May22-28: Temperance

Teaching Points

1. Whose are we and what difference does this make? 

ANSWER:

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20—We are God’s temple bought with Christ’s blood?
• We can no longer do whatever we please; we must ask God first.

2. What does God tell us about what we eat, drink, and do?

ANSWER:

• 1 Corinthians 10:31—Do all to God’s glory.

3. How does God feel about body and mind destroying activities? 

ANSWER:

• 1 Corinthians 3:17—Those who destroy their body temple God will destroy.

OBSERVATION:

• We do not own ourselves; we are God’s temple bought with the price of Christ’s blood.
• Because we are not our own, we cannot treat our bodies however we please.
• God calls us to glorify Him in all that we do.
• If we choose to destroy our body temples, God will destroy us. 

5. How can we learn to avoid harming our bodies?

ANSWER:

• 2 Peter 1:5, 6—add to knowledge, Temperance.

6. How is this temperance described in 1 Corinthians?

ANSWER:

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27—Strict temperance or self-control like an athlete training for a race.

7. How can we gain the temperance or self-control to win this race?

ANSWER:

• Hebrews 12:1, 2—Focusing on Jesus and laying down our burden of sin, remembering what Jesus went through at the cross. This will give the strength and courage to be self-controlled in and for Christ.  

OBSERVATION:

• We can learn how to stop destroying our body temples by learning God’s knowledge and adding temperance or self-control to it.
• The temperance we need to run the race of life and win is very similar to the self-control needed to win an earthly race.
• Hebrews tells us that we should lay down every sin and burden and focus our eyes on Jesus and the cross.
• When we do this we are exercising self-control or discipline in Christ’s strength. 

SOP

• If the moral sensibilities of Christians were aroused upon the subject of temperance in all things, they could, by their example, commencing at their tables, help those who are weak in self-control, who are almost powerless to resist the cravings of appetite. If we could realize that the habits we form in this life will affect our eternal interests, that our eternal destiny depends upon strictly temperate habits, we would work to the point of strict temperance in eating and drinking. By our example and personal effort we may be the means of saving many souls from the degradation of intemperance, crime, and death. Our sisters can do much in the great work for the salvation of others by spreading their tables with only healthful, nourishing food. They may employ their precious time in educating the tastes and appetites of their children, in forming habits of temperance in all things and in encouraging self-denial and benevolence for the good of others.--"Testimonies," Vol. 3, p. 489.  {PH136 7.2}
• We should be at the head in the temperance reform. . . . The reason why many of us will fall in the time of trouble is because of laxity in temperance and indulgence of appetite.  {PH136 7.3}
• "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." In running the race, in order to obtain that laurel which was considered a special honor, those who engaged in running were temperate in all things. They where temperate, that their muscles, and their brains, and every part of them, should be in the very best condition to run. If they were not temperate, they would not have that elasticity that they would have if they were temperate in all things. If temperate, they could run that race successfully. They were more sure of receiving the crown. But notwithstanding all their efforts in the direction of temperance, and to subject themselves to a careful diet, in order to be in the best condition, yet they only ran at a venture. They might do the very best they could, and yet after all not receive the token of honor; for another might be a little in advance of them, and take the prize. One only received the prize. But we can all run in the heavenly race, and all receive the prize. It is not an uncertainty. It is not to run at a risk. We must put on the heavenly graces, with the eye directed upward to the crown of immortality, keeping the Pattern ever before us. He was a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. The self-denying life of our divine Lord we are to keep constantly in view. His life of poverty, humbleness, and self-denial, we must not forget. And then as we seek to imitate him, keeping our eye upon the mark of the prize, we can run this race with certainty, knowing that if we do the very best we can we shall certainly secure the prize. Men ran to obtain a corruptible crown, one that would perish in a day. All this self-denial practiced by those who ran these races was to obtain a corruptible crown, which was only a token of honor from mortals here.  {ST, September 18, 1879 par. 9} 

CONCLUSION:

• We belong to God. He created us and He bought us with His blood. 
• God wants us to glorify Him in how we take care of our bodies and minds. If we choose to destroy our bodies God will destroy us.
• Temperance is vitally important in running the race of life it is illustrated by athletes preparing for a race.
• Jesus is the one who gives the strength to lay down our burden of sin and run with patience because we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• What things in your life are out of hand?
• Do you feel out of control because you are bound to a habit you can’t break?
• Are you asking that God will help you to glorify Him in all that you do?
• Are you focusing on Christ’s death on the cross for you and is it causing you joy to lay down your sins and run patiently?