Responsibility to Self

TEXTLuke 9:25

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SELF – “IDENTITY, CHARACTER, …ONE’S OWN PERSON

          AS DISTINCT FROM ALL OTHERS.” (Webster)

B.      “SELF” IS PRECIOUS – WHAT PRICE?

C.      “SELF” CAN BE SAVED OR LOST (Acts 2:40).  IT IS UP TO US.

D.      GREATEST HINDRANCE TO SAVING SELF IS MY SELF.

          1.       Rom. 7:21-22.  Our greatest battle is within.

          2.       2 Cor. 5:14-15.  We must decide to no longer live for self (Luke 9:24-25).

E.      WHAT RESPONSIBILITY TO I HAVE TO “SELF?”

I.      I MUST SEARCH SELF (Hag. 1:7).

A.      Lam. 3:40INTROSPECTION CONNECTED TO REPENTANCE.

          1.       The first step in spiritual improvement is introspection (Phil. 3:12).

          2.       It is a necessary step (Luke 15:17;  18:13).

B.      INTROSPECTION, THE SPRINGBOARD OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY (Phil. 3:12).

C.      ARE WE WHERE WE THINK WE ARE? (2 Cor. 13:5).

II.     I MUST APPLY THE WORD TO MYSELF (James 1:22-25).

A.      HIS TEACHINGS ARE OUR STANDARD (John 12:48).

B.      QUICK TO APPLY TO OTHERS (Matt. 7:1-5).

C.      HEARING AND NOT DOING IS A WASTE (Matt. 7:21-27).

D.      James 1:22.

III.    I MUST CONTROL SELF.

A.      Acts 24:25.  CONNECTION BETWEEN SELF-CONTROL AND JUDGMENT.

B.      1 Cor. 9:25-27SELF-CONTROL HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH RECEIVING

          THE CROWN.

C       THE LAST DAYS (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

          1.       Given to lasciviousness (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

          2.       Will not be ruled, even by God (2 Pet. 2:9-10).

          3.       Cannot be reasoned with (2 Pet. 2:12-14).

          4.       They recruit others to sin (2 Pet. 2:17-19).

          5.       “Without natural affection.”  God has provided for every natural appetite.  He has

          not provided for unnatural self-cultivated appetites.

          6.       Hogs and Cattle!

IV.   I MUST CRUCIFY SELF (Gal. 2:20Luke 9:23).

A.      NECESSARY O BEING A CHRISTIAN (Gal. 5:24).

B.      WHAT DOES IT MEAN? (1 Pet. 4:1-2).

          1.       1 Pet. 4:3-4We live differentlyNO MORE SIN!

          2.       2 Cor. 5:14-15His will rules!

C.      A CRUCIFIXION OF SELF IS DEATH TO SIN (Rom. 6:1-3, 6, 11, 12-13).

CONCLUSION:

A.      SALVATION MAY BE HAD BY ALL – IT’S UP TO YOU!!!

B.      SAVE YOURSELF (Acts 2:40).

C.      DO HIS WILL (Matt. 7:21).