By Pastor Matthew
In my final thoughts on accountability I thought it would be appropriate to discussing with you the importance of finding the right person(s) to have as your accountability partner. Do not rush in and choose someone. Seek God’s guidance and wait for his perfect person(s) for you. Also I want to share with you some common questions that will help you begin an accountability partnership.
Christian Accountability – The Next Steps
Be patient. Developing an accountability friendship takes time and intentional effort. Participate in activities together and pray regularly for one another and with one another. If your friend confesses an issue, like, “I am really having trouble spending enough time with my kids,” then next time you meet, ask about that issue. This will begin a basic accountability relationship. Then you can begin to hold one another accountable for things like: Bible reading and prayer, physical habits like exercise and dieting, establishing a good witness at work, integrity issues, and so on. Remember, it is essential to keep your discussions confidential!
If possible, it is wise to establish a set time where you can meet together or talk on the phone. This creates consistency and shows how much you value your accountability relationship. Perhaps when you meet, you want to do a Bible study together or share what you have been learning in your quiet times with God. This will get the discussion started.
Consider the following accountability questions for your discussion time:
- What principle impacted your life from your quiet times this week?
- Do you feel you have been faithful to share your faith this week?
- Have you spent daily time with God in Bible reading and prayer?
- Have you given 100% effort in your job and home responsibilities?
- Have you been able to express love to those around you?
- Have you had opportunity to express encouragement and praise to your spouse, kids, or another family member?
- Has your thought life been pure?
- What was your biggest joy this week?
- How were you tempted and how did you respond?
- What have you done to enhance your relationship with your spouse, mom, dad, children?
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
May God Bless each one of you as you become accountable!!!
By Pastor Matthew
So how do I become an individual who is accountable? The answer is simple yet difficult. You have to be willing to become a person who humbles him or herself at the feet of Jesus, and submits to His Lordship. You must be willing to trust that God will bring the right individual(s) to you to be your accountability partner(s).
Christian Accountability – Personal Action
Do you want to develop Christian accountability in your life? Here are four steps to help you find an accountability friend or group:
- Begin by praying for God to reveal the person (or group of people) that He desires to use in helping you and not hurting you further.
- Consider the possibilities: People in your church, work place, close friends, a man or woman you respect, etc. Search for people who are going through similar circumstances or have experienced them in their past and are stable and reliable. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable joining an online group. This can be a safe starting place; however it can become dangerous if there is no accountability with someone face to face or in person relationship. Be open to God’s leading. (Note: it is important in one-on-one situations to select someone who is the same gender as you to avoid putting you or another in compromising circumstances.) The big thing to remember is that your accountability should be able to identify with your struggle or situation, but should be secure, stable, and safe themselves.
- Invite the person to lunch, meet each other’s family, or talk on the phone. If it is a group, ask if you can attend a meeting to see what it is like. Get to know one another. Do you get along? Do you enjoy your time together? Do you feel God is present in the group setting and in the lives of the leaders?
- If you are confident that this is the right person or group, ask if they would be your accountability partner(s). Always, remember God gives each one of us a free will to make the final decision. Be aware of persons that say things like, “God told me that I am the one to be your accountability partner;” (Prophetic speaking) God is saying to you that we are the only place that you can find your freedom from…;” or any person or group that presents itself to have all the answers. God has a huge body of believers that can help in your given situation. God will lead you to those people who have the right hearts and the right motives in serving you. Wait on God, and you will be thankful that you did.
By Pastor Matthew
The Garden Tomb that Jesus was placed in
The Results Because of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection
One of the greatest doctrines of the Christian Faith is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead. If He had merely died and had not risen, then we would not have a Savior. A dead Savior cannot save but thank God Jesus ever lives to make intercession (Heb.7:25). Peter said it was impossible for death to hold Him (Acts 2:24). There are wonderful results of the resurrection of Christ.
It is said during the French Revolution, someone said to Talleyrand, Bishop of Autun, “The Christian religion-what is it? It would be easy to start a religion like that.” Talleyrand responded by saying, “Oh yes, all one would have to do is to get crucified and rise again the third day.” Let us consider some of the results of Christ’s resurrection.
1. Confirmation- It testifies of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God could say, “Destroy this temple (his body) and in three days I’ll raise it up.” (Jn. 2:19) Romans 1:4 says that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God by His resurrection from among the dead. The deity of Christ is both actual and eternal. I would not want to put my faith in any other place than the true God for my salvation. Jesus is God!
