WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HONOR FATHER & MOTHER?

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Introduction

a) In the Bible, we are commanded to honor our father and mother. 

b) What does it really mean to honor your father and mother? Why and how should you do that?

2. Why do you honor your father and mother?

a) Firstly, it is a commandment.

b) It may be well with you and you may live long on the earth... this is a promise. God will personally see to it!

Ephesians 6:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 

Exodus 20:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. 

Deuteronomy 5:16 New King James Version (NKJV) 

¹⁶ ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

3. How do you honor your father and mother?

a) With your processions and first fruits of your increase. It will cost you something. It must! Not just words but actions accompanied with substance.

Proverbs 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV) 

⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the first fruits of all your increase.

4. Do you give your best when honoring your father and mother? Consider the ways of Malachi 1:6-14?

a) Polluted Offerings. Don't behave like those in Malachi. Give your best to your parents when they are still alive. Our Father in heaven will be pleased when you do that!

Malachi 1:6-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “A son honors his father,
And a servant his master.
If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
And if I am a Master,
Where is My reverence?
Says the Lord of hosts
To you priests who despise My name.
Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ 

⁷ “You offer defiled food on My altar,
But say,
‘In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying,
‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’
⁸ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice,
Is it not evil?
And when you offer the lame and sick,
Is it not evil?
Offer it then to your governor!
Would he be pleased with you?
Would he accept you favorably?”
Says the Lord of hosts. 

⁹ “But now entreat God’s favor,
That He may be gracious to us.
While this is being done by your hands,
Will He accept you favorably?”
Says the Lord of hosts.
¹⁰ “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors,
So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?
I have no pleasure in you,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
¹¹ For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
In every place incense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering;
For My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says the Lord of hosts. 

¹² “But you profane it,
In that you say,
‘The table of the Lord is defiled;
And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’
¹³ You also say,
‘Oh, what a weariness!’
And you sneer at it,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
“And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;
Thus you bring an offering!
Should I accept this from your hand?”
Says the Lord.
¹⁴ “But cursed be the deceiver
Who has in his flock a male,
And takes a vow,
But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—
For I am a great King,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“And My name is to be feared among the nations.

6. How should you learn to show piety at home?

a) Repay your parents for this is good and acceptable before God. See how your parents struggled through the years for you and brought you up to where you are today! Anyway, it is good and acceptable before the eyes of the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.

The End ...