Summary: Honor - is an attitude or expression of value on something or someone. It’s an attitude of appreciation. Honor expresses itself. It’s important that we verbalize and demonstrate to those we value and appreciate. Ephesians 6:2 Honor your Father and Mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. So that it will go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Honor - builds up Dishonor - is to treat something or someone as common. Pulls everything down. Honor elevates our life! It elevates everything! Malachi 1:6 A son honors his Father, and slaves honor their Master. If I am a Father, where is the honor due me? If I am a Master, where is the respect due me, says the Lord Almighty. Today, I want to talk about the importance of honor in our lives. Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the Parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents. (sign of revival) or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction. *Hopefully, we are believing God for restoration & revival. Order affects outcome. God has given us principles to live by this is one of those areas where we can walk out our Christianity. Honor compliments our life! Pro. 27:18 Those who guard a fig tree will eat its fruit, and those who protect their masters will be honored. *The responsibility is on us to show honor to people in our world. Scripture doesn’t say if our fathers are or were perfect, if they didn’t do anything wrong, if they were always loving or honorable. It says to honor. Protect, Cover, Esteem, Value Leaving a legacy of Honor: Dads, you are the one that your children look to for 5 things: 1. Guidance - Jer. 6:16 This is what the Lord says, Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Children face important life decisions and need the benefits of your experiences & wisdom. Don’t be afraid to share your weaknesses and faults. Dad’s are the ancient paths of wisdom for their children. Many times we live in shame and regret for things that we’ve done. The beauty is there are life lessons that our children need to hear. 2. Encouragement - Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Dad’s you have tremendous influence to make or break a child’s self image. By affirming & investing time and energy, you show that you love them. (no matter how old they are) It puts them in a good position to face the world with confidence. 3. Comfort - 2 Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. God wants Fathers to love and touch the hearts of their children. 4. Vision - Pro. 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint, but blessed are those who heed wisdom’s instruction. Children need positive affirmation and encouragement to convey a positive outlook on their future. They need you to help them figure out what they are good at, express hope for future opportunities. Sometimes the gift of your presence can do the trick. 5. Protection - 1 Sam. 22:23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to take your life is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me. The world is full of physical, emotional, moral and spiritual dangers - but Dad’s can protect their children, by being a safe, involved and available presence in their lives. “Success isn’t accumulating possessions, wealth or power. Success is obeying God. It means having those closest to you love and respect you the most.” John Maxwell Dad’s, there is greatness in you! You are loved, needed, wanted, vitally important! Pro. 11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.
