INSIGHT
 
   In ancient Israel, watchmen were stationed on the highest parts of the city walls. Their responsibility was to inform the city's inhabitants of the progress of a battle (1 Sam. 14:16) or of approaching messengers or enemies (2 Sam. 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17-20). Israel's prophets saw themselves as watchmen warning the nation of God's approaching judgment if the people did not repent (Jer. 6:17; Ezek 3:16-21; Hosea 9:8). Vineyards and fields also had watchmen, especially during harvest time. Their responsibility was to guard the produce from animals and thieves. 

   The concept of watchmen still remains for God's people today. The Lord's Church-- called the nation of God (1 Peter 2:9), the city of God (Hebrews 12:22-23), the field of God (1 Cor. 3:9) and, by analogy, the vineyard of God (Matt. 20:1-16)--has watchmen appointed to encourage faithfulness to the Lord. Who are these "watchmen"? 
1. God (1 Cor. 11:32;Hebrews 12:1-11). God disciplines us for our own good. The Lord's discipline prevents us from being condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). 
2. The Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17). The Word teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains us in righteousness. 
3. The Church (1 Thess. 5:14-15; Heb. 10:23-25). We are called to patiently warn, encourage, and help one another. We are to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 
4. Your Discipler (Matthew 28:19-20; Heb. 13:7,17). Elders, ministers and disciplers are there to teach you what is good; not to destroy you! They are there for your benefit--don't grieve them. 
5. Yourself (1 Tim. 4:7,8,16; 2 Tim. 1:7). It is our responsibility to train ourselves to be godly. God gave us the power to discipline ourselves.
The Attitude in Christ
Accountability

 

Key Text:                      Ezekiel 3:17

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. "

 

Theme:

Discipleship brings about maturity. When a father disciplines his child, it is out of love for the child--to bring him to maturity and righteousness. God disciplines us for our own good--to bring us to peace and holiness. We must not be afraid to acknowledge our wrongs and to welcome a brother’s or sister’s correction. Let us learn to repent and to accept a true friend’s love  for us!

 

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Repent when you do wrong. Don’t hold

    on to sin. Learn to hate sin!

2. Don’t be difficult when your discipler

    or anyone else corrects you concerning

    sin. He/She is trying to love you and help

    you. Regard him/her as a true friend!

3. Learn to love reproof. It will make you

    wise! Read Proverbs 15:31-32.

4. Thank those who correct you! Whether

    it be your relative, a church member, or a

    stranger!

5. Don’t fight fire with fire! Don’t

    purposely point out your brother’s sin

    when he is correcting you! Don’t be

    spiteful! God sees right through that!

6. Pray to the Lord to have a disciple’s

     heart and meditate upon the Word daily!

8. Encourage and correct with a genuine

    spirit of love, and not with a spirit of

    criticism!

 

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline 
Accountability
 I. Ezekiel (God Will Strengthen)
 A. Personality
   1. He behaved very strangely (4,5)!
   2. He was conscientiously obedient to the Lord
 B. Ezekiel's Call (3:16-21)
   1. Sent as a Watchman
     a. Requires a total submission to the Lord
     b. Israel in a military state; exposed to 
         enemies
     c. Watchmen are in peril from the enemy
         --kill the watchman, gain entrance
         --yet, watchmen are devoted to their
            general--in this case, the Lord
     d. Ezekiel's duties:
         --To take notice and to give notice
         --Preliminaries:
           1)His answer is from the Lord (vs 17)
               --he ate the scroll-vs 1-3
           2) He was going to people who 
                understand (vs 5)
     e. Purpose: 
         --we (all) are personally responsible for
           our own behavior
         --God wants to give life!
 C. The Church Today
    1. We are under a military state, with the
         enemy, Satan, trying to destroy
    2. A faithful watchmen:
        a. rejected by men if faithful
        b. rejected by God is unfaithful
    3. Our duty as faithful Christians:
        a. Warn of the dangers of sin
        b. Assurance of the benefits of repentance
II. Conclusion: 33:11 
 1. God does not take pleasure in judgment
 2. He rather bestow life and blessing!
 3. We are called to warn and to exhort!
 4. Goal: Repent and return to the Lord 
 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of
 fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a 
 listening ear. Proverbs 25:12
Small Group Study

Warm-up:

Have you ever been in a situation that was both hurtful and helpful--sort of a catch 22 situation?

 

See To It                                      Ezekiel 33:7-20

 

1. What was Ezekiel duty? Explain his job.

 

2. How was Ezekiel to speak to those who engaged

    in sin? What does it mean to dissuade?

 

3. Why would God hold Ezekiel accountable for

     not warning the wicked of his ways?

