Living with Integrity: Embracing Credibility in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound impact of living a life of integrity and credibility as followers of Jesus. We began by discussing the various ministries and activities available at Grace Church, emphasizing the importance of community and spiritual growth at every life stage. We then transitioned into the heart of our message, focusing on the significance of the Lord's Supper and the sacrifice Jesus made for us. This led us to reflect on the transformative power of Jesus' love and forgiveness, as illustrated in 1 Peter 2:24-25.
We shared a true story about a pastor's simple act of kindness at a restaurant, which had a profound impact on a young server and her mother. This story highlighted the importance of living out our faith authentically, even in seemingly mundane interactions. We then delved into Colossians 4:2-6, where Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer, be wise in our actions, and make the most of every opportunity to share the love of Christ.
We emphasized that our credibility as Christians is foundational to our witness. How we live our lives can either enhance or diminish the message we share about Jesus. We discussed the importance of being alert to God's work around us and being ready to join Him in His mission. We concluded with a call to live wisely, make the most of every opportunity, and be open to divine appointments that God may have for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Credibility: Our impact as representatives of Jesus is directly tied to our credibility. How we live our lives can either enhance or diminish the message we share about Jesus. Living with integrity in our everyday interactions builds trust and opens doors for meaningful conversations about faith. [37:39]
2. Prayer as the Foundation: Everything begins with prayer. Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. By praying for open doors and clarity in our speech, we align ourselves with God's mission and become more attuned to His work around us. [40:28]
3. Living Wisely: Paul urges us to be wise in the way we act toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Wisdom comes from living in sync with God's Word, which profoundly influences our decisions and interactions. This wisdom enhances our relational IQ and helps us be a blessing to others. [46:06]
4. The Example of Jesus: Jesus lived out these principles perfectly. He was wise in His actions and made the most of every opportunity to show kindness and love, even to those who were considered outsiders. As His followers, we are called to emulate His example in our daily lives. [01:00:21]
5. Divine Appointments: God places people in our lives for a reason. By being alert to His work and open to His prompts, we can be instruments of His love and grace. Simple acts of kindness and integrity can have a lasting impact, often in ways we may not immediately see. [01:13:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:53] - Community Outreach and Events
[15:36] - Giving and Worship
[17:32] - The Significance of the Lord's Supper
[18:47] - The Lord's Prayer
[35:57] - True Story of Kindness
[38:32] - Introduction to Colossians 4
[39:22] - Reciting Colossians 4:2-6
[40:28] - The Importance of Prayer
[46:06] - Living Wisely Toward Outsiders
[49:54] - Credibility and Integrity
[56:31] - Wise Words and Wise Living
[59:38] - Being Alert to God's Work
[01:00:21] - Following Jesus' Example
[01:13:02] - Divine Appointments
[01:14:47] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:24-25: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
2. Colossians 4:2-6: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Peter 2:24-25 say about the purpose of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?
2. According to Colossians 4:2-6, what are the specific instructions Paul gives regarding prayer and our interactions with others?
3. In the sermon, what impact did the pastor's act of kindness at the restaurant have on the young server and her mother? ([37:06])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our credibility as Christians and our ability to witness effectively? ([37:39])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that Jesus bore our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24-25) influence the way we live our daily lives?
2. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of prayer before engaging in actions or conversations with others in Colossians 4:2-6? ([40:28])
3. What does it mean to "make the most of every opportunity" in the context of Colossians 4:5? How can this be applied in our daily interactions? ([46:06])
4. Reflecting on the pastor's story, how can simple acts of kindness serve as powerful testimonies of our faith? ([37:06])
### Application Questions
1. Think of a recent situation where your credibility as a Christian was tested. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to better reflect Christ? ([37:39])
2. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to be more attuned to God's work around you? ([40:28])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you can "make the most of every opportunity" to share Christ's love. What practical steps can you take this week to act on this? ([46:06])
4. Reflect on a time when you missed an opportunity to show kindness or share your faith. What held you back, and how can you be more prepared for such opportunities in the future? ([37:06])
5. How can you emulate Jesus' example of living wisely and making the most of every opportunity in your interactions with those who do not yet know Him? ([01:00:21])
6. Think of someone in your life who might be considered an "outsider" to the faith. What specific actions can you take to build a relationship with them and share the love of Christ? ([46:32])
7. How can you be more alert to divine appointments in your everyday life? Share a recent experience where you felt God was prompting you to act, and discuss how you responded. ([01:13:02])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Credibility
Living a life of integrity and credibility is essential for Christians. Our actions and behaviors can either enhance or diminish the message we share about Jesus. When we live authentically and with integrity, we build trust with those around us, making it easier to have meaningful conversations about faith. A true story shared during the sermon illustrated this point: a pastor's simple act of kindness at a restaurant had a profound impact on a young server and her mother. This story underscores the importance of living out our faith authentically, even in seemingly mundane interactions. [37:39]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you could have demonstrated more integrity. How can you make amends or improve your behavior in future similar situations?
