Consistent Christianity (Part 1) [phrases/prompts]
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Introduction
Attention:
Perfection/Consistency
Ask: What does it mean to be consistent at something?
Consistency: steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc. -dictionary.com
Parents, teachers, coaches, Jesus
James & “Consistent Christianity.”
Consistent Christianity: Being an authentic follower of Jesus that lives-out his or her faith more often than he or she doesn’t.
Need:
Relationship between faith and works.
“Legalism” vs. “Easy-believism”
Meeting in the middle
“Consistency” vs. “Legalism”
Different areas of consistency
So strap right in; we’re going for a ride!
Body
The Big Idea: Be consistently Christian
Be consistently Christian in...
Our trials
James 1:2–8 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Explanation:
V. 8: “Double-minded”
Ask: What does it mean to be double minded?
Double-minded: “wavering or undecided in mind.” -Dictionary.com
Opposite of consistent Christianity
A divided posture of the heart and soul.
James & context
Default heart-posture
How change?
James 1:2 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
“Count it all joy”
UNNATURAL reaction!
Not the trials themselves; a reminder of God’s purposes
Which are…?
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The product: steadfastness
Steadfastness: to endure patiently. -Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
“Lacking in nothing”
Opposite of double minded; consistency.
The revealer of double-mindedness defeats it.
What matters: how we respond to trials
Positive respond: Faith.
James 1:5–8 (ESV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
A choice
Doubt, or faith.
Two paths, two destinations
Illustration:
Dating
Application:
Recent trial
How respond?
Doubt?
Faith?
How change perspective?
See differently.
The Big Idea: Be consistently Christian in...
Our trials
Our treasure
James 1:9–11 (ESV)
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Explanation:
James = spaze?
The root: double-mindedness
Specific: finances
Broad: Treasure
Audience: Mostly poor (+ recent famine)
Putting things in perspective.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Good treasure = Jesus > steadfastness (aka Christian consistency)
Illustration:
Flowers = temporary.
Money = temporary
Treasure/idols = temporary
Application:
Your treasure?
Change your treasure?
Ask Holy Spirit
The Big Idea: Be consistently Christian in...
Our trials
Our treasure
Our temptations
James 1:13–15 (ESV)
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Explanation:
Ask: How are “temptations” different than “trials?”
Trials = outward circumstances
Temptations = inward
Trial > temptation
God = trial, but not tempt
Responsibility
Why?
God is sinless
We are sinful
Personal responsibility
Verses 14-15 = process (importance to consistency)
4 Steps in the Process of Sin
Deception
“Lured and enticed” (v. 14)
“Did God really say…?”
Desire
“By his own desire”
Desire = not sin
How respond?
Disobedience
“Desire gives birth to sin.”
Sin = disobedience
Sin & consistent Christianity
Death
“And sin when it is fully grown brings death.”
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eternal, spiritual death.
Second half of verse > consistent Christianity
Blame God = double-minded
Avoid double-mindedness through taking responsibility
Illustration:
Anxiety > Despair
Application:
How respond when tempted?
More likely to resist or give in?
What causes to give in?
Give to God
Transformation
Conclusion
Visualization
Begun process
Will continue
Reiteration
Strive for consistency (in 3 ways)
Best relationship possible
Won’t you let HIM?
Let’s pray.
PRAY
Small Group Questions
The Big Idea: Be consistently Christian in...
Our trials (James 1:2-8)
Our treasure (James 1:9-11)
Our temptations (James 1:13-15)
In what ways are you most tempted to be double-minded in your faith?
What trials are you going through right now?
How can God use your trial to increase your faith?
What “treasures” or “idols” do you have in your life?
What does it look like for a Christian teenager to take responsibility for their sin?
