INTEGRITY

INTEGRITY

“Quality of Life Series”

6/01/04

LEADER: What does it mean to have integrity?

(GIVE TIME FOR ANSWERS)

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Integrity

I agree with the Roman Emperor and philosopher, Marcus Aurelius who said a century after Christ’s death:

“If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.”

Does that sound like “honesty” would be a good description of “integrity”?

Let’s see what Webster says:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Webster:

Integrity: Noun. soundness of mind; unscrupulous honesty

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Dishonest Golfer” by Richard Hopper

http://12.181.170.84/sermons/index.mv?illustration+3261

Have you ever heard the story about the dishonest golfer? He was so dishonest that when he made a hole in one he put down zero. No quality reveals a person's true character more than honesty. A person of integrity is a person of strength.

LEADER: Do we still have integrity when no one is looking?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Catch of a Lifetime”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon1/catchofa.htm

He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from a dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake.
On the day before the bass season opened, he and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching some fish and perch with worms. Then he tied on a small silver lure and practiced casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored ripples in the sunset, thin silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake.
When his pole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish along side the dock.
Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass.
The boy and his father looked at the handsome fish, gills playing back and forth in the moonlight. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 p.m. -- two hours before the season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy.
"You'll have to put it back, Son," he said.
"Dad!" cried the
"There will be another fish," said his father.
"Not as big as this one," cried the boy.
He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were around in the moonlight. He looked again at his father.
Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his fathers voice that the decision was not negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the black water.
The creature swished it's powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that never again would he see such a great fish.
That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in New York City. His father's cabin is still there on the island in the middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from the same dock. He was right. He has never again caught such a magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he does see that same fish -- again and again
- - every time he comes up against a question of ethics.
For, as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners to get the design in on time? Or refuse to trade stocks based on information that we aren't supposed to have? We would if we were taught to put the fish back when we were young.
The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It is a story we will proudly tell our friends and our grandchildren.
Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but about how we did the right thing and were forever strengthened.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Clear Conscience” By Peter Kennedy EXCERPT

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon4/a_clear_conscience.htm

"I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." –

2 Timothy 1:3
In April 2001, Tim Shutt was the crew chief for NASCAR driver Mike McLaughlin. Tim was a new Christian who came to Christ at a Christian retreat for participants in the racing industry. Preparing for the major race in Talladega, Alabama, he was tempted to add an illegal part to the car. "Joe [Gibbs, team owner] is adamant that we don't cheat," said Shutt. Joe Gibbs is also a Christian and a former National Football League coach. Tim said to McLaughlin that morning in practice: "If we're no good in practice, I'll put this piece-the illegal piece-on. Probably 30 other teams are doing it." Tim knew he was justifying it. Tim said: "I got up under the car, I got halfway through putting it on, and that verse, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God,' came flashing in red in front of me, and whoa, that was it. I said, 'I'm leaving this up to you, God.'" Shutt didn't put the piece on the car. McLaughlin won the race at Talladega, and later reflected: "When we won, the first thing that came to my mind was that verse. God wanted to show himself to me."
You will be regularly tempted to cheat, but resist the temptation and serve the Lord with a clear conscience. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His infinite love for you and seek to live this day for His glory.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Good Call”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon1/goodcall.htm

Reuben Gonzales was in the final match of a professional racquetball tournament. It was his first shot at a victory on the pro circuit, and he was playing the perennial champion. In the fourth and final game, at match point, Gonzales made a super "kill" shot into the front wall to win it all. The referee called it good. One of the two linesmen affirmed that the shot was in. But Gonzales, after a moment's hesitation, turned around, shook his opponent's hand, and declared that his shot had hit the floor first. As a result, he lost the match. He walked off the court. Everybody was stunned. Who could ever imagine it in any sport or endeavour? A player, with everything officially in his
favor, with victory in his hand, disqualified himself at match point and lost!

When asked why he did it, Reuben said, "It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity." Reuben Gonzales realized that he could always win another match, but he could never regain his lost integrity..

