Being consistent is one of the most important thing in our Christian life. Jesus is coming back to to settle accounts with us, for His return on His investment. Our relational, continual connection with Jesus allow us to be consistent. We must be: 1) STEADFAST, establishing a position in Jesus and His Word. 2) IMMOVABLE, holding your position you’ve established in Jesus, in the midst of adversity or opposition, and living by faith, not drawing back for fear or difficult circumstances. 3) ABOUNDING, flourishing in your position. It’s through your position in Jesus that allows you to do more than what is expected in every situation, even in the midst of adversity. We can’t do any of it on our own, it’s through our connection with Jesus, and being planted in His house.
Hebrews 6:11–12, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 10:35–39, Psalm 92:13–14, Colossians 3:23–24
Jesus needs to be our STEADFAST connection, our source that we establish our position in. He is the one that is sitting on the throne that one day we will be face-to-face with and answer to. His word stands forever, and our position needs to come from the heart of Jesus. Everyone will be held accountable by the same thing – His Word. So then, we are to be ROOTED in Jesus, BUILT UP continually, as we keep building upon and growing, ESTABLISHED in the FAITH by the increasing of our inner strength in both character and attitude. James 5:8 says, “Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” It’s time to establish your heart. It’s time to connect with Jesus.
James 5:8, Colossians 2:6–7, 1 Corinthians 15:58
Sermon Notes
Through God’s Word and His precious promises found in His Word, we will become partakers of His “divine nature,” His character. God has given us everything for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. Our relationship with God is not about getting something from Him, it’s about being a partaker of His nature, and becoming something with Him. Don’t be satisfied being an observer, and watching from the sidelines.
Exodus 29:38, 1 Corinthians 15:57–58, 2 Peter 1:2–4
Sermon Notes
Three things are required to prepare ourselves as a dwelling place – Offering, Sacrifice and CONSISTENCY. Day by day, continually we offer our lives to Jesus. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday . . . not just on Sundays at church, we have to commit our hearts to only do what honors Him, constantly, regularly, perpetually, never stopping. We keep coming, and we don’t back down!
Being a long-term, successful follower of Jesus, requires consistency. No one can choose it for you, you must choose for yourself every day. It can be our biggest challenge, giving our life to Jesus and staying in love with Him. It’s through a relationship and connection with Him that is the means by which we are victorious in every area of our life, valuing the connection and relationship itself, and not valuing what comes out of or from the relationship. The moment what is given takes priority over the giver, we open ourselves up to deception.
Are you ready to offer all of your heart in worship to Jesus?
Are you willing to lay your life down as a sacrifice and live only for Him?
Have I been using Jesus as a means to the end, instead of the end Himself?
Sermon Notes
In order to answer the question, “How do you know if you’re a follower of Jesus?” We must ask the question, “Who is determining my direction and route of movement?” If you’re making decisions without prayer and seeking the face of God, then it’s you. BUT, if you want to go after Jesus, and let Him be your direction and determine your route of movement, to be your leader, He invites us to take up our cross, lay everything of our own down to do whatever it takes to follow Him. This isn’t a question of salvation, it’s a question of if you are following Jesus, knowing Him, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. As Paul says through it all, “even if I die, I will attain the resurrection of the dead.”