you , you personally been that person? TO be honest, we have all probably been lacking self-control or temperance at some time in our lives. And to be sure, when we are out of control we tend to be less than pretty in God's eyes or human eyes either. Today I want to start a series on temperance. I want to look at David and see how his temperance affected his life and others around Him.
David, the great man of God! David, the one who had passed up the chance to take Saul's life, even though he had tried numerous times to kill David. David, the easy going shepherd boy, ANGRY???? Yes, Nabal (whose name means fool), was enough for David to let his flesh lapse into a period of anger that almost cost him dearly. Do we need to be on guard??????
Three advantages that were Nabal's
1. Favored with great worldly possessions - vs. 2
2. Found a good wife - vs. 3
3. From a godly line (Caleb) - vs. 3
Yet he had wasted or squandered them.
Three "righteous" reasons for David's anger
1. David asked (nicely)- vs. 5-9
2. David's men assisted (greatly)- vs. 7-8
3. Nabal was blessed abundantly (undeservedly - like we) - vs. 2, 6
Three obvious difficulties that were avoided by detouring his wrathful encounter
Note: David did not seek God's counsel in prayer
1. Nabal was unworthy of David's response - vs. 25
Pro. 26.4
- Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.2. David would have bloody hands in his and others eyes - vs. 26
3. The Lord was fighting his (and ours) battles - vs. 28
Three things Nabal lost
1. His possessions he had so clung to
2. His life of luxury and celebration
3. His wife he had ignored
Three things we can accomplish by containing our anger
1. We avoid needless strife (unworthy of effort)
Romans 2:1 - 16
1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.2
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;6
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:8
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;10
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:11
For there is no respect of persons with God.12
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.14
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:15
Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.2. We avoid a contentious name
1 Cor. 11:16
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
3. Helps prevent our getting out of God's will
Ephesians 6:1 - 8 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)3
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.5
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;6
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;7
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:8
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
So what does the Bible say about controlling our anger?
Is unbridled anger okay?
Is it pleasing to God?
Is it harmful to us and others?
Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
2 Peter 1:5 - 7 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Three Questions:
Do you want to be out of control in your life --Yes or No?
Are you asking the Lord to help you with areas in your life you struggle with -
Yes or No?
Are you seeking daily a closer walk with the Lord that you might overcome Satan's temptations -- Yes or No?
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 061106 - first used 12-13-98