Union Church of Christ

Introduction

1. Bill Bennett (paraphrased from a statement earlier in 1999) - "It is not self-esteem that children need, it is self-respect."
2. He commented that while serving as drug czar in the Reagan administration, he came into contact with drug dealers who had plenty of self-esteem, but what they lacked was self-respect.
3. Many different "self-" words are being promoted - -confident; -assured; -love; -reliant.
4. Self-esteem is important, but there are some other "self-" words that must come first.
5. Only when these are in place in one's character can one truly have self-esteem.

Discussion

1. Self-Respect

   1. We are the crown of God's creation.

      1. Genesis 1:26-28.
      2. Psalm 139:14.
      3. David's statement is not made in arrogance, but it reveals amazement at God's greatness and an appreciation of what God has done.
      4. Genesis 1:27 says that we are made in God's image.
         1. This is not a reference to physical appearance.
         2. John 4:24.
         3. Luke 24:39
         4. It is in the inner man that we are made in God's image.
   2. A major problem with our society today is the pervasiveness of the teaching of evolution.
      1. Romans 1:18-25.
      2. If we are convinced that we are nothing more than an animal, then we will act that way.
      3. Guy N. Woods - "Convince a man that he is nothing more than a monkey and he will act like one."
      4. Philippians 3:2
      5. Galatians 5:15
   3. f we are to have self-respect, we must see ourselves as God created us.
      1. It is that inner man that separates us from the animal world - unlike animals, we have a soul that will live forever.
      2. Ecclesiastes 3:21
      3. Ecclesiastes 12:7
      4. Hebrews 2:7
      5. Man is a little lower than the angels; not just a little higher than the animals.
   4. Value is determined by what one is willing to pay.
      1. To God, we were worth the death of his Son.
         1. John 3:16.
         2. Romans 5:6-10.
         3. Hebrews 2:9
         4. 1 Peter 3:18
   5. When we respect ourselves, it will lead to:
2. Self-Control
   1. Because I am a spiritual being, I am ultimately responsible for my actions.
      1. Unlike animals which act according to instinct - example, a lion kills a gazelle because that what lions do!
      2. Ezekiel 18:20
      3. Galatians 6:5
   2. Choosing to do what is right takes effort.
      1. Example - it is easy to drift, but one must paddle against the current to go in the chosen direction.
      2. We cannot be different from the world without "paddling the canoe!"
   3. Definition of "self-control" - mastery of one's self and surroundings.
      1. Note that this is not just the act of abstaining from things that are sinful, but it is the power and decision to abstain with reference to a fixed goal.
      2. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
      3. 1 Corinthians 10:31
         1. Here is what should be the goal of every Christian.
         2. This is why we practice self-control.
   4. Acts 24:25
      1. Paul reasoned of ". . . temperance."
      2. One can be forced to stop certain actions, but we must be renewed in the mind to practice self-control.
      3. Ephesians 4:22-24.
      4. When I come to see that self-control is better than giving in to temptation, then I will be far less likely to do wrong.
      5. Example - child forced to sit, who muttered, "I may be sitting on the outside, but I'm standing on the inside."
      6. This describes many in the church- it is this lack of self-control that often leads to sin.
   5. Two incidents in the life of Joseph show self-control.
      1. Genesis 43:31.
      2. Genesis 39:12 (v. 9 shows the power and decision).
   6. Self-control is a Christian virtue (2 Peter 1:6); part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).
   7. When we practice self-control, we will practice:
3. Self-Examination
   1. 2 Corinthians 13:5
   2. We must avoid the impulse to think of the faults of others during the sermon - instead, we must be willing to ask if we are at fault.
   3. It is easy to say "It's him;" it takes self-control to focus a critical eye on ourselves and say "Is it I?"
   4. Matthew 26:22-25.
      1. We must continually be ready to ask the question, "Is it I?"
      2. But make sure that you are not hypocritical (Judas) in this question.
         1. Psalm 119:59
         2. Lamentations 3:40
   5. The Lord's supper provides such an opportunity.
      1. 1 Corinthians 11:28
      2. In this part of the worship, I examine myself in comparison with the Lamb of God.
      3. In so doing, I seek to become more like him and less like what I have been in the past.

Conclusion

Whenever these principles are in place in our lives, we will have the right kind of self-esteem.