We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage
the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one
repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for
one another and for all people.
1 Thess 5:14-15
When asked for
sermon topics and concerns last month, one of you wrote: “Any sermons on
building stronger Christian relationships and accountability. For example, strong
Christians encouraging the weak. Loving people who are marginalized bringing
them into the work of the church. Having eyes for those who worship with
us but don’t feel accepted and comfortable. Marks of true discipleship: love,
forgiveness, patience, etc, and what this looks like in our Christian
friendships. May we have eyes to see all those who need to be talked to...and
greeted and sat by, and checked on. We could grow the church so much if
we just could grow those who already are with us to deepen their love, their need
for the body of Christ, and their involvement on a personal level.”
So let’s talk about the church as God’s support group in
our war with sin.
These are sermon notes, not written in a polished or finished manuscript form. To see the video of this and other sermons:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4zUK_ahzdiU15PL6dcAXA/videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4zUK_ahzdiU15PL6dcAXA/videos
To see thumbnails of all posts on this blog:
Review:
The War Within
Previously:
1. Its Nature –
Inner Wrestling
2. Its Cause –
Competing Desires
3. Its Base –
Starting Point
4. Its Schemer – Satan
5. Its Governor –
God
6. Its Pivot –
Prayer
7. Its Predictability
– Process
Most, but not all the
material in these lessons is original. Charles Stanley’s book, Winning the War Within, is one source I have used.
Its Support
1 Thess 5:1-22 – Read and highlight the text.
You are not alone as
you wrestle with temptation and sin! When you isolate yourself from others, you
open yourself to the devil’s attacks. You feel battle-weary, so you withdraw
farther, and then you become even more worn-down. It’s a vicious cycle. Stop
it! The church is God’s support group, sharing His unlimited resources to help
you win this war.
Interview with Jason – November 3, 1999
Entered the reserves.
Basic training summer, 1999, in Fort McClellan, Alabama. Trainees would
put on their uniform, pack their equipment, and report. If they forgot
something (or left it out on purpose), they would suffer consequences. Often brought canteen with no water. Had to go thirsty all day.
If the drill sergeant could get your rifle away from you at
any time, day or night, you would have to work out. Run laps, do pushups, etc., to “earn it back.”
At night, Jason would sleep with his rifle inside his sleeping bag!
Others used
duct tape to tape their rifles to their legs. To pull the rifle would also pull the leg and
wake the soldier up.
Had to carry some items they thought they might not
need. Some tried to leave them out, to
make the backpack lighter and allow more space.
Such items as tent rope, tent pegs, gas masks, magazine for rifle.
Later they would need these things and not have them.
Urban assault training – secure buildings, knock down doors.
That experience – lacking the right equipment at a critical
time – would transform their preparation and packing for the next excursion.
Interdependence
– Jason and his peers went through 1/4-mile-long sewer tunnel. Each man held on to the next man as a link in
a chain.
Support:
“One-Another” Passages
Jn 15:12 Love O/A “as I have loved you.”
Gal 5:13ff In that love serve. Don’t bite, devour!
Rom 14:19 Seek peace, build up, edify.
Rom 15:14 Counsel, instruct.
Col 3:16 Teach and admonish (singing).
Gal 6:1-2 Restore; bear burdens.
1 Th 4:18 Encourage in bereavement.
Jas 5:16 Confess sins and pray.
Heb 3:13 Exhort “today” re: sin.
We need
accountability!
Billy’s mom has been teaching him to resist temptation. Each
week she says: “Don’t eat the cookies from the cookie jar!” Each week he tries
to obey, but he gives into his desire and has a cookie anyway. She suspects
him, but she has no proof, so he gets away with it.
What motivation can she use?
Several. She can talk about her authority. God’s pattern.
She can tell him that he’s depriving others of cookies. She can threaten to
spank him if she sees him.
Finally, when none of that seems to do the job, she adds one
last motivation. She says:
“I have counted the cookies.”
Accountability is making sure that someone else has “counted
the cookies” in the area(s) in which you are most often tempted.
Accountability is …
Admitting, sharing,
and seeking support for …
Hurts, fears,
temptations, doubts, and defeats …
Humbly, honestly,
transparently, and openly …
With a trusted and
respected friend or group …
That can listen,
pray, and sometimes advise …
To help you see sin
objectively and repent of it …
And support you in
every step of progress …
Patiently, in
confidence and privacy …
With only God’s will
and your good at heart.
Who, How, When, and
Where?
How to
proceed?
Informally. No outline, no strict, formal instructions.
Outgrowth of a friendship you already have. Golf or exercise friend. Elder,
Bible school teacher, etc.
Start young. Before troubles start. Some teenagers find such
a person or group in their youth group, family (older brother), or school. They
remain partners for life.
Some once a month face-to-face; once a week by phone.
Choose a partner (or group) of the same sex as you …
Choose someone that you enjoy being around and spending time
with.
Choose someone that you respect spiritually, who is serious
about following the will of God.
Choose someone that will be honest, will build you up, will
help you. Not a critical nag.
Aim for a balance of encouragement and exhortation, not
50-50 but more like 75-25. That is, 75% encouragement and 25% exhortation.
Agree never to give unsolicited advice or criticism.
“I have some feedback. It may hurt. Are you open to hearing
it?”
No one is a spiritual island.
Prov 18:24 – A man of many companions may come to ruin, but
there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Look for that friend. Be that friend.
Man Up, God’s Girls,
L2L groups, Bible classes, Encouragement Teams, Men’s Breakfasts, Retreats
Barriers to
Accountability
Pride. Stubbornness.
Denial. Embarrassment.
“This is no one
else’s business!” Isolationism.
“No one else would
understand.” Isolationism.
“This is not that
big a deal.” Minimization.
“I can fix this,
cover this up, and/or quit this!”
“No one will ever
know.”
“Others do this. They
don’t admit it. Hypocrites!”
“People will judge
me. I’ll look and feel foolish.”
“Once I admit this,
I’ll be expected to change it!”
Who wants to admit secret sins to others?
Who wants to appear weak?
Who wants to invite criticism?
Who wants other people checking up on them?
Who wants to become transparent and vulnerable?
Only those who struggle repeatedly with sin and would find
it easier to resist if they knew that someone else had counted the cookies!
True Friends
Prov 27:17 – As iron sharpens
iron, so one man sharpens another.
Prov 27:5-6 – Better is open
rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy
multiplies kisses.
Prov 28:23 – He who rebukes a
man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
Real Before/After
Support
2 Cor 2:6 Sufficient for such
a one …
(one previously held
accountable and disciplined for his sin, perhaps re: 1 Cor 5)
is this punishment
which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you
should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise
such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge
you to reaffirm your love for him.
Possible hymns:
God’s Family
Blest Be the Tie
that Binds
How Sweet, How
Heavenly
Bring Christ Your
Broken Life
No comments:
Post a Comment