PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
1.
I once read about a
preacher who kept a special book on his desk.
2.
This book was labeled,
“Complaints against other church members.”
3.
From time to time
members would come to him and criticize someone
within the congregation.
4.
After worshippers made
known their intentions this preacher said,
5.
“Just a moment. Let’s get the book.”
6.
“As you describe your
objections I will record them.”
7.
“When we are done, you
sign the complaint.”
8.
“Your signature
guarantees that when this matter is addressed, we will have exact charges.”
9.
After 40 years the
book was completely empty. No one
wanted to sign it.
WHEN PEOPLE LEARNED THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR COMPLAINT, THEY LOST INTEREST.
a)
Today’s lesson is
about personal responsibility.
b)
This material applies
to both Christians and non-Christians.
2)
The Bible teaches that
every person old enough to know right from wrong is accountable to God.
3)
The first reference in
this regard (Rom. 14:12) has already been read.
a)
Paul said there is a “God.”
b)
This God requires
people to “account” for themselves.
i)
“Each one” must
account for himself/herself.”
ii)
There is personal
responsibility and no one can escape it.
4)
In the previous verse
(Rom. 14:11) the thought is even plainer.
5)
A time is coming when
“every knee shall bow.”
6)
There will be a day
when “every tongue shall confess to God.”
a)
At present we often
see examples of limited accountability.
b)
Some feel only partly
accountable to the law/government.
c)
There are cases where
employees are not very accountable to their employers.
d)
There are even those
who feel only accountable to themselves.
7)
Rom. 14:11-12 says if
we know good from evil, we are accountable to God.
8)
One day He will call
us before Himself and He will judge us.
9)
Not only will we be
judged, we will be assigned to a place for an unending existence.
IF THIS IS TRULY OUR FATE, SHOULD WE NOT BE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THE STANDARD OF THE JUDGMENT? FOR WHAT WILL WE BE ACCOUNTABLE?
a)
This question is
answered with our remaining references.
b)
Our next verse is Mt.
12:37 – READ.
2)
What we say (how we talk) matters.
3)
God is concerned about our speech.
4)
When we appear before Him, He will know every word we ever said.
5)
If we have not been forgiven of our sins, every evil word we spoke will
be counted as a sin.
6)
I recently sat on a jury that considered whether or not a man had
impersonated a police officer.
7)
Part of the evidence against the accused was videotape made by a state
trooper.
8)
While the trooper was in his car the defendant made a fist, punched the
air, and cursed.
9)
This was all caught on tape and the prosecutor asked him why he swore.
10) The man replied, “I have
no answer.”
11) He used bad language but
he could not defend it when the matter was brought before a court.
a)
A similar thing will be true on the Day of Judgment.
b)
Those who are accountable but not forgiven will be asked why they said
bad words.
c)
They will be asked about every single foul word.
d)
Swear words cannot be justified so the result will be a guilty verdict.
e)
Those who are guilty are sentenced to eternal life without God.
IN ADDITION TO BEING
ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR WORDS, WE WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.
a)
Paul affirmed this in 2 Cor. 5:10.
b)
When he wrote to the Corinthians he again stressed the universal nature
of the coming judgment.
c)
In 2 Cor. 5:10 he used the word all – READ.
2)
Paul recognized that our deeds can be “good” or “evil.”
a)
At times everyone does something good.
No person is completely evil.
b)
The same is true of evil. At
times every individual is guilty of wrongdoing.
c)
If each person does engages in both good and evil acts, how can God
judge us?
3)
A common idea is that we build up a stockpile of good deeds.
4)
Our good deeds outweigh the bad so God will allow us into heaven.
5)
Decency must outweigh evil is a common belief but it is not found in
the Bible.
6)
In the New Testament we find verses like 2 Cor. 5:17 – READ.
a)
Accountable people are either “in Christ” or “out of Christ.”
b)
If we are “in Christ,” we have forgiveness of sins and access to God.
c)
Being in Christ allows evil deeds to be forgiven and good deeds
to be remembered.
d)
Being out of Christ means evil actions, just like evil words,
are not forgiven.
e)
Good deeds are not forgotten, but neither can they counter (overcome)
our wrongs.
