WHAT IS HONOUR

Text: 1Sam.2:30, Mal.1:6

1 Sam 2:30

30 Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

Mal 1:6

6 “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My

honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts. To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name.

INTRODUCTION

The sovereign Lord, creator of the Heavens, earth and the entire universe is the source of all honour.

He bestowed honour on our Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:23) and on man (Psm.8:5-6). Honour speaks of the esteem and respect we have for someone on the account of his/her dignity, merit, authority or position.

As Christians, honour is at the foundation of our way of life. It is significant and central to everything in the bible.

A. WHAT IS HONOUR?

A number of words in the old and New Testament languages – Hebrew and Greek have been used to describe or define the word.

A summary of such in our day to day application (in my opinion) are outlined below:

i. To value, esteem, prizes above all others count as precious and give special treatment to.

ii. Finding ways to live life daily in such a way as to please our object of honour.

This is done in our thoughts actions, words and relationships (Psm. 19:14). Our object of honour becomes a major factor in all decisions we take.

iii. I honour God in my life, by allowing Him to be God (enthroned, Lordship) in my life and acknowledging my constant need for Him in all things. I honour my spouse by placing them in their appropriate positions my life without undermining their roles.

iv. Honour can also be a reward given to a person in recognition of his/her good work, standing or virtue in a community.

B. WHO TO HONOUR

From the scriptures, we are to honour the following:

i. God- 1Tim.1:17

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,* be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

ii. The Lord Jesus Christ – John. 5:22-23

22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that 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.

iii. Our parents – Exo.2012,

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Deut 5:16
16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

iv. Church officers – ITim.5:17

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

v. The King – 1Pet.2:17

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

vi. The elderly and widows – Lev.19:32;

32 ‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.

1Tim.5:3

Honor widows who are really widows.

vii. Fellow brethren – Rom.12:10

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

SEVEN (7) THINGS WE SHOULD NOTE ABOUT HONOUR

1. While we are commanded to honour, we are still left to choose to honour or dishonor. It is interesting to note that whatever choice we make has its consequences.

• Cain/Abel Gen.4:1-12

2 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord .”

Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.

3 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

4 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

5 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother;* and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

6 And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

7 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”