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Kings 22:16

Tell me nothing but that which is true.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Timothy 3:9
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Andrew Garcia”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon2/andrew_garcia.htm

Part of the unspoken code among the settlers of the American West was that a man always kept his word. That explains why Andrew Garcia made a 1,300-mile trek in 1879 to pay a debt. In September of the previous year he had bought supplies in Bozeman, Montana, to hunt buffalo. The 10 pack-mules, ammunition, food, and gear cost him $300 more than he had, so a merchant loaned him the rest. He promised to pay it back by January first.

The winter snows came early that year, however, and Garcia couldn't get back to Bozeman. His travels took him through Colorado and down into New Mexico. Finally, a year later, he headed back to Bozeman. "Don't bother," his buddies told him. But Garcia believed in keeping his word, so he returned and paid the debt.

Followers of Christ should also be known as people of integrity. If we say we'll help with a Sunday school class, or assist in the nursery, or spend time with a family member, or complete a job as agreed, do we keep our word even if something better comes along? Are we true to our word?

God's promises are never broken (Psalm 119:160), and what He does, He does in truth (Psalm 33:4). As His followers, our words are to be as true as His Word. (DCE)

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;

I would be pure, for there are those who care:

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;

I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —Walter

One who values God's Word will keep his own word.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Integrity

“Honor your commitments with integrity.”

Les Brown

1945-, American Speaker, Author, Trainer, Motivator Lecturer

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “J. C. Penny”

http://12.181.170.84/sermons/index.mv?illustration+3261

The late J.C. Penny, famous merchant, was known for his integrity. In his book, "The Ninth Decade", he tells of a job he held in a village grocery. He told his father of a shrewed method practiced by the owner. He would mix two grades of coffee and sell the mixture at the highest price. Young Penny thought it was a smart trick. But the boy had a wise father, who pointed out the dishonesty in the practice. He made his point so strong that the boy quit his job. From that time on Penny made honesty the rule of his life, a rule he practiced throughout all his years in business.

Intergity is an important word in one's vocabulary. It will mean the difference between true success or failure; between lasting happiness or sorrow.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #2

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Integrity

“Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of tricks and duplicity than straight forward and simple integrity in another.”

Charles Caleb Colton 1780-1832, British Sportsman Writer

LEADER: What about compromise…can we adjust our integrity to fit social pressures or political gain?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #3

"Cowardice asks the question: Is it safe? Consensus asks the question: Is it popular? Conscience asks: Is it right?" –

Martin Luther King, Jr.1929-1968

Pastor/Symbolic leader of black community

LEADER: “Vicar of Bray”– By Gloria 4/19/04

http://www.cfdevotionals.org/devpg04/de040419.htm

We all know people who act a certain way with one group and another way with another group. It is much like the old phrase, "When in Rome, do as the Romans," or today's modern-day equivalent, "Everything done in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Many people will behave one way with 'church folk' and a completely different way with coworkers or those not connected to the church. They are people who we often call two-faced. If it is hot outside, this person loves heat. If it is cold, then cold is the best weather. If a decision needs to be made, this person will wet his finger, hold it up, and determine which way the wind of public opinion is blowing. Rather than have convictions and principles to determine decisions and conduct, this pragmatic person simply follows whatever view or action that will be to his advantage.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Vicar of Bray” EXCERPT

http://www.cfdevotionals.org/devpg04/de040419.htm

The Vicar of Bray provides us an example of this kind of reasoning. When Henry VIII was king, the Vicar was a Roman Catholic. Then when the Protestants came to power after Henry VIII, he was a Protestant. When Mary was the ruler, he became a Roman Catholic again. Then when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, he became a Protestant again. He declared that he had always been consistent with his principles. This is a true statement, because his principle was to continue being the Vicar of Bray.

A true Christian cannot live with such a mindset. The Christian cannot sing songs with the saints on Sunday and engage in shady business practices Monday-Friday. We might think that either the Sunday person or the weekday person is not the real person. In truth, there is no real person there. The real person only comes forward when it is an advantage to him, and that is the real person. Remember Haman, in the book of Esther. He was duplicitous in trying to advance his own cause. His reward was that he was humiliated while exalting his rival, and then hung on the very gallows he had built for the same person. We must be mindful that God knows our hearts. He sees our actions. He is aware of our hidden plans to make ourselves look good. Others may not be savvy enough to see through us, but God misses nothing, and we can ill afford His displeasure.

