Wisdom Series9

Wisdom Series

Part 9

“The Wisdom of an Accountable Life”

Eccl. 4:12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three {strands} is not quickly torn apart.

Want to talk to you today about the need for accountability.

Accountability is one of those big, uncomfortable words that makes many of us cringe when we hear it.

The truth is that most of us don’t like accountability.

It means you have to be responsible for your actions. You have to do what you say you’re going to do. You have to keep your word.

FACT: Accountability is foundational to the New Testament concept of fellowship.

True Biblical fellowship cannot exist without the practice of stimulating one another to love and good deeds as we pursue a walk with God.

Christianity is not for lone rangers.

It is not a one-man show.

God creates us to be bridges, not isolated islands.

So, accountability means we are answerable to others.

Not only does it provide a system of checks and balances that protect us from harm, but it also gives us unique opportunities to share our lives with others and to encourage them.

The word accountability means to give a word by word report, explanation, or reckoning of your life to God and to others.

It is the process of you understanding that you are responsible for your choices.

Accountability is needed to overcome spiritual failure. Accountability is needed to overcome family failure. Accountability is needed to overcome ethical and moral failure.

There are two types of accountability.

FIRST: being ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD…

Romans 14:9-13 says, “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. It is written: As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.”

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

The Scriptures also tell us that we are to be ACCOUNTABLE TO EACH OTHER.

1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we are all members of one body with many parts. Some of us are the eye, others are the hand or the foot.

1 Cor. 12 “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

If the hand stops doing what it’s supposed to, then the eye should notice it, and the other hand should help it out.

Why? Because we are accountable to each other.

“Confess your faults to one another, and pray one for another…”

The benefit of accountability is that when you have something that you struggle with in secret, in private, then you are in a losing battle, and Satan has you right where he wants you. Satan rules in the darkness, and God’s healing power works best when we bring our secret sins into the light.

Psalm 32:3-4 (NASB) says, “ 3When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my (C)groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.”

Bringing your junk into the light requires accountability, and great accountability requires trust.

Sin will always take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.

What is accountability?

Accountability means we are answerable to others, and we should accept this responsibility as a gift from God. Not only does it provide a system of checks and balances that protect us from harm, but it also gives us unique opportunities to share our lives with others and encourage them.

IV. What biblical examples do we have concerning accountability?

A. Adam and Eve—Genesis 3:8-19B. Samuel and Saul—1 Samuel 13:8-14C. Nathan and David—2 Samuel 12:1-14D. Jesus and Peter—Matthew 16:21-23

V. Why is accountability important for our lives?

A. Knowing that someone will ask about our conduct motivates us to do our best and encourages us to be good stewards of our time, talents, and resources. B. When we're answerable to others, we are positioned for promotion. As those in authority review our work, they realize our potential.C. Accountability inspires and protects us and those we're closest to, which makes our relationships even stronger. D. We must regularly face the truth about our attitudes and actions, and examine whether we are staying in the center of God's will. E. Being responsible to the Lord and others challenges us to maintain high standards, godly convictions, a transparent heart, and a trustworthy character.

VI. Why do people resist accountability?

A. RebelliousnessB. SlothfulnessC. Fear of lossD. UntrustworthinessE. Pride

VII. What happens without accountability?

A. We cannot do our best. B. Our resources may be wasted. C. Spiritual growth will be hampered. D. There will be divisions in our most important relationships.E. We will miss opportunities, privileges, promotions, and rewards. F. Others may feel free to take advantage of us.

Cliff, while flying hot air balloon, realized he was lost. He reduced his altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am." The woman below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon, hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between forty and forty-one degrees north latitude and between fifty-nine and sixty degrees west longitude." "You must be an engineer," said the balloonist. "I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?" "Well," answered the balloonist, "Everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea of what to make of your information, and the fact is that I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far." The woman below responded, "You must be in management." "I am," replied the balloonist. "But how did you know?" "Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep. And you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."