HONOR God’s Gift’s

Today, I really just want to address the issue of HONOR. 

The dictionary’s definition is: : respect that is given to someone who is admired: good reputation : good quality or character as judged by other people : high moral standards of behavior: respect that is given to someone who is admired

Wikepedia defines it as: Honour (also honor in American English, see spelling differences; from the Latin word honor) is an abstract concept entailing a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability that affects both the social standing and the self-evaluation of an individual or corporate body such as a family, school, regiment or nation. Accordingly, individuals (or corporate bodies) are assigned worth and stature based on the harmony of their actions with a specific code of honour, and the moral code of the society at large.

When we address ourselves as “the church”, we all know that we should see ourselves as ONE BODY.  The brethren, a family of believers of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and believers in HIS WORD as something to obey completely.  So, if that is the case, I believe we need to do some really deep self-examination, and self-introspection, to see if we are really OBEYING what our Father asks us to do in our relationship as a family. 

As I read HIS WORD, I see where our Father spoke to us so much about loving each other, and his most two important commandments were to LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS (Matthew 22:37-40).  He tells us in John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  I believe Jesus was our greatest example of SELF-LESS love and we should model what HE taught.  Jesus said to us in John 14:24 He that loveth me NOT keepeth NOT my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

So let us look at some of what HIS WORD advises us to do. 

In Romans 12:10 Be Kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

Here it states to be “affectioned” one to another.  This word in the Greek is Philostorgos which means to “love tenderly”.   In honour preferring one another.  How do we honour others, we prefer them even over SELF, we show them they have “VALUE”.

I believe that we as Pastors and Leaders do not even recognize the VALUE in the GIFTS that God sends into our churches and ministries.  We are too busy looking on the things that aren’t even relevent to God.  God does NOT look on the outside (titles, degrees, experience), but He looks at the heart.  When we read in Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  THE GIFTS our Father sent are these…. Ephesians 4:11 And he GAVE some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. 

LEADERS—LISTEN…..GOD sent an answer to prayer right up into your life, and you have REJECTED and NOT HONORED the GIFT from GOD!!! This is a serious charge, and I believe there will be some held accountable.  I see SO MANY PRECIOUS “GOD-GIVEN” gifts that are not being HONORED!  They are not even given the time of day, due to the fact that they do not come in a shiny commercialized packaged.  They do not come with fancy seminary college degrees, lots of world-wide ministry connections or hundreds of years of experience, they don’t come with fancy self-promoting titles, and some are not wealthy and are very simple and humble people.  But these GOD SENT GIFTS have a true heart for the lost and are some of the most humble and anointed people…and the leaders missed it!

What is so sad is that GOD really, really, wants to send His Spirit to invade a region, a city or even a church body, however, the Pastors and Leaders can’t get out of the way, and die to their own pride, arrogance, self promotion or ambition to promote THEIR platform enough to even receive the “FIRE STARTERS” that God has sent them.  Some Pastors are too interested in PROMOTING SELF, that they are often-times too intimidated to allow the GIFTS that GOD sent to operate for either fear of losing their flock, or tithes, or their own glory.

We, even as a church body, have become “STAR STRUCK” with leaders, and entered into idolatry.   The Pastors, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists or Teachers are now worshipped to a point, that they are put above all others, including God—because some obey the word of the Pastors, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists above the word of God.  Some have become men-pleasers versus GOD pleasers.  This is so grievous to the heart of God, when he simply wants us ALL to be ONE UNIFIED BODY going hard after HIS GREATER PURPOSE.

I really believe if we LOVE GOD we will OBEY what HE SAYS in His Word….Love and SHOW HONOR to our brothers and sisters!  I believe the way we love others and treat them, HONORS GOD!   Listen, if Christ lives inside of every believer, when I love and submit to by brother, who am I truly submitting to?  On the flip side, if I REJECT and HURT my fellow brother, who am I really hurting??  If you’ve done it to the least of these, you’ve done it to me…Jesus said. I also believe that if we really want what GOD wants….WE WILL DIE to ourself  in order that the GREATER GOOD is accomplished.

The Word tells us in 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of GOD which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint (distress), but willingly; NOT for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief SHEPHERD shall appear; ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye YOUNGER, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, ALL OF YOU be SUBJECT ONE TO ANOTHER, and be clothed with humility: for GOD resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

There is SO much in these verses, but there are two things that stand out.  The first is the younger submit to the elder, and this is not speaking of physical age but a spiritual maturity.  When GOD sends a GIFT that has more maturity, humility, spiritual knowledge and wisdom to you, you are to SUBMIT!!  This is not up for debate, as it is in God’s word.  The second thing that stands out…and this will really break down a religious paradigm of RULING OVER others….we are told to be subject(G5293-Hupotasso-arrange under, put in subjection, submit) one to another.  That will really ROCK you RIGHT OUT OF YOUR PASTOR WORSHIPPING SOCKS!!

So…PASTORS, when you SAY you want a REVIVAL, and you SAY you want “men that will cut you”, but you are NOT EVEN HONORING these ELDERS that GOD SENT to you to accomplish HIS GREATER PURPOSE (not your selfish agenda and self promotion), you may want to CONSIDER at least what the word of GOD says for you to do.

We as a church family and a church body are DYSFUNCTIONAL and cannot operate to our FULL POTENTIAL because we are trying to operate without ALL THE MEMBERS TOGETHER to have a HEALTHY BODY!  We need to kneel in the crucible, and die to SELF. 

When we read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 we can clearly see what God’s intention was for HIS BODY, HIS CHURCH.  1 Corinthians 12:14- For the body is NOT ONE MEMBER, but MANY.  .  20 But now are they many members, yet but ONE BODY.  23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow MORE ABUNDANT HONOUR; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  25That there should be no schism(DIVISION) in the body; but that the members should have the same CARE one for another.  28 And GOD hath SET some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  31 But covet earnestly the BEST GIFTS; and yet I shew you a more excellent way.  Interestingly enough, then right after this comes the Chapter 13 where we are told that if we don’t have LOVE, we are basically NOTHING.

SO…let’s break it down.  DO you really want to see REVIVAL where your are?  I believe the key is simple…OBEY.  Obey what the word of GOD tells you to do.  Otherwise, you have stepped into rebellion to the word of God…and we know what this resembles, and it is not revival.

I beg leaders and Pastors to OBEY.  STOP the self-promotion.  STOP the dishonor.  STOP commercializing the gospel.  STOP turning the house of GOD into a marketplace.  STOP building your bigger edifices so you can receive affirmation that you have the largest church and steeple in town.  STOP walking around saying it’s MY church and MY ministry and MY saints, when they and it all belongs to GOD.  STOP the envy, backbiting, gossip about your brothers and sisters, and FORGIVE THEM!  STOP manipulating and threatening people with a curse, just so they will give you a paycheck.  STOP THE MADNESS.  GOD wants HIS CHURCH back!!

START OBEYING…walk in love and honor.  YOU WILL REAP what you SOW!