“The Church You’ve Always Longed For - (5) Models Integrity”

May 29, 2011 50-Day Spiritual Adventure Wk.5   Acts 5:1-11; 20:32-38
(with material adapted from Rev.Jim Autrey, Hutchinson, Kansas)   Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3) 

INTEGRITY: BEYOND LIVING BY PERSONAL VALUES

•    guess who’s watching?
•    integrity defined - secular: living by one’s personal values
•    Paul’s criteria: clear conscience before God and man

ANANIAS: A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE

•    wanting Barnabas’ honour without giving away all the sale proceeds
•    pride/jealousy, lying, collusion in deception with Sapphira
•    lack of integrity brings death: e.g. relationally

PAUL: THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE

•    simple, direct message of God’s grace, accompanied by hard work and compassion
•    integrity requires keeping watch over ourselves
•    faithful to God: serving the Lord with all humility, declaring God’s whole will
•    faithful to his friends: taught publicly and privately, holding nothing back
•    faithful in finances: not coveting money or possessions