Untitled Sermon (12)

Introduction

There once were some fisherman who started to get together to talk about fishing. they loved fishing and wanted to have others men who where interested in the same thing. they found a nice building to meet in and they meet every week and the group began to grow until they decided they would have to build a new building for them to meet in. they talked about all the latest techniques and ways to fish. they would would bring all the latest and best lures and rods to look at and compare. they would bring all their fancy boats and trucks to that would help them to be the best fisherman they could. Every week they would come together and talk about fishing. they trained fisherman. they would watch videos about fishing. but in reality all they ever did was talk about fishing, they never went.

more often not than not that is us. we have all the best techniques we talk about being fishers of men. we have the best facilities, we have the best tools , the best manuals to show us how to. we gather to learn, but we never really go out beyond these walls and fish.

Are you a fisher of men?

when was the last time you went beyond these walls to cast a line?

when was the last time you went beyond the comfort of this building to speak to someone about christ?

In order for us to reach the lost we are going to have to be committed:

committed to being a Christian wherever you are openly

committed to finding out pur place in discipleship

bringer

teacher

keeper

committed to engage people intentionally

committed to building personal relationships

committed to connecting people to God’s church

when we are committed that help will help us to be consistent

being consistent is absolutely imperative to reaching the lost

One thing I have learned is that the world hates an hypocrite

WE HAVE TO BE CONSISTENTLY COMMITTED TO REACHING THE LOST

Matthew 4:19 NASB95

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 10:35–38 NASB95

“For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

matt.

Matthew 10:35–36 NASB95

“For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

1. One thing I have learned is that the world hates an hypocrite

2. The Lord hates hypocrites also - ;

Matthew 15:7–8 NASB95

“You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.

3. All Christians need to make it a goal to be consistent in all aspects of their lives

Body

I. Consistent in Bible study -

A. Bible study needs to be a daily habit B. Delights in the Law of God - C. Loves the Word of God - D. As a newborn babe needs milk to grow, the Christian needs God's Word - E. To be able to give an answer requires study - F. Would we be satisfied if our children went to school for only four hours a week? Would they really learn anything. Yet so many people only study the Bible during church services. G. It is so important to teach to our children this principle

1 Peter 3:15 NASB95

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

1 Peter 2:2 NASB95

like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Psalm 1 NASB95

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

II. Consistent in Thought -

Philippians 4:8 NASB95

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

A. GIGO. Garbage In, Garbage Out B. Evil communications corrupt good manners -

1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB95

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

C.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 NASB95

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

D. Eyes full of adultery -

2 Peter 2:14 NASB95

having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;

III. Consistent in Conduct

A. Does the world know that you are a Christian? B. Do you behave differently on Sundays than you do the rest of the week? C. Peter was one who was incosistent in his conduct 1. In His denial of Christ - ,

Matthew 26:35 NASB95

Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

Matthew 26:75 NASB95

And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

2. Peter was condemned by Paul for being inconsistent in his actions -

Galatians 2:11–14 NASB95

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

IV. Consistent in Prayer

A. As Christians, we often forget the power of prayer B. "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" C. We are commanded to pray without ceasing -

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB95

pray without ceasing;

D. NT Christians prayed constantly -

Acts 2:42 NASB95

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

E. Do we still believe in prayer -

1 John 5:14–15 NASB95

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

1. A lack of prayer life indicates a lack of faith in God. 2. God is able and willing to give us anything that we truly need -

Ephesians 3:20 NASB95

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

Conclusion

1. Consistency is so important.

2. Christianity is a full-time religion 24/7/365

3. Have you been consistent in:

a. Your Bible study? b. Your thoughts? c. Your conduct? d. Your prayer life?

4. As I said in the introduction, God hates hypocrisy

5. The good news is that God is consistent as well. He will forgive you

6. Please see Plan of Salvation