Week 3 – Control
January 20, 2024

Was Jesus God?
Was Jesus A Control Freak?
Did Jesus Try To Control Everything and Everyone?

Jesus Never Invested Energy Into Wishing Other People Would Change
Instead: He Provided Opportunities For People To Change

Extreme Internal Focus of Control
I Have Total Control Over My Future
I Can do Anything I Set My Mind To
Active

Extreme External Focus of Control
I Have No Control Over My Future
Life Is Fate, Luck or Destiny
Passive

Your Life Has Helped You Define Your “Control” Focus
Your Childhood
Your Past (Hurts & Helps)
Your Life Experience

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…
Galatians 5:22-23

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

The Important Question
Is My Heart Troubled Because Of My Need To Control?

Myself
Others
Situations

It’s Simple
Controllables And Non-Controllables

NON-CONTROLLABLES
Family, Spouse, Boss, Others’ Opinions, Co-Workers, Politics

God Has Never Called Us To Control Others
It’s A Waste Of Time and Energy
It Damages Relationships
It Judges Others Harshly
Increases Your Anxiety

Even Though I Don’t Have Control Over Some Things
I Will Still Try To Lovingly Influence Them In A Godly Way

Great Freedom, Liberty and Peace Is Found
When We Focus On The Controllables

My Attitude

Attitude Is Determined By The Meditation of Your Heart

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalms 19:14

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

My Behavior

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.
Romans 12:2 TLB

You May Not Be Able To Control What Happens
But You Can Control Your Response

My Prayer

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

My Heart

A Yielded Heart To The Holy Spirit Is The Goal

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Luke 4:1

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14

I Commit Myself, Others and Every Situation Into Your Hands
My Attitude
My Behavior
My Prayer
My Heart