Sunday Morning Worship
February 26, 2012
Series: “The Incredible Family”
Today: “The Integrity of the Incredible Family”
Scripture: Ephesians 5:33-6:4 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise–3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. 
Intro: A formal definition of integrity : “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character.” (Dictionary.com)
* Incredible families realize moral character is of much greater value than skill levels or athletic ability! 
I. HONESTY – THE FOUNDATION OF INTEGRITY.
A. Colossians 3:9 – “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
B. Our homes are the most significant training arena for honesty—or lack of!
II. AUTHENTICITY – THE WINDOW OF INTEGRITY.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
B. Authenticity is a window to allow others to see inside us.
1. Authenticity removes the mask .
2. Authenticity does not claim perfection .
3. Authentic families are real; ready to __humble__ themselves and get help. 
III. CONSISTENCY – THE STRUCTURE OF INTEGRITY.
A. The Apostle James wrote:
James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear–not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.
B. Incredible families work on the consistency factors in their homes.
1. They develop consistency in these areas of value .
2. They develop consistency in their discipline . 
IV. RESPONSIBILITY – THE ROOF OVER INTEGRITY.
A. Paul wrote his young pastor Timothy:
1 Timothy 4:15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
B. To be diligent is another phrase for be responsible.
* They don’t say yes when they really mean no .
Conclusion: Incredible families aren’t incredible because they are perfect in their integrity efforts! Incredible families are incredible because they refuse to let their failures be final. They refuse to stay average in their values.