Acts 23-24

I heard an excellent sermon by John Bevere entitled Honor's Reward.

Now, everything that I read is peppered with a new view on honor and it's benefits. Jesus was not able to do much healing in his own town because they did not honor Him.

In Acts 19 we read that Paul, a man of God, did not receive honor from the Jews in the synagogue; their hearts were hardened and spoke of evil of him. There are no recorded miracles among them. However, when Paul continued his discussion in a room of Tyrannus, he received honor as he expounded five hours a day on the Scriptures, for two years. The result?

Acts 19:11 AMP And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.

So much honor in fact, that just by touching Paul with their handkerchiefs or towels or aprons, and taking them home and laying them on the sick, were miraculous healings and deliverances manifested.

John Bevere talks about honoring our rulers. Why? Because God commanded it.

1 Peter 2:13-17 ¹³Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. ¹⁶Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ¹⁷Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

This king that Peter is talking about was King Herod Agrippa, who was persecuting Christians at the time. We are to honor our rulers, whether we like them or not. And this honor should come from the heart.

Paul in Acts 23 spoke against the Ananias, not realizing that he was the High Priest. He showed the proper honor by apologizing in verse 5:

Acts 23:5 NIV Paul replied, "Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'" (Exodus 22:28)

This brings some questions to mind:

1. Do you honor all governmental authority?
2. Do you honor the men of God who have authority over you?
3. Do you honor your peers?
4. Do you honor those you have authority over?

Folks, let us begin to show honor that is due all men as they are created by our God. God will take care of the rest!