Some Thoughts Concerning Respect

By: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98039

Subject: attitude

Preached Originally: July 19, 1998 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.    Respect once more common trait of society.

1.    years leading up to WW2 this especially true.

2.    Generations of that day respected principles upon which the country built.

3.    General respect for God - Certainly God held more highly in respect than today.

4.    Those who served God respected by those around them.

5.    City leaders, state & federal leaders & their authority heeded.

B.    Last 35-40 years (2-3 generations) degree of respect dwindled.

1.    how/why this happen?

a.    didn't happen overnight.

b.    Somewhere importance of respect failed to be taught.

c.     Reaping consequences of such today.

C.   Christians need to understand the importance of respect.

1.    respect an integral part of the Christian life.

2.    Should be part of who we are.

3.    How do you respect those around you?  What about civil authority?

a.    young folks = what about your parents?

b.    What about decency?

c.     Most importantly:  what about God?

4.    all questions we need to examine - on a detailed basis!

D.   Is respect thought necessary by God?  As we go through the lesson let us notice what God expects us to respect.

 

II.  God wants us to respect Him.

A.    Respect for God in 1998 in USA is significantly lower than it should be.

1.    men like to call upon God - say they believe in Him - but those who seek to obey/apply His will are scoffed at.

2.    Same true in days of Jeremiah.

a.    Jer. 2:13, 32 - Israel turned their backs on God & forgotten Him.  Sad condition to be in.

b.    Jer. 1:7-8 - more account of their thoughts of God.

c.     In many ways could this not describe society around us?

3.    personal level:  like Israel have I taken for granted what God has done for me?  Do I have a proper respect for God?

a.    if not then make commitment today to grow closer to Him.

b.    A lack of respect is the first step toward apostasy.

B.    Why should we respect God?

1.    Acts 17:21-25, 28

a.    where would we be w/o God?

b.    God responsible for our being here.

c.     God responsible for sustaining everything we need.

d.    All things we possess b/c of Him.  Shouldn't we owe Him a degree of respect for such?

2.    Acts 17:30-31

a.    will come a day in which He will judge us.

b.    He has power to send my soul to heaven/hell.

C.   Benefits of respecting God.

1.    Js. 4:7-8, 10

a.    submission = a sign of respect.

2.    v. 8 - by submitting to God - He draws near to me.  God will take care of those who serve Him.

a.    a comfort which the world doesn't have!

3.    v. 7 - by submitting to God: we are more prone to resist the devil = the devil will flee!

4.    V. 10 - by submitting to God: we may be lifted up.  Humble people will be exalted in due time.

 

III.  God expects us to respect His word.

A.    Respect for Bible in present society very low.

1.    bible taken out of every facet of society on pretense of offending someone.

2.    Stories in Bible looked upon as myth instead of factual.

3.    Religious world respects Bible in name only.  Principles laid forth in Scripture ignored or taught incorrectly.

B.    Why should we respect the Bible?

1.    1 Thess. 2:13 - it is truth.  It is the word of God.

a.    God's plan to speak to man in this method.  Need to accept it.

b.    Bible the standard by which we should conform our lives.

c.     Sole guidebook to heaven!

2.    Eccl. 12:12-13

a.    Bible contains commandments of God.

b.    Need to respect them!  God will judge us according to them.

c.     Many take lightly the word of God

1.    consider:  MDR/baptism/repentance/etc.

d.    v. 13 again: stress the importance…

C.   God pleased with those who respect His word!  Do you respect His word enough that He is pleased with you?

IV.  God expects us to respect civil authority.

A.    respect for civil authority lower than low it seems.  Look around.

1.    jails have record # of inmates.  Population rising.

2.    Court system full of lawbreakers - many repeat…

B.    Basic principle laid down by Paul in Rom. 13:1-8.

1.    v. 2 - an ordinance of Almighty God to submit to authority of the government.

2.    V. 4 - for our good.

3.    There to provide a system of justice for those who break the law!

4.    V. 7 - obligation to pay taxes.

C.   principle further compounded when considering:

1.    Paul writing to Romans = under Roman govt.

2.    Roman gov't the one that persecuting them

a.    burned @ stake; fed to lions etc.

b.    being a Christian was outlawed.

c.     Paul says support the govt.

D.   Consider Tit. 3:1-2…

1.    be good & honorable citizens.

2.    Obey laws of land - even if we thing them stupid; insignificant; unnecessary.

3.    Are we good citizens?  Do we act honorably at all times?

a.    one way that we can be example for the Lord!

b.    A standard that is not well lived - even by some Christians.

E.    Consider Jude 6-11.

1.    Focus upon v. 8 - reject authority; speak evil of dignitaries.

a.    being from Ark., people ask if I know Clinton…

b.    barrage of disrespectful comments…

2.    some Christians feel b/c Clinton immoral they have right to talk evil of him

3.    He is the president - we are to honor/respect him.  Respect office he holds.

4.    God will render justice upon him if he continues to be immoral.

 

V.  God expects man to honor his parents.

A.    Parental respect not instilled upon children on a large basis.

1.    even problem w/in some families of Christians.

a.    Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16 - principle of God from the beginning.

b.    Eph. 6:1-3 carried over into NT.

2.    bottom line:  those still under rule of f/m need to do as parents instruct them.

a.    need to do so w/a proper attitude - not begrudging.

b.    Why?  This the right thing to do.

c.     Why? Parents looking out for your best interest.

3.    To be disobedient to parents to disobey God - 2 Tim. 3:2

B.    Those who out on their own still have responsibility to parents.

1.    almost a fad…children drop off parents at nursing home to forget about them & die.

2.    Certain circumstances warrant N. H.  But referring to certain attitude.

3.    1 Tim 5:4, 8 - to provide/take care of parents when no longer able to provide for themselves.

4.    Responsibility of all children.

 

VI.  God expects man to respect decency.

A.    Indecency rampant in our society.

1.    indecent language.

2.    Indecent dress.

3.    Indecent behavior.

4.    All of the above glorified in society.  Not cool if not indecent in some way.

B.    Importance of decent language:

1.    Eph. 4:28-29 - earlier in chapter told to put off conduct of former man - put on new - v. 21-24.

2.    Way of Christ not to utter profane language.

a.    anger not an excuse.

b.    Person who utters such profanities not usually held in high esteem by others.

c.     Would Jesus say something like this?

C.   Importance of decent dress.

1.    2 Tim. 2:8-9 - standard of modest dress is understood to be applicable to men too!

2.    Many current fad apparel no where near being modest.

3.    Body piercing = not modest.

D.   Importance of decent behavior.

1.    1 Tim. 6:11-12 - pursue righteousness.

2.    Eph. 5:11-12 - turn away from improper behavior!

 

VII. Conclusion.

A.    Do you know meaning of respect?

B.    Do you have proper respect for the things which we have talked about?

C.   If not, do you respect God & His word enough to turn away from that which is not pleasing to Him?

1.    demonstrate respect by submitting to God.

2.    B/c a Christian

3.    Get to a faithful state.

D.  I N V I T A T I O N