Life Tabernacle CROYDON Wednesday Bible Teaching

@The Chapel

Values That Last: RESPONSIBILITY

Hebrews 13:17 – “13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Key Message We are responsible for the world around us not just ourselves! Responsibility starts with me!

Responsibility Defined
Dictionary meaning – “The opportunity or ability to act independently and take decisions
without authorisation” “A thing which one is required to do as part of a job, role or legal
obligation”
Synonymous with duty, function, role, liability, accountability and answerability
The Quote – “No single drop of water thinks it is responsible for the flood”

In the bible, from the time of Adam, man has always sought to shift responsibility from himself.
Today, God still demands our being responsible to him and our areas of influence. Daniel, Samuel and Abraham took
their responsibility for their nation and areas seriously especially in their prayer lives

Key Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Proverbs 22:6; 23:13 - 26 1 Peter 2:21 1 John 4:16 Ephesians 6:1 – 7

Themes
o The Age of Irresponsibility
o What Is Responsibility?
o Jesus Taught Responsibility
o Practical Teachings
o Responsibility To Warn
o Responsibility For Others
o Accountable

Key Observations from Themes

The Age of Irresponsibility
Responsibility or lack of it is learned from our youth and environment. The greatest influence is from our
immediate family or association. You are termed as intolerant and anti-social if not complying with worldly values
Some schools teach children that suicide is an acceptable alternative to life. As parents, we must assume an
active role in training our children in God’s value system. We must be an example of godly character to them
Age of criminal responsibility - The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years old. 10-17 yrs
go to youth courts but not prison. 18-25yrs offenders do not go to full adult prisons.
Christians must learn from the lives of Achan and Eli how their actions and influence affected not just their
immediate family but the nation of Israel. – Joshua 7:11-12; 1 Samuel
Acts 1:7, Acts 5:29 - God is the source of all authority. Our first allegiance is to God and as such the higher law –
“We ought to obey God rather than men”

What Is RESPONSIBILITY?
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of
them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Genesis 18 :19 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after
him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the
LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Jesus Taught The Importance of Responsibility

John 15:10 He kept God’s commandments and abided in God’s love
Romans 5:19, Luke 22:44 His thoughts and actions were submissive to God’s will
Matthew 26:39 “Not as I will but as thou willeth“
John19:11, 8:29 Acknowledged that God was sovereign over his affairs. He sought to please God
always! Not human powers controlled his decision making
Luke 4:18 18"The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good
news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery
of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free

Practical Teachings
Teach Doctrine Proverbs 4:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:6 - 7 - Hear the word for understanding & sound
doctrine. Doctrine means teaching of God’s word. It saves us and keeps us
Teach Accountability Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and
man”
Teach Discipline Proverbs 23:13 – 14 – “Withhold not correction from the child:……. Thou shalt beat
him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” If a child is not discipline when
young they will not learn self-discipline when older.
Hebrews 12:6 – God will chastise us as He loves us. Discipline is a sign of devotion n
Teach Love 1 John 4:16; 1 Corinthians 13 – God is love. This is God’s attribute and we must teach
love by our actions more than our words
Teach Faith Hebrews 11:6 & Romans 10:17 – Faith must be learned as it requires trust and
confidence in God;
Teach Respect for Authority Ephesians 6:1 & Hebrews 13:17 – To prevent delinquency and rebellion

Responsibility To Warn
- The responsibility of the watchman to give warning (Ezekiel 3:17-21 & 33:2-9)
- His blood I will require at your hand (Ezekiel 3:18, 20)
- If the watchman gives no warning, he will be held accountable for the man's blood (Ezekiel 33:6,8).

Responsibility For Own’s Life & For Others

- If anyone goes out, his blood shall be on his own head (Joshua 2:19); your blood will be on your own head (2
Samuel 1:16); (1 Kings 2: 32, 37); your blood be on your own heads! (Acts 18:6); his blood will be on his own
head (Ezekiel 18:13); his blood be on us and on our children (Matthew 27:25).
- We must give an accounting for his blood (Genesis 42:22); if anyone is harmed inside, his blood will be on our
heads (Joshua 2:19); that the blood of Gideon's 70 sons might be laid on Abimelech (Judges 9:24); may
Abner's blood be on Joab (2 Samuel 3:29); the blood of Abner and Amasa will return on Joab's head (1 Kings.
2:33); I will require Ish-bosheth's blood at your hand (2 Samuel 4:11); may my blood be on the inhabitants of
Chaldea (Jeremiah 51:35); if anyone does not heed the warning, his blood will be upon his own head (Ezekiel
33:4-5); this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets (Matthew 23:35); (Luke
11:50); you intend to bring this man's blood on us (Acts 5:28); do not put innocent blood on us (Jonah 1:14).

Accountable
- That the whole world may be accountable to God (Rom. 3:19); every one will give account of himself to God
(Rom. 14:12); you required of my hand what was stolen (Gen. 31:39).
- They are without excuse (Rom. 1:20); you are without excuse (Rom. 2:1).