What is Church? – Be Accountable – Hebrews 13:1-21

What is church?

Be Accountable – Hebrews 13:1-21
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

What is church — really? Is it a building, a gathering, or something deeper? We must better understand God’s design for His church so we can truly belong to it. The Bible describes the church as the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, the Temple of God, and the Family of God. These living pictures shape how we commit, get involved, represent Christ, and hold one another accountable within the church. Church is not only a place we go, but a people we are called to be. We are challenged and encouraged to move from spectator to participant as we learn to live faithfully as God’s church together.

March 1 – Be Committed – Ephesians 5:25-27

March 8 – Be Involved – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

March 15 – Represent – Ephesians 2:19-22

March 22 – Be Accountable – Hebrews 13:1-21

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

Be Accountable

Hebrews 13:1-21

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Hebrews 13:1

1. The church should be the frontline for people in . (Hebrews 13:2-3)

There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. Deuteronomy 15:11

Notes:

2. The church should be unapologetic about and family. (Hebrews 13:4)

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Genesis 2:24

“For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Malachi 2:16

³ Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. ⁴ Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. ⁵ How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. Psalm 127:3-5

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6

Notes:

3. The church should be the prime example of God. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 1 Timothy 4:10

Notes:

4. The church should have sound and leaders. (Hebrews 13:7-17)

² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. ³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Notes:

Challenge:

How do you need to be held accountable in your walk with the Lord and your love of the church?

²⁰ Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— ²¹ may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Growth Challenge:

This week pray about how you will allow your church family to hold you accountable in one area of your life.

Read Matthew 21:1-11 in preparation for next week’s message.

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.