SERMON HANDOUT

Title: Mastering Me: The Power of Self-Control in the Life of Faith Pt. 1
Text: 2 Peter 1:5-7 (Focus on verse 6)

KEY SCRIPTURE:
"...and to knowledge, self-control..." — 2 Peter 1:6

INTRODUCTION
Faith is not the end of the journey—it's the beginning. Peter instructs us to build on our faith, adding self-control as a vital component of spiritual maturity. Before we conquer the world, we must master ourselves.

I. WHAT IS SELF-CONTROL?

  • Greek: Enkrateia — inner mastery, discipline over desires.

  • Opposite: Akrasia — knowing what is right but lacking the will to do it.

  • Philo (1st-century Jewish philosopher): Conversion is the passage “from incontinence to self-control.” (Spicq, Theological Lexicon, Vol. 1, p. 61)

  • 2 Timothy 3:3 — End-time people will be "without self-control (akrateis)," no longer acting as humans but amoral beings. (Spicq, p. 62)

Biblical Insight:

"Sin is crouching at your door... but you must rule over it." — Genesis 4:7

II. WHY SELF-CONTROL IS NECESSARY FOR GROWTH

  • 2 Peter 1:5–6 (NIV)

    5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

    6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

    Peter purposely places the acquisition of discipline after knowledge, because discipline turns knowledge into spiritual formation and power.

  • Proverbs 25:28 — Without self-control, we are like cities with broken walls.

  • Discipline protects purpose and identity like walls protect a city.

Conclusion: can go to church, quote scripture, and talk faith all day—but without “self-control” (enkrateia), you're vulnerable to the same old sins, emotional blowups, and spiritual stalls. Knowledge without discipline is “lack of control” (akrasia)—and it sabotages your growth.

Application: Write down areas in your life where self-control is an issue. Take it to God in prayer. Begin to focus on things that can help build your discipline in these areas of weakness. Thank God in advance for allowing the Holy Spirit to come in and help you conquer these weak areas.