Men Of Integrity

Men of Integrity

April 12, 2015, Licensing Service for

Gary McElmurry & Elzie Gray

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Men of Integrity, who serve in the ministry of Jesus Christ, must respect others, live life properly, and trust God.

Focus Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Supplemental Passage: Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)

Introduction: Throughout his administration, Abraham Lincoln was a president under fire, especially during the scarring years of the Civil War. And though he knew he would make errors of office, he resolved never to compromise his integrity. So strong was this resolve that he once said, "I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me." Today In The Word, August, 1989, p. 21.

I. Respect Others

a. Respect authority (v 12-13)

b. Encourage others (v14)

c. Exercise patience (v14)

II. Live Life Properly

a. Forgive (v 15)

b. Be grateful (v 16-17)

c. Be diligent with spiritual matters (v 19-21)

d. Avoid evil (v 22)

III. Trust God

a. God will sanctify you (v 23)

b. God will preserve you (v 23)

c. God called you; He will equip you (v 24)