Overcoming Temptation

2002-07-03 - Rated 4 of 5 by 2 users - (Print Notes)

Part # 8: Keys to the Control Center by D-lite

Topic: What is filling and controlling you?
Age Group: Youth and/or 20-30 something age group
Goal: By the end of this lesson the students will learn to recognize the importance of the Holy Spiritís filling and control in our lives by examining the characteristics of the Spiritís filling and controlling as compared to being filled and controlled by a substitute or counterfeit influence.
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 5:18 , and various supporting scriptures teaching on the Holy Spirit

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RATIONAL: God created each of us with a hunger that only He can satisfy. We often do not recognize this God-given hunger (Christians included) and so we seek to fill this hunger with substitutes that do not satisfy. These substitutes become controlling factors in our lives. We have to carefully examine what we allow to fill our lives or we will end up in perpetual disappointment and ultimate disillusionment. The solution is to have our lives filled and controlled by the authentic Holy Spirit and not some other imitation spirit that takes the control and brings us into enslavement to a counterfeit spirit.


ASSIGNMENT: Teach ìPart Aî below (using your personal illustrations and perspective). Then go into ìPart Bî by assigning each person to read Ephesians 5:17-20 and a complimentary passage on the function of the Holy Spirit to look up for study and comparison. If the group is larger than 10, break into smaller groups (4-8) for study and discussion. (Use the questions and study below as a guide for your findings). Each group assigns a leader for reporting in the larger group after the small group exercise has been completed. List on an overhead or board the findings and observations of each group. Then summarize the findings and make application.


SUGGESTED PROPS AND ACTIVITY FOR PART B (with youth): Have several cases of empty beer bottles (one bottle for each person). (You should be able to get them at a recycling depot or next time you collect bottles for fund raiser, keep some of the beer bottles for this lesson.) The bottles do not need to be washed. It makes for a better (or more disgusting) object lesson, especially if one or two of the bottles also contain cigarette butts. Make an interesting and attractive label in the shape of a key (later to be removed) for each bottle. Each label should include a Scripture passage from the ìBottled Lessonsî below. When beginning Part B of this lesson, bring the beer cases out and give each one a bottle to study. After completing the lesson and discussion, have each one take the sticky label off the bottle and place it into the front cover of their Bibles (this will serve as a reminder of the lesson). Then have each one take their bottle and throw it into the trash (symbolizing a breaking with a past control problem in their lives).

PART A
Introduction: Everything God created had a purpose, although man hasnít discovered some of Godís purposes just yet. When I was a kid in elementary school, it was common that a classmate would be away from school for a week or so, because they were having their tonsils removed. At that time, it was medically fashionable to remove body parts that were considered useless by physicians. Now medical research has discovered that tonsils actually play an important role in preventing illnesses. Tonsils may be seen as two guards standing at the throatís entrance to protect the body against a wide range of intruders. They trap bacteria and viruses entering through the throat and produce antibodies to help fight infections. They are like the soldiers fighting on the front lines who often get injured (inflamed) because theyíve been protecting the others behind them.

Transitional Thoughts: So it is, everything God created has an important purpose. It is designed to have some special function. When God created man, He created an inner space in us called the soul. Iím sure if surgeons could have found this space, many of us would no longer have a soul, because to them it might seem that it served no practical purpose to the body and so they would have removed it. But God being all wise, hid this space so that no other person could have access to it, only you. This inner space is designed for something very specific. It is a tailor made place where Godís Spirit intends to take up residence in us. He created the soul to be the ìcontrol centerî of our lives. Because He is our Creator and loving Father, God intended that He would have complete access to this control center of our lives. He gave us the keys so that we would always give him the access to the control of our lives.

Listen as I read Eph 1:13-14 . ìAnd you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God¥s possession-- to the praise of his glory.î When we give our lives to Christ, He gives us the Holy Spirit. But the question is not if we have Him, but is He in control? Have we given Him the keys to our control center.

