Consistently Christian

Consistently Christian.doc

I Thessalonians 4:1-11

Introduction: As a sales representative, I was never much good at being consistent. My sales always came in spurts, with long dry periods in between. I had to have “push” competitions to keep me going. I did well, but the reps who did much better than me did so by being consistent. The Christian walk can be very similar...

I. The Bad News: you don't get a break (vv. 1-3)

A. Condition of this Church (3 groups):

i. Revived—you're “alive and kicking” for Christ

a) Good job! Keep it up!

b) vs. 1—“more and more”

ii. Could be, wanna be, almost revived—the heart monitor is flickering

a) Building consistency in your Christian walk is the key to your revival

b) Sometimes, you just don't “feel” it; that's ok, because faith is not a warm fuzzy feeling, it's an action

iii. Spiritually dead—your spiritual heart monitor hasn't so much as flickered for a long time.

a) Really, you and the “almost” revived are one and the same

b) There are no “almost” followers; only followers and non-followers

c) Same things apply to you:

· Don't have to “feel” it, “Just do it”

· Build consistency; the feelings will follow

B. The nature of the Christian “walk”

i. I Thess. 4:1 (KJV)—“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more.”

ii. Heb. 12:1 (NIV)—“Let us run with perseverance the race”

iii. The Christian walk is not a sprint, it's a marathon

a) Sometimes it hurts, but you have to persevere

b) If you start walking, you won't ever resume running

c) Eventually, the pain in your side leaves!

C. It is a daily task

i. Jesus describes his expectations of his followers: Luke 9:23-26

a) Daily death to self; can't just do it on Sunday

b) “...take up his cross...”

ii. Jesus doesn't want half-followers

a) Jesus sees through your insincerities

b) Jesus sends away the fakers: Luke 9:57-62

iii. The enemy doesn't sleep

a) Paul Blart: Mall Cop—“Safety never takes a holiday”

b) I Peter 5:8—“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ”

II. How to become Consistently Christian...(vv. 3-11)

A. Must be dissatisfied with your current spiritual state

i. Doesn't mean you're not content, just means that you are continually striving to get better

ii. Matt Mosler's Base analogy—why do we get so comfortable on Base?

B. Act as if you're sanctified (vs. 3)

i. “Set apart”

ii. You're to be different

a) More than just going to Church and reading your Bible

b) Stop acting like you can “check off” your Christian commitments! It's a relationship

c) Got to live it

d) Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

e) Must be “going” and spreading the gospel

iii. You have a specific purpose in life, that only you can fill

iv. There are consequences for your inactions

C. Read your Bible and pray for guidance

i. Reading your Bible makes a huge difference in your day

ii. Ask God to point out areas that you need improvement in

III. The Good News: following Christ is, essentially, restful!

A. Being in the center of God's will is always the best choice.

i. Missionary to Tanzania—“I'd rather my children be in the heart of Africa, and in the center of God's will, than in America, outside of it.”

ii. Submitting to God's will for your life will bring more satisfaction than you could ever provide yourself

B. When you are truly following God, you won't need a break!

i. Every action comes from the heart

ii. If the heart is where it should be, there's no reason for revival or for a “break”

iii. Being consistently Christian will bring about peace in your life, even in the face of death (vv. 13-18)

Conclusion:

Are you tired of living a life of halves? Half effort, half results, and half satisfaction? Do you want to experience the life of fullness that Jesus has to offer you? Do you want to really make a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven? Or are you satisfied with where you are now? Would Jesus be satisfied with where you are now? If not, then make it right today...