Cord of Three Strands – Study #9
STRAND #3 JESUS – Your High-Priest Captain for the Tough Stuff
One with mercy and grace – Hebrews 4:11-16
In week 9 of A CORD OF THREE STRANDS, our focus for final 3 weeks (#7, #8, and #9) will be in the New Testament letter written to the Hebrews. Our teaching this final week highlighted that the tough stuff of temptation can be conquered in our lives in the following way:
To stay unbroken in the tough stuff of temptation, we have both a clear call to obedient accountability and a capable Captain when our obedience is challenged
GETTING STARTED – while not always a popular thought, God’s word speaks often about the reality of our accountability before God. In the daily news, we hear cries for people in public places “to be held accountable” for their promises, or for the responsibilities attached to their positions of power or authority. We don’t welcome a word in which people are not held accountable for their actions.
Can you share a story from your life and experience in which you learned a lesson in accountability? What happened? How did the experience shape you? What did you learn from it?
[A second opening discussion] Do you think people today believe God will hold them accountable for the course of their lives? For the choices they made? Promises they kept…or broke?
What about Christians? Do you think most live with a sense of final accountability to the Lord?
IN THE SCRIPTURES – Let’s explore what the Scriptures teach about accountability before God
What does Romans 3:9-20 teach about our accountability before God? [make some observations]
What does Psalm 10:12-13 add to our understanding? Matthew 12:35-37?
(re: Christians) How about Romans 14:1-4 and 10-12?
Finally, what does 1 Corinthians 4:4-6 say to us believers about our accountability?
Do you think there will be a different accountability before God when it comes to unbelievers as compared to the accountability of believers? How would you describe the difference?
When we explore the resources we have to live in an accountable way, Hebrews 4 underscores some key provisions.
In Hebrews 4:14-16, what provisions does the Lord Jesus himself bring to our lives? [make some observations]
Verse 16 speaks that we can be “confident” in our walk before God, so that we can stand before Him in Christ not ashamed, but having run our race well (Cf. Hebrews 12:1-2). Do you have a confidence as God’s child?
Check out these confidence building passages
Proverbs 3:25-26, Ephesians 3:11-13, Hebrews 10:19-23, 1 John 2:28-3:3
SOME TIME TO APPLY – Clarity and awareness about accountability before the Lord… could there be a more important topic to understand? Here’s a quick summary:
UNBELIEVERS – Scripture says they will be held accountable for their own sin. They will not have the provision of Christ’s death on their behalf. (See Romans 6:23a)
BELIEVERS – Scripture teaches Christ has paid our sin debt before God (Romans 3:22-24). Still, we will be held accountable for our faithful obedience, and perseverance. Accountable for how we helped build the body of Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10-17, and 2 Corinthians 5:6-11)
Series key truth — In a world of unavoidable tough stuff, we are unbroken conquerors when woven together with God and godly companions.
NOTE: Next week, we start a new teaching series entitled CORE CONVICTIONS! See you Sunday…
download or print