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..."

October 5 2014 Accepting Our Duty

Accepting Our Duty 

Ephesians 5:15

Three Foes Of Personal Duty

1. The “rights” mentality: “I demand my rights.”

2. The ‘victim’ mentality: “It’s not my fault.”

3. The ‘entitlement’ mentality: “I deserve it.”

Ephesians 5:15 – Live life with a sense of responsibility, not as those who don’t know the meaning of life, but as those who do.

Why Accept Our Duty

• BECAUSE God is watching MY LIFE.

Hebrews 4:13 – Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is open before Him and to Him, we must explain the way we have lived.

Romans 14:12 – Each of us will have to give a personal account to God.

• BECAUSE others are effected BY MY LIFE.

1 Corinthians 10:24 – People should be concerned about others and not just about themselves.

• BECAUSE God rewards it.

Dueteronomy 28:2 – You will experience all of God’s Blessings if you obey the Lord.

How To Accept My Duty

• By saving my money.

Proverbs 21:20 – The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.

Ecclesiastes 7:4 – The fool thinks only about having a good time now.

• By controlling my reactions.

Proverbs 29:11 – A fool expresses all his emotions, but a wise person controls them.

Matthew 12:36 – People will be responsible for every careless word they’ve said.

Romans 12:21 – Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

• By guarding our minds.

Proverbs 15:14 – A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.

• By admitting my mistakes and sins.

Proverbs 28:13 – A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

Hosea 4:4 – Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame!

Romans 3:23-24 – All of us have fallen short, yet now God declares us ‘not guilty’ if we trust in Jesus Christ, who freely takes away our sins.

Establishing Faithfulness 

Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.

Proverbs 20:6 – Who can find a faithful man? Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful hi is, but just try to find someone who really is.

Three Reasons for Faithfulness:

1. Because God is Faithful.

Psalm 33:4 – He is faithful in all He does.

2. Makes life much easier.

Proverbs 25:19 – Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

3. God rewards it.

Seven Characteristics of Faithfulness:

1. Keep your promises.

Proverbs 25:14 – Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

Proverbs 20:25 – It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

2. Honor your marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honored by all.

3. Use your talents.

1 Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms.

4. Stand by your friends.

Proverbs 17:7 – A true friend is always loyal and a brother is born to help in time of need.

5. Learn to manage your money.

Luke 6:11 – If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches.

1 Corinthians 16:2 – On every Lord’s Day, each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week and use it for this offering.

Three Things About Faithfulness:

1. Give regularly.

2. Giving should be planned.

3. Giving is proportional.

6. Do your best at work.

Luke 16:10 – Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.

Luke 16:12 – And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property on your own.

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.

7. Commit yourself to your Church.

Romans 12:5 – So in Christ, we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others.

John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

December 29 2013 God The Promise Keeper

God The Promise Keeper

Psalm 33:4 – For the Word of the Lord is right and true, He is faithful in all He does.

God cannot do wrong. (Deut. 32:4) Just

God cannot lie. (Heb. 6:18) Holy

God cannot break promises. (Num.23:19) Faithful

I. The Greatest Example of God’s Faithfulness:

Joshua 21:45 – Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed, everyone was fulfilled!

Deuteronomy 7:9 –He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant to a thousand generations.

Psalm 145:13 – The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

II. God’s Guarantees to you:

1. I can depend on God to forgive your sins.

I John 1:9 –If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find Him reliable and just. He forgives us and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

2. I can depend on God to give me guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way.

3. I can depend on God to settle the score.

Romans 12:19 – Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.

1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus never answered back when insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God who always judges fairly.

4. I can depend on God to reward my generosity.

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you, for with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.

5. I can depend on God to give me a home in Heaven.

1Corinthians 1:8-9 – God guarantees right up to the end that you’ll be counted free from all guilt on that day when He returns. God will surely do this for you.

2 Timothy 1:12 – I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.

6. I can depend on God to remember my service.

Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unfair. He will not forget all that you have done, nor the loving labor which you have shown for His sake in looking after fellow Christians.

Romans 10:11 – Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.

Romans 10:13 – Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

September 29 2013 Live Your Calling

THE CALL IS FOR YOU
 

Live Your Calling: What On Earth Am I Here For? – Part 1

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED according to His PURPOSE.” Rom. 8:28 (NIV) 

“My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God CALLED YOU. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people!” Eph. 1:18-19 (CEV) 

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY LIFE’S CALLING

1. MY CALLING IS A GIFT FROM GOD

“God, by his grace through Christ, has called you to become his people.” Galatians 1:6 (NCV) 

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) 

2. I AM CALLED FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

“Before the two boys were born, God told Rebekah, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this so that the one chosen would be chosen because of God's own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything he did.” Romans 9:11 (NCV)

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) 

3. GOD CHOSE MY CALLING BEFORE I WAS BORN

“It pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!” Galatians 1:15 (NLT) 

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.” Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born!” Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)

4. MY CALLING IS CONNECTED TO OTHERS
 
“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future hope.” Ephesians 4:4 (NLT) 

“Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly calling.” Hebrews 3:1 (GW) 

5. GOD EMPOWERS WHAT HE CALLS ME TO DO

“I now urge you to live the life to which God called you.” Ephesians 4:1 (NCV) 

“That is why we always pray for you, asking our God to help you live the kind of life he called you to live. We pray that with his power God will help you do the good things you want and perform the works that come from your faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NCV) 

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV) 

6. THERE IS A PRIZE FOR LIVING OUT MY CALLING

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (NIV) 

“Live the kind of life that pleases God, who calls you to share in his own Kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:12 (TEV)