Respect and Honor

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:  Matthew 21:33-44

I.       Definitions:

1.     Respect (Webster’s):  “a) to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard b) to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard; to show consideration for; avoid intruding upon or interfering with”

2.     Honor (Webster’s):  “high regard or great respect given, received, or enjoyed”

II.      The wicked vinedressers disrespect for the son was evidence of their disrespect for the owner and what belonged to him

III.     Things to Respect

1.     Place (Does the place deserve special respect?  Church, museum, person’s home, restaurant, stores, etc.?)

2.     Event (What is the expected behavior?  Church service, meeting, etc.)

3.     Rules (What are the requirements, restrictions, or commands?)

4.     Purpose (What is the purpose?)

5.     Things over which we have been given stewardship (respect for the owner)

a.      Time (a gift from God)

b.     Money

c.     Possessions (Proverbs 3:9)  “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase”

d.     Body

e.      Family

f.       Church (our responsibility)

g.     Gifts and callings (our purpose)

h.     Great commission (our work)

6.     Occasions (Does the occasion deserve special respect?)

7.     Person (Who am I dealing with?)

a.      Basic human respect (regard for life and God’s creation)

b.     Adults (respect for age)

c.     Authority (respect for position)

8.     People’s safety (not endangering their lives)

9.     People’s feeling (their sense of value and dignity)

10. People’s boundaries (respecting their sense of right and wrong)

11. People’s offerings done in righteousness (wicked sons of Eli)

12. Titles (conferring respect)

13. Manners (respectful and considerate behavior)

14. Covenant (What have I agreed to do?)

15. God (His word, His work, His presence, His place)

16. Yourself (God made you.  You are not junk or a mistake.  Respect who God made.

17. Delegated Authority (All authority comes from God. When we respect delegated authority, we respect God who gave it.) (Wives respect your husbands, children are to honor and obey their father and mother)

18. Property (We respect people when we respect their property and possessions. Individuals, church, school, job, etc.)

19. Money (What is its purpose?)

IV.     How do we show respect?

1.     Attitude (reflects the honor and value we have place upon something in our heart)

2.     Actions

3.     Words