Brief Summary
In this sermon, Ron Carpenter emphasizes the importance of honor as the foundational culture of the Kingdom of God, contrasting it with the disrespect prevalent in contemporary society. He explains that honor is subjective and involves valuing others regardless of their flaws, which can unlock their potential and draw miracles from them. Carpenter uses biblical examples to illustrate how familiarity can breed contempt, hindering the manifestation of God's power. He encourages listeners to model honor in all aspects of life, thereby creating an environment where the Kingdom can thrive and God's will can be done.
- Honor is the culture of the Kingdom of God.
- Familiarity is the enemy of honor.
- Honor is subjective and involves valuing others regardless of their flaws.
- Disrespect can rob you of the opportunity to draw a miracle out of others.
- Modeling honor in all aspects of life creates an environment where the Kingdom can thrive.
Introduction: The Culture of Honor
Ron Carpenter introduces honor as the culture by which the Kingdom of God functions, encompassing various aspects such as Kingdom Dynamics, laws, and principles. He contrasts this with the current American culture, which often lacks respect and seeks to exploit flaws in others. Carpenter explains that honor is essential for healthy relationships, including marriage and parenting. The enemy of honor is familiarity, which arises when we focus on the negatives in others, leading to disappointment and contempt.
Malachi 1: Honoring God
Carpenter references Malachi 1, where God rebukes priests for despising His name by offering defiled food on the altar. God expresses displeasure and rejects their offerings, emphasizing that honor and reverence are due to Him. He contrasts their contemptible actions with the greatness of His name among the Gentiles, where incense is offered in every place.
Modeling Honor in All Aspects of Life
Carpenter expresses a desire to be part of a community that models honor to the church and the world. This includes honoring God, those in authority, and each other, especially within families. He stresses that honor is subjective, not based on deservingness, and that God demands we honor the unhonorable to unlock their potential.
Principle 1: Perception and Reception
Carpenter introduces the principle that you receive someone on the same level that you perceive them. Perception is a filter within us, influencing how we see others. He uses the example of Jesus and the woman at the well to illustrate how shifting someone's perception can lead to a breakthrough.
Telecast Appeal and Gratitude
Carpenter pauses to express gratitude to supporters of the telecast, emphasizing the importance of representing Jesus and spreading the word of God. He invites new covenant partners to support the ministry monthly, offering a gift for the first donation.
Receiving a Prophet's Reward
Carpenter returns to the theme of honor, stating that one receives a prophet's reward by receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet, meaning seeing them correctly. He emphasizes that if you perceive someone as a prophet of God, you will receive what God sent through them. He stresses that disrespect hinders the ability to benefit from someone's anointing, placing the burden on individuals to see and receive others correctly.
Mark 6: The Lack of Honor in His Hometown
Carpenter references Mark 6, where Jesus is not honored in his hometown among his relatives. The people were astonished by his teachings but were offended because they knew him as the carpenter's son. As a result, Jesus could do no mighty work there, except heal a few sick people. Carpenter explains that Jesus's hometown was the only place he did not have honor.
The Dilemma of Familiarity
Carpenter elaborates on the dilemma of familiarity, where those who know us best may struggle to see beyond our humanity to recognize the gifts and anointing on our lives. He shares personal experiences of mockery from high school friends when he announced his calling to ministry. He asks listeners to consider who God is sending them that they have not honored, emphasizing that disrespect can rob them of the opportunity to draw a miracle out of others.
The Good News of Jesus
Carpenter concludes by sharing the good news of Jesus, who offers solutions to life's problems and quenches the soul. He invites listeners to invite Jesus into their hearts and lives, confessing Him as Lord and Savior.
