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Published: Aug. 20, 2012, 2:36 a.m.

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.

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Title of message is: Loyalty.

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Disloyalty is very difficult to see in the mirror.\xa0

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(Matthew 26:33-35) Peter declared, \u201cEven if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.\u201d Jesus replied, \u201cI tell you the truth, Peter\u2014this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.\u201d\xa0\xa0\u201cNo!\u201d Peter insisted. \u201cEven if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!\u201d And all the other disciples vowed the same.

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True loyalty is proven not proclaimed.\xa0

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Where Loyalties can be Lies:

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1. Marriage:

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(Malachi\xa02:15) (NLT) Didn\u2019t the\xa0Lordmake you one with your wife?...So guard your heart;\xa0remain loyal\xa0to the wife of your youth.

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(Malachi\xa02:16) (NLT)\xa0\u201cFor I hate divorce!\u201d says the\xa0Lord, the God of Israel. \u201cTo divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,\u201d says theLord\xa0of Heaven\u2019s Armies. \u201cSo guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.\u201d

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2. Friendship:

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(Proverbs 20:6)\xa0Many will\xa0say\xa0they are loyal friends,\xa0but who can find one who is\xa0truly reliable?

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(Proverbs\xa017:17) A friend is always loyal,\xa0and a brother is born to help in time of need.

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3. Church:

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(Acts\xa02:42) All the believers\xa0devotedthemselves to the apostles\u2019 teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord\u2019s Supper), and to prayer.

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(Acts 2:44-47)\xa0And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.\xa0They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.\xa0They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord\u2019s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity\u2014all 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.

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4. Relationship with God:

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All disloyalty is born out of a divided heart

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(Deuteronomy\xa04:24) (NLT) The\xa0Lordyour God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.

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(Matthew\xa022:37) (NIV)\xa0Jesus replied: \u201c\u2018Love the Lord your God with all your heart\u2026

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Reestablishing Loyalty:

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(James 4:8) (NLT)\xa0Come close to God, and God will come close to you.\xa0Wash your hands, you sinners;\xa0purify your hearts, for your\xa0loyalty is dividedbetween God and the world.

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1.\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Come close to God

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2.\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Wash your hands

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3.\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Purify your heart

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(Psalm 51:1-9)\xa0Have mercy on me, O God,\xa0according to your unfailing love;\xa0
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

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(Psalm 51:2-3)\xa0Wash away all my iniquity\xa0and cleanse me from my sin.For I know my transgressions,\xa0and my sin is always before me.

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(Psalm 51:7)\xa0Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;\xa0wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

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(Psalm 51:10-12)\xa0Create in me a pure heart, O God,\xa0and renew a steadfast spirit within me.\xa0Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.\xa0Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a\xa0willing spirit, to sustain me.

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(Deuteronomy\xa04:24) (NLT) The\xa0Lordyour God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.