Importance of Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth

Personal Responsibility Philippians 2:12-13

Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure 2

Introduction The virus pandemic has presented many challenges Lockdown & Shelter-in-place orders - Social distancing We have been cut off from other brethren Such isolation presents spiritual challenges Such arrangements are very much unsociable Self-examination is needed - 2 Corinthians 13:5 We are personally reasonable to guard and maintain our faith - Romans 14:12 3

Why is Personal Responsibility Important? 4

We are Created in Gods Image PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY All men were created in His image - Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them IS NEEDED BECAUSE This statement refers to all mankind and not limited to only Adam and Eve Genesis 3:20; 5:1; 9:6; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9 Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 - Animals are not made in God s image 5

Jesus Died for All Mankind PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY He died for every man For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Hebrews 2:9 IS NEEDED BECAUSE God desires all to be saved from His wrath 2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:11 6

Each Person Will Give Account PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY We will give account for what we have done For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad 2 Corinthians 5:10 Romans 6:11-12; 14:7-8, 11-12 IS NEEDED BECAUSE Man s whole duty is to obediently serve God Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13 7

Each Of Us Will Receive Our Own Reward PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Seek and desire the reward Paul longed for? I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing - 2 Timothy 4:7-8 IS NEEDED BECAUSE The Lord will reward us according to our works Luke 23:39-41; Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12; 9 Use care to not loose your reward of heaven Hebrews 2:1-2; Galatians 6:7-9 8

What Are We Responsible To Do? 9

Know The Will of God To know God s will requires diligent study Be diligent ( study - KJV) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth - 2 Timothy 2:15 WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO God s word is understandable Ephesians 5:17-18 Must seek to know and apply the riches of God s grace Acts 20:32; Ephesians 2:4-7; Titus 2:11-12 10

Communicate with God We must pray to God Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO Things to pray for Your family - for respect & maturity - 1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 6:1-3 Yourself - for physical & spiritual needs - Matt. 6:11; Col. 1:9-11 Your community - for peace & right - Jer. 29:7; Titus 2:12 The church - for love & growth - Jn. 13:35; 2 Thess. 3:1 Our nation - for repentance & wise rule - Prov. 14:34; 2 Tim. 2:1-2 Unbelievers - for teachers & salvation - Eph. 6:18-20; Rom. 10:1 The sick & oppressed - for health & equity - Jas. 5:14-15; Prov. 29:7 11

Follow the Will of God We must prove by doing But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed - James 1:22-25 WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO We will be eternally blessed by doing God s will Revelation 22:14; Matthew 7:21-29 12

Keep From Sinning Against God We must strive not to sin There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it - 1 Cor. 10:13 God has provided a way of escape and He expects us to us it When we sin, follow God s provision for forgiveness Pray - Acts 8:18-24 Repent & confess your sins - 1 John 1:7-9; 1 John 2:1-2 Guard you souls with God s spiritual armor Ephesians 6:10-18 WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO 13

Be Shinning Lights In A Dark World We must let our lights shine Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven - Matthew 5:14-16 Philippians 2:12-16 WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO Point others to Christ by your example and teaching 1 Peter 2:12; 3:15 14

Our Responsibility to One Another 15

LOVE One Another Love of our brethren is essential in God s family For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another - 1 John 3:11 OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ONE ANOTHER Godly love is what binds us together Colossians 3:12-14 If we don t have love for our brethren, we don t love God 1 John 3:14-18; 4:20-21 Brotherly love is to be a part of our character Hebrews 13:1-3 16

ENCOURAGE One Another We must encourage and we need it ourselves Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end - Hebrews 3:12-14 We, as brethren, we are in this together (the world) 1 Peter 5:8-9 We need each other s encouragement and support Acts 20:35; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ONE ANOTHER 17

ASSEMBLE WITH One Another God intended for the local church to assemble And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching Hebrews 10:24-25 OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ONE ANOTHER The Christians of this time period faced many difficulties They were to consider and stir up love and good works in one another by coming together to worship We need the same consideration and stirring-up today! 18

PRAY FOR One Another We need to pray for our brethren & we need their prayers for us Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much - James 5:16 OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ONE ANOTHER There is great power & value in the prayers of the faithful James 5:13, 15 Even if our prayers are not answered according to our desires, we have comfort in God s judgment 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 19

WORK WITH One Another The local church as a body, needs each member from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love - Ephesians 4:16 OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ONE ANOTHER The body of Christ is self-edifying and love is needed Working together means we must all do our part in spiritual growth individually and collectively We must be united in God s truth and joined in a spiritual union with others of like precious faith John 17:17, 20-23; Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13 20

Why Personal Responsibility Is Important What We Are Responsible To Do Our Responsibility To One Another PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 15:58 REVIEW & CONCLUSION 21

Alien sinners must Hear the Gospel Romans 10:17 Believe the Gospel John 8:24 Repent of Your Sins Acts 17:30 Confess Your Faith in Christ Before Men Matthew 10:32 Be Baptized in Water to Wash Away Thy Sins Acts 2:38 Erring children of God must Repent & Pray for Forgiveness Acts 8:21-23 Christians must live faithful unto death Revelation 2:10 what shall we do? Acts 2:37 22