Daily Challenges from God (2)

The Challenge to Respect Others

2002034

Subject: respect; better living

Introduction:

A. Daily challenges from God series

B. Talk about the need to respect others.

1. Society largely lacking in this regard.

2. Could it be one of the drawbacks to living in such a fast paced society?

3. Seems that self – centeredness is the predominate way of thinking. 80’s = “me” decade.

C. Too many are so busy “looking out for number one” that the idea of respect/honor has been forgotten.

D. Christians have been created to respect others. We’re to serve the needs of others.

1. 1 Jhn. 4:7-11; Phil. 2:3-5

2. when we deny this basic nature – turn inward and act only toward the fulfillment of our own desires – the fabric of society begins to tear apart.

E. So what do we do?

1. Learn to put scriptures in 1 Jhn. 4 & 1 Peter 2 into practice.

2. work to instill them in our children

3. work on being the best example possible.

I. Respect Defined.

A. Latin: respicare. Meaning to “regard, look back.”

1. Meaning today associated with “taking heed; giving attention; careful observation; showing deferential regard; esteem.”

B. We often associate a number of words with respect.

1. Honor. Admiration; esteem.

2. Regard: attentiveness, concern, heed.

a) consider the negative – disregard.

b) A most insulting form of disrespect is to disregard the other person – simply ignoring or pretending the other person does not exist.

3. Deference – yielding to the wisdom or judgment of another.

4. Veneration – profound respect for age, wisdom, achievement, or dignity. Consider “venerable.”

5. Reverence – a combination of awe, respect, and love.

C. Some misunderstandings about respect…

1. does not mean being “afraid” of someone.

2. does not imply slavishness or servility.

3. does not require that we need to be naïve or blind to mistakes of others.

D. Throughout rest of lesson we’ll talk about the need for respect of others.

I. 1 Peter 2:13-16 – Respect for governing authorities.

A. We to submit to gov’t authority. Obey the laws of the land. Pay taxes. Display spirit of respect/honor for those who are civil rulers.

1. laws put in place for our good – no matter how ridiculous we think they are.

B. Rom. 13:1-7 – Paul writes…

1. Keep in mind when Paul writing this. Telling FC Christians they needed to respect men such as:

a) Claudius; Nero; etc. Brutal Roman emperors.

b) Men who burned, persecuted, and killed Christians.

C. If FC Christians to honor men such as this – surely we can honor those in authority over us today!

D. Mark Mayberrry: we need to learn to value our civil leaders, not having a spirit of lawlessness or scorn toward those who are in positions of authority.

II. 1 Peter 2:17 – Honor All Men!

A. This would include our employer!

1. Eph. 6:5-8 – applies today in the work relationship w/the boss.

2. Need to do the job that is expected of us!

3. Need to do it w/o complaining. Whining!

4. talk back/disloyalty not behavior befitting a Christian! See Titus 2:9-10

5. Need to cast off the spirit of criticism & fault finding in the workplace.

B. Our marriage partner.

1. Husband/wife need to love/honor/respect each other! Wasn’t that part of the vow made in wedding ceremony?

2. Seek each other’s higher good! See Eph. 5:25, 31, 33, 1 Peter. 3:7

3. If we’d work at this – many would be surprised as to how happier marriage would become!

C. Respect those older than us!

1. long been a biblical principle! Lev. 19:32; 1 Tim. 5:1-2

a) glory & dignity are attributed to age & wisdom. Pro. 16:31; 20:29

b) disrespect is condemned. Lam. 4:16; 5:12

c) older persons have so much to offer! Their influence enriches the young who seek their knowledge.

2. Those who are older must try to be worthy of respect – Tit. 2:1-2.

3. Same true of parents. Have responsibility to live so as to be worthy of their kids respect!

a) parents must be worthy models to follow – models our children can trust & respect!

b) Nothing more tragic than hypocritical parents who “demand” children respect them!

1) it is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. (Andrew Gide)

2) may we strive to be the people our young people believe we are!

c) would the little boy/girl you used to be be proud of the man/woman you’ve become? (Walt Disney) May we be the kind of adults that we as children dreamed we would grow up to be.

d) “You can use most any measure when you’re speaking of success; you can measure it in fancy home, expensive car, or dress. But the measure of your real success is one you cannot spend; it’s the way your son describes you when he’s talking to a friend” (Martin Buxbaum).

D. Older need to respect the younger.

1. Those in this phase of life need to recognize younger folks are human beings with inherent worth.

2. But…young can gain respect by living so as to deserve it – not merely demand it!

3. 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:15

III. In practical terms – How must we respect others?

A. God expects His people to be respectful! How can we put this into practice?

B. R ate others as valuable as you are! Mk. 12:29-31 – focus on 12:31!

1. all subject to sin/shortcomings/weakness. No one any different here!

C. E xpress the love God has given you! Mt. 18:23-35

1. This means we must have a forgiving spirit.

2. We often hold others up to a much higher standard than we do for ourselves.

D. S ee the cross!

1. See that Jesus died for all!

2. Remember that we are to be like Him! His disciple! “Be like Jesus!”

E. P rove your beliefs!

1. Put it in practice! Follow through! Js. 2:9

F. E nter into relationships.

1. Yes…that will involve personal risk of being hurt. But need to be involved w/others!

G. C onfess your failures.

1. 1 John 1:9 – nobody’s perfect.

