공동체와 양육

You and Your Integrity (Gen. 39:1~23)

2019.03.10P. Stephen Cha

A life of integrity is whole and consistent, the same on Sunday and on Monday. Like Joseph, we grow in the fear of the Lord, stay faithful in little things, and live every day with a plan to walk with Jesus, work for him, and represent him.

Integrity is one whole life, inside and out

There is often a huge gap between how we live on Sunday and how we live the rest of the week. Integrity comes from the same root as the word integer: a whole number, complete and undivided. You are the same person at church, at home, and at work. Jesus wants you to be salt and light where he has placed you, and he wants your life, not only your praise, to show people who he is. This is what it means to live every day as Jesus' apprentice, and we learn it from Joseph.

Integrity grows from the fear of the Lord (vv. 2-6)

The Lord was with Joseph, made all he did succeed, and blessed even the pagan house of Potiphar for his sake. Because of Jesus, we too have a special relationship with God, so we should ask why many believers do not experience this. "Lord" is Yahweh, the covenant God, who wants a deepening friendship of worship and obedience, not more service. Growth shows in the fear of the Lord. Job shows his greatness, the seraphim and Isaiah show his holiness, and the Son he sent shows his grace. Joseph asked, "How can I sin against God?" The preacher's own father, weeping in prayer over a rebellious son, kept him from hurting the one who loved him so much.

Be faithful with little things, doing them for the Lord

Joseph was 17 when he was sold and 30 when he became prime minister. After two years in prison, that leaves about 11 years in Potiphar's house. He probably began with work nobody wanted, did it faithfully, and was promoted step by step until his master worried about nothing but his food. Jesus said that whoever is faithful with little will be faithful with much. A kosher sausage company's slogan, "We answer to a higher authority," is the same attitude. We are not at work just for money. We should not cut corners, take long breaks, or criticize others, because God has placed us there.

Have a plan to walk with God and work for him

When Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph, he was ready: he knew what he would not do, and he ran. We need a plan for work too. Pray in the morning for the people and tasks ahead, pause every couple of hours to worship, and acknowledge before big meetings that we need him. R. T. Kendall taught that the Holy Spirit is like a dove, sensitive and easily grieved, so we must learn to keep in step with him. Work for the audience of One, like those who cleaned the hidden crown of the Statue of Liberty.

Be Jesus' body, hands, and feet in the world

Jesus says we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Tim Keller's book Every Good Endeavor says we should be known as fair, caring, and committed to others, and as generous with time and gifts. We should stay calm and poised in difficulty or when passed over for a promotion, because our security is in Christ. We should also be real and authentic, telling people that Jesus is the most important person in our lives. Saltiness comes first, then the light shines. God is no respecter of persons, and Jesus lives in you.

Apply to Life

  • Let us live as the same person on Sunday and on every weekday, at church, at home, and at work.
  • Let us grow in reverence for God by coming to know his greatness, holiness, wisdom, and grace, and refuse to hurt the God who loves us.
  • Let us be faithful in the little tasks we are given and do them for the Lord, not for money or approval.
  • Let us plan each workday with Jesus by praying, pausing to worship, and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.
  • Let us show Jesus to those around us by being fair, generous, calm in hardship, and honest about who he is in our lives.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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