Sunday Morning Worship
June 17, 2012
Series: “Broken”
Today: “Broken Self-Discipline”
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-10 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 
Intro: My definition of self-discipline: “The ability to successfully rule over your wants and desires, bringing them into conformity to your values .” 
I. FIRST ERROR IN THINKING: SIN IS NORMAL IN EVERY BELIEVER’S LIFE.
A. The Bible says:
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
B. New Testament definition of sin:
James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. 
II. SECOND ERROR IN THINKING: MY TEMPTATIONS ARE TOO OVERWHELMING FOR ME.
* The Bible says:
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 
III. THIRD ERROR IN THINKING: THE EVIL ONE IS THE CAUSE OF ALL MY FAILURES.
* The Bible says:
1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
1 John 5:18 (Amplified Version) We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].
Conclusion: The healing of our broken self-discipline is the Byproduct of correcting our broken thinking !
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.