"Honoring One Another"
Texts: Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 23:5-12
Romans 12:10 (2 Parts)
1. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
2. Honor one another above yourself
There are two kinds of people in this world
a) Those who do not deserve honor - yet unashamedly after honor
b) Those who do deserve honor - yet are often not honored by men
Jesus in Matthew 23 described the first group - The Pharisees
- they put on a show of spirituality
- they love the places of honor at banquets, important seats in the synagogue
- they love being greeted with the title "Rabbi, rabbi" Master
What does the Bible imply when it exhorts us to "honor one another"
- The word 'honor' can be used as a noun or verb
- As a noun - A
1) A title - e.g. when you address a judge - "Your Honor"
2) A degree - tertiary degree (BSC-C Honors)
3) An etiquette - golf-teeing
- B - As a verb (Romans 12:10)
1) To honor one another is to: "hold in high regard", "to respect greatly" or to hold a high esteem
2) An equal or more relationships between brothers / sisters
3) In relationship to God - to honor God is to hold the Lord in reverence and worship and faithfulness
Who are we called to honor and how do we do it?
1. Honor God - the most important the Bible teaches us to honor is God (1 Samuel 2:27-33, Psalm 50:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 12:1)
2. Honor your father and mother - the Bible places a very high premium on honoring our parents - 4 times in the Bible, the 5th Commandment is emphasized (Exodus 20:12; 21:17, Deuteronomy 5:16, Leviticus 20:9, Matthew 15:6;19:19)
3. Honor your spouse - 7th Commandment, adultery (Exodus 20:14, Hebrews 13:4)
4. Honor your teachers - those who have impacted your life (1 Timothy 5:l7)
5. Believers, God and King - brotherhood of believers, all brethren, brother and sister (1 Peter 2:17)
Requirements for Honoring Others
1. Humility (Philippians 2:3) - humility comes before honor (Proverbs 15:33)
2. Perception of others: see the good and potential in them, rather than their faults and weakness
3. Attitude of Servanthood - Jesus honored his disciples by washing their feet. Why? That they might honor one another by washing one another feet. Jesus humbled himself - He saw the goodness in them, He showed the way by being a servant to them.
Some ways of Honoring One Another
1. A sincere compliment, a word of encouragement
2. A greeting card - words of honor
3. A love visit - say hello
4. Remembering birthdays, a phone call. Anniversaries.
5. Congratulations - success, birth, anniversary
6. A food dish (yum!), a fruit basket
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