Worship - Sunday at 10:30AM
Bible Study - Wednesday at 6:30PM
2007-03-11 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church
MISDIRECTED HONOR
Luke 20:45-47
45. Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
46. Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
47. Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Luke 21:1-4
1. And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
We can either seek to receive honor from men, or we can have honor, not both. Generations are being raised-up today with undeserved honor, being praised for trying instead of succeeding, instructed to raise the importance of self-esteem above everything else. We accept honor, praise and reward at no cost to us. We expect favor when we make a show of things. Even the name "hero" is given freely to those who do nothing to earn it.
Generations are being raised up to desire and love the noisy praises of men rather than the silent praise of God.
Men measure a gift by the appearance of it, but God measures your offerings, your sacrifices, and your fasting against your strength.
There are two kinds of honor; the kind that you have, or the kind that you seek. There are two sources of honor, one is temporary, and one is permanent. Jesus saved His worst criticism for those who sought public honor, and gave His highest praise to those who quietly kept honor.
Lord forgive us for not seeking to honor You.