Simplifying Relationships
Sermon Series: “Keep It Simple: It Doesn’t Have to Be So Complicated”
March 7, 2021
Pastor Phil Chorlian
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen. – Romans 1:20-25
I. What is
“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. —Malachi 1:6
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. —Romans 12:10
To honor: To ascribe
II. Honoring begins with God’s
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. —Ephesians 5:21
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” —Matthew 25:34-40
III.
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. —Mark 6:1-5
A. We don’t honor because of
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” —Ephesians 6:1-3
B. We don’t honor because of
IV.
A. With our
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. —James 3:9-10
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. —Ephesians 4:29-30
B. With our
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. —I Corinthians 13:6-7
C. By honoring God
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. —Psalm 29:2
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. —Psalm 34:3 (NKJV)