Integrity in Relationship – February 21, 2021

Link to Facebook Sermon

Preached by Pastor Kunle Oladebo

1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-3 (NKJV) – Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ² Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. ³ Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. ⁴ And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. ² So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. ³ And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are,and I will speak with my father about you. Then what I observe, I will tell you.” (NKJV)

1. Three Types of People – TD Jakes 
   • Confidants
     • Help you fulfill your goals
     • Always for you
     • Jonathan to David
   • Constituents
     • Not for you
     • They are for what you have
     • Ahitophel to David
   • Comrades
     • Not for you
     • Against what you are against (fight common enemies)
     • Joab to David
     • Like scaffolding in a house
   • Point 
2. Highlights
   • Integrity is integrating heart’s value into daily actions
     • Can others and God count in you
   • Relationship can be horizontal or vertical 
   • Every relationship requires time
     • Time makes us grow – time with God reveals His secrets
     • James 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”  (NLT)
     • Time is required to grow, heal, mature, sustain what you have built
   • Relationship grows through mutual investment 
     • Conversation 
     • Communication
     • Intentional and deliberate 
     • Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.” (NKJV)
   • Relationship is about everything 
     • When relationship is broken, respect is lost
3. Integrity in Relationship 
   • Relate in honesty – Proverbs 12:17 – “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.” (NKJV); Proverbs 24:26 – “He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.” (NKJV); Acts 6:1-3 – “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;” (NKJV)
     • Keep promises  (God does not lie) – Numbers 23:19 “God is not human, that he should lie,  not a human being, that he should change his mind.  Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill?” (NIV); Ecclesiastes 5:5 “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” (NIV)
     • Jonadab contributed to the death of Amnon, his friend
   • Relate as a friend
     • David and Jonathan 
     • Build friends for yourself and not enemies
     • Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (NKJV)
     • A good friend will be there for you at all times – Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” (NKJV)  (Ushah) 
     • Friends correct one another- Proverbs 27:5,6 “Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don’t care for him at all. ⁶ Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out!”  (Good News)
     • Friends mean well even when they hurt you 
     • Friends stand  with you, stand for you and provide unwavering support