JESUS’ HONOR
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
MAIN IDEA: Jesus is worthy and deserving of our honor
MAGIC: SHAME TO HONOR magic
INTRODUCTION
I am greatly humbled by the honor shown me in India.
You carry my bags
Give me the best seats
Feed me
Praise me
(include antidotal recent example as story)
Yet I have done nothing to deserve such honor
I am a Christian like you, seeking to love serve Jesus
TRANSITION
HE is the one who deserves all the honor
That’s why we worship and serve Him
His honor proven in 2 ways:
-by others who give Him honor
-by things He has done which are honorable
I. JESUS’ HONOR PROVEN
A. ASCRIBED
By OT quotesBorn in royal city of Bethlehem
Matt 2:3-6 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'” (Micah 5:2)
Heals and helps those who come to Him
Matt 8:16-17 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” (Isa 53:4)
By God at baptism, transformation
Calls Him “My beloved Son” (Mt 3:17; 17:5)
By angels in dreams to mary, Joseph, magi, etc
JOSEPH = from Holy Spirit, ‘Jesus’ = ‘Son of God’
MARY = Luke 1:30-33 Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
By Jesuswho applied OT prophecies to self Mt 22:41-45;
By events at Jesus’ death
Earthquake, veil torn, graves open, executioner
Matt 27:54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
TRANSITION
Honor is ascribed to Jesus
He also achieved honor by what He did
B. ACHIEVED
(tell some of these as stories to make more interesting, don’t just read off laundry list)
In life, as a Man
Keep Jewish traditions, fast, feasts, etc.
Self-control, no sin
Honored parents, others
Obedience to God’s will over own convenience
Not turn stones into bread
Wisdom in decisions, dealing with people
Acts of mercy, justice and courage
Forgave woman taken in adultery – not do it again!
Compassion on hungry (fed them),
sick (healed them)
demonized (freed them)
Teachings about high virtues
In life, as God
Miracles,
Mark 6:2-3 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, that he even does miracles!
Healing cripples, lepers
feeding 3,000, 5,000,
deliverance of those demonized,
power over nature – stop storm on sea
death – back to life
son of widow of Nain
Jairus synagogue ruler daughter
In death
Shame before men named, rejected, beat, criminal
Shame before God guilty of sin, all sin, our sin on Him
Courageous, esp facing death, trials, etc
In Gethsemane
Shameful death but handled it with honor
Honor before men & God – from his death
-it was voluntary
John 10:17-18 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
-it benefited others
-if was a death fitting a victor, not a victim
-honors awarded him by others after death
Earthquake, soldier, God – resurrection, us
TRANSITION
Jesus’ honor is proven
-ascribed to Him by others
-achieved by His actions
II. JESUS’ HONOR APPLIED
Jesus is worthy of all honor and glory
How do we show Him honor?
A. ACCEPT HIM – salvation
We show Him honor when we ACCEPT HIS FREE GIFT PLAN OF SALVATION
He took our shame on the cross
– gives us His honor!!!
SHAME TO HONOR MAGIC TRICK
Done for us
REJECTING IT brings dishonor
TRYING TO PAY HIM for it insults Him –can’t possibly pay a
Me taught salvation by living good life – not so
ADDING TO IT is impossible,
like saying He didn’t do it good enough by Himself
ME not think I deserve God’s love so try to be
good so have Him love me more
Nothing I do can ever make Him love me more!
Nothing I do can ever make Him love me les!
B. TRUST HIM – discipleship
We show Him honor when we TRUST HIM & LIVE FOR HIM
Shows we trust Him and His plan for us
Questioning, doubting, not trusting Him
= dishonoring, shameful
Becoming like Him, following Him,
= shows we honor His greatness
Thinking we know better He isn’t right = shame
Being committed to Him as a disciple
= honor Him by wanting to be like Him
Praying to Him for wisdom, guidance, direction
Learning to hear His voice, listen, trust
Trusting Him when in pain, sorrow = honors Him
Others see and know He is worthy in your eyes
ME: TRUST Him to come to India – $, health, family at
home, lonely, what to say
He is faithful each time – not easy but God with me
C. SERVE HIM – daily life
We show Him honor when we SERVE HIM EACH DAY
Obeying and living for Him = honor
Trying to get Him to do what we want, serve us
= dishonor, He is not our servant!
Others see we honor Him by our lives
They bring honor in seeing our honor for Him
Telling others about Him = honor to Him
D. WORSHIP HIM – daily life
We show Him honor when we WORSHIP AND PRAISE HIM
Focus is on Him and His greatness
Tell Him in prayer, song, etc., how we love Him
Others see us worship and know He honorable
CONCLUSION
Do you believe Jesus is worthy of honor?
If so, do you show it?
Do you show it by having accepted His free gift of salvation?
Do you trust Him no matter what happens in your life?
Do you try to obey and serve Him in everything you do?
Do you worship and praise Him?