Two Extremes

8/8/2019 Two Extremes

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Two Extremes

Pastor Jason Armold


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Revelation is of no value without the wisdom

and character to live it out.

In the area of confronting intimidation, twoextremes that will throw a believers life out of

balance:

Pursuing power

False humility


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The Pursuit of Power

Our pursuit should be a godly character.

The life of Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:5-6 when I

call to remembrance the genuine faith that isin you, which dwelt first in your grandmother

Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am

persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind

you to stir up the gift of God which is in you

through the laying on of my hands.


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Timothys faith was genuine. His heart waspure. Philippians 2:19-22 But I trust in theLord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that

I also may be encouraged when I know yourstate. For I have no one like-minded, who willsincerely care for your state. For all seek theirown, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

But you know his proven character, that as ason with his father he served with me in the

gospel.


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Integrity is the foundation of Character

The measure of a mans character is what hewould do if he would never be found out.

Integrity: meaning whole, complete entire.

The Christian definition of integrity and theworlds definition of integrity cannot co-exist.

The concept of integrity is that of basing onesactions on a consistent framework ofprinciples.


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A Christians working definition of integrity wholenessof character, an uncompromising adherence to a code

of values, and consistency of word and deed; honestywithout compromise or corruption based squarely on

the inerrant Word of God.

Our actions and thoughts are based on the Word ofGod, giving us a framework (the Bible), and principles(given to us in the Word of God).

Psalm 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,For I wait for You.


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Integrity is Disciplined Behavior

Every day we make choices what to do and howto live. Our lives must reflect that we aregoverned by a code of absolutes that we will notviolate.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord,choose for yourselves this day whom you willserve, whether the gods which your fathersserved that were on the other side of the River, or

the gods of the Amorites, in whose land youdwell. But as for me and my house, we will servethe Lord.Joshua 24:15


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But Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you, or toturn back from following after you; for whereveryou go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I willlodge; your people shall be my people, and yourGod, my God.Ruth 1:16

We are what we choose, and behavior is a resultof choice.

We must make an intellectual-emotional-spiritualdecision to function in a way that glorifies Christand brings the highest productivity to our lives.


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Integrity is Determined Behavior

The key to integrity is to determine a sense of innerdirectedness that does not yield to the pressures of theage: that identifies with the highestrather than thelowest; the bestrather than the worst; the ideal

rather than the average; the excellentrather than themediocre.

It reaches for the deepest resources in Christ, standsup, and says, Im taking charge of my behavior, Im notgoing to bend to the temptations and frustrations of

the world. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I

am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed andam persuaded that He is able to keep what I havecommitted to Him until that Day.2 Timothy 1:12


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Integrity is Demonstrated Behavior

Integrity is a lifestyle characterized by theindwelling of Gods Word.

It means having youract together andexemplifying Jesus life in every circumstance.

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love ofGod is perfected in him. By this we know that

we are in Him. He who says he abides in Himought himself also to walk just as He walked.1 John 2:5-6


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The proof of our behavior is in the morality wedemonstrate.

We must talk like Jesus, but more importantly we

must ACT like Him! In acting like Him, wedemonstrate His love.

Timothy learned the secret of integrity withpower. This is extremely important as we go into

battle with the spirit of intimidation.

As we pursue a godly character, we pursue GodHimself and the enemy cannot intimidate us.


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Confrontation

Recognize the importance of pursuing Gods

character but stop there.

Never venturing out into Gods gifting in theirlives because they are afraid.

Avoid anything that involves confrontation,

perceiving it as a lack of love or Christian

character.


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Peacekeepers Jesus never said blessedare the peacekeepers.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

A peacekeeper avoids confrontation at anycost. He will go to any length to preserve a

false sense of security for himself, which hemistakes for peace.


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A peacemaker, on the other hand, will boldly

confront no matter what it may cost him

because he does not worry about himself.

Motivated by love for God and the Truth. Only

under these conditions can true peace thrive.

Romans 14:17for the kingdom of God is not

eating and drinking, but righteousness and

peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.


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Peace does not come by lack of confrontation.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the

Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven

suffers violence, and the violent take it by

force.

There is violent opposition to the

advancement of Gods Kingdom.


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You cant ignore it, it wont go away!

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to

write to you concerning our common salvation, I

found it necessary to write to you exhorting you

to contend earnestly for the faith which was once

for all delivered to the saints.

We cant sit back and hope for the best. Contendmeans to fight or wage battle. Christianity is not

an easy lifestyle!


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2 Timothy 2:3-4 You therefore must endurehardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No oneengaged in warfare entangles himself with theaffairs of this life, that he may please him whoenlisted him as a soldier.

We are engaged in warfare. We must have asoldiers attitude.

Dont back down from evil, overcome it withGods grace.

Fear of confrontation makes you easy prey forintimidation.

Two Extremes

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