A Mutual Accountability
In light of a particular football game: A pastor announced to his congregation: "My good people, I have here in my hands three sermons...a $10,000 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $5000 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes, and a $1000 sermon that lasts a full hour. "Now, we'll take the collection and see which one I'll deliver.
A young minister wanted to marry a certain young lady, but her father balked. I don’t want my daughter marrying a preacher. The following Sunday the father went to hear the young man speak. After the service he had changed his mind. It’s all right, son. You’re no preacher…
A Mutual Accountability
**Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
INTRODUCTION: Man was created for relationship. God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. The preacher stated in Ecclesiastes that two are better than one. The Apostle Paul’s message was that Christians are part of the Body of Christ, with each part being necessary to the whole. Any healthy relationship is built upon a mutual accountability.
NOTE: Speak towards the placement of these verses in the Scriptures and their future relationship to those in the tribulation period.
**Accountability: The state of being liable to answer for one's conduct
1. This mutual accountability has a compassionate observance. And let us consider one another…exhorting one another.
The first principle of fellowship understands a mutual accountability and is therefore observant. There is a built in compassion in the principle of biblical accountability:
**Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
**Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
**Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
**Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
**Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Based upon the ultimate example:
**1 Peter 2:21-24 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Luke 23:33-34 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…
2. This mutual accountability is sometimes confrontational in its approach. …To provoke unto love and to good works…
**Provoke: To call into action; to arouse; to excite;
Anecdote: The first time I was confronted with the principles of biblical accountability had to do with Scripture memory… (Ben Meyer)
Inherent in this mutual accountability is a form of confrontation (a fearful word in most people’s vocabulary). We need not look at this confrontation in the negative sense, but most of us do. The Biblical idea is to encourage towards a remedy of discouragement, distraction or despondency concerning obedience to the truth. This can be irritating at times. Oh no, here they come again, I hope they don’t ask about …
**Acts 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
NOTE: Sometimes because of a different focus on ministry priority.
**2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
3. This mutual accountability has a duel commitment. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. … and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.
This commitment relates particularly to communication. When we are forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, the opportunity for communication with one another is hindered and our mutual accountability has no outlet. We must make every effort not to allow this to happen. Mutual accountability is the nature of the church! When we neglect to gather together the opportunity for the Lord’s work in us is weakened. When we assemble it is to be for the purpose of exhorting each other on to victory as we wait for the approaching day of the Lord’s return.
It is also a commitment to communicate the message of His promised return. This is the blessed hope of the believer and that which keeps us accountable to the promises of God…
**Titus 2:11-15 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
NOTE: This mutual accountability comes only through the power of the grace of God. It is part of our experience waiting to be submitted too and released!
**1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me
Song: He Giveth More Grace…
He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His power has no boundary known to men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again
When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His power has no boundary known to men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again
CONCLUSION: Man was created for relationship. Inherent in any healthy relationship is a mutual accountability. The biblical standard for this mutual accountability has a compassionate observance, is sometimes confrontational in its approach and has a duel commitment; a commitment to proper communication both in effort and message. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as we see the day [His day] approaching.
Song: I Surrender All
.