Illustration: When two people get married one of the first things that happens in the relationship is to establish whose going to be the leader. Whoís going to be in control? Often this happens quite subjectively, without the couple intentionally knowing what is taking place. Itís much better to understand and work together on shaping this dynamic, realizing the goal youíre working toward. Guys, just because you get married it does not mean that youíll automatically be the spiritual leader of your home. You should be the spiritual leader. But sometimes you donít know how to provide that leadership and sometimes your spouse does not know how to nurture that leadership. Sometimes she would rather not bother waiting for your to learn and do it herself, because she has never learned how to trust another leader to help her find Godís will in her life. As it is, every group needs a leader; every home needs a leader; every life needs a leader.

Application: So it is, in every one of our hearts. God wants to be in control, He wants to the leader, but often we just donít want to give him the keys to the control center of our souls. We donít know how to trust Him that deeply. Remember He has given us the keys and He will not wrestled them out of our hands. He wants us to open our hearts and hands and place the keys into His open hand, so that He has complete freedom and access to our control center at all times. It is Godís intention that the Holy Spirit take complete control over every our action and our every thought. The only way we can every experience all the amazing things God has prepared for us, we must let Him lead us to those places.

Itís all about Control: He wants to be in control. Listen to His instruction for us, ìTherefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord¥s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. î (Eph 5:17-20 ).

Understanding Control: Donít get drunk, but instead be filled with the Spirit. What happens when we fill ourselves with alcohol? We become controlled by it. What happens when we fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit? We become controlled by God. We are under an influence. If we drink & drive, we get charged with being ìunder the influenceî. If someone gets stopped in a police road check the first question they ask is ìHave you had anything to drink tonight?î Why? Because if you have, you will be considered ìunder the influenceî, you will be considered impaired. The police know that if you drink alcohol, youíre not in control ñ alcohol is controlling you. God knows if you are filled with the Holy Spirit youíre not in control ñ He is.

The illustration: I believe God uses the illustration of ìnot being drunk with wineî to help us understand what control is really all about. Apparently the Ephesians knew what it was to be drunk with wine or else Paul wouldnít have used that illustration. Today many people can relate very well to this graphic illustration. How many of you have never seen a drunken person? Perhaps some of you yourselves have been drunk?

Personal Sotry/Application: My father was a raging, abusive alcoholic. I never knew him any other way. He lived all his adult life under the influence and control of alcohol. No, it doesnít mean that he was drunk every waking minute, but it completely controlled all his choices, decisions and lifestyle. Remember the issue is ìcontrolî. After my dad had already had his own license confiscated, my mother became his ìdesignated driverî. Several times my mother nearly lost her life being the ìdesignated driverî. Drunken people do incredibly stupid things, especially in a car. When I hear young adults talk about being the designated driver for their inebriated friends ñ I shudder. Who in their right senses would want to voluntarily taxi a car full of people, throwing up and doing who knows what else in the back seat of the car? Definitely not my definition of the word ìfunî Ö One day when someone called me to tell me that my dad had died during night, I wasnít even surprised, because I had anticipated that call for years. It was no surprise that he died drunk in a strange motel room alone. Sad yes, but not surprising. Alcohol controlled his life and death. It had become his personal prison and he forgot where heíd left the keys.

Study the issues of ìControlî: It is helpful and important to have an objective attitude when examining the ìcontrolî factors in our lives. In this case, the Scripture uses alcohol as a comparison for control. Letís examine the differences between the control of alcohol and the control of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Perhaps if we understand these factors, it will help us make better choices as to who will allow control in our lives. Who we hand the keys of control to will determine which road the vehicle will take and its final destination.

PART B
Alcohol Control vs. Holy Spirit Control: How does the control of alcohol differ from the control of the Holy Spirit? Remember in Acts 2:14-17 some thought the apostles were drunk because of their great boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

Questions for consideration and discussion while studying the Scripture passages:
1) How is getting high or drunk like being filled with the Spirit? - Giving control over to someone or something else.
2) How is the control of the Holy Spirit different from being under the influence of alcohol? - see Scriptures verses for study.
3) If using alcohol and drugs has so many negative affects, why do so many people continue this practice?
4) Why do you think that youth and young adults get involved in these habits and this lifestyle?
5) How can we be sure that we give the keys of our control center to someone we can trust?

