Living with Integrity: Honesty in Every Aspect
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme of integrity, focusing on the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 4 and 5. Integrity is about being the same person in private as we are in public, and this story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living a life of honesty and transparency. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and pretended to give all the proceeds to the apostles, but they secretly kept a portion for themselves. Their sin was not in withholding some money but in lying about it, portraying themselves as more generous than they were. This lack of integrity led to severe consequences, as both fell dead after their deceit was exposed.
We discussed how temptations to compromise our integrity are commonplace and often seem easy to justify. Whether it's small acts like running a red light or larger issues like financial dishonesty, these compromises can erode our character and our witness for Christ. The story of Ananias and Sapphira teaches us that our sins are not just against people but against God, who sees and knows everything. The price of lacking integrity is high, affecting not only our spiritual health but also our relationships and community.
We are called to be people of integrity, living lives that reflect our faith in every situation. This means being honest in our dealings, transparent in our actions, and consistent in our character. Today, let's make it "trash day"—a day to bring our hidden sins and compromises to God, allowing Him to cleanse us and restore us to a life of integrity.
### Key Takeaways
1. Integrity in Private and Public: Integrity means being the same person in private as we are in public. Ananias and Sapphira's story shows the danger of living a double life, where our outward actions do not match our inner reality. True integrity requires honesty and transparency in all aspects of life. [47:39]
2. Commonplace Temptations: Temptations to compromise our integrity are everywhere and often seem minor or justifiable. Whether it's small acts like running a red light or larger issues like financial dishonesty, these compromises can erode our character and our witness for Christ. [53:05]
3. Sin Against God: Our sins are not just against people but against God, who sees and knows everything. Ananias and Sapphira's deceit was ultimately a sin against the Holy Spirit, highlighting the seriousness of our actions in God's eyes. [01:01:20]
4. High Cost of Compromise: The price of lacking integrity is high, affecting not only our spiritual health but also our relationships and community. Ananias and Sapphira's story serves as a stark reminder that God takes our integrity seriously, and the consequences of deceit can be severe. [01:04:36]
5. Call to Integrity: We are called to be people of integrity, living lives that reflect our faith in every situation. This means being honest in our dealings, transparent in our actions, and consistent in our character. Today, let's make it "trash day"—a day to bring our hidden sins and compromises to God, allowing Him to cleanse us and restore us to a life of integrity. [01:12:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:50] - Call to Courage and Prayer
[36:06] - Community Announcements
[37:50] - Introduction to Acts 4 and 5
[40:15] - Spirit of Generosity
[42:51] - Question of Integrity
[47:39] - Integrity in Private and Public
[53:05] - Commonplace Temptations
[01:01:20] - Sin Against God
[01:04:36] - High Cost of Compromise
[01:12:01] - Call to Integrity
[01:15:58] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 4:32-5:11
- Luke 16:10
- Psalm 51:4
### Observation Questions
1. What was the main sin of Ananias and Sapphira according to Acts 5:1-11? How did Peter describe their actions? [49:37]
2. In Acts 4:32-35, how did the early believers demonstrate their unity and generosity?
3. According to Luke 16:10, what does Jesus say about being trustworthy with little versus much?
4. How does Psalm 51:4 describe the nature of sin and to whom it is ultimately directed?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was considered so severe that it led to their immediate deaths? [50:02]
2. How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira illustrate the concept of integrity in both private and public life? [47:39]
3. What does it mean to sin against the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Acts 5:3-4? How does this differ from sinning against people? [01:01:20]
4. How can small compromises in integrity, like those mentioned in the sermon (e.g., running a red light, financial dishonesty), erode one's character and witness for Christ? [53:05]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a temptation to compromise your integrity. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [53:32]
2. The sermon mentioned that our sins are not just against people but against God. How does this perspective change the way you view your actions and decisions? [01:01:20]
3. What are some "small" compromises you might be making in your daily life that could be affecting your integrity? How can you address these? [53:05]
4. The pastor suggested making today "trash day" to bring hidden sins and compromises to God. What specific areas of your life do you need to bring to God for cleansing and restoration? [01:12:01]
5. How can you cultivate a consistent character that reflects your faith in both private and public settings? What practical steps can you take this week to ensure your actions align with your beliefs? [47:39]
6. Think about a situation where you might have rationalized a small act of dishonesty. How can you prevent such rationalizations in the future and maintain a life of integrity? [53:57]
7. How can you support others in your community to live lives of integrity? What role can accountability play in this process? [33:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Integrity in Private and Public
Integrity means being the same person in private as we are in public. The story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 4 and 5 illustrates the danger of living a double life, where our outward actions do not match our inner reality. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and pretended to give all the proceeds to the apostles, but they secretly kept a portion for themselves. Their sin was not in withholding some money but in lying about it, portraying themselves as more generous than they were. This lack of integrity led to severe consequences, as both fell dead after their deceit was exposed. True integrity requires honesty and transparency in all aspects of life. [47:39]
Proverbs 11:3 (ESV): "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself acting differently in private than in public? How can you bring these areas into alignment with your faith today?
