DISCIPLINE, HONESTY AND INTEGRITY, A CORNERSTONE FOR AN EFFECTIVE MINISTER.

DISCIPLINE, HONESTY AND INTEGRITY, A CORNERSTONE FOR AN EFFECTIVE MINISTER.

Text: Luke 16:-15; 2Timo.2:19-21; Jas.5:12; 1Cor.4:1-2; Mat.5:33-37.

Introduction: When we get to heaven, we not only want to be able to say we've matured into the character of Christ, but also that we ministered like Jesus.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the truth." He didn't say, "I tell the truth," or "I have the truth."  He said, "I am the truth." The principle we can draw here is that integrity is the basis for any legitimate ministry. Jesus is exactly who he says he is, so if you want to minister like Jesus, you need to constantly ask yourself, "Am I exactly what I appear to be, or is my home life and ministry life like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"

I may fool you, but I'm not fooling God. And neither are you. This is an issue of integrity: we dedicate ourselves to God and, therefore, we attempt to live a holy and pure life of integrity.

The Bible says, "Those who make themselves clean from all those evil things, will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed" (2 Timothy 2:21 TEV).

Jesus says when you keep yourself pure, then you are ready to be used by him for any purpose. If I keep myself clean, then God can use me. God can overlook a lack of intelligence. He can overlook a lack of gifts and abilities - He knows what He gave you. But God will not use a dirty vessel.

When I allow sin to stockpile in my life, when there are relationships that are not right and I let them go on and on and fester, when there are habits in my life that need to be changed and I know it, those things keep God from being able to use me. A dirty vessel is set upon the shelf. It doesn't take brilliance for God to use you; it takes cleanliness. That's what it means to be integrity.

Acts 24:16: "So I strive always to keep my conscience before God and man." Paul says, "I want to serve the Lord with a clear conscience." 

Body: Ask someone what discipline is and you will likely hear the word punishment. But that is not what the Bible's concept of discipline is all about. Discipline in the Bible is goal oriented-seeking to develop a godly person who will walk in God's ways. We tend to think of discipline as keeping others in line, but at the heart of discipline is discipling, helping people become followers, particularly followers of Christ. The emphasis is on loving guidance and teaching. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DISCIPLINE?

 1. Discipline can keep us following God's word more closely. Psalm 119:67 . . . I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

2. The correction of discipline is the way to life. Proverbs 6:23 . . . These commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you.

3.  Discipline promotes right living. Hebrews 12:11 . . . No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

A dishonest person wants to rob someone to enrich himself. At its core, dishonesty is taking something that is not ours. It can be taking material possessions, like stealing something from a store. Just as bad, however, is robbing someone of their reputation or self-esteem, taking from them to try to enhance our position. Cheating at a board game seems harmless enough to some, but in fact we are robbing someone else of the affirmation of victory. Dishonesty will pursue a sensuous relationship to gain sex or affection, with no intent of returning true affection. An honest person, however, wants to give full measure in return for anything he takes. Honesty is truthful, right, fair, honorable, free from deception, and marked by integrity. God urges us to conduct our daily living with complete honesty.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO BE HONEST?

Psalm 24:3-5 . . . Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.

1. Honesty is necessary in order to inherit God's goodness.

Proverbs 16:11 . . . The Lord demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.

2. God expects honesty.

Matthew 12:33 . . . A tree is identified by its fruit. Proverbs 12:5 . . . The plans of the godly are just. Luke 16:10 . . . If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.

3. Honest dealings reveal your character.

1 Timothy 1:19 . . . Always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

4. Honesty brings a clear conscience.

Deuteronomy 25:13-16 . . . You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise, and you must use full and honest measures . . . so that you will enjoy a long life.

5. God blesses us when we are concerned not about how much we get but about being honest in getting it.

Proverbs 11:3 . . . Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.

6. Dishonesty and deception is a form of bondage because we are always trying to hide our real motives. There is freedom in honesty because it allows for forgiveness, vulnerability, positive change, and healing.

Romans 12:3 . . . Be honest in your estimate of yourselves.

7. Honestly evaluating our walk with the Lord is the only way to keep growing in faith.

DOES HONESTY ALWAYS MEAN TELLING EVERYTHING I KNOW?

Ecclesiastes 3:7 . . . A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.

Proverbs 29:20 . . . There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. Proverbs 18:4 . . . A person's words can be life-giving water.

Colossians 4:6 . . . Let your conversation be gracious and effective.

Honesty should not be confused with gossip. Just because you know something doesn't mean you have to tell everyone about it. Honesty also involves integrity, making sure that what you say is helpful and builds others up rather than tearing them down. The person who thinks before speaking is often the wisest.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

Psalm 37:37 . . . Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future lies before those who love peace.

Proverbs 12:19 . . . Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.

Lies will eventually be exposed.

WHAT IS INTEGRITY?

Micah 6:8 . . . No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Job 2:3 . . . Then the Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth-a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you persuaded me to harm him without cause."

Integrity is belief, character and conduct in harmony with God.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY?

1. Integrity pleases God, for it is godly. Pro.12:22; 21:3; 1Chro.29:17

2. Integrity provides stability. Each step away from a life of integrity is a step closer to a "slippery slope" that leads us into a sinful lifestyle. Ps.15:1-5; Pro.12:3; 10:9.

3. Integrity provides protection and guidance. Sin and the lack of integrity expose us to all kinds of harm, especially the disintegration of our own character. Ps.25:21; Pro.11:3; 13:6; Isa.26:7.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY?

Psalm 24:3-5 . . . Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord's blessing and have right standing with God their savior. Proverbs 28:20; Isa.56:1-2; 32:8; Pro.20:7.

Not only does God bless us when we live our lives with integrity, but future generations also benefit from our integrity.

Conclusion: just as a house without pillar cannot have a long lifespan, so is a minister whose cornerstone is not discipline, honesty and integrity. "When money is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. But when character is lost all is lost." Where anointing cannot take you, character will take. A minister without character is totally bankrupt.