Living with Integrity: Reflecting Christ in Our Actions

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of integrity, particularly in the context of our faith and daily lives. Integrity, as we discussed, is not merely about adhering to a set of rules but living in a way that reflects the heart of the Father. It's about who we are when no one is watching and how our actions align with the gospel of Christ. We delved into the idea that integrity is a reflection of our inner character and the condition of our hearts. Just as a mother knows her child by the fruit they display, God knows us deeply and desires for us to live lives that are worthy of the gospel.

We examined Philippians 1:27, where Paul encourages the church to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. This is not about achieving perfection but about striving to reflect Christ in our actions and decisions. Integrity requires us to set boundaries, exercise self-control, and continually seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. We acknowledged that impulsivity is the enemy of integrity, often leading us away from God's precepts and into decisions that do not reflect His will.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of examining our hearts, as our character and integrity are direct results of their condition. God desires to heal and transform us, but we must allow Him access to the deepest parts of our being. We are all leaders in our own spheres of influence, and our conduct can either draw people to Christ or push them away. Therefore, maintaining integrity is crucial for fruitful living and effective witness.

As we concluded, we were reminded to guard our integrity, treasure it above accomplishments, and contend for our character. Integrity is not just a personal virtue but a testimony of the transformative power of Christ in our lives. Let us strive to live in a manner that honors the sacrifice of Jesus and reflects His love and truth to the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Integrity Reflects Our Inner Character: Integrity is about living authentically, aligning our actions with the gospel of Christ. It is not about perfection but about striving to reflect Christ in our daily lives. Our integrity is a testimony of our faith and can either draw people to Christ or push them away. [05:57]

2. The Importance of Self-Control: Exercising self-control is crucial in maintaining integrity. Impulsivity often leads us away from God's precepts, resulting in decisions that do not reflect His will. By seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can make choices that honor God and reflect His character. [18:58]

3. Examining Our Hearts: Our character and integrity are direct results of the condition of our hearts. God desires to heal and transform us, but we must allow Him access to the deepest parts of our being. By examining our hearts, we can identify areas that need healing and allow God to work in us. [24:52]

4. Influence and Integrity: We are all leaders in our own spheres of influence, and our conduct can either draw people to Christ or push them away. Maintaining integrity is crucial for fruitful living and effective witness. Our actions should reflect the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [27:31]

5. Guarding and Contending for Integrity: Integrity is not just a personal virtue but a testimony of the transformative power of Christ. We must guard our integrity, treasure it above accomplishments, and contend for our character. By doing so, we honor the sacrifice of Jesus and reflect His love and truth to the world. [34:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:53] - Trust Issues and Integrity
- [03:15] - A Motherly Conversation
- [05:57] - The Fruit of Our Lives
- [08:25] - Integrity and the Gospel
- [09:40] - Living as Examples
- [10:26] - Influence of Our Actions
- [15:00] - The Importance of Integrity
- [16:08] - Colossians and Integrity
- [17:02] - What Integrity Looks Like
- [18:58] - Impulsivity vs. Integrity
- [20:54] - Walking with the Holy Spirit
- [21:50] - Self-Control and Decision Making
- [22:33] - The Fight for Integrity
- [24:52] - Examining Our Hearts
- [27:31] - Influence and Integrity
- [29:25] - Fruit of the Spirit
- [32:45] - Conduct and Discipleship
- [34:14] - Guarding Integrity

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Integrity in Our Faith and Daily Lives

#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 1:27
- Colossians 4:5-6
- Galatians 5:16-17

