A Life of Integrity.
Stand with me and lift up your Bibles and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I can be what it says I can be.
I can do what it says I can do.
Today I will be going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
Turn with me in your Bible to Matthew 5:33 and say, "Amne" when you are there.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’”
Have you ever experienced the pain of a broken promise?
Maybe someone you trusted let you down, or maybe you’ve been the one to break your word.
Promises, whether kept or broken, shape relationships, build—or break—trust, and define our character.
In Matthew 5:33, Jesus speaks to the integrity of our words. He’s calling us to a higher standard, not just to avoid breaking oaths but to live in such a way that every word we speak carries the weight of truth.
In a culture where words are often cheap and promises easily broken, Jesus invites us to be different—to reflect God’s unwavering faithfulness.
1. The Heart Behind the Command
Jesus begins by referencing the Old Testament law, which instructed the people of Israel not to break their oaths but to fulfill their vows to the Lord.
At its core, this teaching emphasized the seriousness of one’s word, especially before God.
But Jesus takes it further. He’s not just talking about religious vows—He’s talking about everyday honesty. He’s saying, “Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.”
Our words should be so reliable that we don’t need elaborate oaths to prove we’re telling the truth.
This teaching is countercultural.
The world says, “Say what’s convenient,” but Jesus says, “Speak what’s true.”
The world says, “Only follow through if it’s easy,” but Jesus says, “Be faithful, even when it’s hard.”
2. The Challenge of Integrity
Living with integrity is not always easy. It means doing what’s right even when no one is watching.
It means keeping your promises even when it costs you something.
But why does it matter so much?
Because our words are a reflection of our character, and our character is a reflection of Christ.
When we are faithful in our words, we show the world that the God we serve can be trusted.
3. Testimony: A Life Redeemed by Faithfulness
Let me share a powerful testimony. There was a man named Mark who struggled with honesty. He would make promises with no intention of keeping them—whether to his wife, his kids, or his coworkers. Over time, his relationships suffered. His wife stopped believing his words, his children grew distant, and his colleagues didn’t trust him.
One day, Mark hit rock bottom. He realized that his lack of integrity was not just hurting others—it was destroying him. He turned to Jesus in desperation, asking for forgiveness and the strength to change.
Slowly, through the grace of God, Mark began to rebuild his life. He learned to say only what he meant and to follow through on his commitments. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. But as he walked with God, his integrity was restored, and so were his relationships.
Today, Mark’s life is a testimony of God’s redeeming power. His children trust him, his wife believes in him, and his coworkers respect him.
4. God’s Faithfulness: The Foundation for Our Integrity
Why can we trust God to transform us? Because His Word never fails.
“God is not human, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind” (Numbers 23:19).
“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made” (Psalm 145:13).
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
When we root our lives in God’s faithfulness, we gain the strength to reflect that faithfulness in our words and actions.
5. The Invitation: What Is God Saying to You Today?
Let’s take a moment to examine our hearts:
Are there promises you’ve made that you haven’t kept?
Are there relationships that have been damaged by careless words?
Or maybe you’ve been deeply hurt by someone else’s broken promises, and you’re struggling to trust again.
Wherever you are, Jesus is inviting you to bring it to Him today. He is the God who forgives, heals, and restores.
A Time for Transformation
As we prepare to respond, I want to extend an invitation:
For Those Who Need Forgiveness: If you’ve struggled to keep your word or live with integrity, come forward and ask God for His grace to start anew.
For Those Who Need Healing: If you’ve been wounded by someone else’s broken promises, bring that hurt to Jesus. He can heal your heart and remind you that His promises never fail.
For Those Who Want to Surrender: If you’ve never fully trusted Jesus with your life, today is the day to place your faith in the One who always keeps His Word.
Let us pray:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging our need for Your grace. Forgive us for the times we’ve fallen short, for the promises we’ve broken, and the trust we’ve failed to uphold. Heal the wounds in our hearts caused by others’ words, and empower us to live as people of integrity. Lord, help us to reflect Your faithfulness in everything we do. We surrender to You now, trusting in Your unchanging promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Church, the altar is open. Don’t let this moment pass. If God is stirring something in your heart, step forward and let Him work.
When we leave this place, let us be people whose words build trust and reflect the character of God. Let us live lives of integrity, so that the world sees Jesus in us.
This week, as you go about your daily life, remember: Every word you speak carries the power to honor God and build others up.
Let’s be faithful, just as He is faithful.
God bless you!
