Integrity: Beyond Goodness to Genuine Service
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound difference between being good and doing good, emphasizing that true integrity is not just about personal righteousness but about actively engaging in the well-being of others. It's possible to live a life that appears blameless and yet remains disconnected from the needs of those around us. Jesus challenged this notion by redefining integrity as a commitment to truth and love that transcends self-interest. He taught that real integrity involves doing what we ought to do, even when it costs us, and trusting God with the outcomes.
Jesus' life exemplified this principle. He was not swayed by the opinions of others, even powerful figures, because His integrity was anchored in the divine. This allowed Him to act freely and compassionately, serving others without concern for His own reputation. His teachings, especially the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, highlight that our integrity should guide us beyond ourselves, impacting the world around us.
The Pharisees, in contrast, were often more concerned with maintaining their own righteousness and status. They were technically blameless but practically worthless because their goodness was self-serving. Jesus' interactions with them, and with figures like the rich young ruler, reveal that true integrity is not about adhering to rules for personal gain but about leveraging our goodness for the benefit of others.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher standard of integrity that reflects His love and truth. This means being known not just for our moral behavior but for our love and service to others. Our integrity should guide us to engage with and care for those around us, shaping our world in the process.
Key Takeaways:
- Integrity Beyond Self: True integrity is not just about personal righteousness but involves actively doing good for others. Jesus taught that our integrity should guide us beyond ourselves, impacting those around us. [01:28]
- Anchored in the Divine: Jesus' integrity was rooted in His commitment to truth and love, allowing Him to act freely without being swayed by others. This divine anchoring enables us to serve others selflessly. [08:03]
- The Way of God: The path of integrity is aligned with God's will. By living in accordance with God's general will, we can better discern His personal will for our lives. [06:24]
- Love as Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus emphasized that loving our neighbors as ourselves is the fulfillment of the law. Our integrity should be expressed through love and service to others. [21:04]
- Integrity That Shapes the World: When our integrity guides us to love and serve others, it has the power to shape our world. Our actions, rooted in love, can have a transformative impact on those around us. [30:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Paradox of Goodness
- [01:03] - Jesus' Revolutionary Teaching
- [01:43] - Defining Integrity
- [02:28] - The Cost of Integrity
- [03:18] - Jesus' Real-World Integrity
- [04:02] - The Pharisees' Dilemma
- [05:15] - Jesus' Uncompromising Truth
- [06:24] - God's Will and Integrity
- [07:46] - Freedom Through Integrity
- [09:22] - Jesus' Fearless Honesty
- [11:20] - The Why Behind the What
- [13:24] - The Trap of Self-Righteousness
- [17:26] - Love Your Neighbor
- [21:04] - Fulfillment of the Law
- [29:02] - Integrity That Shapes the World
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 11:3 - "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them."
2. Matthew 22:37-39 - "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
3. Mark 12:14 - "They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 11:3 suggest about the role of integrity in guiding a person's life?
2. How does Jesus redefine integrity in His response to the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 22:37-39? [16:28]
3. What was the observation made about Jesus' integrity by those trying to trap Him, and why is it significant? [05:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the Pharisees' approach to righteousness, and what was Jesus' critique of it? [19:07]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of integrity in Proverbs 11:3 relate to the idea of being guided by one's moral compass in today's world?
2. In what ways does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37-39 challenge the traditional understanding of religious duty and personal righteousness? [17:26]
3. What does it mean for Jesus' integrity to be "anchored in the divine," and how does this influence His actions and teachings? [08:03]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between being technically blameless and practically worthless, and what implications does this have for personal integrity? [19:34]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized personal righteousness over helping others. How can you shift your focus to actively doing good for others? [00:36]
2. Consider the ways in which you might be swayed by the opinions of others. How can you anchor your integrity in truth and love, as Jesus did? [10:07]
3. Identify a situation where you can demonstrate love for your neighbor in a tangible way this week. What steps will you take to fulfill this commandment? [17:54]
4. How can you ensure that your integrity guides you beyond yourself and impacts those around you positively? [19:54]
5. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you align this decision with God's general will for your life, as discussed in the sermon? [06:50]
6. Reflect on the concept of being "good for goodness' sake." How can you move beyond this mindset to serve others selflessly? [12:26]
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure that your integrity shapes the world around you, as Jesus' integrity did? [30:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Integrity Beyond Self
True integrity is not merely about maintaining personal righteousness; it is about actively engaging in the well-being of others. This concept challenges the notion that one can live a blameless life while remaining disconnected from the needs of those around them. Jesus redefined integrity as a commitment to truth and love that transcends self-interest. He taught that real integrity involves doing what we ought to do, even when it costs us, and trusting God with the outcomes. This means that our integrity should guide us beyond ourselves, impacting those around us. [01:28]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from your active engagement and support today, and how can you take a step to meet their needs?