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 1:27, what does Paul encourage the church to do, and how does this relate to the concept of integrity? [05:57]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between impulsivity and integrity? [18:58]
3. What role does self-control play in maintaining integrity, as discussed in the sermon? [21:50]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the influence of our actions on others, particularly in our spheres of influence? [27:31]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to live a life "worthy of the gospel of Christ," and how does this relate to personal integrity? [09:40]
2. How can the Holy Spirit guide us in maintaining integrity, and what are the consequences of ignoring this guidance? [18:58]
3. In what ways does the condition of our hearts affect our character and integrity, according to the sermon? [24:52]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can guard and contend for our integrity in our daily lives? [34:14]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made impulsively. How might seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit have changed the outcome? [18:58]
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with self-control. What practical steps can you take to improve in this area? [21:50]
3. Consider your current sphere of influence. How can you ensure that your actions reflect the transformative power of Christ? [27:31]
4. Think about a time when your integrity was challenged. How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [34:14]
5. What boundaries can you set in your life to protect your integrity, especially in situations where you are most vulnerable? [22:33]
6. How can you allow God to access and heal the deepest parts of your heart to improve your character and integrity? [24:52]
7. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [29:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Integrity as a Reflection of Inner Character
Integrity is not about perfection but about living authentically, aligning our actions with the gospel of Christ. It is a testimony of our faith and can either draw people to Christ or push them away. Integrity is about who we are when no one is watching and how our actions align with the gospel of Christ. It reflects our inner character and the condition of our hearts. Just as a mother knows her child by the fruit they display, God knows us deeply and desires for us to live lives that are worthy of the gospel. By striving to reflect Christ in our actions and decisions, we demonstrate the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [05:57]

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made when no one was watching. Did it reflect your faith and the gospel of Christ? How can you ensure your future actions align with your inner character and beliefs?

Day 2: The Role of Self-Control in Integrity
Exercising self-control is crucial in maintaining integrity. Impulsivity often leads us away from God's precepts, resulting in decisions that do not reflect His will. By seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can make choices that honor God and reflect His character. Integrity requires us to set boundaries and exercise self-control, allowing us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. It is not about achieving perfection but about striving to reflect Christ in our actions and decisions. [18:58]

"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." (Proverbs 25:28, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where impulsivity often takes over. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in exercising self-control in that area today?

Day 3: Examining the Heart for Integrity
Our character and integrity are direct results of the condition of our hearts. God desires to heal and transform us, but we must allow Him access to the deepest parts of our being. By examining our hearts, we can identify areas that need healing and allow God to work in us. This process is essential for maintaining integrity and living a life that reflects the gospel of Christ. It is through this examination that we can align our actions with our faith and draw others to Christ. [24:52]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal areas in your heart that need healing. What steps can you take to allow God to transform these areas?

Day 4: Influence and Integrity in Leadership
We are all leaders in our own spheres of influence, and our conduct can either draw people to Christ or push them away. Maintaining integrity is crucial for fruitful living and effective witness. Our actions should reflect the transformative power of Christ in our lives. As leaders, we have the responsibility to live in a manner that honors the sacrifice of Jesus and reflects His love and truth to the world. [27:31]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your sphere of influence. How can your actions today set an example that draws others to Christ?

Day 5: Guarding and Contending for Integrity
Integrity is not just a personal virtue but a testimony of the transformative power of Christ. We must guard our integrity, treasure it above accomplishments, and contend for our character. By doing so, we honor the sacrifice of Jesus and reflect His love and truth to the world. Integrity requires us to be vigilant and intentional in our actions, ensuring that they align with the gospel of Christ. [34:14]

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take to guard your integrity in your daily life? How can you prioritize your character over accomplishments today?

Quotes

Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:

