FIREHOUSE: THE CHURCH HELL CAN’T HANDLE
Part 2 - “Guard The Flame”
HONOR - PROTECT THE FLAME BY PROTECTING HONOR
1 Corinthians 10:31-32, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.”
We honor God when we protect what He is doing, even when we do not understand and cannot see the ending. Like Paul said to the church at Corinth, he did not want to offend, so he sought to do what was best for others so that many more would come to know the love of Jesus. Let all we do honor God and bring glory to His name!
Proverbs 6:16-19, “There are six things the Lord hates - no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”
Solomon imparts readers with wisdom on seven things that the Lord detests - the final one being “a person who sows discord in a family.” This is not referring only to our blood families of origin, but also our church family. We honor and protect our family when we sow unity, not discord.
Proverbs 15:33, “Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”
Humility, not pride, comes before honor. We cannot see all that God is doing in our lives or in the church, and for that reason, we are called to trust God in every circumstance. When we walk in the fear of the Lord, we walk in reverence and deference to what He is doing and to the leaders that He called to lead us. Let us spend more time praying and asking God to guide our leaders, walking in wisdom and honoring God in the process.
2 Timothy 2:23-26, “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
Paul’s warning to Timothy is also a reminder for all believers that foolish, ignorant arguments do not honor God. Arguments of that nature only result in tension and division in the church. If we are truly walking as the servants that God has called us to be, we will be kind, gentle, and patient, allowing God to be the one to change hearts. Let us take care not to forget that we fight a spiritual battle, not one of flesh and blood.
HONOR. WHAT DOES THIS WORD MEAN TO YOU? THE 5TH COMMANDMENT GIVEN ON MT. SINAI WAS TO HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER … JUST AS GOD CALLED THE ISRAELITES TO HONOR THE AUTHORITY OF OUR PARENTS, THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH PROPHETS AND APOSTLES IN SCRIPTURE, CALLING BELIEVERS TO HONOR THOSE GOD PLACES IN LEADERSHIP OVER US.
Psalm 86:11-13, “Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.”
David had such an awareness of God’s rescue that his heart’s desire was to honor God all of his days. This is how we are all called to live, according to God’s truth. If we seek the purity of heart that David sought, we can trust that God will lead us where we need to go and provide what we need to walk in honor, even when we cannot see the full picture.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
God takes the subject of honor seriously — it is not something to be taken lightly.
Look up the Biblical definition of honor and write it out. Take some time to really think about what this means and how you can put it into practice.
Read 1 Samuel 2:27-36. Re-read verse 30 in a different translation. What insight does this passage provide to you on God’s stance on honor?
In the church today, what are ways that we dishonor the Lord and those He placed in leadership, and how can we put guardrails in place so that we can remain God honoring as we serve and attend church?
Paul knew the importance of having Christ as his ultimate example of how to live. When we seek to live as Jesus did, honor will naturally flow out of our obedience and love. How does our lack of honor undermine the Great Commission
Read Philippians 2:1-11. Write out verses 3-4 and meditate on them.
How can you live out this passage? Share ideas and examples with your small group. What possible impact can living out this passage have on the people you encounter, both inside and outside of the church?
Write out a prayer asking God to reveal to you any ways that you are acting dishonorably in your life, asking Him for forgiveness and for direction to move forward with a focus on living an honorable life.
There are many examples in Scripture where Israel was rebuked for not honoring God. Let us not be like Israel, but instead seek out correction and learn from those who have gone before us and the truth of God’s Word.
Read Isaiah 29:13-24. Through Isaiah God states that Israel did not seek to honor God, but just to practice man-made laws. We have to be careful or we can fall into the same trap.
Are there areas in your life where you honor God with your lips, but fail to have a heart of honor towards Him? What are two examples we see of this in the church today? Discuss this with your small group.
Through this lesson can you see that how when we dishonor those God has placed in authority over us in the church, we are dishonoring God? Does this bring a new awareness and desire to change in any area of your life as part of the body of Christ? Take some time to really consider what future ramifications there may be for choosing to act dishonorably, rather than trusting God to direct the steps of those He has placed in leadership. Commit to pray first. If something arises in church that causes discomfort, ask God to reveal why and what, if anything, He wants you to do about it BEFORE you speak or act.
Final note for this week from biblehub.com “Honor in the biblical sense is deeply rooted in the character of God and His design for human relationships. It reflects the order and harmony intended by God, promoting a society where respect, love, and righteousness prevail. The call to honor God and others is a reflection of the believer's transformation and commitment to living according to God's will.” Living a life of honor puts my transformation and commitment to God on display.
