Forgotten Virtues, Part 2: Loyalty

Join us this week for our second message in our series, Forgotten Virtues. This week Pastor Shane takes on the virtue of Loyalty. We hope you enjoy it. Title of message is: Loyalty.   Disloyalty is very difficult to see in the mirror.    (Matthew 26:33-35) Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”  “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.   True loyalty is proven not proclaimed.    Where Loyalties can be Lies:   1. Marriage:   (Malachi 2:15) (NLT) Didn’t the Lordmake you one with your wife?...So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.   (Malachi 2:16) (NLT) “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says theLord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”   2. Friendship:   (Proverbs 20:6) Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 17:17) A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.   3. Church:   (Acts 2:42) All the believers devotedthemselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.   (Acts 2:44-47) And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.   4. Relationship with God:   All disloyalty is born out of a divided heart   (Deuteronomy 4:24) (NLT) The Lordyour God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.   (Matthew 22:37) (NIV) Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart…   Reestablishing Loyalty:   (James 4:8) (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is dividedbetween God and the world.   1.    Come close to God   2.    Wash your hands   3.    Purify your heart   (Psalm 51:1-9) Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.   (Psalm 51:2-3) Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.   (Psalm 51:7) Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.   (Psalm 51:10-12) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.   (Deuteronomy 4:24) (NLT) The Lordyour God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.