#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Sun. 21/5/2017
21/5/2017 LESSON 12
BUILD A REPUTATION FOR INTEGRITY
Quarter’s Theme: UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP
Unit 3: Pathway To Prosperity (Lessons 7-12)
(PRESERVATION AND CONSOLIDATION MONTH)
Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 32, 99
Devotional Reading: RUTH 2:8-14; 4:13-17
Topic For Adults
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
RE-SHAPE YOUR REPUTATION
Topic For Youths
WHAT IS YOUR TRADEMARK?
Topic For Intermediates
DOES YOUR NAME MATCH YOUR
CHARACTER
Scripture Lesson
NEH. 9:5-10; TIT. 1:5-13; 2:1-8; ESTHER 8:15 – 9:4
MEMORY VERSE
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Tit. 2:7 (NKJV)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING
Sun. 21/5/2017
Let Your Faith Reflect Your Actions
Mk. 15:42-47
Joseph of Arimathea, an important member of Jewish council who could be assumed to be a secret disciple boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus for burial. Like Joseph, an opportunity may come for you to risk your reputation to take a bold step for your belief. Focus and pursue a definite plan that will make you bold to stand for your faith come what may.
POINT OF EMPHASIS: Let your reputation be affected by your faith in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER POINT: Faith without action is dead. Lord, help me to take bold steps for the progress of God’s kingdom.
BACKGROUND
It takes time before good reputation is acquired but this does not take a thousand year to achieve. It is attainable for those who desire it. One distinctive fact is that when you attain integrity for yourself, you will be commended and respected. You might have been consistently living a life of integrity before it becomes obvious for people to notice. This week’s lesson is encouraging you to continue building good character traits in your life regardless of whether people appreciate you or not. In due time, God will surely honour you.
NOTES ON THE TEXT
PART 1: GOD’S REPUTATION IS GREATER THAN ALL (NEH. 9:5-10)
There are people who have lived in history and some are still living who we can classify as having reputation due to what they have done. No matter the reputation this class of people has built for themselves, they are never like God. He is greater and His reputation will always be greater.
The Scripture read above shows how the Levites perceived God and thereby commanded God’s people to stand up and give credit to Him. They were inspired to thank Him having read the word of God and had listened to the teaching of their God. Their spiritual eyes were opened to see the acts of God. In their solemn adoration to God, we have the following:
- God is perfect, glorious and is the Creator of all things – verse 16
- As the Creator, He made Heaven, Earth, Seas, and all that is in them.
- He alone is Jehovah – self existent and independent. No god beside Him.
- He preserves everything He made.
- He was acknowledged for the favour He showed to Israel. He was praised for the call of Abraham (verse 7), the covenant He made to give him and his descendant – the land of Canaan (verse 8) and the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (verses 9-11). He was glorified for taking them through the wilderness (verse 12).
Christians must take time to mention the loving kindness of God at all times. All the reputations mentioned about God should prompt us to be like Him. Matthew 5:48 says we should be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
PART 2: GUIDELINES TO BUILDING REPUTATION (TIT. 1:5-13; 2:1-8)
A good ambassador always lives to please and represent his or her nation well. Christians are the ambassadors of Christ on Earth. We are, therefore, living for Him. We live our lives as stewards that will give account of what he does with his live. Phil. 1:21 says “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” we must, therefore, follow these guidelines in building good reputation.
Paul the apostle told Titus, a Pastor, on the Island of Crete, to be on the lookout for those who claim to know God but what they do is contrary to their claim. Since actions speak louder than words, our characters must match our belief.
Christians must strive to be honest, self-disciplined, desist from things that could trigger temper. These will help you to have the qualities described in Titus 1:5-9. You should have only one wife, have children that are believers (verse 6), you must be accommodating. Love what is good, have good sense of judgment, be morally upright, have self-control, be committed whole-heartedly to the message of the gospel, then use the accurate teaching to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word (vv. 8-9).
Your children must not be known for worldliness, rebellious acts, you must not be a drunkard, or be a violent person.
To accomplish the dos and avoid the dont’s, you must live by faith, be courageous to please God and be determined to build your life into integrity. The following guidelines are stated for every category of believers: (1) All believers should live according to the accurate teachings (2) Older men should be sober, have good characters and be well grounded in faith, love and endurance (3) Older women should be dedicated to God, not to gossip nor become addicted to alcohol but they should be examples of good virtue, worthy of emulation by the younger women. They should also be morally pure and teach the young to be prudent. (4) Young men should use good judgment, set an example by doing good things, have moral purity and dignity. In addition, they should speak accurate message that cannot be faulted by those who oppose the gospel. If these guidelines are followed by believers those who oppose the gospel shall be put to shame.
PART 3: WORTHWHILE REPUTATION TAKES TIME TO BUILD (ESTHER 8:15 – 9:4)
Mordecai did not turn to hero or was recognised overnight. He had been living a life of integrity before he was rewarded. He had once thwarted an assassination plan involving the king which seem not to be noticed by anyone. Efforts toward integrity are not always immediately compensated but if one continues to build good character traits, a day will come when one will be applauded with standing ovation.
Mordecai was preferred and was put in authority because the city of Shushan knew the advantages of having a righteous person in authority. Haman was hanged; when the wicked perish, there is shouting (Prov. 11:10) but when the righteous are in the authority the people rejoice (Prov. 29:2)
The Jews who were erstwhile dejected and disgraced suddenly became glad, joyous and honoured. They celebrated the occasion with feast (verses 16-17). The turn of event in their favour was as a result of Mordecai’s integrity which he sowed overtime. They were like those that dream; then was their mouth filled with laughter (Ps. 126:1)
One other good side of the event was that the fear of the Jews came upon many people when they observed how they had been blessed divinely. They renounced their idolatry and submitted to the only true God and worshipped Him. This is in fulfilment of what Zechariah 8:23 says.
CONCLUSION
Integrity made Mordecai to become a powerful man of influence all over the province. All the officials assisted the Jews because they became afraid of Mordecai. A good reputation brings blessings. There is nothing more valuable than this. It has an incalculable value that cannot be sold or bought but whom you are and what you stand for will make you to retain its value. Continue to build good reputation for yourself, the blessings you will get is more than what money can buy.
QUESTIONS
- Affirm that God’s reputation is greater than man’s reputation.
- Mention some of the ways that the Levites perceived God
- Why must Christians’ character match their ways of life?
- Name some of the things Christians must strive to achieve.
- Explain what made the Jews to prevail over Haman’s plot against them.
- Using Mordecai as a case study, is there any blessing in good reputation?
