Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Remember when in the days before the internet when our favorite show would come on TV and the first minute was a recap of the last episode.

That was usually helpful, because it’s been a week and a refresher was helpful.

Today, we don’t really need that.

We don’t need to be reminded of what we just watched.

Disney is trying to bring this back, but I’m not going to let them.

I’ll just wait until all the episodes are aired…then watch them all in one night.

Now for the month of January, we’ve been talking about Authentic Relationships in an authentic church.

If you haven’t figured out, this month has just been one long sermon that builds off of what came before.

Week 1 we emphasized how we need to be vulnerable.

We need to do all we can to make things right in our relationships because our relationships with others affects our relationships with God.

That led into the need to be transparent last week.

We talked about how we need to be transparent because there may be someone who will be strengthened in knowing that they aren’t alone in their burden.

We ended last week with the admonition that we are lead those who have wandered back to God and HIs Church.

And that leads directly into what we are going to talk about today.

But before we get there.

A quick reminder of something I may not have emphasized well.

We don’t have to be vulnerable with everyone you come in contact with.

You don’t have to be transparent with that stranger in line at Starbucks.

But you ought to be able to vulnerable and transparent with those you are committed to.

Your family, close friends, and your church that you belong to.

Transition to the Text: Turn with me in your Bible to Galatians 2:11-14.

Now again, sometimes we idolize the early church as being perfect.

We can even idolize leaders.

But what happens when a leader makes a mistake?

Sins publically?

The same thing you should do with any Christian you are committed to as part of your church…accountability.

What we are going to witness in Scripture today, I believe, if the church did a better job practicing, we wouldn’t deal with as many people walking away from the church.

If Christians were held accountable for their actions…not to tear down or destroy, but as an act of love meant to restore, the church would be healthier, and be seen in a better light in our community and world.

Introduce: Before we read our text today.

Authentic Principle: Authentic Relationships invite mutual accountability.

Read:

Galatians 2:11–14 (ESV)

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.

13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Authentic Principle: Authentic Relationships invite mutual accountability.

Transition: I don’t know about you, but when I read that, I begin to sweat a little.

How many of us would have the courage Paul displayed here?

I bet being stoned by the Jews at Lystra (Acts 14:19)

But, in the church, it’s so important....

1.

If you see something say something.

(Galatians 2:11-12)

Explanation: Paul writes about a story that only appears here.

Peter was the defacto leader of the disciples.

He was part of the inner circle of Jesus.

He preached the first evangelistic on the first pentecost.

He was larger then life.

Now we know that Peter was not perfect.

He had denied Jesus 3 times.

But Jesus restored him in John 21.

But still for the average everyday Christian, if Peter did something, right or wrong, others would follow.

It would have been very difficult for anyone to have accused Peter of any wrongdoing.

So what happens when someone like Peter does something wrong?

Who’s going to hold him accountable?

Well that responsibility fell to Paul…someone who already struggled with his own past.

However, Paul saw Peter acting in a way that had the potential to destroy the church.

Now notice something.

Paul talked directly to Peter.

He didn’t talk to anyone else.

He confronted Peter because that’s who the issue was with.

Illustration: Now what gave Paul the right to hold Peter accountable?

We are not accountable to everyone.

We actually get to choose who can hold us accountable.

Peter and Paul was in mutually accountable relationships in an Authentic Church setting.

To be a part of church means that you are covenanting with those people.

And you agree to let them hold you accountable while you hold them accountable.

This is where church memberships comes into play.

Some want to say church membership isn’t in the New Testament.

But it is implied every time it mentions accountability.

How do you know which leaders you are submit to unless church memberships is a thing.

How do you know who to submit to if not for church membership.

But perhaps the clearest picture is in the passage that directly addresses how to hold someone accountable.

First, what defines the church if not for the concept of church membership.

Church membership is a mutually covenant we make with one another agreeing that we are in this together and we will hold each other accountable.

At North Hills we have a membership covenant.

We covenant in 4 ways that require accountability:

1.

I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH

... By acting in love toward other members

... By refusing to gossip

... By following the leaders

2. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH

... By praying for its growth

... By inviting the unchurched to attend

... By warmly welcoming those who visit

3. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH

... By discovering my gifts and talents

... By being equipped to serve by my pastors

... By developing a servant’s heart

4. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH

... By attending faithfully

... By living a godly life

... By giving regularly

If anyone fails in any of these areas, we must hold one another accountable.

Now how do we hold each other accountable?

We look to Matthew 18.

Go to them first.

Handle your business with them first.

If they listen.