Respect – The Missing Fundamental

Listen to this sermon to find out what God teaches us about respect.

 

Notes:

One social trend is for celebrities to get involved in politics, and claim they have the answers to our nation’s problems.  People attack those that they disagree with, suing them in court and sometimes even physically attacking them.  Kathy Griffin even posed with a likeness of President Trump’s severed head.   The Berkeley University of California used to be the bastion of free speech but now does not allow it. Our President is vilified every day; he is the target of disrespect.  Recently a little eight-year old boy came up to me at church and politely sought my attention; he showed respect.  Respect is a missing fundamental in today’s society.

Respect is defined as “that which is worthy of high or special regard.” Respect is at the center of the Ten Commandments.  The first four commandments require respect and love for God, and the last six commandments require love and respect for our fellow man.

The Jewish Study Bible says that a fake oath or using God’s name casually shows God disrespect.  For example, we honor God by our presence when we keep the Fourth Commandment.  God created the seventh day Sabbath as a special gift.  If we dismiss the seventh day Sabbath, we disrespect our Creator.

(Isa 58:13-14)

“’If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.’ For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (NIV)

By your words you will be justified or condemned.

(Mat 12:34-37)

“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (NKJV)

Respect does not necessarily mean you condone or agree with others.

When a judge enters a court room, everyone is required to stand and men take off their hats.  Perhaps this custom comes from the bible.

(1Co 11:4-5)

“Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.”

Respect is shown to the judge in the courtroom.

We stand for the opening and closing prayer at church services to show respect to God.

In Matthew 22:1-14 we read about a parable where a wedding was arranged for the King’s son; a guest showed up at the wedding and did not wear an appropriate wedding garment.  The guest showed disrespect to the King and his son.

In 1Timothy 2:9-11 Paul advises women to dress in a way that shows humility and respect.

The Fifth Commandment requires children to honor their parents, which is to show them respect.

A child that is taught to respect God and keep His commandments, His laws, has little trouble respecting the laws of man.

The Sixth Commandment shows respect for life.  The Seventh Commandment requires respect for our mate.  The Eighth Commandment demands respect for the property of others.  The Ninth Commandment shows respect for the truth, and the Tenth Commandment requires respect for what God has given us.

In Romans 13:1-7 we learn to render to all their due. 

Daniel 4:17 offers a find point on God’s relationship with mankind.

In Titus 3:1-11 we are instructed to avoid foolish things and divisive people.  We are to show respect to others by submitting to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:15-21).

We are to show respect to our supervisors and/or bosses (Ephesians 6:1-5).

We should respect the lives of others and their life experience (Philippians 2:4).

We need to respect our own body (1Corinthians 6:19-20).

Respect begins at home.  Respect for God and man is a mandate!