Accountability: Not something we enjoy

Even if it’s something good for us

Genesis – the Purpose Historically, Genesis answers the questions of a nation which had spent 400 years in Egypt: “Why were we ever there?” “Why were we there so long?”

Genesis – the Purpose Historically, Genesis answers the questions of a nation which had spent 400 years in Egypt: “Why were we ever there?” “Why were we there so long?”

Genesis – the Purpose Historically, Genesis answers the questions of a nation which had spent 400 years in Egypt: “Why were we ever there?” “Why were we there so long?”

The purpose of the Bible To explain God’s attempt to establish His kingdom on earth.

Genesis – the Purpose To explain Israel’s beginning and purpose in the establishment of God’s rule on earth.

Only the beginning, only just the start… Creation The story of the world was the story of failure due to sin: No kingdom! Creation of man The Fall The Flood The Tower of Babel Genesis 1-11

Mankind kept thinking they could do things without God. Genesis – the Purpose Mankind kept thinking they could do things without God.

Humanity often has too much faith in themselves

That is not a good idea…

Maybe it was because men ran things…

Sometimes we don’t hear what God is saying…

Without good leaders, there was confusion…

God’s plan: One man BIG nation Genesis – the Purpose God’s plan: One man BIG nation

I’m sure some thought Abraham was crazy…

I’m sure he wondered that, too…

But, he was committed

And, in the end, he was obedient to God and Genesis focuses on him and his sons…

Only the beginning, only just the start… Creation Creation of man The Fall The Flood The Tower of Babel The story of the lives of four men Genesis 1-11 Genesis 12-50

America vs. Israel Magna Carta Declaration of Independence Constitution Abrahamic Covenant Mosaic Covenant Davidic Covenant

The Covenant to Abraham – Genesis 12:1-3 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Three Aspects of the Covenant to Abraham Land From the Nile to the Euphrates Seed Like the stars in the heavens Blessing Bless those who bless you, curse those who curse you In you, all the nations of the earth will be blessed

The Covenant to David – 2 Samuel 7:12-16 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son… And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’”

A Son of David will rule forever! The Covenant to David A Son of David will rule forever!

But, the goal is the Kingdom! Biblical Time Line OT NT Emphasis on Israel Emphasis on the Church But, the goal is the Kingdom!

Biblical Time Line Rapture Return Eternal The Law Church Age Trib. Kingdom State OT NT 7 years 1,000 years

Should be clear to all! John 3:1-16 Entering the Kingdom Should be clear to all! John 3:1-16

John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Entering the Kingdom Remember: The conversation with Nicodemus was in the Old Testament chronologically.

And, it’s the same Kingdom for us! Entering the Kingdom The Kingdom being discussed was the literal, physical Kingdom anticipated for centuries. And, it’s the same Kingdom for us!

It was the same one Jesus Christ would rule as the Son of David. Entering the Kingdom It was the same one Jesus Christ would rule as the Son of David.

Entering the Kingdom The terms are clear: Getting into the Kingdom is by believing in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. 1 Tim. 1:15-16 However…

Entering the Kingdom vs. Inheriting the Kingdom That is not the same as inheriting the Kingdom.

Entering the Kingdom vs. Inheriting the Kingdom “Entering” = “You’re in!” “Inheriting” = Ruling with Christ!

Entering vs. Inheriting Entering is by faith alone Aspects of inheriting involve works and faithfulness

Inheriting the Kingdom For Israel, to inherit the Kingdom involved obedience to the Mosaic Covenant and, thereby, defeating their enemies. Dt. 28-30; Josh. 21:43-45; 24 But, for us today…

Inheriting the Kingdom – Rom. 9:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs, on the one hand, of God and joint heirs, on the other hand, with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Inheriting the Kingdom – Rom. 9:17 Heirship discussed in two ways, on the one hand: Heirs of God (Eternal life, Entrance into the Kingdom, the Holy Spirit), FREE to those who believe; on the other hand… Co-heirs with Jesus Christ – Contingent on suffering

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ – 2 Tim. 2:11-13 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.  If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ Reigning with Christ is dependent on obedience, on enduring with Him. Jesus often spoke of this. For example…

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ Before He left to heaven, it was the one subject He spoke to the Apostles about for over a month!

This wasn’t their first exposure to this idea… Acts 1:3 …to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. This wasn’t their first exposure to this idea…

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ – Matt. 20:26-27 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Nor would this would not be the last…

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ – Rev. 2:25-27 But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ Ruling with Christ may involve helping him govern His Kingdom and is talked about in many ways: Special closeness to Him Administration/ruling Judging matters Vindication

Co-heirship with Jesus Christ Like it or not, desire it or not, accountability is a simple fact of life for each and every Christian. 2 Cor. 5:10

No one likes accountability

For believers, there is no choice!

What are you going to do with your time? In school? At work? At home? With your friends? When you’re alone?

What are you going to do with your time? When you’re driving? At your computer? Playing games, sports On dates? When you watch movies?

What are you going to do with your time? No one likes to be told what to do. No one likes to be accountable. But, we are!

What are you going to do with your time? The Kingdom is coming. Those who believe will be in it. The faithful will be co-heirs What will be your role?

What are you going to do with your time? What matters to you? Who matters to you? The reality of the Kingdom brings the reality of accountability.

Even if we don’t want to be What matters to you? Who matters to you? You are accountable!

What are you going to do with your time? What matters to you? Who matters to you?