I also felt good about what I said during the seminar when I spoke. Mac had a lot of good thoughts and a good outline for men to follow, and he invited me up to speak. The following is the transcript of what I've prepared and shared during the seminar:
First, let me start off with some selected scriptures, which you most likely have heard before, but this is to set the frame for our thinking:
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous (wicked) way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting!
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Hebrews 10:24-27
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
So what do those verses have to do with anything? Well, at the heart of it all, there lays an issue in ones depth of resolve for the gospel. Where does my eagerness line up in being a disciple, if it does at all? In my experience, these are the things I’ve learned implicationally with those verses.
A - Accountability is more than "confession hour". There will be no fruit or growth from gaining experience in wearing your heart on your sleeve to another brother. It's intentionally holding my brother accountable, and vice versa, to our convictions and God honoring conduct. It's easy to get comfortable and continue meeting out of routine, but if there is no proactive initiative to be held and hold my brother accountable, I've missed the mark. If you’re not even going to be honest, then don’t bother showing up because it’s a waste of time for everyone. Like 1 Cor 9, I must run the race that I might obtain the prize, and take this seriously- being held to the standard as clearly stated in Hebrews 10.
B - Accountability is Christ-like in its form. Throughout the gospels there are accounts of the multitudes that follow Jesus, the obvious twelve disciples called and chosen by Jesus, THEN, what I find cool is you see Jesus and the three disciples prominently appearing through the gospels; Peter, James and John. There was a closeness found in that inner circle, something that was life changing and refining allowing for those men to grow, be challenged and hear from the Lord. They were huge leaders used in the development of the early church because of their collective lives yielded to the Lord. So how is my form, or molded life suited with regard to Jesus? Am I going to continue being the unknown drowned in the multitudes, or am forming my life like Psalm 139, begging God to search me out, take any wicked way from me and lead me to everlasting? There’s a huge contrast there, and surprisingly enough it’s easy to miss.
You see, everyone is called to full-time ministry; only some, like our pastors and church staff, get paid to do it. And I feel a great misconception among men who don’t form their lives around Christ, is that they can coast by and not live how they ought to. Simply, they are the cowards who don't lead out in some way- staying under the radar by appearing fine on the outside. And I know that's brutal, but I've been grieved by "boys who can shave" that show up to church as if it were a social club, consume and do nothing proactive for the gospel.
Consider
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
That's the unaccountable person, the one who escapes through the flames.
But quickly back to that example contrasting the Multitudes to Peter, James and John are seen in the Church: Weekend congregation (big), house churches and small groups (med), accountability groups (small). So in that respect, accountability is essential in it's fidelity for the serious Christian man. I feel that if I desire to be one after God's heart, I'll be a diligent student of the word, in honest prayer and seeking accountability, council and reproof from my brother(s). This is part of the resolve that I will model my life to be Christ-like, after Christ's own ministry.
C – Every part of me wants to always ask, “Am I glorifying God in this?” Whatever “this” is. That brings up a hard question, “Who am I really?” I’ve heard the adage said many times "Who you are when you're alone, is who you are." I am convinced that when I'm not taking action to be a LEGIT Christian man of godly character, it dramatically affects every part of my life. I struggled quite a bit with swearing and language, and a lot of it came about in my private life. Soon I saw that I was slipping up in groups around dudes, then eventually around sisters. That’s not good, considering I call myself a Christian, and that I’m one of the worship leaders in front of an entire congregation. I became incredibly convicted, and by God’s grace and by way of accountability, that area of my life has dramatically improved. Obviously those who are saved are new creations in Christ, but maintaining accountability is vital to staying the course for years to leave a legacy of a gospel-centric, resolute life. Accountability is a major part of my life, which I can't do without. I know I'll fail left alone – because there’s the world, my flesh and the devil working against me, and it’ll effect me morally, spiritually, physically. There’s no such thing as a lone ranger Christian. SO, if who I am when I'm alone is God honoring, as a result of remaining transparent and accountable, then everything else will fall into place accordingly-honoring God. If not, it wrecks my life all over the place.
Just be intentional to have God be the center of your life and make you ready for his will. All this is to glorify my God. In my conclusion, be encouraged and think on the promise in Hebrews 12, of Christ as the “author and perfecter of our faith”. He’ll see you through ‘til he returns or calls you home.
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