Leading with Integrity
2002046
Topic # 1073
Introduction:
A.
2 Chr. 29
– first introduced to Hezekiah.
1.
comes to
power after Ahaz. Note Ahaz’s
actions – 28:19, 23-25.
2.
Hezekiah
contrasted – 29:2-4
B.
Upon
assuming the throne – Hezekiah began major acts of reform.
1.
29:5
– told Levites to consecrate themselves & the house of the Lord.
2.
29:10
– wished to make a covenant of the Lord.
3.
29:20
– restores temple worship.
4.
Note what
Israel told – 30:6-9b
5.
31:1-2
– idols destroyed
6.
31:20-21
– because of Hezekiah’s influence Israel began to prosper and God was
with Him.
7.
32:30
– Hezekiah prospered in all he did.
C.
Truly,
Hezekiah was a person of influence. Did much good to bring people back to God.
1.
Evident
as you read these 3 chapters – he possessed tremendous love & respect
for God.
2.
His heart
was right. Oh, he was human
– battled pride – (32:24-26) but he made it right w/God.
3.
He was a
person of influence!
D.
Today
– while we are not in positions of worldly power & authority –
we can be persons of influence just like Hezekiah!
1.
In fact,
Scriptures demand we have positive influence for Christ!
a)
3 Jhn 11;
1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; Heb. 13:7
2.
Remember,
each one of us has a sphere of influence.
a)
at home
w/the family.
b)
On the
job
c)
w/the
church – working w/brethren
3.
One of
the fundamentals of building positive influence for Christ is operating with
integrity.
4.
Webster:
Integrity = “adherence to moral; ethical principles; soundness of moral
character; humility.”
5.
Integrity
is a must for the Christian. Psa.
15; Pro. 3:3-4; 19:1; 20:7; Micah 6:8; Lk. 6:31
E.
So today,
we’ll talk about the importance of integrity and how to build it. We can become a successful
Christian! We can begin NOW
building a positive influence for Christ!
1.
Influence
is the # 1 way to lead people to Christ! It is also the #1 way to turn people away from the Lord!
2.
Can play
a larger role than we can possibly imagine!
I. Building integrity
starts with the small things!
A.
Jesus
demands we build our lives upon the foundation of respect, dignity, and trust!
1.
If this
foundation is weak, then we will never live up to the potential we have. All of us have potential!
2.
Let
Christ take your life & mold it into being His kind of person!
3.
Building
on respect, dignity, and trust is something that cannot be ignored or hidden!
B.
Just how
important are doing the little things?
1.
Biblical
principles ARE NOT flexible!
a)
A lie is
a lie is a lie! “white or
black” See Col. 3:9; Rev. 21:8,
27; 22:15
b)
Say what
you mean; mean what you say. Let
your word be your bond! Jesus
– Mt. 5:37
c)
Theft is
still theft – whether $.01; $1; $ 100; $ 1000; $1,000,000. See Eph. 4:28; 1 Peter 4:15
2.
Integrity
commits itself to character OVER personal gain!
C.
Therefore,
the Christian must place character at the very top of his priority list on self
improvement!
1.
PEOPLE
must be placed over THINGS.
2.
SERVICE
must be placed over POWER.
3.
PRINCIPLE
must be placed over CONVENIENCE
4.
THE LONG
VIEW must be placed over the IMMEDIATE
D.
Character is made in the small moments of our
lives (Philip Brooks)
1.
Break a
godly principle; it creates a crack in your foundation of integrity!
2.
Maxwell: when
times get tough – it becomes harder to act w/integrity – not
easier! Character isn’t created in
crisis, it only comes to light!
3.
Everything you have done in the past, and the
things you have neglected to do – come to a head when under pressure.
E.
This
requires constant attention!
1.
Don’t do
something that you would be ashamed of!
a)
are there
things in your life you’d be ashamed to tell your spouse; parents; etc?
b)
Remember,
God knows! He is watching – ALWAYS! 1 Cor. 4:5
II. Integrity starts on the inside.
A.
Development
of character is an inside job. We
must not look to the outside to explain defeiciencies in character.
B.
Integrity
is not determined by circumstances.
1.
Popular
thinking: people of poor character
are that way b/c they grew up in bad environment.
2.
Yes…upbringing
& environment affect us – esp. when young.
3.
as one
becomes older – he b/c responsible for choices made.
4.
EACH one
responsible for choices made in life – Gal. 6:5; ; Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor.
5:9-11; Ezek. 18:20-24.
5.
We must
take responsibility for our own lives!
C.
Integrity
should not be confused with reputation.
1.
poem
– Maxwell.
2.
Who would
argue that a good reputation isn’t valuable?
a)
Solomon: Pro. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1
b)
Reputation
exists b/c it = reflection of a person’s character!
3.
We need
to worry less about what others think – give attention to our inner self!
a)
Gal. 1:10
– seek to please God – not men!
b)
Col.
3:10, 12-17 – done through a change of heart!
4.
Take care
of character? Reputation will take
care of itself.
5.
This may
not be the easiest road – but is the road to take if we wish God to be
pleased!
III. Integrity is your best friend.
A.
Anytime
we compromise our integrity – we do ourselves an incredible amount of
damage.
1.
spend
years building it up – only to have much of it destroyed in an instant if
not careful.
2.
Integrity
helps you keep priorities right.
3.
it helps
us not strike back when attacked unfairly.
4.
when
being criticized justly, it helps us accept what is said.
B.
Perhaps
the biggest benefit to possessing integrity is that others can trust you!
1.
W/o trust
– you have nothing! It is
the glue that holds people together!
2.
Isa.
33:15-16; Mt. 7:12; 2 Cor. 8:21; Heb. 13:18
3.
Trust =
rare these days! People mostly
suspicious; skeptical.
4.
Often
have to prove trustworthiness first. Trust comes when you exemplify solid character!
Conclusion:
A.
Remember
Hezekiah? Remember the influence
he had over Israel?
1.
Reforms
made? Diligent effort to get
Israel back on tract w/God?
2.
In order
to be successful, it had to start w/him. Integrity was a huge part of his success!
3.
2 Kings
18:3, 5-6
B.
Dwight
Eisenhower: In order to be a leader, a man must have followers. And to have
followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence, the supreme quality for a
leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no
matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in the army, or in an
office. If a man’s associates find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will
fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great
need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
C.
Christians
are leaders! We’re in charge of
leading the lost to Christ! In
order to do this, we’re going to have to be people of character!
1.
w/o it
we’re going to be unpleasing to God.
2.
involve
going back to fundamentals!
D.
Would you
describe self as a person of character? A Christ-like person?
1.
No? Can we help you start the
transformation process?
2.
Become a
Christian today!
E.
Already a
Christian – but not living up to the standard?
F.
I N V I T
A T I O N
The
circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation …
the
truth you believe determines your character.…
Reputation
is what you are supposed to be;
character
is what you are.…
Reputation
is the photograph;
character
is the face.…
Reputation
comes over one from without;
character
grows up from within.…
Reputation
is what you have when you come to a new community;
character
is what you have when you go away.
Your
reputation is made in a moment;
your
character is built in a lifetime.…
Your
reputation is learned in an hour;
your
character does not come to light for a year.…
Reputation
grows like a mushroom;
character
lasts like eternity.…
Reputation
makes you rich or makes you poor;
character
makes you happy or makes you miserable.…
Reputation
is what men say about you on your tombstone;
character
is what the angels say about you before the
throne of God.