For Further Study On This Subject Read My Sermon "Christian Sincerity" At:
http://ilma.orgfree.com/traviscase/Sermons/Christians/ChristianSincerity.html

Introduction --- Character Definitions

A. Doing things because I Desire God's Gain and fear loss to His reputation

B. Eagerly doing what is Right with Transparent motives

1. Freedom from pretence or hypocrisy; honesty; straightforwardness; genuineness.

2. Freedom from falsification or adulteration; purity, correctness. (New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary)

C. sincere, adjective pure, unmixed; unadulterated; unfeigned; genuine; free from pretence; the same in reality as in appearance. »French sincère, from Latin sincerus clean (The Chambers Dictionary on CD-Rom)

Note:

The Black colored text indicates the number attributed to the Greek or Hebrew word in Strong's Concordance as well as a transliteration of the word and its pronunciation.

The Blue text shows all of the ways that the original word is translated in the Authorized Version. The number beside each of the various words indicates the number of times it is translated in that way; and the number at the end indicates the total number of times the original word appears in the Bible.

In each case, the first time the original word is used is listed first. For the sake of space, not all occurrences of the original word is given but enough to show the various ways in which the word is used.

A. 08549 Mymt tamiym taw-meem' --- from 08552; TWOT-2522d; adj.

without blemish 44, perfect 18, upright 8, without spot 6, uprightly 4, whole 4, sincerely 2, complete 1, full 1, misc 3; 91

Gen. 6:9, "These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect <08549> in his generations, and Noah walked with God." {upright}

Gen. 17:1, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect <08549>. {upright, or, sincere}

Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity <08549> and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

2 Sam. 22:24 I was also upright <08549> before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. {before: Heb. to}

2 Sam. 22:26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright <08549> man thou wilt shew thyself upright. (Psa. 18:25)

2 Sam. 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect <08549>; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. {tried: or, refined}

2 Sam. 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect <08549>.

Job 12:4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright <08549> man is laughed to scorn.

Job 36:4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect <08549> in knowledge is with thee.

Psa. 15:2 He that walketh uprightly <08549>, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psa. 18:23 I was also upright <08549> before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. {before: Heb. with}

Psa. 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect <08549>: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. {tried: or, refined}

Psa. 119:1 Blessed [are] the undefiled <08549> in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. {undefiled: or, perfect, or, sincere}

B. 55 agnwv hagnos hag-noce' --- from 53;; adv.

sincerely 1; 1

Phil. 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely<53>, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

C. 97 adolov adolos ad' -ol-os --- from 1 (as a negative particle), and 1388;; adj.

sincere 1; 1

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere <97> milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

D. 861 afyarsia aphtharsia af-thar-see' -ah ---from 862; TDNT-9:93 , 1259; n f

incorruption 4, immortality 2, sincerity 2; 8

Rom. 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality <861>, eternal life:

Eph. 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity <861>. Amen.

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity <861>

E. 1103 gnhsiov gnesios gnay' -see-os --- from the same as 1077; TDNT-1:727 , 125; adj.

own 2, sincerely 1, true 1; 4

2 Cor. 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity <1103> of your love.

Phil. 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true <1103> yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

1 Tim. 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own <1103> son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own <1103> son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

F. 1505 eilikrineia heilikrineia i-lik-ree' -ni-ah --- from 1506; TDNT-2:397 , 206; n f

sincerity 3; 3

1 Cor. 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity <1505> and truth. {the feast: or, holyday}

2 Cor. 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity <1505>, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2 Cor. 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity <1505>, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. {corrupt: or, deal deceitfully with} {in Christ: or, of Christ}

G. 1506 eilikrinhv heilikrines i-lik-ree-nace' --- from heile (the sun's ray) and 2919; TDNT-2:397 , 206; adj.

sincere 1, pure 1; 2

Phil. 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere <1506> and without offence till the day of Christ;

2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure <1506> minds by way of remembrance:

II. Bible Stories

A. Zacchaeus --- Luke 19:8, "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."

B. The Good Samaritan --- Luke 10:33-35, "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

C. Ruth --- Ruth 1:16-17, "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

D. Esther --- Esther 4:16, "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."

A. At Home

1. Establish a regular time when you can enter into your "Prayer Closet" and pray to your Heavenly Father in secret.

2. Develop the spiritual discipline of Fasting In Secret - begin perhaps with just one meal per week and using that time instead to read and memorize God's Word.