The remedy for this struggle is found perfectly in the example of Christ. I would be the first to say that it is hard to not compromise principles and seek our advantage in this life. But think of the advantages that Christ could have rightly have asserted, and yet He did not, because in humility, He set aside His rights to offer a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all those who come to Him in faith. We are told to have the same attitude that Christ had (Ephesians 2:5-8). Christ never deviated from His mission, nor should we.

We know what Christ's mission was, but what is our mission? Our mission is to reflect glory upon Christ. We do this out of love for what He has done for us. We are to seek to live consistently and not waver from this mission. As Christians, we are Christ's living and breathing representation to others. It is our mission, Sunday-Saturday, in business and pleasure, to reflect glory back to Christ. It is to be our desire that people see Christ in us and are drawn to Christ. We do not seek anything for ourselves, because apart from Christ, we have nothing.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Peter Cartwright” By Paul Fritz

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3b/peter_cartwright.htm

A famous Methodist evangelist named Peter Cartwright was known for his uncompromising preaching. However, one day when the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, "Old rough and ready," came to Cartwright’s church, the elders warned the Pastor not to offend the President. In those days, the President had great power to influence a denomination for good or bad. Content, that their Pastor would not say anything to discredit their church, the elders retired to the back of the sanctuary.

When Cartwright got up to speak, the first words out of his mouth were, "I understand that President Andrew Jackson is here this morning. I have been requested to be very guarded in my remarks. Let me say this: "Andrew Jackson will go to hell if doesn’t repent of his sin!" The entire congregation gasped with shock at Cartwright’s boldness. How could this young preacher dare to offend the tough old general in public, they wondered.

After the service, everyone wondered how the President would respond to Cartwright. When Andrew Jackson met the preacher at the door he looked at him in the eye and said, "Sir, If I had a regiment of men like you, I could conquer the world!" When we appreciate the power of the word of God and the Holy Spirit speaking from the lips of people with conviction we will make eternal differences.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Peter 2:15

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men --“

LEADER: “Integrity Muzzles Critics” Today’s Word 7/5/97 EXCERPT

http://www.crusade.org/word/word547.html

God wants us to live out Christian principles despite what foolish people may think. It is amazing how many Christians are intimidated by what people say about them. They are in slavery to criticism.

We cannot accept the privileges of the state without accepting the responsibilities of living in the state. Citizenship is the bond that holds people to the political order.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Be Blameless” By Peter Kennedy

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon4/be_blamesless.htm

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." –

Genesis 17:1
Buck knives are arguably the best knives in the world and are backed with a Lifetime Guarantee that means every Buck knife is guaranteed for the life of the purchaser against defects in materials or workmanship. Founded in 1902 by apprentice blacksmith named Hoyt Heath Buck, the company has remained a family business for over a hundred years. The Bucks strive to treat their customers like family, and former President Al Buck said: "Now that you are family, you might like to know a little more about our organization. The fantastic growth of Buck Knives, Inc. was no accident. From the beginning, management determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn't failed to help us with the answer. Each product must reflect the integrity of management, including our Senior Partner. If sometimes we fail on our end, because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. Of course, to us, besides being Senior Partner, He is our Heavenly Father also, and it's a great blessing to us to have this security in these troubled times. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you."
Does your life reflect integrity including the integrity of the Lord? Today in prayer, confess and sin in your life and seek to live blameless in all that you do.
"Sleep with clean hands, either kept clean all day by integrity or washed clean at night by repentance." - John Donne
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" -

Philippians 2:14-15

LEADER: “Behaving Blamelessly” by Dr. Grant C. Richison EXCERPT
http://www.crusade.org/word/word1215.html

1 Thessalonians 2:10d "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…"
We behaved ourselves among you who believe

The word "behaved" literally means to become. The gospel team came on the scene in Thessalonians with the three points of integrity listed earlier in this verse.

· Devoutly

· Justly

· Blamelessly

Our lips and our lives must match if we are going to have impact on people.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Behaving Blamelessly” by Dr. Grant C. Richison EXCERPT CONTINUED
http://www.crusade.org/word/word1215.html

Obstetrics is one thing and pediatrics another. It is one thing to give people spiritual birth, but it is another to bring them up in the Lord.

