Sunday Sermon 6.12.21

I am stirred with the idea of honor. Perhaps it’s because we see so little of it today or maybe because I just had a wonderful reminder of it’s value.

The Oxford dictionary defines it as,

“High respect, great esteem”

It is said that, “ It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.”

In these days, it’s difficult to find those who honor men much less titles. I would venture to say that never has there been a culture with less honor and respect than our current one. Whether it be for titles or men.

When I reread George Washington’s Rules of Civility that he wrote at the ripe old age of 14, I again am reminded of how different our culture is from the 18th Century. Look at two of his 110 rules of civility.

His other “rules of civility” are very specific and all aimed at honoring and respecting others and curtailing personal behaviors in deference to others.

Oh my, how our world has changed!

When we choose to show honor, we are giving to that one the fixed price that they have earned by reason of their rank or their state or office. We are choosing to defer attention and recognition from ourselves, and rather offer humble respect to them.

This may be by our actions, like listening to and obeying someone else’s wishes; or with our words, like calling them by Ms. Debbie, or Officer.

Oh, how our actions and our words are so often lacking the honor that belongs there.

There are people in our lives who have earned our honor. They don’t ask for it, (usually), they may not even admit they deserve it, but we owe it to them.

Have we trained our kids to show honor to them? Have we modeled how to express and display honor to those who by reason of their position have earned it, even if their personal behavior is less than we find acceptable?

Do we “give honor to whom honor is due” ? Romans 13:7

Scripture is clear about this.

Just this week I tripped over this statement –

“ … try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor for one another.”

Romans 12:10

Imaging that? A competition honoring people???!!!

“I honored 5 people so far today”, another responded, “ Way to go, I’m at 15 and Jim said he’s over 30!”.

Can you imagine the eventual impact? George Washington would be so proud, not to mention Jesus!

We are actually given the directive to “outdo” each other.

I say, let’s go for it! Are you in?

In days gone by, we honored:

• Hard work
• Those older than ourselves
• Those in the military
• Police, sherif and the like
• Office holders
• Mothers and fathers
• Teachers
• Those in authority

Let’s be reminded of these things deserving of our honor in the Bible:

• God 1 Tim. 1:17
• Father and Mother Ex. 20:22
• Marriage Heb. 13:4
• Rulers, leaders Rom. 13
• Everyone 1 Pet. 2:17

That should keep us busy, right? Is there really anyone exempt of deserving our honor?

In closing, I’d like to honor my husband, still overflowing from his 75th birthday celebration we had last night.

Living 75 years is worth not only celebrating but honoring. And that is the conversation he and I had prior to planning his party. He didn’t really want a party and I sorta insisted that I, along with his friends wanted to honor him.

Honoring those who deserve honor is within all of our power and sometimes we have to insist.

Let’s outdo one another in showing honor and let’s start at home.

Go with God.

Debbie