Habits: Accountability (Week 2 of 6)

Wednesday Night Service - August 11, 2010

In our second week of a 6-wk. series on "Habits", Bro. James was teaching us this week on "Accountability" we should have with one another. Scripture comes from Matthew 12:33-37. He talked about when do we start living our life right? Do we start when someone gets seriously hurt or dies? The time to start is right now! You can start right now developing habits that will change you for the rest of your life so someday people will look back at your life and say, "I can see no wrong in that person."

This week we continue our series on devoping good HABITS for spiritual growth. We talked this week about Accountable Friendships. Accountability is when we hold somebody responsible for their actions. We all need friends who know our weaknesses and love us for who we are and hold us accountable to our commitments. These are the type of friends who will come up to us one on one when they see us making choices that might hurt us spiritually.

In Psalm 133:1-3, David talks about how wonderful it was when people lived in unity/harmony. This psalm teaches us 3 things about harmony:

1. It provides satisfaction.
2. It provides refreshment.
3. It takes work to get along with others.

There are rewards when you live in harmony. (John 13:35)...Your love for one another will prove to the world you are Jesus' disciples.

3 Relationships for Accountability:

1. Find a Mentor (Proverbs 13:20)...Mentor should be a teacher and have a spiritual commitment
2. Find an Accountability Partner (Proverbs 27:17)...that person should love you but not be impressed with you
3. Be a Mentor (Philippians 2:22)...you can help lead someone else

CHALLENGE: Are there any areas in your life that you would want me to hold you accountable? Ask someone if they would want you to hold them accountable. Are there any areas in your life that you see where you could be growing or improving? Something for you to think about!

How Far is Too Far?

Wednesday night, February 24, 2010

Pastor Shane is preaching on the truth about sex and how God intended it to be. The world does not love you. They want to sell sex to you and use you as a sexual object. God has a better plan for you! He loves you! God created sex and intended it only for marriage. Pastor Shane shows the youth:

Webster defines Abstinence as refrain from doing something. (Abstinence is waiting to have sex when you get married).

Sex outside of marriage leads to a fear of three things:

1. Disease
2. Pregnancy
3. Losing the other person.

Common Sense Answers for asking...:

• "How can I establish some boundaries so I don't go too far?"

ANSWERS for Developing Healthy Boundaries:

1. Care enough about your life to ask the right questions. (You may ask, "Shouldn't we know if we are sexually compatible?") The right questions to ask: "What are the best choices for my life?" "What are the best choices for my relationship with God?" "What are the best choices for my future?" (Jeremiah 29:11)...Sex was created for making babies, pleasure, intimacy and most of all...oneness for husband and wife.
2. Evaluate what is important to you. (You may ask, "Why am I in this relationship?" "What do I want from this relationship?" "How will being physical get me what I really want or need?" "What will a physical relationship do to our relationship?")...Newsflash...waiting for sex until you marry won't hurt you! You will be known for having self-control, respect, character, integrity and trustworthy. Are you going to trust God and His ways or the world's ways? (Psalm 1:1-3) Ask yourself, "Do I delight in everything the Lord wants for me?"
3. Establish a temptation plan. (Everyone is tempted. (1Corinthians 10:13) God doesn't tempt you, that comes from the flesh and Satan). (James 1:13-14)
4. Verbalize your boundary plans. (Proverbs 15:22)
5. Ask for accountability. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
6. Guard your mind. (Philippians 4:8)
7. Embrace God's grace...don't cheapen it. (Romans 6:14-15)
8. Believe that you are not defined by who you Date or How Far you go.
9. Pursue intimacy with God. (You will have a natural desire to please Him. You will receive the power to resist temptation. You will be more attracted to godliness.)

There is a way to escape temptation:

1. Know your bottom line. (Know how far is too far vs. What's best for your future)
2. Communicate your standards.
3. I will stick to my convictions....even when it's difficult!
4. I will avoid compromising situations.
5. I will get out when necessary. (2Timothy 2:22)

Common Principles:

1. The further you go, the faster you go.
2. The further you go, the further you want to go.
3. The further you go, the more difficult it is to go back.

Where you draw the line determines three things:

1. It determines temptation.
2. It determines the intensity of temptation.
3. It determines the consequence of giving in to your temptation. (When you verbalize your boundaries, you realize love waits and lust pursues you.)

Know the bottom line...what is it that is best for your future? God's way is the better way for your future!