Talk is cheap. How we live is more important than what we say. If our lives do not back up what we say, what we say has a hollow ring. If we talk, we must walk. What we say must match how we live.

Consistency in testimony brings credibility to ministry. This is especially true for Christians. If followers criticize their leaders, they undermine the office of the leader. If parents constantly criticize their church, their children will feel that the whole thing is a fraud. No wonder so many children drop out of church when they get old enough.

There is a big difference between learning how to live and how to make a living. Many people know how to make a living but they do not know how to live. Christians have a different viewpoint on life, because the Bible molds their outlook on life.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Philippians 1:27

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…".

LEADER: “Behaving Blamelessly” by Dr. Grant C. Richison CONTINUED
http://www.crusade.org/word/word1215.html

God expects our testimony to be strong among our Christian friends.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 2 Corinthians 1:12

"For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you [Christians]".

LEADER: “Behaving Blamelessly” by Dr. Grant C. Richison CONTINUED
http://www.crusade.org/word/word1215.html

What is your testimony to Christians? Everyone has some estimation of how we live our Christian life. Knowingly or unknowingly, people rate us spiritually. They can tell if we genuinely share our faith or have a prayer life.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Peter 2:12b

“Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

LEADER: “Honorable Conduct” Today’s Word 7/27/97 by Dr. Grant C. Richison

http://www.crusade.org/word/word539.html EXCERPT

Whether we like it or not, every Christian is an advertisement for Christianity. By our lives we either commend Christ to others or we make people censure Him or think less of Him.

Since the word "honorable" means "beautiful," we adorn our testimony by our behavior. It is the outer life that strikes the eye. Is your Christian life winsome? Is your life attractive? God wants us to live a life appropriate to our profession. Our life should match the gospel.

We often hear the phrase, "What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." Another phrase is, "I’d rather see a sermon than hear a sermon any day."

The Christian is an ad for God. God not only wants us to live a life of integrity but He wants us to appear to live that life as well.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Billy Graham” By Paul W. Powell

{Taking the Stew Out of Stewardship, }(Dallas, TX: Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1996) 11-12

http://12.181.170.84/sermons/index.mv?illustration+2811

The religion section of the {Tacoma News Tribune} (Saturday, November 6, 1993) carried an article commemorating the birthday of Billy Graham. Religious News Service writer, Randall Balmer, said, "Graham has had a remarkable career and there will never be another like him, who could combine charisma, conviction, integrity, and media savvy to become a speaker known and respected throughout the world." He went on to point out that in Graham's lifetime there have been many other evangelists who have fallen because of various moral indiscretions. But throughout a career that has spanned fifty years there had never been a serious charge of malfeasance - financial, sexual, or otherwise - leveled against Graham. That was not left entirely to chance. Early in his career Graham gathered his associates - "the team," he called them - into a hotel room to discuss how they might avoid some of the pitfalls that had "done in" other evangelists. What emerged was what Cliff Barrows, Graham's longtime associate, called "the Modesto Manifesto." Graham and his organization resolved never to exaggerate attendance figures at their meetings and to accept only fixed salaries from their organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, rather than a percentage of the offerings. The team agreed not to criticize fellow members of the clergy, and they set up elaborate precautions to protect themselves from sexual temptation or even the appearance of sexual impropriety. The writer then suggested that in an age that has seen evangelists succumb to all manner of spectacular scandals, Graham's greatest legacy may be his integrity.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #4

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Integrity

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do.

Don Galer

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Peter 3:16
"Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."

LEADER: “Good Concience” Today’s Word 10/12/97 EXCERPT

http://www.crusade.org/word/word1011.html

Literally, conscience means to know with. We are witnesses to ourselves. We testify to our own conduct. This is especially true of the consciousness we have of ourselves in our relation to God. This is self-testimony. It is the result of our application of the Word to experience.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 24:16

"This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men".

