Rendering Honor

Rendering Honor

Theme: Honor to whom honor belongs

INTRODUCTION

A. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Prov. 14:34

1. The very idea of a nation being exalted brings about the concept of honor.

2. On an individual scale, the one who does what is right is exalted, or honored, by those around him.

3. This is a person who is valued, esteemed, or lifted up in the eyes of his peers.

B. With this concept of honor – as revealed by dictionaries and encyclopedias – the questions for each

person to ask is this:

1. Am I honored among my peers; more importantly, by God? And, how do I know?

2. Who among men do I honor; more importantly do I honor my God? And, how do I know?

I. RENDERING HONOR

A. Honor parents. Eph. 6:1-3

1. The very foundation of an exalted society – in the eyes of God – starts with the family unit.

2. It is from here that parents teach their children to show them honor, and where children have the

responsibility of fulfilling this great commandment of God.

3. Honoring your parents (and grandparents) will be a lifetime responsibility…hopefully, done from

a sincere heart. Cp. 1 Tim. 5:4 (Matt. 15:4-8)

B. To our elderly (seniors). Cp. Lev. 19:32

1. Beyond our parents (grandparents) our younger people need to learn to “respect our elders.”

2. Our middle aged need to be reminded of respecting the elderly among us. 1 Tim. 5:1

3. Honor widows. 1 Tim. 5:3ff

C. Other areas of our lives:

1. Among God’s people: we are to show double honor to our elders. 1 Tim. 5:17-18

2. Among people in this world: honor the civil authorities. 1 Pet. 2:17

3. Honor all people. 1 Pet. 2:17

4. Finally, it goes without saying, we are to honor our God!

II. MOTIVES AND THE DIFFERENTIATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HONOR:

A. Checking our motives.

1. Christians do not serve the Lord to be glorified by man. Matt. 6:1-2

2. Christians serve the Lord so that our God is glorified. Matt. 5:16

3. Yet, the by-product of faithfully serving our God is that we will be glorified by man.

B. Checking the motives of others.

1. Sometimes, honor is given due to worldly reasons: wealth, reputation (Num. 15:22; 1 Sam. 9:6),

or social status.

2. Sometimes, however, honor is given due to position: parents, civil leaders, etc.

3. Ultimately, honor is given due to morally upright reasons: established behavior.

C. The difference between ordained roles that demand being honored and those which are born from

reputable behavior.

1. It is due some people because of the ordained roles God established. cp. 1 Sam. 24:1-6 (ch. 26); 2

Sam. 1:13-16

2. Being a vessel of honor: by our walk. 2 Tim. 2:21

CONCLUSION

A. Honor is how we are to be and to show unto all people.

B. In the end, when we practice such collectively, we shall be exalted.