3. Teenagers --- Never hide any thing from your parents.

4. Ask God to Search your heart and Confess any sin, double standards, or hypocrisy He might reveal.

B. At Work/School

1. Do not view your employer as someone you can use "for a time" to advance your success. Instead be willing to serve in any way you can to make him successful.

2. Teenagers --- Honor your parent's wishes even when you are apart.

C. At Church

1. Practice Giving anonymously to meet the needs of those that the Lord directs you to give to.

2. Carefully read the Words of Hymns you are singing - checking to see if they might reveal areas of your life which you have not yet surrendered to the Lord. Rather than singing words, which aren't true, use this time as a motivation to deal with secret sins.

IV. The "I Wills" of Sincerity

I will be All that I can be

I will take Responsibility for my own actions

I will Respect others' opinions

I will always Mean what I say

I will not take Advantage of other people

A. Christ Was An Example of Sincerity.

1 Peter 2:22, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:"

B. Ministers Should Be Examples of Sincerity.

Titus 2:7, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,"

C. Sincerity Is Opposed To Fleshly Wisdom.

2 Cor. 1:12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

D. Sincerity Should Characterise:

1. Our Love To God

2 Cor. 8:8, "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love." --- V. 24, "Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."

2. Our Love To Christ

Eph. 6:24, "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

3. Our Service to God

Joshua 24:14, "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD."

John 4:23-24, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

4. Our Faith

1 Tim. 1:5, "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned."

5. Our Love To One Another

Rom. 12:9, "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

1 Peter 1:22, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:"

1 John 3:18, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

6. Our Whole Conduct

2 Cor. 1:12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

7. The Preaching of the gospel

2 Cor. 2:17, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."

1 Thess. 2:3-5, "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:"

E. A Characteristic of The Doctrines of The Gospel

1 Peter 2:2, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"

F. The Gospel Sometimes Preached Without

Phil. 1:16, "The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:"

G. The Wicked Devoid of

Psa. 5:9, "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue."

Psa. 55:21, "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords."

H. Exhortations To

Psa. 34:13, "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."

1 Cor. 5:8, "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

1 Peter 2:1, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,"

I. Pray For, On Behalf of Others

Phil. 1:10, "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;"

J. Blessedness of

Psa. 32:2, "Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."

K. Exemplified

1. Men of Zebulun

1 Chron. 12:33, "Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart."

2. Hezekiah

Isa. 38:3, "And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore."

3. Nathanael

John 1:47, "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"

4. Paul

2 Cor. 1:12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

5. Timothy --- Lois and Eunice

2 Tim. 1:5, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."

6. The Redeemed

Rev. 14:5, "And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."

VI. Meaning of "Sincerity"

A. Sincerity is purely motivated "Eagerness To Do What Is Right".

The word sincerity comes from two Latin words, sine (without) and cere (wax). The Romans tried to copy the craftsmanship of Greek pottery and often used inferior material, filling small cracks or pock marks with wax and painting over them. The unsuspecting buyer discovered the wax when he put the vessel under fire. Quality pottery thus carried the label "sin cere."

B. Discuss with your family how we Cover deception, wrong motives, and other character flaws.

C. Discuss with your family how Hypocrisy covers up what is really in the heart.

D. Discuss with your family the difference between Flattery and Praise.

E. Learn how sincerity needs to be Based on God's Word.

1. What about people who are sincere in trying to work for their salvation?

2. Was Saul sincere in his eagerness to persecute Christians?

F. Draw analogies between being transparent and the response of the two sons in the parable of Matthew 21:28-32.

VII. Projects & Crafts

A. Teach your children the Meaning of Sincerity using several pairs of objects, which seem to be the same, but one item in each pair is a fake. For example:

1. Two containers of "Sugar," where one is salt;

2. Two "Diamond" Rings, where one is a fake;

3. Two Glasses of "Water," where one contains salt water.

B. Help your children discover the "wax" in the fake items, and discuss how it makes these items Insincere.

C. Provide children with art supplies with which they can create masks expressing different emotions. Emphasize that masks hide a person's true feelings and display hypocrisy (a false impression).