Day 2: Prayer as the Foundation
Prayer is the cornerstone of a Christian's life. Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. By praying for open doors and clarity in our speech, we align ourselves with God's mission and become more attuned to His work around us. Prayer helps us stay connected to God and be more aware of the opportunities He places in our path. It is through prayer that we gain the strength and wisdom to live out our faith effectively. [40:28]
Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ."
Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to pray for open doors to share your faith. How can you make prayer a more consistent part of your daily routine?
Day 3: Living Wisely
Paul urges us to be wise in the way we act toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Wisdom comes from living in sync with God's Word, which profoundly influences our decisions and interactions. This wisdom enhances our relational IQ and helps us be a blessing to others. By living wisely, we can navigate our relationships and interactions in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth. [46:06]
James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you need more wisdom. How can you seek God's guidance and apply His wisdom in that area today?
Day 4: The Example of Jesus
Jesus lived out the principles of integrity, prayer, and wisdom perfectly. He was wise in His actions and made the most of every opportunity to show kindness and love, even to those who were considered outsiders. As His followers, we are called to emulate His example in our daily lives. By following Jesus' example, we can be a light to those around us and demonstrate the transformative power of His love. [01:00:21]
1 John 2:6 (ESV): "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can emulate Jesus' example of kindness and love today. How can you intentionally show Christ's love to someone who may feel like an outsider?
Day 5: Divine Appointments
God places people in our lives for a reason. By being alert to His work and open to His prompts, we can be instruments of His love and grace. Simple acts of kindness and integrity can have a lasting impact, often in ways we may not immediately see. Being open to divine appointments means being ready to act when God presents opportunities to share His love and truth with others. [01:13:02]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent encounter where you felt prompted to act but hesitated. How can you be more open and responsive to God's divine appointments in the future?
Quotes
1. "Jesus personally carried our sins in his body on the cross. Why? So that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds, you were healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away, but now you have turned to the shepherd of your souls." [17:32] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want your life to make a difference, if you want to see your impact dialed up, it's all about the credibility with which you live. It's the foundation. Before we talk to people about issues of faith, it's how we live our lives, and just the routine of going to work, getting up, doing whatever that makes a statement to the people who are watching how we live." [38:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, and pray for us too that God may open a door for our message so that we may be proclaimed the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." [39:22] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When Jesus invited people to follow him, he didn't say, come and follow my followers. He said, come and follow what? Me. So I would just say, don't let other Christians and their misbehavior keep you from following the one you have to figure out, is he a hypocrite? Jesus? Is he really who he is? If he actually came back from death, that just sort of wakes you up and you go, I have to give attention to this." [53:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Wise words telling people the truth of what the Bible is all about and what a relationship with Jesus is. When accompanied by wise living, wow, the impact. And likewise, if we try to talk to people about Jesus and the wisdom of this book and we are contradicting that by the way that we live, Paul says, be wise in the way you act with outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity." [56:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Your impact as a representative of Jesus is directly tied to your credibility. Most of you know if you're an adult like over 18, you know that you have a credit score. Anybody can check it out or you can check out your own anyhow. But if you type in, you go to whatever and you say, wow, I got like, I'm in the 800s. This is amazing. Maybe you're in the 700s and you're like, yeah, it's not bad. But if you're in the 400s, how easily are you gonna get a loan or a mortgage or it's gonna be a little bit tougher, right?" [56:56] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Keep your eyes open for God. Watch for his works. Be alert to signs of his presence. It's a great way to live, isn't it? To say, God, I want to look beyond what these eyes can see. I want to keep my eyes open for you. I want to see what you're doing behind the scenes. Like, God, you're at work all around me. I want to join you in that." [59:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus was known, he was even criticized for the way he showed kindness to everyone. Sometimes to people you least expect. Irreligious people, people who had, like, really violated some boundaries of God's word. Like, they were known, he was, Jesus' reputation was he's a friend of whom? Of sinners. Like, they used that, that was not a compliment. And Jesus said, yeah, I care about all of them." [01:01:43] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "What about in heaven? Don't you wonder if Jesus is gonna say, hey, can I show you something here? You know how you did that? You were wise in the way, let me show you the impact of what I did through the little you offered me what was accomplished as a result. Friends, Jesus lived it out perfectly and then he invites us to do the same. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity." [01:13:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "May you be faithful. May I be faithful as we follow him. God bless you. We'll see you." [01:20:39] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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