1 Thess 2:9-16 Importance of Integrity

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Intro: Barbershop

There are certain places that people like to gather and discuss issues and hot topics

People gather at coffee or donut shops to chew the fat

At work it might be the proverbial water cooler

One place that has stood the test of time is the barbershop

If you have never been to a barbershop on a Saturday morning it is a sight to behold

The barbers are holding shop and responding to whatever discussions pop up

It is a bunch of guys with their sons getting a haircut and an education

While the locations change, these gatherings have been happening since the beginning of time

Paul used these to his advantage to preach the Gospel and disciple people

As he was building his tents he would talk theology, debate judaism and paganism, and answer questions

He was so successful that people got jealous and accused him of things that weren’t true

Last week we saw him defend his character

As Paul defends his character, he brings his integrity into the mix

Integrity = The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one adheres to consistently.

Terms which parallel integrity

Righteousness

Psalm 7:8 ESV

The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.

uprightness

blameless

Several OT characters are designated persons of integrity: Noah; Abraham; Jacob; Job; and David

Titus 2:7 ESV

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Paul, Silas, & Timothy were men of Integrity

Paul shows us the importance of Integrity

Hard-Working & Blameless vs. 9-10

The first trait of a person’s integrity is that they are hard-working and blameless

I’ve told you every week that Paul was a hard worker

He was a tent-maker by trade and would support himself by this manual labor

2 Thessalonians 3:8 ESV

nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.

He would rent a stall in the Agoura

I’ve been to several ancient sites where the Agoura has been excavated

It was usually a long narrow path with stalls made out of block on both sides

It resembles our modern-day flea markets

Craftsmen would rent out a stall and ply their trade

As you can imagine a lot of the life of the city happened in these Agoura’s

Paul used that to his advantage

Not only would he make tents, but he turned it into a makeshift ministry center

People would come by to discuss and debate Scripture and philosophy

Paul was able to reason with the best of them and many pagans started to follow Jesus

1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

We were created to work

Sin made it agonizing labor

Our integrity is what makes us a good worker

Do you show up on time, do the work you’ve been given, and Treat others with respect?

These are results of our integrity

Paul’s conduct was blameless towards the Thessalonians

There were accusations that Paul was in it for the fame and riches

Paul counters that

They were above reproach and blameless

Walk Worthy vs. 11-12

The second trait of a person of integrity is that they walk worthy of Jesus Christ

Paul uses his second example of family life

This time he tells them that he treated them like a father

Paul was the spiritual father of many churches

1 Corinthians 4:15 ESV

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Like every good father he exhorted and encouraged them to walk worthy of Jesus Christ

Exhort = An urgent recommendation or encouragement to pursue a course of action

That’s a nice way of saying a spiritual kick in the butt

Never fear exhortation when it comes to serving Jesus

Paul exhorted and encouraged them to walk in a manner worthy of God

A christian with integrity will walk worthy

Their walk matches their talk

You see the fruit of their integrity played out in how they live their lives and treat others

What does it mean to walk worthy?

It’s more than being a good person

It means you take the gifts God has given you and you put them to use.

It means that you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit

It means you are blameless and above reproach

Word is Transforming Hearts vs. 13-14

The third trait in a person of Integrity is that the Word of God is transforming their heart

Paul thanked God that when the Thessalonians heard the Word of God, they received it and then put it into action

They didn’t take it as man’s wisdom, but the Word of God

One of the defining marks of a person with integrity is that they take the Bible as the Word of God and it is transforming their lives

Men’s small group

Guys were talking about how different they were 25 years ago

They were a Sunday Christian but over time have been transformed into Disciple

The change came when they started to imitate Jesus

You have to have a guide in your path of integrity and it has to be trusted

The only source that will fit that is the Bible

Psalm 119:105 ESV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Hindering the Gospel vs. 15-16

The final trait in a person of integrity is that the enemy is trying to hinder the Gospel

This one is a little different

If you are a person of integrity people will not like you

The Thessalonians were being persecuted for their faith

Your integrity exposes their character

Your hard work, Christ-like manner will contrast their lifestyle and they will see you as a threat

Jesus came into Jerusalem and exposed the corrupt leaders by His teaching and lifestyle

They were jealous of his popularity and threatened by his integrity

He exposed everything evil about them

They responded by crucifying him

It continued with Paul, a former shining star

Everywhere he went they were hindering the Gospel

Paul didn’t let it stop him him

He also trusted that God would see their sins and take care of it

The church would be so much stronger if it didn’t enter into all of the petty arguments with the world and would just do the work the church has been called to do

God sees more clearly than you do what is going on

If I told you some of the things that have been done to me it would make your head spin

The only thing that kept me sane was focusing on the work God has done