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The Effect of Honor

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. EXODUS 20:12 NIV

I can strive to be a person who is honorable in a world with despicable people

We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:21 NLT

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. JAMES 3:13 NLT

Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. PROVERBS 22:4 NIV

I can become a person of honor by honoring those who are closest to me

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” MATTHEW 13:57 NIV

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. EXODUS 20:12 NIV

I can become a person of honor by honoring those who are around me

Show proper respect to everyone… 1 PETER 2:17 NIV

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ROMANS 12:10 NIV

I can become a person of honor by honoring those who have authority over me

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 1 TIMOTHY 3:1 NLT

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 1 TIMOTHY 5:17 NIV

Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.” “Do it tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. EXODUS 8:9 NIV

“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. EXODUS 22:28 ESV

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. 1 TIMOTHY 5:1 NLT

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, EPHESIANS 4:15 NLT

I can become a person of honor by honoring God because of all He has done for me

…you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:20 NIV

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 PETER 2:12 NLT

Honor the LORD with your wealth. PROVERBS 3:9 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few minutes to slow down, offering to Jesus any burdens you may have from the day. When you are ready, invite God into this time, asking Him to help you be real with yourself and Him. As you consider the topic of honor, what comes to your mind? Is there anyone in your life right now that you are struggling to honor? Ask God to help you see those areas where He has shown honor to you, and invite Him to show you how you can show honor to that person. Confess any pride that may be present, and ask God for eyes to see that other person the same way He sees them. Confess any areas of your life where you may struggle to show honor to yourself, again, asking God to show you how He sees you. Close your time by thanking God for the sacrifice of Jesus, asking Him to empower you to practice building a culture of honor in your life. Write your reflections in the space below, sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine the ways you honor others. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH OTHERS: When was a time when you were in the wrong but were still treated with honor? What was that experience like for you?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: On a scale from 1 to 10, where would you place yourself in your consistency with showing honor to those in authority (parents, bosses, politicians, pastors)? Wherever you are on this scale, how can you create a culture of honor in your life?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: One of the reasons Jesus died for you on the cross is that there was something honorable in you that He saw, regardless of whether you yourself see it. How can a greater awareness of this affect our relationship with God and with others?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Proximity (or: community) gives you a front seat to the very best and the very worst in people. The closer we are, the easier it is to criticize, especially when we fail to see the beauty and power of God in them. Recently, we encouraged you as a group to text each other, sharing those areas of your life where you each reflect God. How did this experience affect you?
  6. TAKE ACTION: As we consider what it means to honor God with our wealth, please consider contributing above your normal offering to those affected by the recent earthquakes in Turkey. Visit our special donation page at sandalschurch.com/relief.