As we are going through the series of values we believe in as a church, this week we are going to look into another one – Integrity.
Before we begin, I would like to tell u all this one thing that came to my mind when I began preparing for this sermon. I was just going through the values listed on our website. So when I saw all the values that has been looked into so far, they are not some random or an individual values, rather they are interconnected with each other. Let me tell you this.
Church Planting –> Leadership –> Discipleship –> Equipping –> Character –> Evangelism –> Gospel Centered –> Church –> Stewardship –> Generosity –> Open Home –> Integrity
When we talk about church planting, we would have been part of Leadership, for that we have gone through the process of discipleship that equips us with our character and helps us to do evangelism i.e., Gospel Centered and bring people to the church. And now when we are here in church we know that we are stewards and that enables us to become Generous in serving/Giving/Helping by even making our home open which will surely show our trueness and so we need to walk in Integrity.
Integrity – We value integrity, and genuineness. Transparency enables God to work with individuals and deliver them from all bondages and strongholds, setting them free to live a fruitful life.
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon. A proud father named Bobby, was taking his two little boys to play miniature golf. He walked up to the fellow at the ticket counter and asked, “How much is it to get in?”
The young man at counter replied, “$3.00 for you and $3.00 for any kid who is older than six. We let them in free if they are six or younger. How old are they?”
Bobby replied, “The younger is three and the older is seven, so I guess I owe you $6.00.”
The young man at the ticket counter said, “Hey, Mister, you could have saved yourself three bucks. You could have told me that the older one was six; I wouldn’t have known the difference.”
Bobby replied, “Yes, that may be true, but the kids would have known the difference.”
When I came across this story, I also remembered an incident happened a year ago when we were booking tickets for a movie last Christmas. It was a rule in PVR that children above 5 are also considered for tickets. Abisha just turned 5, we could have easily took her in as we were large in numbers and there are also other kids who were less than 5. But we were purposely went to the rules page to check the age criteria and booked a ticket also for her. Because we as a church not just believe but also wanted to live a life of Integrity. Indeed, our behavior teaches our kids more than our words.
This morning let’s look into this aspect of living a life of Integrity. Let’s quickly read from scriptures who were able to walk in Integrity and also the one who missed and what the consequence was and what it means to us today.
II Kings 5:20-27 Elisha & Gehazi
20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. “Is everything all right?” he asked.22 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent[a] of silver and two sets of clothing.’”
23 “By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.
25 When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? 27 Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.
The story might be familiar to most of us, let’s look up another incident which talks about the Integrity
2 Samuel 9: 1-13 – David and Mephibosheth
[1] And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” [2] Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” [3] And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” [4] The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
[5] Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. [6] And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” [7] And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” [8] And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
[9] Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. [10] And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. [11] Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. [12] And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. [13] So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
David’s relationship with Mephibosheth is a great illustration of the kind of integrity that is crucial to the development of authentic relationships. Let us break down these stories and see what does Integrity means today to us So, Let’ see that Integrity means to be even when
No one else will know
As far as we can tell, no one except David and Jonathan knew about the promise that David had made. And now that Jonathan was dead, it was likely that no one else would ever know about that promise. But David knew. So when God brought that promise to mind, David immediately sought to be true to his word.
Gehazi thought that Elisha will not come to know about it, so let me go and get something and keep it for me, nobody will know so what is wrong in it. Even Naaman is not going to meet Elisha again or even if he meets he will not be talking about this. This made him to go for it and ended in carrying the leprosy with him and also his descendants.
Perhaps the area where this is most relevant to our lives is in our work place and for students I can say our college/school. How transparent am I when it comes to status updates or assignment submission. We know that the deadline has not come yet, but when we are asked of the progress, we say something which is not been true mostly. Because it is in progress, we may say that it is 60% or 70% or whatever. Whereas in reality we may have not really started yet or just began. We tend to do many such things in our day to day life where we think no one is watching or no one else will come to know. Another thing I can say is crossing a signal when there is no cops or no camera. Whether anyone watches me or anyone else knows or not, we should be able to walk in Integrity. Because, our God watches us from everywhere and anytime. Psalm 139:7-12
It is of no benefit to me
King David didn’t need anything from a lame, crippled man like Mephibosheth. There was no tangible benefit for David in keeping his promise to Jonathan. Ziba certainly expressed that idea in his reply to David in verse 3. There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet. Ziba is essentially saying to David, “What do you want with this guy? He’s a cripple who has nothing to offer you.” And that was certainly true. But for David, it is being genuine, not a matter of what he was going to get out of it.
