1. WHY PERSONAL DISCIPLINE IS IMPORTANT.
A. PUTTING GOD IN CHARGE IS THE PERFECT WAY.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
B. IF GOD ISN’T IN CHARGE, SOMEONE ELSE IS.
- MOST OFTEN “SELF”
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
- THE DEVIL.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- THE WORLD. INCLUDING CHILDREN, RELATIVE, PEERS, ETC.
Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
2. THE ENEMIES OF PERSONAL DISCIPLINE.
A. BAD HABITS.
THINGS WE NEVER CHANGED AFTER BEING SAVED. A SNARE IS PLACED WHERE AN ANIMAL CONSTANTLY WALKS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE HUNTER WATCHES HABITS. THE DEVIL DOES THE SAME.
Proverbs 18:7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
B. UNCONTROLLED CARNAL NATURE.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
C. THE DEVIL’S INFLUENCE.
Psalm 143:3-5 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
3. THE WAYS OF SELF-DISCIPLINE.
A. TAKE GODLY RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY. SERVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
Luke 1:9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
B. OBEY THE LAWS OF GOD WHETHER THEY ARE PAINFUL FOR THE MOMENT, OR NOT.
Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
C. WORSHIP ON A REGULAR, NOT HAP-HAZARD BASIS.
Luke 4:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
D. GET INTO GOOD HABITS WHICH MAY INVOLVE DOING WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO DO.
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.
4. THE REWARDS OF PERSONAL DISCIPLINE.
A. PLEASING GOD.
B. ACCOMPLISHMENT.
C. REWARDS I HEAVEN FOR BATTLES WON (WHICH WOULD NOT BE WON IF WE FAILED TO DISCIPLINE OURSELVES).