VIII. John Wesley on "Sincerity" --- TUESDAY, May 13th, 1746.

The following persons being met at the New-Room, in Bristol: John Wesley, Charles Wesley, John Hodges, Jonathan Reeves, Thomas Maxfield, Thomas Westell, and Thomas Willis; it was inquired, —

Q. - What is sincerity?

A. - Willingness to know and do the whole will of God. The lowest species thereof seems to be "faithfulness in that which is little."

Q. - Has God any regard to man’s sincerity?

A. - So far, that no man in any state can possibly please God without it; neither, indeed, in any moment wherein he is not sincere.

Q. - But can it be conceived that God has any regard to the Sincerity of an Unbeliever?

A. - Yes, so much, that, if he persevere therein, God will infallibly give him faith.

Q. - What regard may we conceive him to have to the Sincerity of a Believer?

A. - So much, that in every sincere believer he fulfills all the great and precious promises.

Q. - Whom do you term a sincere believer?

A. - One that walks in the light, as God is in the light.

Q. - Is sincerity the same with a single eye?

A. - Not altogether. The latter refers to our intention; the former, to our will or desires.

Q. - Is it not all in all?

A. - All will follow persevering sincerity. God gives every thing with it; nothing without it.

Q. - Are not then sincerity and faith equivalent terms?

A. - By no means. It is at least as nearly related to works as it is to faith. For example:

Who is sincere before he believes? He that then does all he can; he that, according to the power he has received, brings forth "fruits meet for repentance."

Who is sincere after he believes? He that, from a sense of God’s love, is zealous of all good works.

Q. - Is not sincerity what St. Paul terms a willing mind, h proqumia? (2 Corinthans 8:12.)

A. - Yes: If that word were taken in a general sense. For it is a constant disposition to use all the grace given.

Q. - But do we not then set sincerity on a level with faith?

A. - No. For we allow a man may be sincere, and not be justified, as he may be penitent, and not be justified; (not as yet;) but he cannot have faith, and not be justified. The very moment he believes, he is justified.

Q. - But do we not give up faith, and put sincerity in its place, as the condition of our acceptance with God?

A. - We believe it is one condition of our acceptance, as repentance likewise is. And we believe it a condition of our continuing in a state of acceptance. Yet we do not put it in the place of faith. It is by faith the merits of Christ are applied to my soul. But if I am not sincere, they are not applied.

Q. - Is not this that "going about to establish your own righteousness," whereof St. Paul speaks, Romans 10:3?

A. - St. Paul there manifestly speaks of unbelievers, who sought to be accepted for the sake of their own righteousness. We do not seek to be accepted for the sake of our sincerity; but through the merits of Christ alone. Indeed, so long as any man believes, he cannot go about (in St. Paul’s sense) to "establish his own righteousness."

IX. Two Probing Questions

1. When purchasing a gift, do you do so after considering what they gave to you?

2. Do you enjoy doing things which will go unnoticed as an expression of faithfulness and love for another?

No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or distrust him --- Aesop's Fables

X. A Word To The Dads

A. Some Principles for Parenting --- (1 Samuel chapter one)

1. One well-known Pastor has said, "We will not stir the embers of old fashioned revival nor return to a moral society, until we have a revival in the home."

a. If there is a need in America today, it is a need for a revival within the Christian homes!

b. I cannot over emphasize the importance that the Bible places on the home, on marriage, and on parenting; yet our society today - and to some extent, the church - considers them of little value.

2. Our homes are not places of security and love where our children can find shelter and protection from the world.

a. Marriages are no longer a lifetime commitment. "Till death us do part" has been replaced by "till divorce us do part."

b. And even in homes where couples live together - for many, holy wedlock has turned into a holy deadlock!

c. Couples may live in the same house, yet they never communicate; and, so, deep-rooted problems never get resolved.