Whereas in the life of Gehazi we see, he wanted something out of Naaman. He thought that would be benefiting him in future. He asked “Please give them a talent[a] of silver and two sets of clothing.” He thought that by getting this from him, I will have something for my future. I don’t know what I will be getting from my master. Insecure of the future.
Today In our home, in our relationship with our parents, spouse, children, grandchildren, in our job and even in the church, are we able to walk in Integrity, even when we are not going to receive anything in return? When we know that this is not going to give me anything in return, are we still willing, in those relationships, to take the kindness/love that God has shown to us? Am I being loyal or being transparent because that will help me in my promotion, gives me a better hike and not being transparent at home because I don’t see any materialistic benefit out here. Or is it other way round, even after being so loyal and being transparent, I’m not going to get anything, so I will not be so.
You are wrong admit it
Gehazi was wrong, what he did was not correct. He thought that no one else will know and it will be a benefit to him. But when he returned, Elisha asks him, where have you been? He replied I didn’t go anywhere.
In other instance which we all know where David committed a sin and confronted by the prophet Nathan, we see that he admits immediately and ask for repentance. Psalm 51
Even in our lives, we may fall short of Integrity and did something which is not ethical. Who likes to admit they have been wrong? It isn’t fun, but it can be a humbling experience. A person with true integrity has no problem admitting when they’re wrong, or when they made a mistake. They will be always the first to stop, admit their mistakes, and apologize if needed
I would like to share another story with you all.
Four high school boys were late to their morning classes one day. They entered the classroom and solemnly told their teacher they were late due to a flat tire. The sympathetic teacher smiled and told them it was too bad they were late because they had missed a test that morning. But she was willing to let them make it up. She gave them each a piece of paper and a pencil and sent them to four corners of the room. Then she told them they would pass if they could answer just one question:
Which tire was flat???
Just imagine what the world would be like if everyone followed these guidelines. Church, it is not that I’ve overcome and I’m fully the man of integrity speaking to you from my success. We all are work in Progress. People may not watch us, it may not be benefiting me in anyways, but God is talking to each of us this morning and asking this question, will you be my child who walks in Integrity. Am I being a person who can be reliable, trustworthy at my workplace? In church/my ministry? Even at home? Do I maintain the transparency that enables God and people placed by God to work in my life to make it fruitful?
I would like to remind all of us this morning that it is Christ who has exemplified the wholeness of integrity throughout His life. After 40 days of fasting, Jesus was weak from hunger. Satan tempted Him to abuse His power and turn stones to bread to instantly satisfy His hunger. When Jesus withstood that temptation, Satan tempted Jesus with instant fame and acceptance, suggesting that angels would catch Jesus if He threw Himself from a pinnacle of the temple. Jesus again refused. Finally, Satan promised Jesus kingdoms of power if Jesus would only bow down to him. Jesus rejected Satan and commanded him to depart.
Even in His most vulnerable moments, Jesus kept His integrity before His Father. From the Savior’s example, we learn that the strength of our integrity is often tested when we are at our weakest. But, following His example, we can gain the courage to be strong in difficult times.
Changing colors may benefit a cuttlefish. But changing behaviors to please others—for wealth, fame, promotions, appraisals or any other reason does not really benefit us. Remember! We all are work in Progress.
Following Christ’s example of integrity will lead us back to our Father in Heaven. If we listen to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, we can develop true integrity. Our beliefs, thoughts, and actions will be in harmony with our Savior, who will be able to say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness”
Paul Anand works as a software engineer and is part of Renewed Hope Community which is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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