StoneBridge Community Church
Integrity in a World of Compromise
Pastor Jeff Cheadle
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Campus
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:30 PM
Sunday 7:00 AM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Online "Connection Card"
Thanks for joining us today! Follow this link to our online "Connection Card" where you can let us know you were here and share any prayer concerns.
http://bit.ly/2z61WwiThe Text in Context
Bob Utley, "Psalm 101) From the series Psalms: The Hymnal of Israel, Book IV (Psalms 90-106).
https://bit.ly/2HuVLeg"King David Playing the Harp" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622. Centraal Museum, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Cliff Huxtable and Bill Cosby
Wesley Morris, "Cliff Huxtable Was Bill Cosby’s Sickest Joke" The New York Times, April 26, 2018.
https://nyti.ms/2JwcURnBill Cosby and Dual Natures
Ted Williams, III, "Bill Cosby and Dual Natures" Think Christian, December 17, 2015.
https://bit.ly/2r5GKFTThe Origin of "Hypocrite"
"The Origin of Hypocrite" Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
https://bit.ly/2FrkF96Greek Mask
You can't be the me you want to be if the life you're living is a lie.
1. Make…
1. Make a wholehearted promise to God to live with integrity.
"I will…" Decide in advance to live with integrity.
For Reflection/Discussion: How would you define integrity? What is the difference between character and reputation? Which is more important to you? How many times do the words "I will" appear in Psalm 101? Why are these words important? Ted Williams writes in his Think Christian article, "Compartmentalization is the ability for a person to place pieces of their lives in different sections. We all do it to some degree, yet most of us try to live with some kind of transcendent moral standards and personal integrity… " How does compartmentalizing different parts of our lives undermine our integrity? Why is it important to decide in advance to be a person of integrity?
2. Develop…
2. Develop habits that build character and reinforce integrity.
Habits That Build Character:
• Stay clear of anything that will tempt you to evil.
• Avoid arrogance, anger, self-righteousness, and pride.
• Surround yourself with godly influences and positive people.
• Tell the truth and expect it from others.
• Consider the devastating consequences that come from moral failure.
• Avoid arrogance, anger, self-righteousness, and pride.
• Surround yourself with godly influences and positive people.
• Tell the truth and expect it from others.
• Consider the devastating consequences that come from moral failure.
For Reflection/Discussion: How do our habits positively or negatively impact our lives? What are some habits that contribute to building our character and reinforcing integrity? What are habits that might undermine godly character formation? As you think about the me you want to be, what habits do you need to adopt, eliminate, or change in order to become that person?
3. Understand…
3. Understand that integrity doesn’t shield or protect us from false or unfair accusations.
People don't always see us as we are; they may see us as they are.
Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments
Dr. Kent M. Keith's "Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments"
https://bit.ly/1Jan7RxFor Reflection/Discussion: Have you ever been misunderstood or been the object of false or unfair accusations? How did you react or respond to the situation? Why is it important to know that living with integrity doesn't guarantee smooth sailing? What are your thoughts and feelings on Kent Keith's Paradoxical Commandments?
4. Acknowledge…
4. Acknowledge your sins and shortcomings to God.
For Reflection/Discussion: Despite David's heartfelt promises to God (Psalm 101.2), he failed to live up to his ideals (see 2 Samuel 11-12). How so? Why? What were the consequences? In Acts 13.22 God refers to David as "a man after my own heart." How does God's assessment of David square with David's behavior? Have you ever broken a promise to God or failed to live up to your ideals? How did the experience affect you? What can Psalm 51 teach us about the process of moral failure and restoration?
5. Recognize…
5. Recognize your need for Christ and authentically accept him as Savior and Lord.
For Reflection/Discussion: Jesus is the only person who has ever lived a life of perfect integrity. Why was that important for our salvation? Believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is not just an idea we assent to, but a reality upon which we are meant to build our lives. What is the difference between intellectually assenting to a belief in Jesus and authentically embracing and building your life on that belief? Are you falling back on a second-hand, hearsay faith of someone else, or are you building your life on a heartfelt, personal trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Why is the integration of head and heart essential if we are to live our faith with integrity? (See 1 Chronicles 29.17a)
Living With Integrity
Social Media @ StoneBridge
We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events. Don't just like us. Feel free to share any posts from StoneBridge with your friends.
https://www.facebook.com/stonebridgesimiSecure online giving
Thanks for partnering with us in our mission to reach people with the good news of God's love, to make disciples, and to send them out. Secure online giving via PayPal.
http://bit.ly/2glYW8ESubscribe to our podcast
Subscribe to the StoneBridge Community Church podcast on iTunes and you'll never miss a message. Updates automatically.
http://apple.co/1RbdqkKWatch us on YouTube
While no substitute for worshiping God with others, if you happen to miss a message you can always catch us on YouTube. We invite you to subscribe to our channel.
http://bit.ly/22uE939