Day 2: Commonplace Temptations
Temptations to compromise our integrity are everywhere and often seem minor or justifiable. Whether it's small acts like running a red light or larger issues like financial dishonesty, these compromises can erode our character and our witness for Christ. The story of Ananias and Sapphira teaches us that even seemingly small acts of deceit can have significant consequences. We must be vigilant in recognizing and resisting these temptations to maintain our integrity. [53:05]
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Reflection: What small temptations do you face daily that challenge your integrity? How can you seek God's help to resist these temptations and choose honesty?
Day 3: Sin Against God
Our sins are not just against people but against God, who sees and knows everything. Ananias and Sapphira's deceit was ultimately a sin against the Holy Spirit, highlighting the seriousness of our actions in God's eyes. This story reminds us that God is deeply concerned with our integrity and that our actions have spiritual implications. We must strive to live in a way that honors God, recognizing that He is always aware of our true intentions and actions. [01:01:20]
Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."
Reflection: How does knowing that God sees and knows everything impact your daily choices? What steps can you take to ensure your actions align with His will?
Day 4: High Cost of Compromise
The price of lacking integrity is high, affecting not only our spiritual health but also our relationships and community. Ananias and Sapphira's story serves as a stark reminder that God takes our integrity seriously, and the consequences of deceit can be severe. When we compromise our integrity, we damage our witness for Christ and harm those around us. It is essential to recognize the far-reaching impact of our actions and strive to live with integrity in all areas of our lives. [01:04:36]
Proverbs 28:18 (ESV): "Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall."
Reflection: Think of a time when a lack of integrity had significant consequences in your life or the life of someone you know. How can you use that experience to motivate you to live with greater integrity?
Day 5: Call to Integrity
We are called to be people of integrity, living lives that reflect our faith in every situation. This means being honest in our dealings, transparent in our actions, and consistent in our character. Today, let's make it "trash day"—a day to bring our hidden sins and compromises to God, allowing Him to cleanse us and restore us to a life of integrity. By doing so, we can strengthen our witness for Christ and build healthier relationships and communities. [01:12:01]
Psalm 15:1-2 (ESV): "O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart."
Reflection: What hidden sins or compromises do you need to bring to God today? How can you make "trash day" a regular practice in your spiritual life to maintain integrity?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "And we can just be reminded that we are in God. And this thing alone, I think it's what it's supposed to look like. A couple of quick things. Tonight is our last night of VBS, family VBS. It's been awesome. If you haven't made it and you want to make it, it's not too late. So just show up tonight. Each one is kind of a standalone experience." [36:06] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What are we and who are we when nobody's looking? I read a story about a guy that wrote for a Christian column in a newspaper. He was on a train and he had decided, you know, years before this was many, many, many years ago that he was no longer going to play poker. And it was at a time where many Christians genuinely believed that it probably wasn't a good idea for Christians to be playing poker." [43:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We should meet needs. We should live lives of generosity. You hear me preach it. It's on all the signs, worshiping in generosity. And we do that. So every penny we have comes from the Lord. We pray through it. Lord, how much do I give? How much do I save? And then we live on the rest. And what does that look like along the way?" [42:31] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And the beauty of your grace and your forgiveness and your healing and your restoration. Is that you are able to take it all no matter what's inside the bucket and give it back to us as a pure and spotless lamb so that we can walk out of this locker room and Satan is going to look at us and go, I got a scheme against them this week because they're no longer walking out weighted down by the stuff." [01:14:50] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "Temptations to compromise our integrity are commonplace. You guys, you don't have to look long, do you? I mean, maybe y'all live some boring lives, but I don't like, I don't have to look very long or very hard to find a way, a way to compromise who I am. In fact, sometimes I don't have to look at all. Sometimes it chases me. It just comes running. It just presents itself right at our feet." [53:05] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What are we and who are we when nobody's looking? And I think that word integrity jumps out here. We're going to start in verse 32. Let's take a look in chapter four. All the believers were in one heart and one mind, right? So catch this. Sandy just talked about it. Holy spirit drop brought them all together. Now I don't know about your world." [48:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And we do that. So every penny we have comes from the Lord. We pray through it. Lord, how much do I give? How much do I save? And then we live on the rest. And what does that look like along the way? But I couldn't, couldn't chase where I'm going today with all also going, Hey, if you've heard that other expression, I had to debunk that truth and make sure that we understand where it's coming from." [42:31] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And the truth of the matter is, Ananias and Sapphira probably would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for the Holy Spirit. I almost said it like this because this is how Ken thinks sometimes. Ananias and Sapphira might have gotten away with it if it wasn't for that cotton-picking Holy Spirit that decided to bring into light what I had in the dark." [01:04:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And the beauty of your grace and your forgiveness and your healing and your restoration. Is that you are able to take it all no matter what's inside the bucket and give it back to us as a pure and spotless lamb so that we can walk out of this locker room and Satan is going to look at us and go, I got a scheme against them this week because they're no longer walking out weighted down by the stuff." [01:14:50] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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