Apr. 27, 2016 | Principles of Responsibility

This is the first message to Dr. Anthony George's Wednesday night Bible study series on Relationships. Here's the link to the audio message from FBA's website. My notes are only meant to be a guide to assist in your Bible study. Enjoy! :)

Exodus 32:1 

How to assign responsibility to where it belongs so that we can have better boundaries in our relationships.

1. The action/reaction principle: ungodly actions never justify ungodly reactions.
   • They said give me a god we can see, so Aaron gave them one. Aaron acted on their reaction.
   • The people worshiped the false god, which followed with Moses's ungodly reaction of breaking the tablets
   • Not only did Moses have a temper fit, not only did he throw down the tablets, but the tablets were from God. He was willing to throw away something hand crafted from God because of the Israelites were acting ungodly. 
     • Exodus 32:16
   • Don't throw away God's work in your life because someone else doesn't care what He's doing in their life.
     • Don't let someone else's poor choice in their life pull you away from the choices you make in your life to honor God.
     • Numbers 20 
     • When God deals with you, you better listen! You might not get a second chance.
     • James 1:20 
   • We don't have to react to what others do.
2. The authority/freedom principle: people under authority are still free to make their own choices.
   • We can coerce people, but we cannot program and control people. No matter how much someone tries, you always have your own choice.
   • When you are in authority, you are also not responsible for the choices for those under your influence.
     • It is the person who makes the mistake's responsibility.
     • Don't beat yourself up when your children make bad choices.
     • Exodus 32:11
   • Ever felt guilty for what others do? Felt a responsibility for their choices?
   • No one owns anybody. 
   • If we are supposed to feel guilty for the choices of others, how should we feel about Jesus and his choice in disciples?
     • Doubting Thomas, rejector Simon Peter, etc
     • Jesus did not claim responsibility of the choices of the people 
3. The my mistake/my fault prinicple: the guilty party must own the mistake.
   • Everyone comes from an imperfect family. This doesn't make light of abuse, but once we reach adulthood, we must take responsibility for the choices that we make.
   • Exodus 32:20-22
   • Aaron blamed the people, the fire, the pot, everybody but himself. But who told the people to give up their gold? Who collected the jewelry? Who made the calf? Aaron did all of that. He even made an altar in front of it.
   • The blame game isn't just part of our culture, it's part of our humanity.
     • Genesis 3:11-13
     • Everyone is blaming everyone else. But what God is looking for is us confessing: oh God, I have sinned against you!
4. The forgiveness/consequence principle: forgiveness never erases all consequences.
   • There will always be collateral damage: memory (of mistakes), emotional (I know I've been forgiven, but I still feel so ashamed), financial, relation, punishment etc.
   • Exodus 32:28
     • Purging.
   • Exodus 32:
     • Plague
   • Exodus 32: 
     • Shame among the ungodly.
   • Moses was willing to give up his place in Heaven in order to forgive the mistakes of the Israelites. But this isn't how it works. 
     • We often want to do whatever we can to save and endure the consequences for our loved ones, but this isn't always what God wants to do. God rather use the mistakes to teach our loved ones in order to build a better relationship with them.