H. T reat others as you wish to be treated! Mt. 7:12

Conclusion:

A. What God makes is precious to Him!

1. Each person, group, and authority – these are to be treated w/respect!

B. In matter of respect – it is more blessed to give than receive! 1 Peter 5:5

1. Calvin Coolidge: no person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.

C. Do you give others the respect their due?

D. What about God? Start today!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Daily Challenges from God (2) The Challenge to Respect Others 2002034 Subject: respect; better living Introduction: A. Daily challenges from God series B. Talk about the need to respect others. 1. Society largely lacking in this regard. 2. Could it be one of the drawbacks to living in such a fast paced society? 3. Seems that self – centeredness is the predominate way of thinking. 80’s = “me” decade. C. Too many are so busy “looking out for number one” that the idea of respect/honor has been forgotten. D. Christians have been created to respect others. We’re to serve the needs of others. 1. 1 Jhn. 4:7-11; Phil. 2:3-5 2. when we deny this basic nature – turn inward and act only toward the fulfillment of our own desires – the fabric of society begins to tear apart. E. So what do we do? 1. Learn to put scriptures in 1 Jhn. 4 & 1 Peter 2 into practice. 2. work to instill them in our children 3. work on being the best example possible. I. Respect Defined. A. Latin: respicare. Meaning to “regard, look back.” 1. Meaning today associated with “taking heed; giving attention; careful observation; showing deferential regard; esteem.” B. We often associate a number of words with respect. 1. Honor. Admiration; esteem. 2. Regard: attentiveness, concern, heed. a) consider the negative – disregard. b) A most insulting form of disrespect is to disregard the other person – simply ignoring or pretending the other person does not exist. 3. Deference – yielding to the wisdom or judgment of another. 4. Veneration – profound respect for age, wisdom, achievement, or dignity. Consider “venerable.” 5. Reverence – a combination of awe, respect, and love. C. Some misunderstandings about respect… 1. does not mean being “afraid” of someone. 2. does not imply slavishness or servility. 3. does not require that we need to be naïve or blind to mistakes of others. D. Throughout rest of lesson we’ll talk about the need for respect of others. I. 1 Peter 2:13-16 – Respect for governing authorities. A. We to submit to gov’t authority. Obey the laws of the land. Pay taxes. Display spirit of respect/honor for those who are civil rulers. 1. laws put in place for our good – no matter how ridiculous we think they are. B. Rom. 13:1-7 – Paul writes… 1. Keep in mind when Paul writing this. Telling FC Christians they needed to respect men such as: a) Claudius; Nero; etc. Brutal Roman emperors. b) Men who burned, persecuted, and killed Christians. C. If FC Christians to honor men such as this – surely we can honor those in authority over us today! D. Mark Mayberrry: we need to learn to value our civil leaders, not having a spirit of lawlessness or scorn toward those who are in positions of authority. II. 1 Peter 2:17 – Honor All Men! A. This would include our employer! 1. Eph. 6:5-8 – applies today in the work relationship w/the boss. 2. Need to do the job that is expected of us! 3. Need to do it w/o complaining. Whining! 4. talk back/disloyalty not behavior befitting a Christian! See Titus 2:9-10 5. Need to cast off the spirit of criticism & fault finding in the workplace. B. Our marriage partner. 1. Husband/wife need to love/honor/respect each other! Wasn’t that part of the vow made in wedding ceremony? 2. Seek each other’s higher good! See Eph. 5:25, 31, 33, 1 Peter. 3:7 3. If we’d work at this – many would be surprised as to how happier marriage would become! C. Respect those older than us! 1. long been a biblical principle! Lev. 19:32; 1 Tim. 5:1-2 a) glory & dignity are attributed to age & wisdom. Pro. 16:31; 20:29 b) disrespect is condemned. Lam. 4:16; 5:12 c) older persons have so much to offer! Their influence enriches the young who seek their knowledge. 2. Those who are older must try to be worthy of respect – Tit. 2:1-2. 3. Same true of parents. Have responsibility to live so as to be worthy of their kids respect! a) parents must be worthy models to follow – models our children can trust & respect! b) Nothing more tragic than hypocritical parents who “demand” children respect them! 1) it is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. (Andrew Gide) 2) may we strive to be the people our young people believe we are! c) would the little boy/girl you used to be be proud of the man/woman you’ve become? (Walt Disney) May we be the kind of adults that we as children dreamed we would grow up to be. d) “You can use most any measure when you’re speaking of success; you can measure it in fancy home, expensive car, or dress. But the measure of your real success is one you cannot spend; it’s the way your son describes you when he’s talking to a friend” (Martin Buxbaum). D. Older need to respect the younger. 1. Those in this phase of life need to recognize younger folks are human beings with inherent worth. 2. But…young can gain respect by living so as to deserve it – not merely demand it! 3. 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:15 III. In practical terms – How must we respect others? A. God expects His people to be respectful! How can we put this into practice? B. R ate others as valuable as you are! Mk. 12:29-31 – focus on 12:31! 1. all subject to sin/shortcomings/weakness. No one any different here! C. E xpress the love God has given you! Mt. 18:23-35 1. This means we must have a forgiving spirit. 2. We often hold others up to a much higher standard than we do for ourselves. D. S ee the cross! 1. See that Jesus died for all! 2. Remember that we are to be like Him! His disciple! “Be like Jesus!” E. P rove your beliefs! 1. Put it in practice! Follow through! Js. 2:9 F. E nter into relationships. 1. Yes…that will involve personal risk of being hurt. But need to be involved w/others! G. C onfess your failures. 1. 1 John 1:9 – nobody’s perfect. H. T reat others as you wish to be treated! Mt. 7:12 Conclusion: A. What God makes is precious to Him! 1. Each person, group, and authority – these are to be treated w/respect! B. In matter of respect – it is more blessed to give than receive! 1 Peter 5:5 1. Calvin Coolidge: no person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. C. Do you give others the respect their due? D. What about God? Start today! E. I N V I T A T I O N