Sunday, August 24, 2008

Industrial Arts

The sermon this week is based about building a life of integrity.
Back to School: Industrial Arts
Building a Life of Integrity
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. –Exodus 20:7

You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. –Exodus 20:16

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” –Matthew 5:33-37

Behind all God’s law is the desire of a loving God to create a society in which it would be a joy to live.

Life can’t be compartmentalized into “God is involved here” and “God is not involved here” sections. God is involved in all that we do, say, and think.

The challenge for us is that our words and lives are consistent, whether we are in church or out of church.

Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. –Oprah Winfrey

One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present. –Steven Covey

Always do right—this will gratify some and astonish the rest. –Mark Twain

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. –Will Rogers

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. –Matthew 7:24-27

Character doesn’t make you a leader, but it does make you a leader worth following. –Andy Stanley

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