March 30, 2008
Sermon #725
Giving Honor
The week before Easter I taught on the correct order of life. I showed from the Bible that God set the order from the beginning. First, God made man to have relationship with Him. Second, God made them man and woman so that they should have relationship with each other. In the third place, God told them, to be fruitful and multiply, placing the children in the next order of relationship. Next we see the children, Cain and Abel, offering sacrifices which constituted religion or the church following behind the children in relationship. While Adam was to tend the garden we do not find the blessing of God at work until the book of Exodus. Our work is to support every order before it. The key to all of this order is found in the word “honor!” To honor, is to give weight to – make valuable – it is always a comparative figure of speech. Gold is given more honor than tin because we give it more honors – it has more weight. That which keeps things in their proper order is honor. It is the element of a successful Christian walk, it is the element of a prosperous, enduring marriage!
Giving God Honor
John 5:18 - 23 (NKJV) 18Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
Neglecting God’s gift of Jesus on the cross dishonors Him!
Hebrews 2:1 - 18 (NKJV) 1Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 5For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” 14Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
How shall you escape if you neglect such a great salvation?
God gave you honor by putting you over His creation
Jesus gave up His honor by suffering naked on the cross
Men dishonor Him (make the cross like nothing, like it never happened, like a mist) if you do not accept His sacrifice.
ILL: description of Christ on the Cross
Revelation 5:11:-13 (NKJV) 11Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Having sexual relationship outside of marriage dishonors Christ
1 Corinthians 6:12 - 20 (NKJV) Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
What value do you place on your soul?
Matthew 16:24 - 26 (NKJV) 24Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
ILL: Sir Thomas Moore “Jesus said a man might sell his soul for the world, but for Wales? “
Sexual immorality is selling your soul. Look what has just happened to the Governor of New York! Was the price he paid which was $5,000 for one hour with a prostitute? No – it was the governorship – perhaps the future presidency of the U.S. – the respect of his family, friends, and nation – and perhaps his very soul – How cheaply he valued himself!
Honor to your mate
1 Peter 3:1 - 7 (NKJV) 1Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him (honoring him as a) lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 7Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, (giving honor) to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
A. Honor is attaching value – (it is in the eye of the beholder)
Matthew 6:19 - 21 (NKJV) 19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
ILL: For some people Heaven has no value, therefore they put no treasure into it!
ILL: Some years ago there was a book that became a movie. In the story a rich man offered another man one million dollars for one night with his wife. The husband agreed. The rich man bought a beautiful gown for the other man’s wife, had a helicopter fly her to his yacht, had a wonderful meal prepared with a beautiful setting, enjoyed an evening of conversation and dancing, then had the woman flown back. The husband insisted that there was more to it than that! No man would pay one million dollars for just that! In the end of the story, jealousy and self destructive imagination drives the husband into despair and divorce, and the other man gets the woman as his wife. The lesson – the rich man thought an evening with the woman was worth a million dollars and the husband did not think his wife was worth that much!
ILL: On Valentines Day my wife was in Guatemala so I had the honor of taking my 14 year old granddaughter out for her first grown-up party. I bought her a corsage and a 14K gold heart necklace with a real ruby in the center. Why would I do that? Because I honor my granddaughter – and I was giving her a memory!
ILL: I knew a man who bought his wife a fake diamond for an anniversary, he had the money to buy her a real one but the fake was cheap – (then he bragged about how cheap it was) he was not honoring their marriage he was saying that his wife and their marriage had no value! Why is a Rolex watch worth more than a Timex? They both keep time! Why is a Mercedes worth more than a Chevrolet? They both will take you to your destination! Why is a diamond worth more than a piece of crystal? They both shine! - It’s the honor we give them!
The Ah-h-h-h- value
Proverbs 15:30 (NKJV) 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
Gary Smalley in his book Love is a Decision, and when he had a marriage seminar here at the Cathedral, talked about the Ah-h-h-h- h value to marriage.
ILL; Last year I gave my grandchildren a black and white cocker spaniel puppy. Now, sometimes when no one is going to be at their house “Lady” will come to our offices. When she sees me open the door, her eyes sparkle and she greets me with all of her. Not only does her tail wag – all of her wags. That’s the Ah-h-h-h- value!
ILL: When I come downstairs in the morning – there is Mary, now she doesn’t wag her tail – not usually – but she has a cup of coffee for me – a smile – a kiss – a good morning darling – Yes! The Ah-h-h-h-h value!
The Ah-h-h-h-h value shows a bit of wonder.
Exodus 3:1 - 6 (NKJV) 1Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” 4So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” 6Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
ILL: Moses came into the presence of God and it was Ah-h-h-h-h!
ILL: The Disciples in the presence of Jesus:
Mark 4:37 - 41 (NKJV) 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Ah-h-h-h-h
ILL: I am amazed at how people perceive God – they talk about Him like He was a neighbor over the back yard fence – or a servant. No He is “Ah-h-h-h-h-h-!
What if your spouse does not deserve honor or Ah-h-h-h?
You honor their position!
Exodus 20:12 (NKJV) 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
ILL: God did not say honor your parents because they were perfect or even because they were good!
The Ah-h-h-h of your spouse
Psalm 139:13 - 17 (NKJV) 13For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. 17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
1 Peter 2:9 - 17 (NKJV) 9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 11Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Your wife is a royal princess
Your husband is a royal prince
When I am with my wife I have been invited to dine with royalty
I have even been invited to the royal bed chamber
Esther 2:12 - 15 (NKJV) 12Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. 13Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. 14In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name. 15Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.
Esther honored the King by:
She looked her best
She smelled good – no dirty unwashed, unclean girl this one!
She asked no price or goods for her love!
ILL: In my first counseling I told a woman in my church that charged that her husband was having an affair – “of course he is!” You see I had been to their house – it was filthy – and she always looked unkept – I told her “take a bath, put on clean nightclothes, and offer yourself without a price and he will start choosing you!” She did and He did! The same thing applies to men – do you hang around the house unshaved, dirty, stinking and expect your wife to fawn all over you?
Things that dishonor your mate
(From Love is a Decision)
Making regular verbal attacks – criticizing, being judgemental, uncaring lectures
Ignoring or degrading another persons opinions
Burying oneself in the television or newspaper when the other is trying to communicate
Sarcasm or jokes aimed at the spouse
Ignoring or simply not expressing appreciation
Making other people or projects appear higher in priority
Power struggles that make the spouse feel like a child
Unwillingness to admit you are wrong
A lack of commitment
ILL: The husband that kept taking off his wedding ring, the wife that keeps threatening to leave are both signaling non - commitment.
Conclusion: Honor - it’s the key to your commitment to Christ, it’s the key to your commitment to marriage. If you want a strong committed marriage – get your priorities right!
Psalm 128:1 - 6 (NKJV) 1Blessed is every one who fears (honors) the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3Your wife (second honor) shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children (third honor) like olive plants All around your table. 4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 5The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!
