New Year - New You! #10 Self Control
2026 is a new year and our challenge is to be more like Jesus and less like the person we currently are. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is all about...not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking cl
0 Likes
0 Views
28 cards
14 min read
Pinned
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Did you know that the church is cleaned entirely by people who attend this church? From vacuuming, to mopping, to dusting, to cleaning counters and toilets - we appreciate all of the different volunteers who work hard to make Grace Church a clean and comfortable place to be.
Right now we are looking for a few people who could commit to cleaning an area of the church each week. You would be able to set a time that is convenient for you...this is typically done in an hour or less.
Contact Ryan Hickey if you have questions or want to talk about this ministry opportunity ([email protected]).
Right now we are looking for a few people who could commit to cleaning an area of the church each week. You would be able to set a time that is convenient for you...this is typically done in an hour or less.
Contact Ryan Hickey if you have questions or want to talk about this ministry opportunity ([email protected]).
Sunday, March 29th - Ann Booth, Archer Pfund
Tuesday, March 31st - Bev Oleson, Henry Pfund, Steve & Alida Gauss
Wednesday, April 1st - Gloria Rolfe
Tuesday, March 31st - Bev Oleson, Henry Pfund, Steve & Alida Gauss
Wednesday, April 1st - Gloria Rolfe
Cards
We've come to the end of a 10-week series called New Year - New You.
The idea behind this series is to discover the key to living the Christian life.
When a person puts their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, they've become a New Creation.
The key to living the Christian life is simple to say and even to understand, but incredibly difficult to do because we desire to live our own life under our own rules.
Here's how it's done:
1. Staying connected to God
2. Submitting our will do God's
3. Seeking to model our life like Jesus
4. Sharing our life with other followers of Jesus
In Galatians 5:22-23 we see that the Spirit wants to produce fruit in our lives. These demonstrate the character qualities of Jesus.
The idea behind this series is to discover the key to living the Christian life.
When a person puts their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, they've become a New Creation.
The key to living the Christian life is simple to say and even to understand, but incredibly difficult to do because we desire to live our own life under our own rules.
Here's how it's done:
1. Staying connected to God
2. Submitting our will do God's
3. Seeking to model our life like Jesus
4. Sharing our life with other followers of Jesus
In Galatians 5:22-23 we see that the Spirit wants to produce fruit in our lives. These demonstrate the character qualities of Jesus.
Galatians 5:22-23
BSB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
BSB
There has been a lot going on in the world of sports so far this year. One of the things we can appreciate when we look at competitors in these types of events is the self-discipline or self-control that it requires to perform at a very high level.
But we also have to ask ourselves why, as church goers, do we put so much effort into sports, and not as much effort into our own Christian growth and that of our kids?
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
But we also have to ask ourselves why, as church goers, do we put so much effort into sports, and not as much effort into our own Christian growth and that of our kids?
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
BSB
25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
26 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
27 No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
26 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
27 No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
BSB
Today we look at the last of the fruit of the Spirit...Self-Control.
Self-control means having power over your being - mind, heart, and body.
The Bible points out a number of areas where we especially need to exert self-control: Overeating, greed, drunkeness, anger, passions, addictions, etc.
Self-control has to do with our natural desires.
Proverbs 16:32 [CEV]
Self-control means having power over your being - mind, heart, and body.
The Bible points out a number of areas where we especially need to exert self-control: Overeating, greed, drunkeness, anger, passions, addictions, etc.
Self-control has to do with our natural desires.
Proverbs 16:32 [CEV]
Proverbs 16:32
BSB
32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
BSB
Jesus modeled self-control throughout His life. Not because He was some sort of Superman, but because He loved God the Father more than He did the thought or pleasure of doing His own thing.
We live in a world of instant everything (food, replies, and immediate gratification of all kinds). Our culture tells kids that they are entitled and deserve whatever they want...which is now ingrained by many adults.
Today many feel that if they have to wait, they are being robbed and the result is frustration and even rebellion.
Self-control isn't about restriction...it's about direction. It's not about losing freedom; it's about gaining mastery over the things that try to control us.
We live in a world of instant everything (food, replies, and immediate gratification of all kinds). Our culture tells kids that they are entitled and deserve whatever they want...which is now ingrained by many adults.
Today many feel that if they have to wait, they are being robbed and the result is frustration and even rebellion.
Self-control isn't about restriction...it's about direction. It's not about losing freedom; it's about gaining mastery over the things that try to control us.
The Marshmallow Test
The ability to delay gratification shapes who we are and our future.
Earthly self-control is about trying harder, learning new skills, or even blaming your shortage upon the people and circumstances that you are embroiled in.
Biblical self-control is about Spirit-empowered restraint
The ability to delay gratification shapes who we are and our future.
Earthly self-control is about trying harder, learning new skills, or even blaming your shortage upon the people and circumstances that you are embroiled in.
Biblical self-control is about Spirit-empowered restraint
Practical ways to Grow in Self-Control:
1. Practice the Power of the Pause.
Are you responding or reacting?
1. Practice the Power of the Pause.
Are you responding or reacting?
2. Pre-Decide your Values and Behaviors.
You don't rise to the occasion - you fall to your level of preparation.
You don't rise to the occasion - you fall to your level of preparation.
3. Remove Triggers, not just Temptations.
Self-control grows when wisdom leads.
Self-control grows when wisdom leads.
4. Stay Spiritually Connected.
The closer you walk with God, the stronger your inner restraint becomes.
The closer you walk with God, the stronger your inner restraint becomes.
5. Replace, don't just Remove.
Empty space invites old habits back.
Empty space invites old habits back.
The Brake System
Self-control can be viewed as a braking system. Keeps you from going too fast, getting too close, and crashing too badly.
Self-control can be viewed as a braking system. Keeps you from going too fast, getting too close, and crashing too badly.
Self-control isn't about limiting yourself or holding yourself back...it's about becoming who God saved you to be.
There is a reason that self-control is placed last. Not because it isn't important but because without it, none of the rest will take place.
There is a reason that self-control is placed last. Not because it isn't important but because without it, none of the rest will take place.