LEADER: “Good Concience” Today’s Word 10/12/97 CONTINUED

http://www.crusade.org/word/word1011.html

Consistency in conscience establishes credibility with non-Christians. We uphold our witness with our conscience. The Christian is both defendant and attorney. We defend our faith with our mouths and back it up with our lives. Life and lip must match for a powerful testimony.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Galatians 5:16,17

"But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Colossians 3:17

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

LEADER: “Word and Deed” Today’s Word 11/3/96 EXCERPT

http://www.crusade.org/word/word669.html

And whatever you do in word or deed

There is an implied imperative in that everything we do it is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. There is no division between the spiritual and secular.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I Corinthians 10:31

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

LEADER: “Word and Deed” Today’s Word 11/3/96 CONTINUED

http://www.crusade.org/word/word669.html

Everything we do at home, play or work, lip or life, creed or conduct, God wants us to do it for his glory.

HAVE SOMEONE READ:“Word and Deed” Today’s Word EXCERPT

http://www.crusade.org/word/word669.html

What is in the name of Jesus? When a product carries a name it indicates the standards of quality. If we hear "Ford" that is one standard. If we hear "Lincoln" that is another standard. We make purchases by the name of the product (if we can afford it!). The name makes the difference.

LEADER: “Word and Deed” Today’s Word 11/3/96 CONTINUED

http://www.crusade.org/word/word669.html

The approval of Jesus gives dignity and purpose to all that we do for him. He is the norm for conduct; our standard. Everything we do must be done in the authority and strength of Christ. Everything we do is motivated by our relationship to him. Every act can be an act of worship.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:23b

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"

LEADER: “Sanctified” By Grant Richison Today’s Word 8/30/99 EXCERPT

http://www.crusade.org/word/word1435.html

God will sanctify you "completely," sanctify you to every part of your being, all three essential parts of your being. God will sanctify us through and through, with no area escaping His sanctifying influence. He will sanctify us quantitatively, qualitatively and ultimately when He delivers us from our sin capacity. God sanctifies us from stem to stern, from time into eternity.

Jesus will work for us until He comes back again.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Philippians 1:6

"…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…".

LEADER: “Sanctified” By Grant Richison Today’s Word 8/30/99 CONTINUED

http://www.crusade.org/word/word1435.html

The word "whole" or complete means sound in every part, spirit, soul, and body. This is a qualitative term implying having integrity, complete, undamaged, intact, blameless. The Lord can make us complete in all our parts, in the entity as a whole.

· The spirit puts us in touch with God.

· The "soul" is the person, the mind, emotions and will of man, the seat of personality.

· The "body" is the material part of man; it is what carries the immaterial part of man, the spirit and soul.

· No part of our spiritual existence escapes the impact of God upon our lives. God must sanctify each of the three aspects of our being. Then, we avoid every category of evil.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 Peter 1:3-5

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time".

LEADER: “Sanctified” By Grant Richison Today’s Word 8/30/99 CONTINUED

http://www.crusade.org/word/word1435.html

Thank God, He saved us perfectly in the person and work of Christ.

There are three kinds or times of sanctification:

· Positional – God saved us positionally when we believed on His Son's death on the cross as the only way He will accept us into His Heaven.

· Progressive – we become more and more like the Lord Jesus as we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our.

· Permanent – One day, God will sanctify us totally, absolutely, completely. God will perfectly sanctify us in the eternity.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

LEADER: “Sanctified” By Grant Richison Today’s Word 8/30/99 CONTINUED

http://www.crusade.org/word/word1435.html

Jesus will save us "completely". We believe in the finished and unfinished work of Christ and we believe in the unfinished work of Christ. Jesus did a work for us on the cross and He is doing a work for us in Heaven. He is saving us daily. He is in the business of keeping saved people saved.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Isaiah 49:15b-16

I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Things to Remember”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon4/things_to_remember.htm

The most destructive habit........................Worry
The greatest joy..................................Giving
The greatest loss...............Self-respect
The most satisfying work..................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait..................Selfishness
The most endangered species........Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource....................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"...........Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome......................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.........Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease................Excuses
The most powerful force in life......................Love
The most dangerous pariah......................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer.......The brain
The worst thing to be without....................... Hope
The deadliest weapon...........................The tongue
The two most power-filled words................."I Can"
The greatest asset.............................Faith
The most worthless emotion......................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire.........................SMILE!
The most powerful channel of communication.......Prayer
The most contagious spirit....................Enthusiasm

The most prized possession.................... Integrity

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 128:1-2
How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and ⁽⁵⁾ it will be well with you.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #5

http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_integrityindividuality.html

