Marty Sloan – Living the Dream

Beliefs Series PT. 2 – Accountability –

The Mirror

James 1:22-25 NKJV

This morning I want to talk to you in our Beliefs series about Accountability, I have titled my message “The Mirror”. A mirror tells you what you look like.

Question, who is your mirror? Who in your life can look you right in the eye and speak truth – remember all beliefs must be based in truth ☺ I chose our opening clip, because it shows a person speaking real truth to another – something that would increase all of us!

James 1:22  NKJV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:23

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

James 1:24

for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

James 1:25

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Why do we need another to speak to us about ourselves?

1. Wickedness

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperately wicked;

Who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:10

I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

2. Growth

Ephesians 4:15 NKJV

speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

A soldier is part of a larger group – in battle you do not want to be left alone or behind. Some of our greatest stories of heroes in real life or theater come from someone being wiling to risk it all to go back for someone.

Today I pose to you this question, who are you going back for in life, or who is coming back for you? One of the greatest components of your spiritual journey is someone who can at you and be honest with you in love. There are some ground rules for this Mirror /Accountable relationship. Know the difference in correction and criticism.

Correction Criticism

Done in Love Done for gain

Enables relationship Eliminates relationship

Allows return Anticipates removal

Builds on what’s right Breaks down on the wrong

Sees other perspectives Seeks own perspective

Are you in an accountable relationship where your life is being looked after and you too are looking after another – not speaking here of the snooping around for people’s junk so you can spread venomous rumors, I am speaking about caring for and being cared for as well all face the battle of our mutual enemy.

STATEMENT: Authenticity without accountability creates vulnerability – in life we must be authentic and we must be accountable. The story of Moses and Jethro in the OT for me examples both of these.

Turn to Exodus Chapter 4; we see the unique relationship between Moses and his father in law Jethro.  I like this story because for many we only think of positional authority when it comes to accountability. In other words – if the person is not your dad, your boss or another “positional” person – we do NOT listen to them. As people who desire increase our life, we should seek out purposeful authority.

Exodus 4:18 NKJV So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.”

And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

The Phrase “go in peace” is significant.  This is no ordinary statement (ie: “have a nice day”).  But rather a statement of purpose.

Remember that Moses worked for Jethro, no doubt a good employee!  He was trusted, productive and a part of the team. Jethro in the natural must have been challenged to see his number one man walk out the door.

As I look at the story of Moses and Jethro – I see a few simple observations on this Accountable – Mirror Based relationship.

What to look for when picking a Mirror ☺

1. Commits to your purpose NOT their plans

When Jethro said to Moses go in peace – was in essence saying – God into Gods purpose for your life! Let me expand this idea of commitment.  Many of us have people who are committed so long as we do what they want rather than stepping in our purpose.

• Jethro blesses you forward

• Jethro kicks you out of your present into your future (some times you just need a kick in the rear!)

• Jethro keeps you moving on your journey

• Jethro sends you to what God has called you to so you can receive what God has for you

• Jethro blesses you, but does not flatter you

2. Celebrates with you

Move a few chapters forward in this story to Exodus 18

Exodus 18:7

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent.

Exodus 18:8

And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.

Exodus 18:9

Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Celebration is a must in life! We must surround with and surround others for the purpose of celebration. This is one of many benefits of being a part of a SG at HT!

3. Cause you to think

Exodus 18:14 NKJV

So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

We all need that, what are you doing moment!  With a close follow up of what were you thinking!

4. Challenge you

Exodus 18:15 NKJV

And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

Exodus 18:16

When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Exodus 18:17

So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.

Exodus 18:18

Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.

Jethro will ask you questions like:

• Are you giving 100%

• Are you living 100%

• If God has plans for you, do you know them

• Are you using everything God gave you

Another benefit of being in a SG at HT

5. Connects you to your proper place

Exodus 18:19 NKJV

Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.

Exodus 18:20

And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

The benefit of all this is seen in Exodus 18:24 when you look at your mirror and see something wrong – fix it!

Exodus 18:24 NKJV

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.