A Call to Honour

Topic: A Call To Honour

Text: 1 Peter 2:17

21 Jan 2018

Ps Chong Mei Ling

It is obvious that the Culture of honour is lacking in the society. It’s so sad when the culture of honour is absent in the church, in the body of Christ. We can see children dishonouring parents, parents dishonouring their children, and spouse dishonouring one another. Can you recall an incidence when you have been dishonoured? How did you feel? Dishonour can be communicated by just a look, a look of contempt, that makes you look so small. It may have happened years ago but it has left a mark in your heart.

1.    Definition of Honour

Hebrew – H3513 Kabad. To make heavy. To consider weighty.

Greek – G5092 Timao. To prize ,to value, to fix a value upon, to respect.

Honour (consider weighty)	Dishonour (make light of)
To prize	To treat as ordinary or common
To treasure	To discount
To value	To disrespect
To respect	To ignore
To revere	To put down

2.    Who should we honour? The world honour those who are gifted, talented, beautiful and handsome, who are rich, successful, those who has power and position. We honour people who have made it. As Christians, are we different? Example of our response to have a newcomer who is a heart surgeon coming to our church and how we show respect outwardly, but not in our heart when we found out that she is arrogant, proud, rude and boastful. Honour is always the attitude of the heart.

The word of God says we should honour all people. (1 Peter 2:17, 18.) love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. the emperor at that time persecute the Christians. How were the readers’ reactions? Peter went on to say “Be submissive to your masters, not only outwardly but with respect.” The respect comes from the heart. As you hear this, many of you find it hard to accept. There are a few people you find it hard to honour, impossible to honour or you don’t want to honour. Ask for the grace of God be upon us, that we will not close our heart toward His Word. God’s values are always different, love our enemy, bless those who curse us, honour those whom we think are not honourable. It is difficult. But God’s Word is the truth. When we choose to obey God’s Word and the truth, it brings life to our spirit, it brings freedom. That’s why it is so foolish if we do not obey the Word of God. Example of her experience in one occasion when she was not invited for celebration and was asked to man the office. When she forgave them, the shame was lifted from her spirit and the peace of God came. Learn to be honest with God. She did not retaliate. She was tempted to, but God held her back by His grace.

3.    What is the effect of allowing shame/hurts to lodge in our heart? Dishonouring Heart is a breeding ground for a spirit of anger. When we dishonor someone, anger will come in, condemnation will come in and self- righteousness. We think we are better. It gives us the right to hate the person, to give up on that person. Example of a cell leader gave up on a problematic cell member. She was relieved when that member left. Years later she met this member who was then transformed by the Lord and the word. This cell leader was rebuked by the Lord for give up on that person. That is dishonoring . (Cell group leader take note. ) thank God that he never give up on us.

4.    Why is it that we need to honor one another? Because God created us as “Beings” of honour (Genesis 1:26, Psalm 8:5). We are made according to God’s kind. It’s such an honor to be made God’s kind. God predestined us to adoption as sons, through Jesus Christ to HIMSELF according to the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians 1:5). It is God’s pleasure to adopt us as His sons. We are so precious. May God enlighten our hearts to see who we really are. Prayer: (Pray aloud to be heard by yourself): I am made in God’s image, according to Gods’ likeness. God has crowned me with His glory and majesty. He has adopted me as his son according to the good pleasure of His will, Heavenly Father I want to thank you for making me me. Forgive me for I often have dishonored myself for looking down on myself. Restore honor in my inner being as I honour who you made me to be. I also honour you because you are my Creator. I will heed your call to honor one another who are created in your likeness. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

We are people of honor. We are not rubbish.

5.    Example of dishonor (Matthew 13:54-58). Jesus was dishonored in his hometown. They judged Jesus by the outward appearance, by his circumstances. Because of their unbelief, they did not see the Messiah they were longing for. As a result, they did not experience the fullness of Jesus’ power. When we dishonor one another, we limit the person, when we dishonor our children, we will not see their potential. Whom have you treated as common or as nothing? Have you seen yourself like that?

6.     

Honouring Heart	Dishonouring Heart
-See & recognize the value of the person	-See the person as common & ordinary
-To treat the person with dignity & respect	-To discount or ignore the person
	-To put down

7.    Family: To love is to honour. The hallmark of love is honour.

a.    Wife to honor the husband (1 Peter 3:1-2) You find favor with God if you choose to obey and honour.

b.    Husband to honor the wife (1 Peter 3:7) so that your prayer will not be hindered. It’s a command and a warning. To shut your out heart and you life form your wife is most dishonoring. Honour is the fuel that runs a healthy marriage.

c.    Parents honour children. Do you see your children as blessing from God? Or a burden? To compare your child to others is most dishonoring act.

d.    Children to honour the parents (Ephesians 6:2-3). Life will go well with you. You may live life long on earth. You cannot agree with your parents but still honour them in your heart.

Honouring God

a.    To love God is to honour His Word. If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:21, 1 John 2:4). We can obey God’s Word and yet do not have honour. Ask God to help us to obey out of love. I give tithes because God has given me so much. If I give tithes so that I receive more, I better forgive (others), otherwise God will not forgive me. This is true but is self-focus. That is not honour.

b.    To love God is to honour His Commands (John 14:21, 1 John 2:4).

Questions:

1.    Which group of people you find easier to honor or dishonor? Give examples of things you will do to honor/dishonor someone.

2.    Refer Matthew 13:54-58, why do you think it is difficult for people to honor Jesus? What is the consequence of dishonoring Jesus?

3.    To love God is to honor His ?. How does this truth apply to you and what do you plan to do to honor Him?