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes 1809-1894 Author Poet

LEADER: “Honest to God “ By Jim O'Connell

http://netministries.org/see/devotion.exe/dd00194

Honesty begins with a healthy fear, or deep respect for the Lord. True blessing is to be able, at the end of the day to say I have dealt fairly with everyone I have met. The law of the Lord is the way God wants us to live. In summary it could read, fear God and respect people. Jesus put it, love God and love your neighbor. This psalm points out that the relationship we have with God affects the relationship we have with everything else; work, spouse, children, even our own self-worth. There is no short cut to a happy life. It starts with God. From there it moves into integrity and then becomes a legacy which is passed along to others. As you analyze your life, what is the heritage others will receive from you?

COMMENTS IF TIME: Stop at 10 till for
PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES:

CUT AND DISTRIBUTE FOR READING:

“Catch of a Lifetime”

Webster: Integrity: Noun. soundness of mind; unscrupulous honesty

“The Dishonest Golfer”

“A Clear Conscience”

"I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." –

2 Timothy 1:3

In April 2001, Tim Shutt was the crew chief for NASCAR driver Mike McLaughlin. Tim was a new Christian who came to Christ at a Christian retreat for participants in the racing industry. Preparing for the major race in Talladega, Alabama, he was tempted to add an illegal part to the car. "Joe [Gibbs, team owner] is adamant that we don't cheat," said Shutt. Joe Gibbs is also a Christian and a former National Football League coach. Tim said to McLaughlin that morning in practice: "If we're no good in practice, I'll put this piece-the illegal piece-on. Probably 30 other teams are doing it." Tim knew he was justifying it. Tim said: "I got up under the car, I got halfway through putting it on, and that verse, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God,' came flashing in red in front of me, and whoa, that was it. I said, 'I'm leaving this up to you, God.'" Shutt didn't put the piece on the car. McLaughlin won the race at Talladega, and later reflected: "When we won, the first thing that came to my mind was that verse. God wanted to show himself to me."
You will be regularly tempted to cheat, but resist the temptation and serve the Lord with a clear conscience. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His infinite love for you and seek to live this day for His glory.

“Good Call”

1 Kings 22:16

1 Timothy 3:9

“Andrew Garcia”

God's promises are never broken (Psalm 119:160), and what He does, He does in truth (Psalm 33:4). As His followers, our words are to be as true as His Word. (DCE)

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;

I would be pure, for there are those who care:

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;

I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —Walter

One who values God's Word will keep his own word.

QUOTE #1: “Honor your commitments with integrity.”

Les Brown 1945-, American Speaker, Author, Trainer, Motivator Lecturer

“J. C. Penny”

Intergity is an important word in one's vocabulary. It will mean the difference between true success or failure; between lasting happiness or sorrow.

QUOTE #2

“Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of tricks and duplicity than straight forward and simple integrity in another.”

Charles Caleb Colton 1780-1832, British Sportsman Writer

QUOTE #3 "Cowardice asks the question: Is it safe? Consensus asks the question: Is it popular? Conscience asks: Is it right?" –

Martin Luther King, Jr.1929-1968 Pastor/Symbolic leader of black community

“Vicar of Bray”

Philippians 1:27

2 Corinthians 1:12

1 Peter 2:12b

1 Peter 2:15

QUOTE #4: Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do.

Don Galer

1 Peter 3:16

“Peter Cartwright”

“Be Blameless”

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." –

“Behaving Blamelessly”

Obstetrics is one thing and pediatrics another. It is one thing to give people spiritual birth, but it is another to bring them up in the Lord.

Talk is cheap. How we live is more important than what we say. If our lives do not back up what we say, what we say has a hollow ring. If we talk, we must walk. What we say must match how we live.

“Billy Graham

Acts 24:16

Galatians 5:16,17

Colossians 3:17

I Corinthians 10:31

1 Thessalonians 5:23b

“Word and Deed”

Philippians 1:6

1 Peter 1:3-5

Hebrews 7:25

Isaiah 49:15b-16

“Things to Remember”

The most prized possession.................... Integrity

Psalm 128:1-2

QUOTE #5: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Oliver Wendell Holmes 1809-1894 Author Poet