Honor Your Father's Series

Father’s Day message 2024

This last week we took a team to Honduras to work with IMI’s City of Refuge.

As I pondered the week and the lessons I was learning from God my Father in Honduras – I sat and wrote this sermon one night. I observed a team of workers at IMI and Kids’ actions and attitudes toward others. I learned the stories of these children – how some were rescued out of horrendous situations: Some children their Parents had died and were orphans, some whose parents had to love them enough to give them up because they could not feed them, or educate them, some rescued from the sex slavery, some placed there by the government of Honduras for their protection. Stories of heartache were everywhere that had attacked these children. But I looked at these kids laughing, smiling, singing on the bus, connecting with God and Godly leadership. I saw their response at the prayer times – Their number one prayer request was for their broken families! Not themselves – wow who would have known?

I was pierced to my heart and impacted by these workers- children and comments from other missionary’s working that the compound!

• “I feel so loved here more so than from my family in the states.”

• “I feel honored and respected by the people of Honduras because I am helping them!”

• “The people of Honduras are happy despite being dirt poor! They are great people with a joyful attitude.”

• “I see more happiness here in the people and in the kids than I see in America who has 4 times as much stuff as these people do!”

IMI and the City of Refuge leaders seek to build a culture of Honor – Honor to God – Honor to families – Honor to others – Honor to leaders – honor for each other, for the workers, for missionaries.

So, after observing that week – Here are lessons I learned - this is my take and the message God placed on my heart to share this Father’s Day!

Sermon: Honor!

Thesis: When we choose to honor God the Father, our parents, our leaders and each other God pours out his blessings into our life. When we choose to honor and obey God, we get the blessings and the joy of the Lord. No matter what we have gone through in life we can discover the goodness of God. Trials and tribulations, being poor, being orphans does not have to rob us of our joy in the Lord.

Scriptures: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).

Introduction: Today we have been following the command given to Moses by God on Mt Sinai to honor God our Heavenly Father and fathers. Commands are not suggestions by the way – they are strict – precise and intentional ways we are to Act to our God our parents and others. Honoring them is a God Command – and if we choose to break one of the Big Ten, we are warned it will not go well for your or your life.

Disrespect is running rampant in our western culture – I see it everywhere – disrespect for leaders, parents, pastors and even a lack of respect for the elderly. But in this remote place in Honduras, I saw people being respectful, people deciding to honor others, people committed to honoring God. They choose despite hardship, loss, grief, poverty to Honor God – Honor others.

Honor was part of the culture at IMI – respect for others stressed and promoted – obedience to the rules was pressed and a whole lot of reciprocal love unleashed on the kids who then unleashed that love onto others – like us visiting missionary’s .

The cards were given to us by the kids revealed their reciprocal love.

4 God given directives to Honor God the Father - our parents, and each other!

1) Respectful communication

a. All relationships fall apart when communication falls apart – communication chaos – hostile communication – disrespectful communication will break apart a relationship – they also will destroy a family or even a church.

b. Colossians 3:15-21

i. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

ii. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

iii. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

iv. Rules for Christian Households