Day 2: Anchored in the Divine
Jesus' integrity was rooted in His unwavering commitment to truth and love, allowing Him to act freely without being swayed by the opinions of others. This divine anchoring enabled Him to serve others selflessly, without concern for His own reputation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to anchor our integrity in the same divine truth and love, which empowers us to serve others with genuine compassion and freedom. By doing so, we can live a life that is not dictated by the expectations of the world but is instead guided by a higher calling. [08:03]
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways are you allowing the opinions of others to influence your actions, and how can you anchor your integrity more firmly in God's truth and love today?
Day 3: The Way of God
The path of integrity is aligned with God's will. By living in accordance with God's general will, we can better discern His personal will for our lives. This alignment with God's will allows us to live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our actions are in harmony with His divine plan. It is through this alignment that we can experience true freedom and fulfillment, as we are no longer bound by the constraints of self-interest but are instead guided by a higher purpose. [06:24]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to align with God's will, and what steps can you take to seek His guidance and direction in that area today?
Day 4: Love as Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus emphasized that loving our neighbors as ourselves is the fulfillment of the law. Our integrity should be expressed through love and service to others, as this is the true measure of our faith. By loving others selflessly, we not only fulfill the law but also reflect the character of Christ in our lives. This love is not just a feeling but an active commitment to the well-being of others, which requires us to put their needs above our own. [21:04]
"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you find difficult to love, and how can you take a practical step to show them love and kindness today?
Day 5: Integrity That Shapes the World
When our integrity guides us to love and serve others, it has the power to shape our world. Our actions, rooted in love, can have a transformative impact on those around us. This transformative power is not limited to grand gestures but is often found in the small, everyday acts of kindness and service that reflect the love of Christ. By living with integrity, we become agents of change in our communities, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. [30:02]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one small act of kindness you can do today to reflect the love of Christ and make a positive impact in your community?
Quotes
It is possible, and this is kind of strange to even think about, but it is possible to stay out of trouble and do nothing for someone who is having trouble. It's possible to be financially responsible and selfish. It's possible to be self-controlled and judgmental. It's even possible to be careful personally and uncaring. It's possible to be blameless and unsympathetic. It's possible to keep your hands clean without offering anyone else a hand. In summary, it's possible to be good without doing any good. [00:00:08]
Jesus came along and he turned everything upside down because as we say all the time, Jesus was the king who came to reverse the order of things. Over and over he would say, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, "You have heard it said, but I say, you have heard it said, but I say, you have heard it say, but I say, you are really not a good person if you are unwilling to do good for another person." [00:01:03]
We said that integrity is, essentially, doing what you ought to do even if it costs you. Doing what you ought to even if it costs you. And as we all know, we don't always do what we ought to do, but we certainly expect others to do what we think they ought to do. Again, our actions may not be consistent, but our reactions are very consistent. [00:03:18]
The way of God, the path of God, the road of God, specifically, this is the will of God. And the implication of the statement which is so powerful is that the way of God is actually the way of integrity. That the will of God, we can say it this way, that the will of God for us is the way of integrity. [00:06:24]
God's personal will for you will be most apparent, most obvious, most easily discerned, when you are living in accordance with God's general will for your life. And God's general will for our lives is the way or the path of integrity, which means that to the best of our ability we do what we ought to do and we trust God with consequences. [00:06:47]
When integrity guides us, we're not easily swayed by what others think of us. When integrity guides us, we're free. We're free not just from what others think. This is where this whole story's going. We are actually free to do for others regardless of what others think. We're not just free from what others think. We're actually more free to do for others regardless of what they think. [00:08:03]
Jesus is like, "Of course I do, but you see, my integrity guides me and my integrity is anchored in the divine and so I am free. Not that I don't care what other people think, but I'm free from being swayed by what other people think, which means I'm free to do for other people." [00:09:22]
The moral of the story is the why behind the what, and this is what set Jesus apart from the Pharisees. Again, his integrity was so anchored to the divine and he was so confident that God controlled outcomes that he wasn't swayed by their influence. They were concerned, this group, and if you've read the Gospels you know this, they were so consumed with position and power. [00:11:20]
Jesus says, "And the second one is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your neighbor as yourself." To which perhaps he responded, I know I respond sometimes. I think I would just rather just love God and stay out of trouble. Just, you know, me and God, we got a thing going on. I read my Bible and I'm a good person. I'm just gonna stay out of trouble. Just good for goodness' sake. [00:17:26]
The integrity of the upright will guide them. But the integrity of the upright that our savior has called us to will guide us beyond them, will guide us to them, will guide us to the people around us, which again brings us back to... And if you've been attending here for a while or listening for a while, if you feel like, "Hey, it seems like you always go back to the same place," I do, because it brings us back to where we always seem to end up. [00:21:04]
Jesus came to be good for your sake and for my sake, and for the sake of the world, for the sake of those who, well, in my case, maybe your case, for the sake of those who just aren't all that good. This was his end game. His end game wasn't simply to keep the law of God. His end game was to demonstrate the love of God and to demonstrate it in such a way that we would embrace that way of living. [00:28:02]
If we get this right, if we get this right, it won't be how well we behave that gets people's attention, it will be how well we love, because our integrity will guide us to beyond us into the lives of the people around us. And then just as happened in the first century that could perhaps happen in the 21st century, then our integrity will most certainly shape our world. [00:30:02]
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