Pre-Decide: I Will Be Consistent and Finish

Joe Stewart

Sunday, November 09, 2025

Pre-Decide

Sunday Morning

Pre-Decide: I Will Be Consistent and Finish

If only we could make decisions ahead of time rather than when we're under stress, overwhelmed, or swayed by fear or emotion. This series teaches us how to position ourselves to make the choices we really want to make as followers of Jesus and avoid those we do not. Pre-Decide will help you: • See how your small choices shape the kind of person you become • Understand the science behind your decision-making habits • Overcome decision fatigue and debilitating fears • Diminish the role of emotions in decision-making • Define and put into action the seven life-defining pre-decisions you can make today Becoming the person God wants you to be starts before you even make a decision. You'll discover the power of pre-deciding today to help you live the life you want to have tomorrow.

Locations & Times

First Baptist Church Seminole Tx

202 SW Ave B, Seminole, TX 79360, USA

Sunday 5:00 AM

Think Ahead: 7 Decisions You Can Make Today for the God-Honoring Life You Want Tomorrow

Read Plan

Give Generously

At our church, it is our desire to serve our community and share the life-changing message of hope and truth in Jesus. We see giving as another way we can our worship God by generously and joyfully giving toward the ministry and mission he has called us to together.

https://fbcseminole.org/give

Welcome to First Baptist. This page is where you will find the sermon notes and more information about what is happening at FBC.

Stay connected:
www.fbcseminole.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstSeminole
Twitter: @Seminolefbc
Instagram: @fbcseminolekids
@fbcseminole_youth

We meet Sundays:
9:30 am First Service
10:30 am Second Service
Connect Groups on Sunday
Connect Groups throughout the week.

35,000 and Seven. 35,000 is the number shaping my life. Seven is the the number that allows me to take back my life.

James 5:7-12 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

The Trouble is I'm in a hurry, but God isn't.

James 1:4 NIV

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1. The Farmer's Rhythm: Declare I Will Be Consistent

2. The Community's Grit: Declare I Will Be a Finisher

3. The Simple Yes: Integrity Seals the Finish

1. The Farmer's Rhythm: Declare I Will Be Consistent

James 5:7 NLT

It's not what we do occasionally that makes a difference. It's what we do consistently that matters.

People that make a difference – do consistently what others do occasionally.

Proverbs 25:28 NLT

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

Don't quit watering your faith because you don't see fruit yet.

Consistency is the bridge between planting and harvest.

Don't quit before the rain comes.

Jerry Bridges says: “This aspect of patience is the ability to suJer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing bitter or resentful. The Christian who is the victim of office politics or organizational power plays must react with long-suffering. The believing husband or wife who is rejected or mistreated by a spouse needs this kind of patience.”

James 5:8 NIV

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Daniel 6:10 NLT

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Consistency turns waiting into testimony

2. The Community's Grit - Declare I Will be a finisher

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Don't stop running 6 miles from glory.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

He fixed His eyes on us. Now we fix our eyes on Him.

Faith isn't proven in the instant - it's proven in the endurance.

James 5:9-11 NIV

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

3. The Simple Yes: Integrity Seals the Finish

James 5:12 NIV

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

Matthew 5:33-37 NIV

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throneor by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Pre-Decide This: I will be consistent

Pre-Decide This: I will be a finisher.

Connect Group Questions — PRE–DECIDE

James 5:7-12

Read James 5:7-12. How do these verses challenge the way our culture defines blessing?

1.What does James teach about patience and waiting for the Lord’s coming? How do the images of the farmer and the judge at the door help us understand this?
2.How can we live as distinctively Christian in a culture of impatience and immediate gratification?
3.When have you struggled with being “in a hurry but God isn’t”? How do you personally handle frustration in times of waiting?
4.James highlights perseverance and consistency as keys to finishing well in faith. Why do you think consistency matters so much in spiritual growth and everyday decisions?
5.Reflecting on Malcolm Gladwell’s idea of 10,000 hours, what practical steps can we take to cultivate perseverance in our faith and life?
6.How can waiting be transformed from grumbling into worship, as James suggests? What faith-fueled declarations might help you wait well?
7.How do these teachings encourage or challenge you in your current life situation? What changes might you consider making in your attitudes or actions?

Sunday Worship Service | 9A & 10:30A

Pre-Decide: I Will Be Consistent and Finish

Pre-Decide: I Will Be Consistent and Finish

Locations & Times

Think Ahead: 7 Decisions You Can Make Today for the God-Honoring Life You Want Tomorrow

Give Generously

Service Times

Location

About

Connect

Media

Contact