Consistency – The Mark Of A Serious Christian

This sermon outline deals with the timely subject of consistency. The person of interest is Daniel, the Old Testament prophet. When studying his life you find that he was consistent in everything he did. May all of us learn from his godly example!

 
Title: “Consistency: The Mark Of A Serious Christian!”

Text: Daniel 6:10

(Daniel 6:10) “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (KJV)

Introduction:

• Daniel is known in the Scriptures to be one who was faithful, dependable, endowed with a good spirit, a man of prayer, a man who endured the lion’s den and a man who was a diplomat!
• Our text shows what Daniel did when crisis came.

“When crisis comes you find out what people are made of.”

• God said Daniel prayed like he consistently did previous to this adverse situation.
• Consistency, which is an earmark of solid leadership, and also of serious character, would also be a term that we could use to describe Daniel.
• Webster define the word “consistent” as: holding together; firm or coherent – agreeing; in harmony; in accord; compatible – holding to the same principles or practice.
• When I think of consistency, I think about words like: practice, continuing, perseverance, determination, and faithfulness!
• When I think of consistency, I think about people like: Moses, Joseph, Abraham, John the Baptist, and The Apostle Paul!
• When I think of consistency, I think about teachers I had like: My sixth grade teacher (I forget her name, but she made a lasting impression on me.); my new convert’s teacher, David Murrell; and my college professor, Pastor Richard Jones.
• When I think of consistency, I think about preachers like: Tom Malone, Bob Roberson, J. Vernon McGee, Curtis Hutson, and John Rice.

Proposition: There are three things I want us to consider about the subject of consistency!

I. We Need To Accept Nothing Less Than Absolute Consistency!

A. Consider the world’s insatiable appetite for consistency!

i. Example of athletes: Olympics & professional.
ii. Example of employers: demand of attendance.
iii. Example of employees: receive pay check on time.
iv. Example of military: skills; life or death depends upon consistency.
v. Example of farmer & equipment: breakdown – cost money.
vi. Example of doctors: if skills are not perfected, then sickness can result.

B. Consider the Bible’s admonition for consistency!

(2 Peter 3:18) “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (KJV)

(1 Timothy 4:12-16) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (KJV)

(2 Timothy 4:1-8) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (KJV)

John 8:31 ¶ “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

John 15:9 ¶ “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”

Acts 13:43 “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”

Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

2Timothy 3:14 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”

Acts 1:14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

Acts 2:42 ¶ “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Acts 8:13 “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

Acts 15:35 “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.”

Acts 18:11 “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

Acts 19:10 “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

C. Consider the dilemma!

i. We see how the world demands consistency and how the Bible declares that we as Christians should be consistent and continue, but why do we think consistency is not needed in our lives!
ii. The plain fact of the matter is that we are consistent in the things we think important!
iii. For example, if we think it is important to read our Bibles then we will consistently read it, etc.

II. We Need To Understand The Necessity Of Consistency!

A. As has already been stated, life or death can depend upon one being consistent!

B. Consistency could be the very trait that enables you to make it through your dark valley! It certainly drove Daniel to his knees when crisis came!

C. Daniel benefited tremendously from his previous consistent walk!

D. Consistency itself can be a friend that encourages you to press on and “stick by the stuff!”

III. We Need To Develop An Appetite For Consistency!

A. A sanctified, God-honoring walk with our Heavenly Father does not come about by chance, luck, good intentions or osmosis.

B. It does come about by an appetite that has been cultivated over a period of time!

C. We must acquire a standard, a disciplined mindset, and a consecrated desire for consistency!

D. This appetite should not be feasting on a self-promoting, and pharisaical motive.

E. No, our motive should be for God’s glory and should desire consistency in our life for His glory alone!

Conclusion:

To The Christian:

• Can you characterize your life as consistent?
• Prayer Time?
• Bible Time?
• Giving?
• Witnessing?
• Godly Attitude?
• Walk?

To The Sinner:

• Be saved!