Core Habits – Honour (Romans 12:9-21) 4/5 Feb 2017 Pr Chris Kam Theme for 2017: Step Out BIG IDEA 1: Love God, Serve People, Make Disciples BIG IDEA 2: Make Disciples towards Christlikeness BIG IDEA 3: Church is not a place we go to but something we become. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34–35) 5 core habits - Honour, humility, be real, pass-it-on and fun. BIG IDEA: Honour begins with God and is reflected through us 1. Honour ______________ with God 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 2. Honour ______________ through us Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10, NIV) Reflected in 2 ways: a) Honour in ______________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour. (Romans 12:10, ESV) Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. James 3:7-9 (NIV) 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. i. To Edify 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. (Ephesians 4:29) ii. To Encourage 10 Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. iii. To Ease 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. b) Honour in ______________ i. Honour one another 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. ii. Honour the poor and the destitute 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14–17) iii. Love your enemies 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” n says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Application Questions: 1. What is the most significant thing the Holy Spirit spoke to you about through this sermon? 2. Why are good habits so important for our lives? 3. How is honour demonstrated in our society today? 4. In what ways do you see honour happening in the Church? In your CG? Conversely, in what ways have dishonour been shown? What can we do about them? 5. How can we honour each other with words and deeds more? 6. You may have begun talking about “Step Out” as a CG. Continue in asking the Holy Spirit what you need to do. How does the habit of honour play a part in “Step Out”? Page 1 of 4