Prefer One Another
Miles Seaborn
Romans 12:9-10
INTRODUCTION: Everyone likes to receive recognition. Something in us likes to be appreciated and received. Nothing is wrong with honest recognition. In fact,
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and told tem to know their spiritual leaders, to respect them, and to honor them for the work that they had done.
1 Thess. 5:12-13. ''Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.''
You see God should get the glory, but God's servants do deserve honor and appreciation.
But in the admonition of Romans 12:9-10, it says that we should prefer one another in honor. That simply means that you and I would be willing for others to get the recognition and receive the honor. It means that we the recognition and receive the honor. It means that we should be willing not to be recognized at all if this is the will of God. Christians are to prefer one another in honor.
I want to lock at this statement with you this morning from two different directions. First of all, what this statement does not mean; and then second, what it does mean and how we can practice it.
I. WHAT PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER DOES NOT MEAN
1. Not empty flattery.
Books are available these days that tell you how to flatter your way in or out of anything.
ILL. There is a brand of psychology that tells you to find the ''hot button'' in every person's life, for what they are really interested in. Then you can use that interest to manipulate to your own advantage; and that, of course, leads to manipulating people.
Paul was not talking about empty flattery, because in Romans 12:9, he said:
''Let love be without dissimulation (or hypocrisy).''
There is a hypocritical kind of love. There is a shallow, gushy kind of love that is all words and no deeds.
There is another ...
Miles Seaborn
Romans 12:9-10
INTRODUCTION: Everyone likes to receive recognition. Something in us likes to be appreciated and received. Nothing is wrong with honest recognition. In fact,
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and told tem to know their spiritual leaders, to respect them, and to honor them for the work that they had done.
1 Thess. 5:12-13. ''Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.''
You see God should get the glory, but God's servants do deserve honor and appreciation.
But in the admonition of Romans 12:9-10, it says that we should prefer one another in honor. That simply means that you and I would be willing for others to get the recognition and receive the honor. It means that we the recognition and receive the honor. It means that we should be willing not to be recognized at all if this is the will of God. Christians are to prefer one another in honor.
I want to lock at this statement with you this morning from two different directions. First of all, what this statement does not mean; and then second, what it does mean and how we can practice it.
I. WHAT PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER DOES NOT MEAN
1. Not empty flattery.
Books are available these days that tell you how to flatter your way in or out of anything.
ILL. There is a brand of psychology that tells you to find the ''hot button'' in every person's life, for what they are really interested in. Then you can use that interest to manipulate to your own advantage; and that, of course, leads to manipulating people.
Paul was not talking about empty flattery, because in Romans 12:9, he said:
''Let love be without dissimulation (or hypocrisy).''
There is a hypocritical kind of love. There is a shallow, gushy kind of love that is all words and no deeds.
There is another ...
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