We are in a series with Impact Student Ministry called Characters where we will over the next 5 weeks go through different character traits. I wanted to share what I spoke on last night here at the blog:
Definition of Loyalty – an unwavering and undivided devotion
Reputation is what others think you’re; character is who God knows you’re. Sadly, more people are concerned about their reputation than their character.
What does God have to say about loyalty?
Proverbs 3:3 (Message) Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
To not lose your grip on something means that at some point you had to possess it.
To tie something around your neck it to never lose it. To carve something on your heart means it is there to stay.
We all have our loyalties. Who or what deserves our loyalty?.
Is it a girlfriend? Boyfriend? Job? Sports? Video game? Friend? School work? Hobby? were taken away would hurt you the most?
What does it mean to be loyal?
Loyalty means that you keep your commitments
that you’re dependable.
you can be trusted.
that no matter what you’re going to show up.
that when push comes to shove you’re willing to sacrifice. that you show up for school or work on time.
Loyalty is a character quality that produces a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of people.
Loyalty proves your love.
Would you say that God is loyal?
Psalm 36:5 (Message) God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.
Loyalty proves His love.
Was Jesus loyal?
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus wants to be your loyal friend.
His love proves his loyalty.
Listen to what Isaiah and Paul have to say about loyalty.
Isaiah 38:3 (Message) Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.
1 Corinthians 7:35 (Message) I’m saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
What Does Loyalty Do for US?
1) If your loyalty to Jesus is right then your loyalty to your brothers and sisters in Christ will be right.
2) If your loyalty to spending time in the Word and prayer will be right.
Your loyalty to your non-believing friends will be right.
3) If your loyalty to your Church will be right. Your loyalty to your parents will right.
4) If your loyalty to your school will be right. Your loyalty in your grades will be right.
5) Loyalty proves your love.
Hatchi Story—From Wikipedia
An Akita puppy is sent from Japan to the United States, but his cage falls off the baggage cart at an American train station, where he is found by college professor Parker Wilson His wife Cate take the dog in. A few years later, Hachi and Parker are as close as ever. One morning, Parker leaves for work and Hachi sneaks out and follows him to the train station, where he refuses to leave until Parker walks him home. That afternoon, Hachi sneaks out again and walks to the train station, waiting patiently for Parker’s train to come in. Eventually Parker walks Hachi to the station every morning, where he leaves on the train. Hachi leaves after Parker’s safe departure, but comes back in the afternoon to see his master’s train arrive and walk with him home again. One Day Parker is teaching his music class when he passes out from cardiac arrest.
At the train station, Hachi waits patiently as the train arrives, but there is no sign of Parker. He remains, lying in the snow, for several hours, until Parker’s son-in-law Michael comes to collect him. The next day, Hachi returns to the station and waits, remaining all day and all night. As time passes, Cate sells the house and Hachi is sent to live with her daughter Andy, Michael, and their new baby Ronnie. However, at the first opportunity, he escapes and eventually finds his way back to his old house and then to the train station, where he sits at his usual spot, eating hot dogs given to him by Jas, a local vendor. Andy arrives soon after and takes him home, but lets him out the next day to return to the station.
Hachi begins sleeping under a broken train carriage, keeping wait during the day and surviving off food and water given to him by Jas and the local butcher. Years pass, and still Hachi waits. Cate visits Parker’s grave, , and she says that even though it has been a decade, she still misses him. Arriving at the station, she is stunned to see Hachi, old, dirty and weak, still maintaining his wait. Overcome, Cate sits and waits for the next train with him. At home, Cate tells her grandson now ten-years-old Ronnie about Hachi. That night, Hachi makes his way to his usual spot, where he lies down and falls asleep for the last time.
Ronnie, back in his classroom, Does a his report his class, telling his classmates that Hachi, for his love and loyalty, will forever be his hero..
, 20 Salvations, average attendance 43, 3 outreaches, and many lives changed.
