Sermon Title: Character Building: Integrity

Theme verse:

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? [2] He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. [3] He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; (Psa 15:1-3 NASB)

Quotes: Often our inner life is left underdeveloped due to the spot-light on the other life.

Quotes: Our inward character is the infrastructure that holds us up through our lives.

Without character, you can only serve God so much. But with Character, you can serve God much more!

Quotes: The greater size is your gifts, the more time you must dedicate in developing your character.

(** Leaders, Brigade Officers, Z3, Media, Ushers, serving members)

Many people are confused over Character and Reputation. Let me show you what are the differences between them.

The circumstance amid which you live determine your reputation, but the truth you believe determines your Character.

Reputation is what you are supposed to be but character is what you are.

Reputation is the photographs, but character is the face.

Reputation comes over one from without, but character grows up from within.

Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community but character is what you have when you go away.

Reputation is made in a moment but character is built in a lifetime.

Reputation is learned in an hour but your character does not come to light for a year.

Reputation grows like a mushroom; but character last like eternity.

Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor, but character makes you happy or makes you miserable.

Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone, but character is what the angels say about you before the throne of God.

Quotes: A good name is more desirable then great riches. But a good reputation exists because it's the reflection of a person's character. Worry less about what other think, and give your attention to your inner character. King Solomon

Quotes: "if I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself." D.L. Moddy

[2] Dear brothers and sisters,* whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. [3] For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. (Jam 1:2-4 NLT)

What is Integrity?

Quotes:

• Integrity is more than just telling the truth when not one knows the truth.
  
• Integrity is doing what you said you would do even when no one is checking.
  
• Integrity means keeping your promises even when the other party forgets.
  
• Integrity means that your words & your actions are the same even when you are alone.
  

Webster Dictionary describe Integrity as

"Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty."

Why Must have integrity?

1) Integrity Protects you

[21] May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. (Psa 25:21 NIV)

2) Integrity causes you to be secure

[9] The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (Pro 10:9 NIV)

3) Integrity allows people to trust you.

[6] Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful? [7] The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them. (Pro 20:6-7 NLT)

Quotes: A person with integrity influences others because he wants to bring something that will benefit them, not to gain something out of them.

What Integrity is Not

1. Integrity is not determined by Circumstances
   

   
    

   [2] I will be careful to live a blameless life-- when will you come to my aid? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. [3] I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them. (Psa 101:2-3 NLT)
   

   
    

2. Integrity is Not based on Credentials
   

   
    

   [1] Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD. [2] Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts. [3] They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. (Psa 119:1-3 NLT)
   

   
    

How can we become a Person of Integrity?

Quotes: You can choose to bend your actions to conform to your principles, or you can bend your principles to conform to your actions.

To become a person of integrity, you need to go back to fundamentals.

1. Commit yourself to be honest and reliable
   

   
    

   As we commit ourselves to this lifestyle, lets ask God to Examine us:
   

   
    

   [2] Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; (Psa 26:2 NIV)
   

   
    

   [17] I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (1Ch 29:17 NIV)
   

   
    

2. Start Small
   

   
    

   [10] "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. (Luk 16:10 NLT)
   

   
    

Quotes: "Character is made in the small moments of our lives."

Quotes: Honesty is a habit you ingrain by doing the right thing all the time, day after day, week after week, year after year. If you consistently do what's right in the little things, you are less likely to wander off course morally or ethically.

1. Refused to be persuaded by others.
   

   
    

   [14] They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (Mar 12:14 NIV)
   

Application:

For the next 1 week, make a commitment to not lie, exaggerate or distort the truth. In your conversation, speak honestly about yourself. If you accidentally exaggerate something, commit yourself to return to that person and apologies; then correct the statement you made to reflect the truth. At the end of the week, evaluate how difficult this was. How many times you apologies to someone.