Bottled Lessons (Study Passages):
+ The Holy Spirit gives courage to be bold to speak the truth, to witness and to glorify God. He takes away our fear and replaces it with love and self-confidence ( 2 Tim 1:7-8).
- Alcohol removes inhibitions, and replaces it with shame and self-hatred as people lose control over themselves, behaving foolishly and doing things sober people would never do.

+ The Holy Spirit establishes fellowship & unity by giving us the same attitude as Christ had. (Phil 2:1-5 )
- Alcohol alienates people from one another, as they become self-centered in their thinking and actions.

+ The control of the Holy Spirit clarifies our thinking and instructs us in truth. He gives us wisdom and discernment, and brings things back to our minds that we have learned from Him (John 14:26 , 16:13-14).
- Alcohol distorts our perception and confuses our thinking. It does not let us see things as they really are.

+ The Holy Spirit never abandons us (John 14:17-18 )
- Alcohol leaves us destitute and alone, as we become unbearable to live with.

+ The Holy Spirit fills us with the peace of Christ. (John 16:33 )
- Alcohol torments our spirit as it fills us with guilt and shame.

+ The Holy Spirit fills our hearts and minds with joy which comes out as uplifting and encouraging talk (Gal 5:19-23 ).
- Alcohol spews out empty and meaningless godless talk.

+ The Holy Spirit fills us with supernatural resources (Eph 5:18 ).
- Alcohol drains us of resources and energy. It takes away the best years of our lives and leaves us with regrets and poverty.

+ The Holy Spirit reveals God to us (John 16:14-15 )
- Alcohol draws us away from God into a godless lifestyle.

+ The Holy Spirit helps us to make righteous judgments (John 16:8 )
- Alcohol impairs our judgment to the point where we are a danger to ourselves and others.

+ The Holy Spirit gives eternal peace and joy beginning at the point of surrender to Christ (Eph 1:13-14 ).
- Alcohol provides a temporary escape from the realities of life that only come back with a greater vengeance once youíre sober again.

+ The Holy Spirit gives us endurance, perseverance and courage so that we can stand up under the most difficult of situations in life (Rev 14:12-13 ).
- Alcohol makes excuses for almost every weakness known in man. It allows the person to lie to himself denies the person the opportunity to change.

+ The Holy Spirit gives us life - spiritual, emotional and physical as we depend on God for our resources. (John 6:33 )
- Alcohol robs us of life and makes us dependent on it and co-dependent on each other, instead of learning to trust God.

+ The Holy Spirit restores our memory (John 14:26 ).
- Alcohol destroys our memory and kills our brain cells.

+ The Holy Spirit gives us a productive life (John 15:1-8 ).
- Alcohol robs us of our desire to live productive lives the more we indulge.

+ The Holy Spirit controls us through our spirit and our flesh becomes the servant of the Spirit (Gal 19-26 )
- Alcohol takes control of the flesh and makes the spirit its servant.

+ The Holy Spirit gives eternal life (Gal 6:7-8 )
- Alcohol brings premature aging and ultimate death.

Closing Illustration and Applications: Today each one of us has a key. What we decide to do with that key will take our lives in a direction and will ultimately take us to a destination. God is asking us to open our hands and let go of that key and put it into His hand. That way we give Him complete access to the control center of our lives. Symbolically, we have put a picture of a key into our Bibles covers today. Can we in reality take the key of our lives and place it into Godís hand today? Will we let him unlocked the door to our control center and fill us and prosper our lives? That fact is that we will give the key over to someone or something and the inner space of our lives will be filled and controlled. But today we have the decision and can choose to whom we will give that control.

Close in prayer: Heavenly Father - Creator God, thank you for creating us with an inner space where you can make your home in us, in the center of our being. Lord Jesus, today I open my hands and give you the keys to my control center, the keys to my soul; so that you can fill me with your Holy Spirit. I repent of not giving you the keys before this. I repent of giving the keys to those that would bring harm to my life. I repent of not trusting you to control my life. I give you my life, my keys and my destiny. Make me the kind of person you want me to be and give me the courage to walk with you all the days of my life. Amen.

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