OceanSide church of Christ

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WHAT HAPPENED TO RESPECT?

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In the not too distant past:

1.    Taking God’s name in vain was a serious matter.

2.    Children said:  “Yes ma’am” and “No sir.”

3.    Children raised their hand before speaking in the classroom.

4.    Police officers were held in high esteem.

5.    Officials, especially Presidents, were called by their titles.

6.    Older men and woman were deeply appreciated

7.    The flag was flown and saluted.

8.    The Bible was a book that was learned, quoted, and lived.

 

B.   Things are much different today:

1.    God’s name is used very loosely and profanely.

2.    Children tell their parents to “shut up.”

3.    Teachers can have a hard time getting a handle on their classrooms.

4.    Police officers are called “pigs” and are brutally murdered.

5.    Officials, even Presidents, are called by first and last names, and filthy names.

6.    Older men and women are laughed at by the younger generation.

7.    The flag is burned in public places.

8.    The Bible is believed to be old, worn out, and irrelevant to life.

 

C.   This morning, we want to ask the question:  “Whatever Happened to Respect?”

 

I.             RESPECT DEFINED

 

A.   Esteem for or a sense of worth or excellence of a person

 

B.   Deference to a right, privilege, privileged person

 

 

II.           THE WORD “RESPECT” IN THE BIBLE

 

A.   The word “respect” is found 34 times in 34 verses in the Bible.

 

B.   The word “respect” in the Bible would involve a lengthy study and many of the terms do not have the exact application that we are making in this lesson.

1.    Why a lengthy study?

a.    There are 8 Hebrew words translated “respect” in the Old Testament.

b.    There are 8 Greek words translated “respect” in the New Testament.

2.    Examples:

a.    Genesis 4:4

 

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.  And the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering.

 

1)    The word “respect” here means “to gaze at, to consider, to regard.”

2)    In essence, the Lord saw Abel’s offering and accepted it.

b.    Exodus 2:25

 

And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

1)    The word “respect” means “to know.”

2)    God recognized the plight that Israel was in and was determined to assist them.

 

III.         THE WORD “HONOR” IN THE BIBLE

 

A.   Verses:

1.    Parents (Exo. 20:12)

 

Honour thy father and thy mother:  that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

 

2.    Old man (Lev. 19:32)

 

Thou shalt rise before the hoary head, and the face of the old man…

 

3.    The Lord (Prov. 3:9)

 

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.

 

4.    Prophet (Mark 6:4)

 

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his kin, and in his own house.

 

5.    Fellow Christians (Rom. 12:10)

 

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

 

6.    Widows indeed (I Tim. 5:3)

 

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

 

7.    Elders that rule well (I Tim. 5:7)

 

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour.

 

8.    Masters (I Tim. 6:1)

 

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of honour…

 

9.    All men (I Pet. 2:17)

 

Honour all men…

 

10. The king (I Pet. 2:17)

 

…honour the king.

 

11. Wives (I Pet. 3:7)

 

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel…

 

 

B.   Definition

1.    Strong (5091):  to prize, fix a value upon

2.    Thayer:  to honor, to have in honor, to reverence venerate

 

C.   Other words that we could study:  fear, awe, and reverence.

 

IV.         THE ACTIONS OF RESPECT

 

A.   Respect is something that is shown in what is done and what is not done by one person to another person.

 

B.   Chart:  The Do’s and Don’ts of Respect

 

Do’s                                                                 Don’ts

 

1.    Listen to learn                                             1.  Insult

2.    Value the individual                                     2.  Make fun of

3.    Address with reverence                                3.  Play the hypocrite

4.    Be sensitive                                                 4.  Show an attitude

5.    Be courteous                                                         5.  Flaunt your power, wisdom

6.    Praise the good                                             6.  Attack one’s character

7.    Be fair                                                                   7.  Disagree immaturely

8.    Follow through

9.    Obey

10. Compromise if possible

11. Show you care

12. Disagree with maturity

 

V.           EXAMPLE:  JONATHAN

 

A.   Jonathan was the son of Saul, the first king of Israel.

1.    He was to respect Saul as his father.

2.    He was to respect Saul as the king.

 

B.   Jonathan had many reasons to disrespect Saul as both father and king.

1.    Saul was lifted up with pride.

2.    Saul disobeyed God.

3.    Saul sought the life of David, Jonathan’s friend.

4.    Saul ridiculed the friendship Jonathan had with David.

5.    Saul tried to kill Jonathan on one occasion.

 

C.   Never once do we see Jonathan showing any form of disrespect for his father, the king of Israel.

1.    He continued to faithfully serve in his father’s army.

2.    He appropriately made intercession for his friend David.

3.    He ultimately died in battle with his father.

 

VI.         A MYTH DEBUNKED

 

A.   We have often heard this said:  “He has to earn my respect.”

1.    Who sets the standards on what earns one’s respect?

2.    One little quibble could cause us not to respect a person who should be respected.

 

 

B.   The reality is that respect is commanded by God (Prov. 24:21).

 

My son, fear thou the Lord and the king…

 

1.    Respect deals with the attitudes, words, and behaviors we show toward others.

2.    Respect does not constitute agreement or alignment with another person (Ex., Jonathan did not agree with his father about David).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Somewhere along the way, we kicked respect to the curb.

 

B.   Now, men believe that they can act anyway they desire toward others.

1.    We have developed the idea that we can fear God and curse man at the same time.

2.    James tells us that this should not be our practice (James 3:9-10).

 

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.