THE LIFE OF G.R.A.C.E.
August 28, 2005
“Genuine Accountability”
Intro: Today we are going to begin a series of talks designed to help us understand grace in a new way. We are going to be taking the letters of the word grace and over the next few weeks dissecting them to look at our own lives and our relationships in a new way.
This series is inspired by a ministry of Focus on the Family. The Pastoral Care department, under the direction of H.B. London has developed a covenant for pastors and those in ministry called the Shepherds Covenant. I have signed this covenant, I receive encouragement on this covenant from Focus, and I desire to live my life by this covenant.
The Shepherd’s Covenant:
“We are joined together by a common call of God to feed His sheep, but we are also tied by a common commitment to purity, holiness, righteousness and faithfulness. Our agreement to submit to the Shepherd’s Covenant transcends theological differences, denominational connections and local congregational constraints. We are bound to one another by our calls and by the knowledge that one day the Great Shepherd will be the final Judge.”
Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you the specific aspects of this covenant. I believe they are far more than just guidelines for pastors and ministry leaders, but they are aspects of life that each believe needs to embrace and hold firm in order to live a life of Christ-centeredness.
The five parts of the covenant shape the foundations of our life and that is the word Grace.
G- Genuine Accountability
R- Right Relationships
A- A Servant Heart
C- Constant Safeguards
E- Embrace God Intimately
Today we are going to begin with the concept of Genuine Accountability.
The dictionary defines accountability as liable or explainable.
Accountability within the church is an issue that scares most people to death. People are afraid that if they become real and honest with each other, there will be judgment and disapproval for their shortcomings. Pastors many times are the worst. Instead of modeling accountability, we often want to think of ourselves as above being accountable and as having to answer to no one. Not only is that type of thinking dangerous, it is unbiblical.
“Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”
James 5:16 (The Message)
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.’” Mark 10:42-43 (NIV)
Nowhere in scripture does it exempt pastors or church leaders from having to be accountable. In fact, scripture teaches that we as pastors are to be the most accountable so that others may follow our example.
“Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example.” 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NLT)
Today we are not just looking at pastors, but we are looking at an overall principle for our lives to help us live in love and support of one another.
I. Accountable out of Love
The goal of accountability is to demonstrate love to one another.
It is much easier to live a life that does not get worried about how others are living. We can simply disregard areas of weakness and shortcomings to allow others to live as they please.
This type of thinking is what has caused our society to get to the point of where it is today. We are so afraid to hold people accountable to truth that we have simply decided to disregard truth. This is not how the church should live.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)
Love requires a commitment to one another.
We must learn to love each other enough not to overlook our shortcomings.
One way parents show that they love their children is through holding them accountable.
“Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it .” Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)
Parents, quit trying to be your child’s friend and be your child’s parent. They have enough friends and God has not called you to be their friend. God has ordained you to be the model and the shepherd of their heart and their actions and until you hold your children accountable, you will not be doing what God has called you to do.
It takes time, energy and love to hold someone accountable.
It takes humility and trust to be held accountable.
Paul calls us to look at our lives as Jesus did. When we do, we get honest about who we are and we are willing to lay ourselves open for everyone to see.
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.” Philip. 2:2-7 (NLT)
It is time we inside the church got honest about our sin, love each other back to the throne of grace and became accountable to the love of Jesus.
Accountability is not about judgment. It is about love so that we may be what God has called us to be.
“One of the greatest problems in the church is that we shoot our wounded.” Max Lucado
The end result of accountability is restoration.
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ’every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)
Are you wiling to be accountable for your life? Are you willing to love someone enough to hold them accountable in their walk with God?
II. Accountable for Support
One of the major reasons to be accountable is to protect yourself from sin, but also to have someone to lift you up if you fall into sin.
“If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NIV)
There are going to be times in life where we are going to blow it big time with God. It may be that we simply fall prey to the attack of the enemy, or it may be that we go seeking after sin. Either way, we must have someone who can watch out for us and help us get back on the path.
We all need someone to put their finger in our chest and speak truth, even when we don’t want to hear.
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)
This is what Joseph Garlington calls the B.S. Zone.
God
(B.S.)
(Zone)
Belief System
Others Me
The goal is to keep us on track and moving forward together.
Accountability is about relationship.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
This is a group of people who we can praise and pray with.
Conclusion:
1) What is keeping you from being accountable? Is it pride? Is it fear?
2) What is keeping you from loving others enough to hold them accountable?
3) Who could hold you accountable?
Practical Steps:
1) Get into a small group and covenant to hold one another accountable.
*Men’s Tuesday morning study
*Women’s Bible Studies
*One-on-one accountability
2) Identify your weaknesses and ask for help.
*What area of sin do you find yourself most vulnerable to?
*Where does the enemy of your soul attack the most?
3) Find one person who can speak truth into your life.
*Are you living life in community or as a “Lone Ranger?”
*Are you open to hearing truth?
*Are you willing to risk to become more like Jesus?
It is valid to be choosy with whom to be completely honest. Relationships are risky. The key is to know and find safe places and safe people.
I have had people criticize me for being open about my weaknesses. I had someone once tell me that the things I shared about my struggles would one day be used against me. The thing about it is that if you are honest and open, no one has anything to hold against you because everyone knows everything. Second, the reward for sharing life together is far greater than the risk involved in being open.
