September 11 2016 Prospering With Integrity

Prospering With Integrity

Memory Verse: Exodus 20: 15 "You shall not steal."

I. HOW DO WE STEAL?

1 By deceiving customers

Amos 6:5 (GN) "(They) overcharge, use false measures, and fix the scales to cheat the customers."

2. By defrauding employers

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."

3. By delaying payments

Leviticus 19:13 (GN) "Don't take advantage of anyone... Don't hold back the wages of someone you've hired, not even for one night."

4. By defrauding on loans

Psalm 37:21 (GN) "The wicked man borrows and never pays back..."

5. By deceiving the government

Romans 13:6-7 (GN) "...the authorities are working for God ... Pay what you owe them; pay your personal and property taxes..."

6. By defrauding the Lord

Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! but you ask, `How do we rob You, God? By withholding tithes and offerings!"

II. WHY BE HONEST?

1. I am being watched by God

Job 34:21-22 (LB) "God careful watches the goings on of all mankind; he sees them all. No darkness is thick enough to hide evil men from his eyes."

Proverbs 20:7 (LB) "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."

2. I will reap whatever I sow

Galatians 6:7 (LB) "Don't be misled, remember a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!"

Proverbs 15:27 (GN) "Try to make a profit dishonestly and you'll get your family in trouble."

Proverbs 21:6 (LB) "Dishonest gain will never last, so why take the risk?"

3. Dishonesty damages my character

Proverbs 10:2 (GN) "Wealth you get by dishonesty will do you no good, but honesty can save your life."

Proverbs 19:1 (GN) "It is better to be poor but honest, than to be a lying fool!"

4. God will reward my honesty.

Proverbs 28:20 (GN) "Honest people will lead a full, happy life but if you are in a hurry to get rich you are going to be punished."

Matthew 25:21 (JN) "Well done...you've shown you can be faithful in small things. I will trust you with greater ones; come and join in your Master's happiness!"

III. FIRST STEPS TO INTEGRITY

1. Make restitution when possible.

Luke 19:8 (GN) (Zacchaeus) "If I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much."

2. Give God my full tithe

Malachi 3:8,9-10 "Is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not...Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple ... and I will pour out on you in abundance..."

3. Make a living honestly

Ephesians 4:28 (Ph) "The man who used to be a thief must give up stealing, and do an honest day's work with his own hands..."

June 30 2013 How To Be Effective Christians

HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE CHRISTIANS
Philippians 2:19-30

Paul uses two men as examples of the kind of person who will make a difference in the world.
(Timothy) Verse 20 - I have no one else like him.
(Epaphroditus) Verse 29 - Hold me like him in highest honor.

FIVE VALUES

1.  Compassion.
a) Verse 20-21 - He is the only one who really cares about you.  Everyone else is concerned only with his own affairs, not about the cause of Christ.
b)  They are all wrapped up in their own affairs.
c)  The Samaritan.

2.  Consistency.
People who put character before conformity.
a) Verse 22 - Timothy has proved himself, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
b) Proverbs 10:9 - The man of integrity walked securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
c) Proverbs 20:7 - It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father (mother).

3.  Cooperation.
People who put cooperation before competition.
a) Verse 25 - I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier.
b) Judges 20:11 - So all the men of Israel got together and united as one man against the city.

4.  Commitment.
People who put the cause of Christ before comfort.
a) Verses 25-27 - (Epaphroditus) is your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.  He was ill and almost died.  But God had mercy on him.
b) James 2:17 - Faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.

5.  Courage.
People who put service before security.
a) Verses 29-30 - Welcome him in the Lord with great joy and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
b) Romans 12:1-2 - Because of God’s mercy to us, offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service.
c) Mark 8:35 - Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the good news will ever know what it means to really live.

RENEW THESE NEEDED VALUES