Honor Leads to Access by Brother Curtis Hansen

         When I speak of honor this morning, I say that honor is the culture of the kingdom. The things of this world are set to divide people and those things are not respectful of family bonds, relationships, intimate and close connections. As a believer, you should walk as a peacemaker among man and not as someone wanting to fight all the time. If the culture is full of disrespect, it is rooted in the spirit of Jezebel. That spirit doesn't respect God nor his commandments. There are things which are unlocked when you attain levels of maturity in your walk and relationship with God. The respect begins in the house of God with its body of believers. You may work at a job where there are people who don't deserve any respect in the flesh. You may even have family members who don't deserve one whit of respect. God demands respect though. He wants his people to show that respect and do it humbly. 

        A question to ask yourself this morning is "What is my standard?" The bible has the 10 commandments which are broken down as 4 are regarding God and 6 are regarding people. The message this morning is a seed. The Bible is a seed in new territory. Listening is the seed for learning. Knowledge is the seed for change unless we only grow and rise so much without any revelation. 

        Honor is the seed for access. You will not access what you don't respect. Where is God this morning on your barometer of respect? Is he at the top? Mid-level? Having knowledge and putting it into action are two different things. If you can't honor the basics of your life, like your parents, your spouse, your neighbor, you won't have any access. We have to be different from the world. The proof of honor is in adaptation. You have to adapt to many things and give respect to them. You can see proof of honor in people.

        Where are you putting your trust this morning? If God isn't doing it for you, you're not at a level of maturity to receive. Turn your bible to the book of Mark. We will be reading chapter 6 of Mark and begin at verse 1.

        And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

        2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

        3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

        4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

        5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

        What changed? Was it Jesus' anointing? It's the people and how they honored him as a whole and not in part. They did not receive not based on who Jesus was but how they had seen him. How do you honor Jesus? How do you see him? Lord? Friend? Brother? Acquaintance? Go to Matthew chapter 10 and verse 41.

        41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receives a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

        You have to receive the word the right way in your life. There are many wrong ways to receive it. Turn to Galatians chapter 4 and verse 1.

        Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

        God will lock up your potential inheritance in people. You have that possible inheritance, yet you aren't mature enough to access it.

        2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

        There's no difference between heirs and slaves. It's better to live as a servant in church than as an heir in the world. We are talking about conditions and positions. Our condition is in being broke and our position is the blessing. God has blessings to unlock at certain points of maturity. Often they're embedded in how you treat others. Without honor there is no unlocking. Without submission there is no honor.

        Inheritance isn't about sowing and reaping. You continually sow and reap regardless of your inheritance. Inheritance is about who's your father. Go to Colossians chapter 3 and verse 23.

        23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

        24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

        It's all about serving with all your heart. If you are serving for people rather than God, you invariably quiet quit or stop showing up. Serve for God and for man. Is God satisfied with your work for him?

        All kingdom tasks are inspirational. If you serve for people, you won't do it well for long. A good example of honor leading to access is the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. When her spirit was broken and contrite, her eyes were open to the truth. There's access to the new territory. God doesn't change. How we view him in all facets of life continually does.

        The principle of representation. Adam is our representation of sin. Jesus is the representation of salvation. It's where we put the honor which defines our representation. We should be a reflection of Jesus to others. If you don't honor in any aspect of life, there is no access. There are things we are dishonoring which we be blind to, but the Holy Spirit can open our eyes and understanding towards it.