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You are here: Home / Teaching Series / “The Resistance” Sermon on the Mount Bible Study – Lesson 6

“The Resistance” Sermon on the Mount Bible Study – Lesson 6

October 28, 2019 By Joshua Staton

"The Resistance: Becoming a Servant Leader Through the Beatitudes" Lesson 6.  A sermon on the Mount Bible Study by Joshua Staton.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:8

“The Resistance” Sermon on the Mount Study Guide Lesson 6: Exhibit Integrity

The phrase pure in heart is not just a measure of our actions, but more about what lies within us and our inner thought life.  Explicitly, it is our integrity when in roles of influence.  Biblically, the way we become pure is through a process called purification which can best be described as being cleansed; having failed and having been corrected.  As Christ followers we are to seek a continual state of purification, much like the process of rendering silver or gold.  Our sanctification.  In their natural state, these precious metals have impurities which are purged through fire to produce a purer metal.  As heat is applied, these impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed away.

For all intents and purposes, this is what integrity is to us as leaders:  a continual process of melting impurities away.  You see, we may look like one thing on the outside, but something completely different on the inside.  When things are going well it is easy to keep up appearances, but as soon as difficulties arise, that which is on the inside will eventually come out.

Integrity goes a step further than mere obedience.  It is achieved through a series of choices to not only do the right thing, but to accept the right thoughts.  Building integrity does not occur over night and does not become refined when everything is going well.  Our impurities are purged through trials and tribulations. Once things start to get difficult, what old habits do we revert to?  What is the perfect storm, what would it take for failure to occur?

Application

Integrity directly relates to us in the sense that if our mind and heart are divided, we become distracted by contrary thoughts and pre-occupations which results in a loss of focus, confused purpose and poor vision for making judgments.  Scripturally we become a double-minded man that is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8) So much of our communication is not just our words or body movements, but the actions we take.  Do we continually keep our word or find ourselves making excuse after excuse while justifying our words and actions?

If you do find yourself having to continually make excuses, please take some time and evaluate if the objective area is indeed a priority.  If you are just stretched too thin, examine what needs to be given up so you can focus better.  If you are like me, you have the uncanny habit of over-commitment.  If this is the tone of your life, you may have to consider why you are allowing yourself to get over-committed.  The answer may be much deeper than you know…  It was for me.  And it revolved around the need to be accepted and acknowledge by other people for my efforts.

Character in Action (Sermon on the Mount Bible Study Homework)

Read Psalm 32 and 51.  Identify inner obstacles that may be holding up progress, then answer the questions below as thoroughly as possible.

  • Do your thoughts and actions always line up in your objective area?
  • Do you have a divided heart or an exhausted spirit towards your area of focus?
  • What would the person closest to you say about your level of integrity in all areas of life?  Are there discrepancies?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, You know us better than we do.  Please forgive us for accepting a divided heart.  This isn’t our intention, but we do nothing to stop it.  Thank You for continuing in your steadfast love towards us.  Please give us Your discernment to be active in making sure our words and actions align for Your glory.  In Your Son’s holy name, amen.

For more information or to purchase The Resistance, please visit:

The Resistance: Becoming A Servant Leader Through the Beatitudes Book

If you are in the Hendersonville, NC area, join us for an addiction recovery class. Click for more information on attending a First Contact Ministries support group for individuals or families struggling with addiction issues.

Did you miss the other lessons? Click see the entire “Resistance”: Sermon on the Mount Bible Study

Filed Under: Leadership, Recovery, Teaching Series, The Resistance: Becoming A Servant Leader Through the Beatitudes, Uncategorized

About Joshua Staton

Joshua Staton is the Discipleship Director for First Contact Addiction Ministries located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. In this role, Josh develops Christ centered teaching curriculum and oversees a team of dedicated life coaches and individuals recovering from substance abuse issues. Outside of this ministry, Josh leads and teaches various groups at local churches, fosters and adopts at risk children, and enjoys hiking and photography. Joshua Staton is an author and owner of Cabin in the Woods Publishing LLC. If you would like to find out more, please visit Cabin in the Woods Publishers. You can also follow Joshua on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you are interested in purchasing any of his books, please visit the Joshua Staton Author Page on Amazon.

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First Contact Addiction Ministries provides free support services for addiction & recovery in Hendersonville NC, Henderson County, and Western North Carolina.

Substance abuse & addiction are serious issues, and they are increasing to epidemic proportions within our small, WNC communities. As the crisis grows, local government, hospitals & jails are ill-equipped to meet increased demands for crisis management & rehabilitation.

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Now Offering: Integrated Outpatient Services

First Contact is proud to now offer an intensive outpatient program for those suffering from addiction. This class is for those individuals who wish to remain in the community during their treatment. We will meet one day a week (Saturday) with outside class assignments during the week to help with sobriety. We are excited to… Read More »

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