Illustrate with a threat to burst a balloon. If you hear me warn you, it is still sudden but if you are looking the other way and not listening you will really jump.
Illustrate with Bruce Wilkinson’s idea of living in the dot but for the line – A Life God Rewards p. 28 This life is a mere dot in the march of time. The afterlife is a very long line by comparison.
John 3:18 accounting for belief Matt. 12:36 – accounting for every careless word Matt. 25:35,36 accounting for deeds of charity or lack of them Matt. 25:14ff – parable of talents – accountable for gifts given to us to use. Whether you believe in these things or not – they are still going to happen! What matters is whether you are prepared.
Francis Schaeffer famous Christian book title “How Shall We Then Live?” Charles Colson – contemporary title “How Shall We Now Live” It is a proper question - what difference does it make in our daily lives?
Look at galaxy of words in 2 Peter – holy, godly, spotless, blameless, at peace See the repeated warning to be diligent about our faith. Accountability is one thing that produces diligence.
Discharge all the duties – Gk. NT:4135 <START GREEK>plhrofore/w<END GREEK> means to Fulfill completely – to finish the task
“ Endure hardship” comes from 2 Tim 4:5 In 2 Time 2:3 “ Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Paul mentions that part of the good example he had given his readers was his perseverance in trouble. Need to expect some hardship.
Jesus says “Watch” also in Mark 13:37 Ill. - Watching for someone’s arrival – someone you have been waiting for and for whose coming you have spent some energy in preparation.