CORE VALUE #1 – INTEGRITY

Today we begin a series on what are the Core Values for Hope.

All of these things, you and I will easily agree that they are important. What God must continue to do is to make them OUR WAY OF LIVING and MINISTERING.

It is vital that we are watchful in these areas – or overgrown like a weed filled garden

Personally – each of these elements are vital to a healthy Christian life

As a Church – we must be strong here or it will hurt our ability to help others

First one - Integrity

1. What is INTEGRITY?

Definition includes three elements:

Straight – not confusing, straightforward, not tangled or twisted

Refers to honesty, openness, not underhanded, deceptive or misleading, not playing a semantic game

Also includes the idea of not going one way and then another (being the same all the time)

Sound – not broken or impaired –

You can rely on it, trust it (the hull of a ship, the weighbearing of a bridge)

Wholeness – The same throughout, no parts missing or lacking, genuine sincere –

The word GOODNESS in Scripture is often translated “integrity” because it talks about the good all the way through.

Refers to the constant desire to do what is right – even when battling desires to do wrong

A determination that easy or hard, NO MATTER WHAT, I want to do the right thing

Doesn’t mean we always do right – but we always try to, and when we don’t – we own up and turn from it.

Involves what you do and say

Ephesians 5:8-9 Walk as children of light – live like you can see!

Goodness = integrity

Righteousness = good actions

Truth = honest words

Is to be an identifying mark of genuine Christianity

Matt 5:33-37 – Let your “yes” BE yes and your ”no” be no

2. Realities of INTEGRITY

A. Necessity in Church – Titus 2:7–10 – for our “attractiveness”

We tend to see honesty and integrity as a burden of being a believer

They will be “watching” me. They expect me to be perfect

Instead, we need to pursue integrity because it is a reflection of the reality

In Titus, Paul is instructing him to be sure he teaches in integrity

It removes the vulnerability to accusations and assumptions

It teaches workers to work from the right heart – not trying to steal or undermine their boss

IF this is a reality – in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior ATTRACTIVE!!

B. Little things AND big things (Luke 16:10)

We often devalue integrity in the normal course of life

Just “little” things. Little lies, little thefts, little cheating, NO ONE GETS HURT, BETTER YET – EVERYONE WINS

Integrity doesn’t differentiate between little and big things. The desire is to always do what is right.

Compromising for “results” in the little things leads to huge lapses in integrity down the road.

C. From HEART 1 Chronicles 29:17

Where does the Bible say Integrity comes from in us – our heart

“I know my God that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity”

David’s inspired prayer shows us where God looks to see if we are filled with integrity – into the passions and desires of our hearts.

If you have difficulty being honest or trustworthy or a difficult time doing the thing you KNOW is right – even in the little things – you have an issue of wanting the wrong things!!

I am TUNED IN to what I see that I want – this is a challenge to not look through our flesh (live by sight) but instead to look by faith (live by faith) – I don’t see it, but I choose to believe it

This is where the “children of light” comment really has an impact. The reason we want the wrong things – we are living like we’re in darkness and can’t see how those things will destroy and devastate everything they touch!

D. Withstands circumstances (situational ethics) Job 2:3

If it weren’t for _______ I would do the right thing.

Real integrity doesn’t look for excuses

Job was under severe trial – without having done anything to warrant it

New Orleans type devastation on one person!

God says “and he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without reason”

Real integrity is not dependent on situations or circumstances.

It is convinced that the right thing is always the right thing

Good is always good!

No lines to separate my personal life from my spiritual life, or my business life from my church life – NO MATTER the situation, I want to be right in what I think, say, and do

E. Guides us (Prov. 11:3)

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity

Ever done something you regret? If you had a “do over”, is there something you would use it on?

Integrity guards against regret – it keeps us on the path that in hindsight will bring joy.

The second part of the verse talks about how letting go of integrity (duplicity means two faced) will DESTROY you!

Is integrity that valuable to you?

F. Keeps us safe (Prov 10:9)

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

If I walk in honesty, honor, and genuineness – with an abiding desire to think, say, and do right – every step that I take is SOLID. No slipping or sliding.

The second part talks about being found out

Real integrity does what is right even if you think no one will ever find out!

But DON’T DECEIVE yourself – “will be found out”.

Few stories to illustrate in next point (Achan)

G. No hiding a lack of it (Acts 5; 2 Kings 5)

Ananias and Sapphira – Did something nice for church, nice for them (reputation wise and bank account wise) – NO LOSERS, ONLY WINNERS!

Each came separately to the apostles and abandoned their integrity

Both were struck dead on the spot

FOUND OUT!

Why such a big deal – the inception of the church – undermined integrity could not be tolerated at that moment!

Elisha and Gehazi – Gehazi claims the reward for healing Naaman that Elisha rejected – then lies about it – NO LOSERS!! But the truth.

Gehazi struck with leprosy – a cast away, a reject for ever!

No escaping the consequences (Ps 37:1-3) But I know people who don’t live in integrity and they’re doing great!

Their end is as sure as if it has already happened – being in darkness, they don’t see that!

3. INTEGRITY at Hope

Take the definition and apply it:

Straight - Relational Integrity – honesty, resolution, honor

Not looking for the way around rules or work

Honest with the government, our community, each other.

No need to “guess’ what everyone really thinks

Sound - Trustworthy for others (foundational)

Finances – up front and in the open

Confidentiality – can others be open with you and be SAFE?

Gossip / Slander – do we guard our words?

Whole – Authenticity – like slicing through an apple

From Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels

Be who you are – all your differences included

Be real about how you feel

Be real about your failures

Live with conviction

A huge reason for the pain in my life has been a lack of integrity by those around me

We’ve learned from personal experience how important it is for a ministry to be straight, sound, and whole.

Let us ask God to show us where we need to address issues of integrity in our lives and in our church – don’t let the enemy lull us to sleep or steal our ability to share hope with those around us!