WATCH LIVE

The Best of Jesus 

Integrity

April 28, 2024 

Pastor Terry Fulks

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

Matthew 25:14–30 ESV

Here are three observations about integrity. 

The importance of Integrity

1. Good 
2. Faithful 
3. Servant

The motivation of Integrity 

1. To hear Jesus say these words
2. Finding your place in this world

The outcome of Integrity or the conclusion of Integrity

1. The negative
2. The positive  

This parable is linked to Christ’s judgment seat which is called the Bema seat of Christ. The Bema seat of Christ is not to be confused with the Great White Throne. 

Great white throne:

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 

 Revelations 20:11–15 ESV

The Bema seat of Christ:

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 

1 Corinthians 3:10–15

The point to ponder: How would you fair right now if you were standing before Jesus to give an account of your life—sins of commission and sins of omission. 

A prayer: First of all please have mercy on me. I know I could do better in living out my life for you. Please give me the grace to be fully present in my focus on You Lord Jesus. Forgive me for my sins in word, thought, and deed. Thank you God for everyday you give me to shine for you. Help my light to be brighter for your glory. 

Connection Prayer:  Lord please help me to walk in integrity. I now, with what faith I have, confess that you Jesus died on the cross for my sins, were buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. I take you as my Savior, Lord, and Leader. Please forgive me of my sins and thank you for your forgiveness. Help me to follow you all the days of my life. Amen.  

Next steps for the new believer: 

1. If you prayed the connection prayer with me:
   1. Pick up a new believer pack as you leave.
   2. Read John 3, three times before you go to bed tonight. 
   3. Read the gospel of John all the way through by reading about ten verses a day. 

Next steps for the believer:

1. Pray everyday for God’s Spirit to guide you in all your steps. 
2. This week carve out some time to evaluate your life before God.
3. Review the sermon notes twice this week. 

We’re so glad you’re joining us online! For all of our upcoming events visit our events page!

Thank you for your support. Click the link below to give online.

We’d love to pray for you. While you are here, say a prayer for others.

If you prayed the Connection Prayer today let us know! We would love to connect with you and get you a new believer pack. You can send your information to info@thirstwi.com