1. "And so whether you are a mom or you've stepped... stepped in and become a mom and you've filled a gap, or maybe you're grieving a mom, no matter where you are, just know that you are loved, know that you are seen, and know that you are valued here at the Collective Church." [00:00:55] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But integrity, how we live. And so we're going to unpack that this morning. We're going to talk about the importance of integrity, why it's important to the heart of the Father, how integrity leads us to living faithfully. And so I'm going to talk about how we live in a world where we live in a world where we live in a world where we have fruitful lives and how it's something that we need to uphold a little higher and give a little more value and priority to in our lives as believers." [00:03:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What we are talking about this morning is not living lives of perfection. We will never attain perfection. That is why we are in, in need of a savior and a constant reminder through the word of God of how to live. We will not attain perfection. This is not saying live a life that is robotic, that is unreal, that is unattainable. Okay. It's saying live a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I do come and see you or I remain absent, I will hear about you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, one purpose, with one mind, striving side by side, as if in constant, unwavering, combat for the faith of the gospel." [00:07:45] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You see, oftentimes when I've sat with those outside of the church, with maybe people who don't know Jesus or haven't accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior or haven't really experienced, maybe even those that have experienced the church and have followed Jesus at some point, a lot of times I hear kind of a reoccurring narrative of why they're frustrated with us as believers or with the church or why they've been hurt or why they've been offended or where they've experienced a deep -rooted trauma. And more times than not, you can connect what they feel back to a moment where they saw major lack of integrity." [00:08:25] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Maintaining integrity comes with a fight. Here's what I want to emphasize this morning. Integrity is not just something that's going to happen to you. It's not just going to be this miraculous thing that all of a sudden gets all perfected in your life or looks great. It's something that you have to fight for. It's something that you have to contend for. And in that fight, you will constantly have to fight the nature of wanting to do as you do versus wanting to do as you do. And that's what I want to emphasize this morning. Maintaining integrity is what the Holy Spirit says." [00:22:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If we compromise who we are in the hidden places, whether we realize it or not, more people will be aware. The evidence will be on display. The fruit will show louder than anything else in us. My third thought is this. Our character and integrity, they're direct results of the condition of our hearts. And so if you're struggling in this area, yes, there's grace. If you're struggling in this area, can I just advise you check your heart? What's going on in there? What needs healing? What needs revealing?" [00:24:05] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The father desires to heal our trauma. He challenges us to examine and sift through our decisions. Could we just take an extra minute before we make decisions in life and allow the Holy Spirit to inform those decisions? Could we take an extra minute before we blatantly blurt out what's on our mind and allow the Holy Spirit to filter it first and see if it's worth saying? Could we take the extra minute to allow him to cultivate some fruit in our lives so that what we display is a life worthy of the gospel?" [00:27:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We all do because we are called when we have chosen to follow Jesus, we are called to do what? To lead others unto the saving power of Jesus Christ through the introduction of the gospel. And so we all have a sphere of influence where we're at. We all have a sphere of influence where we're at. We all have a sphere of influence where we're at. So yes, it does matter." [00:28:45] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Integrity leads us to fruitful living. James chapter 2 verse 14 says this what is the benefit my fellow believers if someone claims to have faith and has no good works as evidence can that kind of faith save him no a mere claim of faith is not sufficient genuine as genuine faith produces good works faith without works is dead now this is not to say we talked about this earlier that our works are going to get us through that's not true that's not true that's not true that's not true that's not true that's not true that our works are going to be what shows before anything else and that that's our rite of passage what this is saying is you need both that to your measure of faith is going to be your level of works to your measure of faith is going to be your level of fruit from it fruitfulness what does your tree look like is your tree rooted is your tree faithfully growing is your tree faithfully being pruned are you allowing the Holy Spirit to do a good work in you to lovingly draw you unto him so then what you do is you're going to be a good work in both faith and good works and to your measure of faith is going to be what you testify of in your works so too verse 17 faith if it does not have works to back it up is by itself dead inoperative and ineffective your works are your fruitfulness my last portion of scripture today is this Galatians chapter 5 verse 22 If you've never heard of the fruit of the Spirit, we're going to talk about it real fast. But the fruit of the Spirit, the result of his presence within us." [00:29:25] (99 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "So same with us. We have the ability not to trick people into following Jesus, not to deceive them about who he really is, but we have the ability in our spheres to influence people to draw near, to see the need for a Savior that is greater than anything that they've ever experienced, for deliverance, for restoration, for reconciliation, for healing in their lives, unlike anything they've experienced, because we have him within us. We carry him." [00:34:02] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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