Move Up Sunday

Honoring down and all around

Ever taken Scripture out of context? For example, my favorite verse when I’m working out is Phil 4:13

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I’m usually wheezing this out as I fight to get oxygen into my lungs.

This is really easy to do as we look at family. There are a lot of passages that talk about family and the dynamics at play. However, there are even more about how to live in community with other believers. We have a tendency of making a separation between our family at home and our christian or church family. We interact with each other one way in one venue and differently in another. At home we are quick to point out Eph 6:1-3

Ephesians 6:1–3 NLT

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

But we forget other verses like Eph 6:4

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

But my favorite, and the verse we are going to camp out on for a few minutes, is Romans 12:9-11

Romans 12:9–11 NLT

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

I love how some translations say it. “Out do each other in honor.” Like Pastor Jerry said last week, no one likes to lose. Especially to their kid. Have you ever thought about it that way? I love the honor culture of this church. My question is, do you carry that culture home with you? Do you honor your child, your student, the same way you honor others? Have you ever tried to out honor your kid?

Now I’m talking about honor, not respect. Those are 2 different things. Honor is positional, respect is relational. I honor Pastor Jeremy because he is our lead pastor. I respect Pastor Jeremy because I have lived life with him. He is the same on the platform and on the baseball field. Honor and respect may look similar, but they come from very different places.

Before we honor these young people that are moving up to a new season, I’d like to give you a few ways you as a parent can honor your student.

Speak well of your kid.

In front of them and behind their back.

Give them a voice.

Allow them to be part of the conversations and decision making.

Let them fail

It’s okay to try something new.