Christian Responsibility

Introduction

Luke 19:12–26 KJV 1900

12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Body

Show the relationship between authority and responsibility

Child vs. Adult

Military - E-1 vs. E-9

Jobs - CEO vs. worker

God makes a distinction between a ruler of the people and the people themselves

Leviticus 4:22–23 KJV 1900

22 When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty; 23 Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:

Leviticus 4:27–28 KJV 1900

27 And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; 28 Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

Why are we given a measure of authority?

The more authority we’re given by God, the more responsibility we’re going to carry

They always go hand in hand

Typically, you will get more responsibility first. After you demonstrate the ability to handle it, then the authority comes.

God’s punishment upon Moses vs. the children of Israel

Numbers 20:1–12 KJV 1900

1 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? 5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. 6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them. 7 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. 9 And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. 12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Moses was wandering around the wilderness because of the faithlessness of the congregation, not because of his faithlessness

Moses had carried them, ministered unto them, nurtured them, interceded for them, from the Exodus to this present moment

Moses was tired. Frustrated. Spent

Detail Moses’ authority

Spoke in the stead of God

God worked through Moses His signs and wonders

God demonstrated on multiple occasions that He had chosen Moses to represent Him and the consequences of not obeying Moses.

Detail Moses’ responsibilities

To follow God’s commands to the letter

To teach and example God’s law to the children of Israel

Christian Responsibilities

To obey and submit

To pray and fast

To actively engage in the discipleship process

Conform to His image

Fruit of the Spirit

More burden for others, less burden for ourselves

To actively pursue the ministry God gave to us

Responsibility one to another

Esprit De Corp

World’s relationship with each other vs. a Christian’s relationship with each other

Me first vs. you first

Look out for number 1 vs. look out for my brother and my sister

Self promotion vs. esteeming others

Selfishness vs. selflessness

Expound on Scripture Text

Define “promotion” as it applies to God’s kingdom

Greater areas of service as we take to ourselves more responsibility

Not necessarily “pastor” or “presbyter”, etc. although this too is an area God can promote us into

Prayer warriors

Acts of service and ministry

Counselor / Mentor / Teacher

Conclusion

Let us seek to assume more and more responsibility in the Kingdom of God

As we do, God will promote us, give us a wider area of influence, use us in greater capacities than before

Now is not the time to sit back and rest. Now is the time to push forward. To race to the finish line