## Three Steps to Failure

## Hebrews 12:15a

Read: Hebrews 12:12-15

A couple of weeks ago there was a major power failure in the northeastern section of our country and portions of Canada. It has been covered extensively on the news with many folks giving what they think may have happened. I am not sure if they have narrowed it down yet to exactly what failed, but they continue to search. Why? They want to avoid this happening again in the future. If there is a problem, they desire to correct it.

The entire book of Hebrews was written to encourage the Hebrew Christians not quit and give up on the Christian life. Life was extremely difficult for these Jewish believers, and some were ready to just give up on living for Christ. Our text this morning warns of failing of the grace of God. Note that it isn't God's grace that fails, but it is man. The idea is that it is possible for us to fall short of what God would have for us to be. The consequence of such a failure is bitterness; and that bitterness will, in turn, infect others!

Now what causes a believer to fail? If we can discover the cause, perhaps can prevent that from happening. Consider some thoughts with me this morning. Three steps to failure in the Christian life.

I. Diminish the Bible's Importance in Your Life.

A. The Bible is God's Word

God has given us His written Word that we might understand.

1. Who He is…He is revealed to us through His Word.

2. Who we are…that also is found in the pages of the Scripture.

3. Where we are headed…there are only two eternal places, and God's Word shows us how a person can get to heaven and why a person will spend eternity in hell.

B. The Bible is Profitable

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

1. For Doctrine - this is what is right!

2. For Reproof - this is what is not right!

3. For Correction - this is how to make it right!

4. For Instruction - this is how to keep it right!

C. The Bible prepares us for Life

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1. 'Perfect' = mature or grown up as a believer.

2. The Christian life parallels our physical existence.

a. We begin this life at birth…we begin the Christian life by being 'born again'.

b. We exist as a baby…new Christians are referred to as 'babes in Christ'

c. We grow to maturity…that is God's plan for every believer!

3. 'Throughly' = not a misprint of thoroughly!

a. It means to finish out completely.

b. Through and through = throughly.

c. God's Word is what will mature us and complete us as servants of the Lord.

D. Without the Word of God in our lives, we will fall short of what God would have us to be.

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Pr 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

II. Pour Your Life Into Making Money And Accumulating Things.

A. The American Dream

1. We live in a country where excess and opulence is the rule rather than the exception.

2. God never spoke against a person having things…

3. But He had much to say about what our focus should be.

1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Mt 6:19a Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

B. The parable of the rich fool. Luke 12:16-21

1. God had blessed him greatly

2. He selfishly chose to hoard these blessings.

3. He foolishly thought things could provide him with all he needed.

4. God warns, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

5. It isn't just lost people who choose foolishly!

6. The Word of God is filled with examples of believers who chose the things of this world over the things of God!

2Ti 4:10a For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…

III. Be Accountable to No one for Anything.

A. Accountability is part of God's plan for all of us.

1. As citizens of this nation, we are accountable to our local, state, and federal governments.

2. Children are accountable to their parents.

3. Husbands and wives are accountable to each other.

4. Employees are accountable to their employer.

5. As church members, we are accountable to our local church.

B. So for one to NOT be accountable, actually is an impossibility.

1. Perhaps the better way to think of this is to live as if we were not accountable to anyone for anything.

2. Because we are all accountable…and even if the above examples didn't apply, we are all accountable to God!

Ro 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

3. The Bible declares that one day every one of us will give an account of our lives to Him.

a. It will either be as believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ or…

b. It will be as unbelievers at the Great White Throne judgment…but we WILL give an account!

C. To live as if we are not accountable, will certainly lead to failure in our Christian life.

1. For a believer to live in this manner is to invite the chastening hand of God upon their lives.

2. There are always consequences to every decision we make.

3. For us to think we can live anyway we please and disregard God's principles is foolish.

Heb 12:15a Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God

4. We must pay attention to how we live our lives for God.

5. Paul's greatest concern was that he might lose his effectiveness and testimony for the Lord.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

We don't have to fail in our Christian life! God has given us everything we need to live faithful to His Word and to His principles. As believers, the Holy Spirit indwells us, and His ministry is to lead and guide us into all truth. The bottom line is this…there is really no excuse for failure! But if we adopt ungodly attitudes and thinking we will!

How can we avoid failure?

- Give the Word of God a place of great importance in our lives.
- Don't fall in love with the things of this world.
- Never forget that we are accountable!