Today I preached the third part of a series called “The Final Four” that touches on four key aspects of a successful relationship. The 3rd key was that of Accountability, which followed Trust and Communication. I really felt that I needed to share some of my thoughts about this message on the blog for those who weren’t there and if you would like to watch that message, it will be up on our website no later than Monday, February 21st.

Each Sunday I share with you one key idea that sort of envelopes the entire message and today’s idea was…

“Accountability is truth that binds a relationship together in Christ like form”

The building of Trust, the principal of Submission, and the power of Permission, were the substance of today’s message with regards to Accountability and I really felt led to put this in the context of the church community. Never before have I ever seen a new church start cause so much commotion in a community as Crossover has. So I wanted to share with all of the churches in our community in all denominations, Crossover’s position towards them. That position is simply this, we love you and pray that God will succeed you in the ministering to our community, the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the living of the transformational life Jesus gives through the Holy Spirit.

We (churches) are each given the same task, The Great Commission, and we are each serving the Kingdom in the territory God has given us. We are brothers and sisters in the family of God that is not exclusive but inclusive of all people. Our heart at Crossover is to literally see all people; from all walks of life, all ethnic backgrounds, all socio-economic levels, come together in a common unity, that of Jesus Christ. If as churches we are going to be successful in accomplishing the tasks we have been given and directed by the Holy Spirit, we must hold one another accountable and build relationships with one another. I believe that churches should work together in the unity of Jesus Christ, rather than work apart for the sake of denominational divisiveness. But that’s my opinion and I know many may disagree, but you can not disagree with the New Covenant and that it is for all people. Therefore it is imperative that we work together collectively to win this community for Christ sake! To do that, we must be willing to…

• Build Trust – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 follows an exhortation to the church about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and it says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up”. Churches we should be encourage-able to one another. When we become a people of encouragement who’s primary interest is to build rather than destroy, TRUST begins to be established.
• Submit to one another – Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Jesus in His earthly vessel submitted to the will of His Father on Calvary. Probably one of the most difficult things for us to do is overcoming “self-will” that we might be more submissive towards others. A Spirit of Submission is a sign of strength and wisdom! It demonstrates a willingness to listen to those who may have a greater understanding and respect of their position. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” This is a hard one for churches because somehow we lose sight of the fact that God is continually raising up new leaders. Somehow we become the wise and strong and are not attentive to the lesser. 
  “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” 1Co 1:25-29)
• Give Permission - We shouldn’t assume that we have permission to speak truth into someone or some church. Ask permission, when you have been given permission in a relationship with another person or another church to hold them accountable, you have been given power to successfully bind the relationship together. In reference to 1 Thessalonians 5:14, when given permission we can gently lead and direct as the Holy Spirit does us to warn but not destroy, to encourage but not discourage, and to be patient not recklessly impatient.

From our church, Crossover, to every church everywhere, we love you and we desire to see you succeed! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.