B. You Can Rear Godly Children

1, The Bible has answers to the problems we may be facing in rearing our children in today's society --- 1 Samuel chapter 1.

2. This book was written during the time of the Judges.

a. At that time "every man did that, which was right in his own eyes."

b. Nobody lived unto God, not even the priests, not even the religious leaders. All lived unto themselves.

3. A Pastor in Bulgaria just after the fall of the Iron Curtain - a society that was very much against Christianity and teaching Christian values to children, when asked if he had any problems in his church with teenage rebellion. In a Church of over 400 people, he said he had none! He didn't know of a single child that had rebelled against the authority of their parents and against the teaching of God's Word.

You see, you can rear your children, even in a society that is bent towards destroying Christian values, by following the instruction in God's Word.

4. It was in such a society that Samuel was reared.

a. The time of the Judges was a time of evil, corruption, and immorality similar to the problems that exist in today's modern society - a time just as difficult for the rearing of children.

b. Yet Elkanah and Hannah succeeded in rearing a child that didn't live unto himself but lived unto God.

C. Be Sincere!

1. We read in verse 3 that Elkanah went up out of his city yearly, to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh.

a. He worshipped God! --- Do you have any idea what that does to a child - to see his parents worshipping God?

b. It's a wonderful thing!

c. The home is where you discover the reality of a person's spirituality.

2. If you want to see how an animal really behaves, you don't go to the zoo or circus where they are on display or where they perform, you go to it's natural habitat - it's day by day environment.

a. If you want to find out what a Christian is really like, where do you go? You don't go to the Church! No, you must go to the home.

b. If you want to find out the sincerity of a man's commitment to Jesus Christ and to following Biblical principles, you don't ask his Pastor or Church leaders, you need to ask his wife and children.

c. I am becoming increasingly convinced that the reality of a person's spirituality is not found in the church, but in the home.

3. If our Christianity is going to be effective in reaching a lost world for Jesus Christ, then it must first prove itself in the Christian home.

a. Do your children or grandchildren, see the reality of your spirituality in your home?

b. Do they see you behave one way in the church and another way in the home.

c. Your children - more than any others - will resent your hypocrisy and inconsistencies and most likely reject the God you claim to be serving!

D. Beware of Calling God's Blessings, a Curse!

1. Samuel's mother had been barren; she prayed and cried unto the Lord to give her a child, and in verse 11 she vowed a vow and said "O Lord of Hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid and remember me and not forget your handmaid, and will give unto your handmaid a manchild, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life."

a. Hannah prayed earnestly for a child because she viewed children as a blessing.

b. What a contrast to today's society!

c. Even Christians talk about children - that they are a nuisance, or are a financial liability or an inconvenience.

2. Have you any idea what it is like for a child to grow up in a home where he is looked upon as an inconvenience, a nuisance, or a financial liability?

a. Do you have any idea what kind of effect that has upon a child, to grow up in a home where he is unwanted, where he is viewed as a nuisance and inconvenience?

b. Hannah and Elkanah viewed children not as a nuisance or as an inconvenience, but as a blessing.

A. In verse 5 of chapter 1 we find that it says that Elkanah gave "a worthy portion unto Hannah, for he loved Hannah."

1. Do you have any idea what that does to a child; to grow up in a home where he sees the parents love each other?

2. Someone has said that the greatest thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother. The greatest thing that a mother can do for her children is to love their father.

3. To have grown up in homes where there has been nothing but unkind words, bitterness and anger --- tears a child apart and it produces emotional scars, which will last for the rest of their lives.

B. What is the reality of YOUR commitment to Jesus Christ?

1. If I were to ask your husband or your wife, what would they say?

2. Because the true test of a person's spirituality is not found in a church situation but in the home!

3. It doesn't matter how many sermons you preach or how much work you do for the church; what is your spirituality like in the home?

C. What is your attitude toward children?

Are your children growing up in an environment where they are looked upon as being a nuisance, or do you view children as a blessing?

D. How is your relationship with your spouse?

Because if you are to rear children that are to live unto God then you need first of all, to allow God to work in you as a parent, and you need to provide for your children a home that is loving, a home that is God-honoring, and a home that is secure.