Accountability I. Introduction A. A subject that is very uncomfortable for many, especially in America B. Accountability! C. The idea of accountability often brings up bad images 1. One may think of an overbearing boss 2. Some may think of the government or the police demanding information 3. Rarely is it a pretty picture! D. In society, accountability all but non-existent 1. We are Americans-- we are not accountable to anyone! 2. We do not have to tell a king, a government, or anyone what we are doing-- we are free to do as we wish! E. Yet is that American value, or ideal, Biblical? 1. Are we free to do as we please? 2. Or do we have to answer to someone? F. What does the Bible have to say about accountability? II. What Is Accountability? A. First of all, let us establish precisely what accountability is B. Accountability: the expectation of having to make an account! C. Consider Luke 16:1-2 1. The steward, as manager of the resources, was called upon to make an accounting of his stewardship 2. The owner was expecting the steward to show him in the registers what money came in, what resources came out, etc. 3. The expectation was that the steward could properly account for-- that is, to tell exactly what happened with-- all of the materials that departed and all the money that came in D. Thus we see accountability in worldly or economic terms E. So what is involved in spiritual accountability? 1. Just as accountability involves an account of what came in and what went out, so spiritual accountability involves an account of what comes to us and what goes from us! 2. What have we said or done, for good or ill? 3. How have we used the resources God has given us, for good or ill? F. Such, then, is accountability G. Does the Bible teach that we are accountable to anyone for any reason? III. Accountability in Scripture A. The Bible most certainly teaches that we are accountable (Hebrews 4:13)! B. Accountable to Christ 1. Romans 14:10-12: spoken of clearly-- an account at the Judgment day must be given! 2. The same principle is established in the parables (Matthew 25:19, Luke 19:15) 3. Matthew 12:36-37: an account will be given for every word we speak! 4. Also 1 Peter 4:4-5 C. Accountability of Elders, Accountability to Elders 1. Hebrews 13:17 2. Elders are keeping watch over the souls of the members of the congregation and will have to give an account! 3. And we are to obey them and submit to them "as" those giving an account 4. If they are going to have to give an account to God for their work in shepherding us, are we not obligated to give them an account of our conduct? D. Accountability to One Another 1. Galatians 6:1-3, James 5:16 2. Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 3. We are all parts of the same body-- the Body of Christ 4. We are to confess our sins to one another and restore one another when we stumble 5. That is certainly accountability! E. The Bible, therefore, teaches clearly that we are accountable to God in Christ, to elders, and to one another! IV. The Value of Accountability A. This idea of accountability a difficult pill to swallow! 1. It is ingrained into Americans that we are free and not answerable to anyone 2. Yet, in Jesus Christ, that is a worldly, sinful attitude 3. We are all accountable, both to God and to one another B. Yes, we are our brother's keeper (cf. Genesis 4:9) C. Beyond that, there is great value in accountability 1. Perhaps you may think that such is crazy 2. Accountability is not normally considered pleasant-- what can be the value in it? D. True accountability leads to decreased sin 1. How does sin operate? 2. Sin is more often done behind closed doors, either within a man or concretely in the world 3. It thrives on secrecy and darkness; it shrinks when exposed to light (cf. Ephesians 5:11-14) 4. When we realize that we are going to have to account for everything we have done, it will be a lot harder to sin! 5. Furthermore, if we are going to have to let others know what we have been doing (cf. James 5:16), we have one additional reason to avoid the temptation! 6. If we knew that our actions or thoughts were going to be aired out publicly, how quickly would we work to clean up those thoughts and/or actions? E. True accountability leads to increased connection 1. Consider again the images of John 15:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 2. We are sustained by our relationship with God in Christ, connected also to one another 3. The more open and transparent those relationships, the stronger they can be! 4. The more closed and distant those relationships, the weaker they will be, and it will be far easier to be broken off or to be separated from all that is good and holy! F. Accountability leads to spiritual growth 1. Spiritual growth certainly requires greater spiritual knowledge and practice (cf. Hebrews 5:14, 2 Peter 3:18), but without greater connection to God and to brethren, there cannot be substantive growth! 2. The more open and transparent we are, the more likely it will be that others will be open and transparent with us, and we will all be better connected to one another, to Christ, and thus can grow! 3. That exposure will cause us to think twice about sin 4. That exposure will allow us to be strengthened despite challenges and trials, facilitating growth thereby 5. The more connected we are in the Body, the more we can grow; the less connected we are in the Body, the easier it is to die (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) G. Hence, that idea of "confess your sins to one another" rather important (James 5:16)! 1. Includes, but is not limited to, confession of sin in the assembly 2. Such can also be done in the confines of a close spiritual friendship, the marriage relationship, with the elders, etc. 3. The most important thing is to have at least one accountability relationship-- it may seem counter-intuitive and go against your natural inclinations, but how much of Christianity requires us to resist our natural inclinations? H. This is very, very difficult to do! 1. Even the most spiritually mature among us do not like having their sins exposed and feel vulnerable when confessing sins, faults, and difficulties! 2. We fear rejection, humiliation, dishonor, and shame! 3. And, unfortunately too often, for good reason-- many times brethren do not act appropriately and look down on those who confess their faults, talk behind their backs, see that their role in the congregation is reduced, and sometimes even ostracize such a person! 4. Even though it is hard to open up and to trust, we must do so if we truly want to grow spiritually! 5. In the end, accountability is not an option-- we are all accountable to God regardless (Romans 14:12), and James 5:16 is not worded in such a way as to be merely a suggestion! 6. Therefore, we must overcome our fears and work toward greater accountability! I. As in societal discourse, so in the church: if we are living like we should, we would have no difficulty giving an account J. The difficulty, therefore, is not in God or in the Bible-- the difficulties are in our attitudes and what we are trying to hide! V. Conclusion A. While the idea of accountability may be unsavory in society, it is an imperative in Christianity 1. We are accountable to God 2. We should be accountable to elders if and when necessary 3. We are accountable to one another B. This accountability exists for our benefit! 1. It should keep us from sin 2. It should lead to greater trust and connection 3. It will lead to growth if practiced C. Let us therefore strive to be more accountable to one another and to grow spiritually! D. Invitation/songbook