NJ - Walking In Honour

Walking In Honour

Hi it is great to have you join us today, we welcome you

We have been talking about Honour is a Choice in the life of our church

And today I would like to continue with Walking in Honour

Scripture:

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

There is a desperate cry for honourable people today.

Honour is the ultimate goal of every worker.

The perception of it qualifies us to be hired, helps us to stay hired and guarantees us a good legacy.

Being a referee for a person going for a job - the person is hoping that you make them look honourable.

2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Word study

The dictionary discribes honour as:

Honour – “Great respect, high public regard for.

A source of or a feeling of pride / pleasure resulting from great respect / high regard being shown to one.

Good personal character, a strong sense of what is morally right.

Honourable people are willing to lay down their lives for what they believe.

Their loyalty, faithfulness is unquestionable, you can count on them.

You can trust them: they are valuable.

To be honoured, one must be honourable.

Qualities of Honourable People

Walking in honour - Let us a take a moment to talk about the qualities of honourable people.

1. Humble/Humility

Proverbs 15:33 NLT

33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.

1 Timothy 6:3–4 NLT

3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.

Humility can be summarised as following God’s institution, His plan for our lives

You can only be promoted by the person whose instruction you follow.

Obedience and Humility can bring about Great Miracles (David a shepherd Boy to being a Great King)

Honourable People

2. Holy/Holiness – Godly character

2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Honour = good personal character, a strong sense of what is morally right.

Guilt is a paralysing force.

The hardest person to forgive is not your enemy but yourself.

Sin is a reproach => shame => dishonour.

Matt 16:24 NKJV Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Guilt will paralyse us.

Christ will empower us.

Honourable People

3. Honest/Honesty – Integrity

Psalm 25:21 NLT

21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

Ephesians 4:15 NLT

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Honour speaks of being bound to do something because of one’s sense, that this is right to do.

The willingness to lay down your life for what you believe.

Being true to yourself, God and those around you.

My journey through sickness, and letting go and giving all to God

Working hard

Rejuiced to not being able to do anything

Being honest with myself and God

Ability to speak the truth.

Honourable People

4. Hospitality/Hospitable

Hebrews 13:1–2 NKJV

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Friendly, helpful, hearty, generous, entertaining.

Abraham and Sarah made food a gave to the their Lord– Gen 18

Honourable people are givers –

1 Pet 3:9 Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Honourable People

5. Holistic - They work towards a balanced life

Philippians 2:1–4 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Ephesians 4:1–6 NKJV

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

They see the big picture – they are focused.

Hence they are balanced

We need Wisdom

They know how to prioritise.

Honourable People

6. Humourous

Proverbs 17:22 NKJV

22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Happy –

Ability to keep somebody happy.

Ability to be amused.

Knowing how to encourage yourself. (Ps 103 - bless the Lord)

Helps you deflate tension and put things in perspective.

We all need joy in our hearts. No person can succeed without joy.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Honourable People

7. Hopeful – hungry

Matthew 5:1–12 NKJV

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Sense of passion

Honourable people do not like to failure, don’t quit, keep going until you succeed.

To them the darker the night the brighter the light. We need to see God with us in all things we do.

They don’t know how to stay down – I’ve got to get up because I am someone of honour.

If it’s to be it’s up to me.

Conclusion

As we have discussed Walking in Honour and the Qualities of Honourable People today I would ask that we reflect on these points and allow God to lead us in change.

Remember: If I walk in honour it becomes real easy to honour others

So Honourable People are:

Humble

Holy

Honest

Hospitable

Holistic

Humourous

Hopeful

Let us close in prayer