Intro: If a special occasion was arranged for you to celebrate a significant event in your life, like a specific birthday or an accomplishment or an anniversary, in what practical ways do you think your friends and family could honour you?
Worship: Worship is our way of honouring God. It is inappropriate to worship anyone or anything else but God. He is the only one worthy of this highest form of honour. Worshipping a family member, a political leader, a sports star, a musician, a movie star, or even a spiritual leader or an angel is dishonouring to God - Who alone is worthy of worship. Let’s praise and thank Him tonight for what He has done and worship Him for who He is. He deserves honour!
Word: We have a clear instruction from God’s Word to honour one another
(Read 1 Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10). If we are to do this with sincerity, it would have to be preceded by genuine love for the person we honour. (Romans 12:10 speaks first of love.)
There are times when we don’t have brotherly affection or love for a person whom we need to honour. How is it possible to re-align your heart towards a person?
‘Preferring one another’ (Rom.12:10) speaks of servanthood. Christ was very clear about His approach to His mission (Matthew 20:28) and we are called to become like Him (Romans 8:29).
Servanthood is a trademark of the Kingdom of God.
Why is it so important to be willing to serve a person that God wants you to honour?
Servanthood involves humility. Humility comes before honour (Proverbs 15:33).
Our expression of love to one another and our love for God are always connected (1 Jn 4:20,21)
Our love for someone and our servanthood lead us to a place where we are willing to honour them. Paul comments in Acts 28:10 (NKJV) that the people of Malta honoured them in many ways. How can we do that practically? (Here are some guidelines)
i) By considering others needs above your own (Philippians 2:3,4)
ii) By looking for opportunities to give and to bless others (Proverbs 11:24,25)
(Seek out ways to do things that you know would be meaningful / appreciated)
iii) Let honouring start in the mind and heart, and then move to words and actions.
(This leaves no place for insincerity and criticism and impure motives)
iv) Be willing to spend time with the person. (This is a precious commodity and is the only way to develop a vital relationship – as is the case in our relationship with God.)
A brief word of warning: We are instructed to honour others, but never to seek honour from men for ourselves. Jesus made this very clear (Jn 5:44). We seek honour that comes from God.
Wrap-up: Take time before God to check your hearts and re-align them tonight towards those you have had difficulty honouring in the family or workplace or church.
Faith at Home:
Let each member of the household choose a person that you would like to honour (not necessarily in the home); decide on a practical way that you could honour them and then make sure to do it this week. Have fun sharing your plans and outcomes with each other.
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