SERMON NOTES WITH APPLICATION - "LIVING WITH INTEGRITY" - TITUS 2:7-8 (NIV)

Series: ENCOUNTERING THE HOLY

“LIVING WITH INTEGRITY”

Titus 2:7–8 (NIV)

Year Theme: HIGH AND LIFTED UPMonthly Focus: Revisiting What We Believe—Our Core Values So Our Vision Can Mature in Us as We Mature into It.

BIG IDEA (For Everyone)

Integrity is what happens when what you believe, what you say, and how you live all tell the same story.

Paul reminds Titus that faith is never meant to stay in our heads or on paper. It is meant to become visible in our everyday lives. As we revisit our core values this month, we are reminded that beliefs only mature when they become practices. The world isn't simply listening to what we say—it is watching how we live.

Character is the loudest sermon most people will ever hear.

1. LIVE BY BEING AND DOING GOOD (v.7a)

What's Happening?

Paul tells Titus:

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good."

Notice that Paul doesn't separate being from doing.

Integrity isn't simply avoiding wrong.

It is actively choosing good.

Goodness becomes visible through consistent action.

Integrity begins when your actions reflect your values.

Cliff Note (Plain Talk)

People rarely remember everything you said.

They almost always remember how you lived.

Practical Application

Christian:Make your faith visible through kindness, service, generosity, and consistency.

Non-Christian:Your values become believable when they show up in your daily choices.

Gen Z / Millennials:Build a life that's authentic—not just aesthetic. Your character matters more than your content.

Professionals:Your reputation is built by what you consistently do when nobody is watching.

Families:Children often imitate what they observe more than what they are told.

Black Community Word:Our ancestors often had limited opportunities to defend themselves with words, so they let excellence, dignity, faithfulness, and perseverance speak on their behalf. They showed us that integrity can become a quiet form of resistance and a powerful witness.

This Week:Choose one intentional act of goodness each day that expects nothing in return.

2. LIVE WITH CONVICTIONS THAT YOU ARE PERFECTING (vv.7b–8a)

What's Happening?

Paul encourages Titus to teach with integrity, seriousness, and soundness.

The word "perfecting" reminds us that spiritual maturity is ongoing.

Integrity is not perfection.

It is continual alignment.

We are constantly becoming the people God is shaping us to be.

Convictions grow stronger when they are practiced consistently.

Cliff Note (Plain Talk)

You don't have to know everything.

You simply have to keep growing.

Practical Application

Christian:Continue studying Scripture and allowing God's Word to reshape your life.

Non-Christian:Healthy people remain teachable throughout life.

Gen Z / Millennials:Growth isn't weakness. Changing because you've learned better is wisdom.

Professionals:The most respected leaders are lifelong learners.

Families:Create a home where everyone has permission to grow, apologize, and improve.

Black Community Word:Our community has always believed in education, discipleship, mentorship, and passing wisdom from one generation to the next. We honor our ancestors by continuing to grow rather than settling into complacency.

This Week:Identify one area where God—or life—is inviting you to grow, and intentionally practice it this week.

3. LIVE YOUR LIFE TO SPEAK FOR YOU (v.8b)

What's Happening?

Paul says believers should have speech and conduct "that cannot be condemned."

The goal isn't popularity.

The goal is credibility.

When accusations come, your life becomes your strongest defense.

A life of integrity eventually speaks louder than criticism.

Cliff Note (Plain Talk)

Your life is always preaching—even when your mouth is closed.

Practical Application

Christian:Let your life consistently reflect Christ so your witness carries credibility.

Non-Christian:People trust actions long before they trust words.

Gen Z / Millennials:Your digital footprint and your real-life footprint should tell the same story.

Professionals:Integrity creates trust, and trust creates influence.

Families:Build a family culture where honesty, grace, and accountability are normal.

Black Community Word:Throughout history, Black communities have repeatedly demonstrated resilience, excellence, and faith in the face of misunderstanding and false narratives. Our lives have often spoken more powerfully than the labels others placed upon us. Continue building a legacy that future generations can point to with pride.

This Week:Ask yourself: "If people only watched my life this week, what would they conclude I truly believe?"

BIG PICTURE TRUTH

Revisiting our core values reminds us that beliefs are not merely statements we recite.

They become convictions we practice.

Integrity happens when:

• what we believe shapes how we think,

• how we think shapes how we live,

• and how we live points people toward God.

Because vision matures only as character matures.

FINAL WORD

So...

Be good—not just appear good.

Keep growing—not just keep knowing.

Live so consistently that your life becomes your testimony.

Because...

When your beliefs and your behavior agree,

your vision becomes clearer,

your witness becomes stronger,

and your life becomes an invitation for others to encounter the Holy.

Dream Big. Decide to Become. Demonstrate Your Power.

And remember...

Integrity isn't about never making mistakes. It's about living in such a way that your character keeps pointing people toward the God you profess to follow.