Consistent and reliable

Romans 1:11–12 NKJV

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

. This is the scripture i shared with you guys a month ago the last time i spoke and i said that this would be a focus for us as a church over the course of this year along with what we were speaking about before that about become established within our community/becoming a valuable asset to the community of Cobram.

. We spoke about being completely intentional about this , becoming established in the spiritual gifts, and becoming a church that positively influences its community, and even each of us as individuals in our walk and relationship with God. none of these things will come about without genuine intention.

.I also made this statement “ Becoming established and living in the blessings of God and functioning in the spiritual gifts, does not come without a genuine attempt on our behalf to live a holy and righteous life.”

. I believe in this statement so much and i like it is so important for us all to understand!

. and it lines up really well with what Ryan and Keryn shared a couple of weeks ago, about character, that really ultimately our character is what really matters and our character as individual and as a church is what will impact the community.

. There are many character qualities of Jesus that we need to develop in our lives, i want to talk a bit today and a couple of what i think are really understated ones and don't often get talked about but are actually crucial, in fact without these things the rest of Jesus character would not have been as impressive.

Consistency and Reliability!!

. These two things are so important for us all, if we look at Jesus through scripture he was always consistent and reliable! he was always teaching the same things ( never contradicted himself) whether in speech or by his actions.

. He said that he loved and all his actions and conversations showed love.

Hebrews 13:7–8 NKJV

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

. This is something that the disciples and all the multitudes who followed Jesus knew, that if Jesus said that he was going to do something it was done! if Jesus said that he was going to be somewhere he was there.

. as we work on ourselves to try and become more like Jesus, these two attributes are things we need to develop in our lives.

. Jesus lived out the things he spoke ( can you imagine if you saw me down at the pub??? )

James 5:12 NKJV

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

, This may seem like a basic principle to some of us, however there are many people who cannot and do not live by this principle, but this is so important because these simple things, these characteristics of Jesus Consistency and reliability.

. So many people say they wont to change, and even say in conversation yes i am going to change, but then go away and do nothing about it, or don't show up to get the help they have been offered.

. This goes into work as well, people who are not consistent and reliable don't show up for work, or don't do the job even when they are there!

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

. Consistency and reliability is what the local church needs to develop and show within the community to be able to make a difference.

. and consistence and reliability is what each believer needs to develop and show in their lives if we truly want to honor God, remember let your yes be yes and no be no.

. so If we say God i will serve you, God i love you God i believe you, we need to be consistent and reliable in this.

.In the way we speak, in the way we act, in the way we live and in the way we love.

(Prayer for those who want to make amends for this, and prayer for those who want to make the decision)