We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat. -John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America
When the church awakens, we see that our lives are those that aren't meant to fall into the reactionary malaise of our fallen world, but your life is meant to be marked by honor - the honor of God and the honor that He bestows upon you for honoring Him.
Philippians 1:18-26 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Genesis 12; II Corinthians 6
He first pulls you out of the culture to be set apart to Him that you might be sent back into it to shape it.
What the world says honor is:
Wealth, prestige, titles, physical beauty, sexual prowess and power.
Whole cultures are built around the concept of honor.
To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace. -Confucius, The Analects
What God says honor is:
John 13:12-16
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Luke 22:24-27
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
What does honor look like?
To esteem, to protect, to build the reputation, resources or support of a community rather than to tear down it down. Expressing gratitude and thankfulness for a service or job valiantly pursued. To search for and make it your focus to commend the noble qualities of an individual. To praise.
What it is and what it isn't:
It is not agreeing with wrongdoing or turning a blind eye to evil. It is not agreeing with everything that someone says or does.
It is looking to bless rather than to curse. It is looking, like Christ, to be a source of redemption rather than condemnation.
John 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
It will free your heart from being a perpetual cynic, fault finder and despiser of authority (which is bondage and comes from pride thinking you can always do better not knowing what they had to endure). It instead empowers you to be a team player, a servant, one who is humbly looking to be part of the solution in any scenario rather than the armchair quarterbacks we'll hear from during next week's Super Bowl.
In the home
It's the little words that count.
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” this is the first commandment with a promise, “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
In the community
Living a life worthy of honor through godly wisdom
The most tragic thing in the world is a man of genius who is not a man of honor. -George Bernard Shaw
Simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon. It lasts when fame and money fail, and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us. -Louisa May Alcott, Little Men (Little Women, #2)
Proverbs 8:12-21 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
In the workplace
Don't drown in water cooler gossip.
David and Saul 1 Samuel 24:1-10 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’
Proverbs 27:18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
In the church
Honor can be boiled down to loyalty.
We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty. -GK Chesterton
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Turning honor to Christ
Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Second City Church- The Church Awakens Sermon Series 2016