Accountable to God and Posterity

Introduction

As Christians, we must …

Repent when rebuked by God

Resolve to embrace our identity fully

Rekindle a desire for the welfare of our nation and its people

Respond to the work the Master entrusted to us

I. Repent When Rebuked by God (2 Samuel 12:13)

A. Rebuke/Discipline

Jeremiah 18:3–6 NASB95

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

John 15:1–2 NASB95

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

B. Repentance

Proverbs 3:11–12 NASB95

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Jeremiah 14:20–21 NASB95

20 We know our wickedness, O Lord, The iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against You. 21 Do not despise us, for Your own name’s sake; Do not disgrace the throne of Your glory; Remember and do not annul Your covenant with us.

II. Resolve to Embrace Our Identity Fully (Exodus 20:7)

A. Christians in name only

2021 American Worldview Inventory

69% of American adults self-identify as Christian

37% of American Evangelical Pastors hold a biblical worldview

6% of American Christians hold a biblical worldview

Exodus 20:7 NASB95

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

B. Embrace the name of Christ as your identity

John 15:4–5 NASB95

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

III. Rekindle a Desire for the Welfare of Our Nation and Its People (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

A. Continue to live in the midst of godlessness

B. Demand the welfare of your nation

Religion is adherence to morality

Politics is legislation of morality

John 1:1 NASB95

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 14:6 NASB95

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NASB95

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

IV. Respond to the Work the Master Entrusted to Us (Luke 19:12-14)

A. We have been given the opportunity, the time, and the means

Matthew 25:15 NASB95

15 “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

Esther 4:14 NASB95

14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Conclusion