Honor: Who Deserves It?

In the middle of a world where self-advancement and self-serving attitudes are thick, where socialization through twitter is the new form of interpersonal data exchange and where individualism has been raised to an art form, our faith is calling us to swim upstream and serve a purpose and a person outside of ourselves.  We find people today who have less and less regard for earned esteem and worked-for reputations, which produces acknowledgement by their peers.  In our new world order, opinions are valued, even if they have little established proof of validity.  Right in the middle of this shift, I want to speak to you about honor.

Many in the United States of America will see today come and go as just another day.  Some will be reminded by their grandparents that it is Flag Day, a day to honor the flag of the United Sates of America.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
Back in the late 1880’s a grade school teacher in Wisconsin, Bernard J. Cigrand, held the first recognized formal observance of Flag Day at Stony Hill School. Cigrand spoke around the country promoting patriotism, respect for the flag, and the need for the annual observance of a flag day on June 14, the day in 1777 that the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes.

The flag is our nation’s symbol.  It often looses its value when the cost to wave it is diminished in the minds of our citizens.  Though we had a record attendance at the recent Memorial Day service in Hastings, which I was proud to be part of, many still forget that young men and women are today standing in harms way on our behalf and we fail to honor their effort.  It reminds me of the many church going folk who woke up this morning and neglected to choose today to honor God with their time, talent and treasure.

Today, people struggle with the aspect of honor.  Even as we search out the best or most skilled in their craft or talent we spend the majority of the time revealing the dishonor.  Most of today’s TV shows feature the failure and rejection of those who just don’t make the grade.  Rather than enjoying seeing someone win, we are conditioned to enjoy seeing people eliminated or thrown off the island.  Today I want to show you from God’s word where true honor can and should be focused.

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)

So scripture tells us to honor our parents not treat them as obstacles or enemies.  It doesn’t say we should honor good parents or mediocre parents, it tells us that the role they play in our lives deserves honor.  I would encourage you to be extraordinary parents.  Love your kids by setting before them a harmonious relationship of marriage.  Show them how the life of a servant looks.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  (Romans 12:10)

So we Christ followers are called upon to honor one another not condemn one another or tear down, back bite, and destroy one another.

My real goal today is to challenge you to open a place in your life to honor God and I want to show you how to do that.  What you do in life either communicates honor or dishonor there is no middle ground.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.  (Proverbs 14:31)

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.  (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Honor is not just waving a flag or saluting when it goes by.  Honor is expressed, according to God; by the way we live our lives.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.  (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

The actions in our lives can honor God.  Even what you folks participated in today when we received your tithes and offerings are expressions of honor to God. 

What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.  We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.  For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.   (2 Corinthians 8:19-21)

Be people of honor.  Honor the flag; yes.  Honor your parents.  Honor each other.  But today you have honored the king of Kings.  Your worship, your attentive ears and your giving have honored the one who above all deserves.

Honor: Who Deserves It?
God deserves it and we can give it.

He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.  (John 7:18)

Notes from Pastor Pasch’s June 14, 2009 message – to get a free CD of the complete message, contact Christ’s Family Church @ 651.437.2340.