series artseries art

The Way of Integrity

“How many people are radically and permanently repelled from the way by Christians who are unfeeling, stiff, unapproachable, boringly lifeless, obsessive, and dissatisfied? Spirituality wrongly understood or pursued is a major source of human misery and rebellion against God.” Dallas Willard

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. 5 “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ 8 “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. 9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. MATTHEW 23:1-12 NLT

JESUS CONFRONTS THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT I SAY I BELIEVE AND THE WAY I ACTUALLY LIVE

THIS GAP OF HYPOCRISY GROWS IN MY LIFE WHEN:

I PLACE BURDENS ON OTHERS THAT I DO NOT CARRY MYSELF

They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. MATTHEW 23:4 NLT

I CARE MORE ABOUT HOW I’M PERCEIVED THAN WHO I’M BECOMING

“Everything they do is for show… MATTHEW 23:5 NLT

I AM MORE DRAWN TO BEING SEEN THAN TO QUIETLY SERVING OTHERS

And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. MATTHEW 23:6 NLT

JESUS EMPOWERS ME TO CLOSE THIS GAP THROUGH:

COMPASSION THAT LISTENS TO THOSE I’D RATHER JUDGE

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. MATTHEW 11:28 NIV

INTEGRITY PRACTICED IN PRIVATE FAITHFULNESS

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. MATTHEW 10:2-4 NIV

HUMILITY DEMONSTRATED BY SERVING OTHERS

Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. JOHN 13:3-5 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Where in our culture do you feel there’s pressure to present a life instead of simply live a life?
  2. START HERE: Why do you think authenticity matters so much to people right now?
  3. START HERE: Have you ever been turned off by someone who talked about faith but didn’t seem to live it? How did that affect the way you viewed God or the Church?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 23:1-12 NLT. Why do you think Jesus was so opposed to pretending and performing?
  5. KEEP GOING: What type of situations make you more aware of how you appear to others? How do those affect the way you live out your faith?
  6. KEEP GOING: In what ways are you tempted to expect something from others that you don’t consistently do yourself?
  7. KEEP GOING: Who in your life is it difficult to feel compassion toward right now? What would it look like to love and listen to them before judging?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read John 13:3-5 NLT. Jesus’ security in the Father led Him to serve others. How does remembering who you are to God change the way you treat people?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: What is one private, spiritual practice that would help you grow in integrity?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one quiet way you could serve someone this week?