7)
If this were possible, what value is there to being in Christ?
8)
If good deeds can take to us to heaven, of what value was Jesus’ death
on the cross?
9)
We must be in Christ to have forgiveness of our wrongs.
a)
Before looking at another passage, let’s pause to consider what has
been stated.
b)
If we stand before God—without being forgiven—we will be lost.
c)
If we are held guilty for every evil word and every
evil act, we
will definitely be condemned.
10) Our next reference comes
from 2 Cor. 9:6-8.
a)
These three verses are based upon the harvesting of crops.
b)
In this context the thought relates to our money and material goods.
c)
Verses 6, 7, and 8 of 2 Cor. 9 – READ.
11) We will be held
accountable for our material resources.
12) In life there are people
who have a little and give almost nothing.
13) Others have a little but
give much of their limited resources.
14) A third group has a lot
but keeps most of it to and for themselves.
15) A fourth has a lot and
gives a lot.
16) We will one day account
for what we had and how we used it.
a)
In other places the Bible refers to this as stewardship.
b)
Stewardship really relates to what we own or have access to and how we
use it.
c)
It can be money, time, our body, abilities, or something else.
d)
God holds us accountable for what we have and what we do with it.
17) This even applies to our
opportunities.
a)
James had a little to say about this in the 4th chapter of
his book.
b)
Jas. 4:17 says, - READ.
c)
Who among us has not missed one or more good opportunities?
d)
Which of us has used every available opportunity to “do good?”
18) This is a frightening
verse because we are accountable to God in this area as well.
19) If we are in Christ, the
times we fail to do good can be forgiven.
20) If we are not in the
Lord, we will be asked to account for these times.
21) What will people say?
22) There will be no reason
or acceptable excuse. All that can be
said is the verdict: guilty.
IF ACCOUNTABILITY WERE LIMITED
TO ONLY THE AREAS GIVEN THUS FAR WE WOULD HAVE PLENTY OF INCENTIVE TO BE A
DEDICATED CHRISTIAN. THERE IS MORE THAN
ENOUGH CONDEMNATION IN JUST ONE OF THE STATED AREAS TO SHOW OUR NEED FOR CHRIST.
a)
I have saved one of the most damaging areas for last.
b)
This passage is found in Mt. 5:27-28.
2)
The Jews were familiar with fornication, adultery, and divorce.
3)
When Jesus came He said some things about these topics that were
shocking.
4)
He said what other preachers in that day and time were not saying.
5)
One of His points is found in the Sermon on the Mount.
6)
If you have found Mt. 5:27-28, let’s read it – READ.
a)
Earlier we noted how evil words will be held against us.
b)
Our evil actions will be held against us.
c)
Being poor stewards will condemn us.
d)
Failing to do good when opportunities arise will convict us.
7)
Here the subject of personal responsibility comes through even more
vividly.
8)
We are also accountable for our thoughts.
a)
What if we think an evil word but do not say it?
b)
We may pat ourselves on the back and think, “nice job.”
c)
Maybe we even smile at the person we didn’t verbally insult.
d)
We have exercised some self-control but there is still a transgression
of God’s law.
e)
God knows about our thoughts and those who are unsaved will account for
them as well.
9)
The thoughts in our minds (expressed or not) cover every conceivable
area:
10) Adultery, fornication,
lust, anger, greed, envy, hate, murder…nothing is excluded.
11) Matthew 5 teaches that we
are even accountable for what we think.
12) At some point we will all
come to our last day.
13) We will see a final
sunset.
14) There will be our last
meal.
15) It will be one final time
to see friends and family.
16) There will be the final
opportunity to right our relationship with God.
17) After we depart we will
account for our actions.
18) What if this final time
were right now?
19) What would the Judge of
all mankind were to say, “Today, account for your life.
20) Would His verdict be
“saved” or “lost”?
21) Would He say “come to me”
or “go from me?”
22) A time is coming when all
who are accountable will stand before a great Judge.
23)
Are we ready? This is the
question we are asking as we stand and sing.