 

4. How does this apply to the Christian today?

    Who are considered the wicked?

 

5. How does these passages relate to the preaching

    of the gospel? What must be taught?

 

6. How do you we respond to those who feel their

    sin is too great and they are hopeless?

 

Seeing It Closer:

 

1. How does verse 12 relate to us today?

 

2. What is God’s goal for His people? What is the

    purpose for the warning?

 

3.  How are we like Ezekiel? What is the duty of

     faithful Christians?

 

 

 

 

 

Getting To It:

 

Go around the room and take turns sharing with each other what these verses in Ezekiel have taught you. Pray for each other to be faithful watchmen: to encourage one another with a spirit of love, patience and sincerity.

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Accountability=Discipleship

 

MONDAY

If you consider yourself a person after God’s own heart you can probably be described as having the heart of a disciple. This week, as we take a look at what discipleship really means, you will be able to see for yourself whether or not you indeed have the attitude that leads to having the heart of a disciple. Read Matthew 28:18-20. As we follow Jesus we are to make disciples. How do we do that? (It’s a two step process) How long does it take to do step #2? Can you successfully accomplish step 2 if you yourself haven’t paid much attention to it? This week we’re not going to look at making other disciples. We’re going to focus on making sure that you let Jesus’ disciples make one out of you. You have been called to follow Jesus. Discipleship is followship. If you’re going to call people to follow, you better be following Jesus yourself! A penitent (repentant) disciple is a follower; a follower of Jesus becomes a servant; a servant becomes a leader. This week talk to your discipler about what you see lacking in your followship of Christ. Pray for a disciple’s heart. Write Psalm 51:17 on an index card and memorize it.

 

TUESDAY

God calls all of us to be accountable to Him: read Hebrews 4:12-13. How does God’s Word uncover our hearts? Does the Word teach you what kind of attitude you are to have? Can it point out to you when you have a bad attitude? How do you respond when you are being cut? Do you realize that it is God who is cutting, with and through His Word? What, then, is the vehicle that God uses to hold us accountable to Him? Should you then become very familiar with this vehicle, i.e., the Bible? Read Hebrews 13:7,17. Since you are called to followship, who are you to submit to? Why? Are you to imitate their faith? According to verse 17, what are your leaders held accountable for? Do you believe this? Your actions will be a testimony of your faith! Write 1 Timothy 4:16 on an index card and memorize it. Thank God for the leadership He has provided for you. See to it that you glorify God by respecting them as your older brethren in Christ.

 

WEDNESDAY

One of the most illustrative passages about discipleship is Ezekiel 33:7-11. What role is Ezekiel given? Isn’t this the same role that your leaders have been given? What will happen to your leaders if they don’t warn you about your sin? What happens to you if you listen to what your leaders warn you about? What happens if you don’t listen? From verse 10, what effect does sin have on you? From verse 11, what does God desire for you to do? How is then, that God is going to use your leaders to benefit you? If your desire is to be accountable to God, understand that means being accountable to your leaders and to each other.  We are our brother’s keeper! If your desire is to repent and turn to the Lord then hold yourself accountable to your brother/sister! Remember, repentance begins with confession! Write James 5:16 on an index card and memorize it. Make a list of the things you want to repent about before the Lord. See to it that you hold yourself accountable to these things with your discipler.

 

THURSDAY

Accountability is a word we tend to shy away from. Why do you think that is? Is it because it requires you to make a commitment...to see to it that your attitudes reflects Jesus’? Read carefully Romans 14:12-13. Will you be held accountable collectively or individually? From verse 13, are we to work toward helping each other out with our accountability? How do you think this can be accomplished? It is obvious from this passage that judging one another is not the way to hold each other accountable to God. If you continue on reading 15:1-8 you will notice that you are to accept your brother and be at peace. You are to edify and encourage with the Scripture. As 2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, you are to use the Word to teach, correct, rebuke and train in righteousness. Discipleship is not a forum for judgment, but for training in righteousness out of love for each other. Write this last scripture on an index card and memorize it.

 

FRIDAY

Since being held accountable involves being taught, corrected and rebuked, always keep in mind that these things come from the Lord. Read Hebrews 12:5-16. Verses 5 - 9 speak about how the discipline of God is manifested and why it is given. Verses 10 and 11 speak of the purpose of the Lord’s discipline. Verses 12 and 13 are an exhortation to not give up. His discipline is not given to burden us, but rather, to set us free from the burden of sin (remember Ezekiel 33:7-11 ?). Verses 14 and 15 summarize what accountability is all about. There goes that phrase again: See to it...  That means: hold yourself accountable! Today’s memory verse is challenging! Write Eph. 4:11-13 on an index card and memorize it. Isn’t God’s plan awesome?!