2. Declaration- See Rom. 4:25. It would be impossible to have confidence that the Father had accepted the Calvary work of the Son, had not Jesus arisen from the dead. I believe the moment Jesus cried, “It is finished” that the Father fully accepted the work of the Son of God at the cross, to be the payment for the sins of all who would take Christ as Savior (2 Cor. 5:21). The work of Christ has been accepted as the means through which a lost sinner can be saved.
3. Preparation- The resurrection has made Christ our High Priest. It helped ready Him to be our Intercessor, Heavenly Executive, and Defender of His people (1 Tim.2:5, 6; Rom. 8:34; Rom. 5: 9, 10). Christ not only delivers us from bondage to sin but also intercedes in the power of an endless life when we fail (Heb. 7:16).
4. Realization- First, there is a pardon. A living Christ has provided repentance, forgiveness and regeneration. Secondly, there is power. That same power that raise Jesus supplies for us (Eph. 1:18-20). Thirdly, there is prospect (1 Cor. 15; Jn. 5:28, 29). His rising is a guarantee that our bodies will be raise. Finally, there is proclamation. He was raised to sit on the throne of David (Acts 2:39).
What Does the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Really Prove?
1. The Deity of Christ-
Jesus speaking of His life said in John 10:18, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” Only God has that kind of prerogative and choice. Christ is God wrapped in human flesh..
2. The Defeat of the Devil-
"He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heal"
Satan’s doom is foretold in the early chapters of Genesis, more specifically Gen.3:15, “He shall bruise your head.” Who will bruise the head of Satan? The Seed of the Woman-the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 2:14 declares: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” “Destroy” means: “To render inoperative, to nullify, to make idle or ineffective, and to render as impotent as though no longer existing.” This defeat is put to work in our lives through faith.
3. The Deceitfulness of the Lie-
What lie? The lie that was told which said the disciples stole the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s see what the Scriptures say about it: Matt. 28:12-15: ”And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, ‘Say that His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept and if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.’ So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
4. The Destiny of the Dead-
We who have excepted Christ as Savior and Lord will spend eternity with Him! Those who chose not to, will find themselves locked out of God's presence and living in a lake of fire for eternity!
Jesus said, “Because I live you shall live also.” (Jn.14:19) Those who died in Jesus have bodies that are asleep awaiting the resurrection. It is not the soul which sleeps but the body or the human tabernacle itself. Since Christ arose, then we can rest assured he can raise the dead, putting them in heaven or in hell.
5. The Dependability of the Word-
Jesus said in Jn.2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He was not speaking of the Jewish temple of worship but the temple of His body. Christ kept His Word and He will always keep His Word in all situations and circumstances.
6. The Declaration of the Son-
When Jesus appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos, he told Him this, “I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev.1:18). Though John was alone on that small island where he was left to die, Jesus wanted John to know that He was around-not just a has been-but one who is and will be forevermore!
What wonderful truths are established and proven by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Please use this BLOG to tell others about the awsome testimonies that Jesus has done in your life becasue of His resurrection from the dead.
By Pastor Matthew
To truly understand accountability we need to see what Scripture says about the subject. Why go to the Bible? Scripture is the standard a follower of Jesus Christ needs to challenge him or herself to live according too, even when it goes against the surging tide of the 21st century.
Christian Accountability – Biblical Guidance
Does the Bible speak of Christian accountability? First of all, the Bible says that God holds us accountable. Romans 14:12 says, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” This is personal accountability!
Christians are also accountable to one another. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, we read that Christians are all part of the same body-the body of Christ-and each member needs or belongs to the other. This Scripture suggests the importance of strong accountability between Believers. It is important for every Believer to have at least one other person in which to confide, pray with, listen to, and encourage.
Galatians 6:1-2 gives a helpful principle, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” If your accountability friend has done something contrary to the Bible, you are called to confront him gently, forgive him, and comfort him. It also admonishes you to consider yourself because no one is above temptation.
Another aspect of Christian accountability is encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual maturity. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to, “…encourage one another and build each other up…”
Are you accountable? Do you have a friend to whom you can go? Will that person hold you accountable in your spiritual walk? Are you the type of person that people can come to when they need accountability? Do you want a Christian accountability partner?
THOUGHTS ANYONE?
