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Leadership Is Part 3 – Integrity

Pastor Scott Applegate

Sermon Notes:

“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” Psalm 15 NIV

Blameless does not mean sinless; it means to be complete, to be whole, to be honest and to be a person of integrity

Why Is Integrity Important?

  • Integrity pleases God

“The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.” Proverbs 11:20 NLT

  • Integrity affects others
    • In our homes
      “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” Proverbs 20:7 NLT
    • In our community
      “Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.” Proverbs 11:11 NLT
    • In our influence for Christ
      “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.” 1 Peter 2:12 NLT

How to Walk and Lead with Integrity:

  1. Live an integrated life

Integrated: Combining or coordinating separate elements so as to provide a harmonious, interrelated whole

  • Integration means I am the same person at home, at work, at church and in my community
  • Integration means I do the right thing for the right reason
  • Integration means our walks, our works and our words line up
  1. Pursue integrity in every area of life
  • Spiritual integrity

“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Proverbs 9:10 NLT

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV

  • Relational integrity

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV

  • Verbal integrity

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13 NIV

  • Vocational integrity

“Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for.” Colossians 3:23-24 LB

 

  1. Remind yourself daily of the blessings of living a life of integrity
  • It will cause me to walk in confidence

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 NIV

  • It will cause me to leave a lasting legacy

“Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.” Psalm 112:1-6 NIV

  • God promises to reward it in eternity

“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:21 CEV