Restoring Influence Through Honor and Divine Communication
Summary
### Summary
Tonight's gathering at the North Georgia Revival is unique, filled with an atmosphere ripe for miracles. It's a sacred space where lives are transformed weekly, and we must protect this sanctity. Familiarity can breed contempt, and we must guard against becoming too accustomed to these divine moments. The message tonight is about the importance of influence and communication within the church. As Christians, we are losing our influence because we communicate like the world, filled with fear, anxiety, and anger. Instead, we should communicate like Jesus, who used silence, scripture, and signs and wonders.
Silence is powerful and can never be misinterpreted. Jesus often chose silence, even when provoked. The children of Israel, on their journey to the Promised Land, often let their mouths lead them into trouble, causing them to wander for 40 years. Joshua learned from this and commanded silence when they were about to conquer Jericho. The second way Jesus communicated was through scripture. We often fail to respond with scripture because we don't know it well enough. Jesus always countered Satan with the Word of God. The third way was through signs and wonders, which always settle the issue.
The church has lost two crucial elements: the fear of God and honor. We slander each other and our leaders, showing no reverence for God. Honor is another lost virtue. David's mighty men risked their lives to get him water, which he poured out, showing that honor is about valuing others above ourselves. Honor is a currency in the Kingdom of God, and it releases God's power. Jesus couldn't perform many miracles in His hometown because of their lack of honor, which He equated to unbelief.
We have no problem honoring the dead but struggle to honor the living. The Bible requires us to honor those around us. Pastor Todd and Karen Smith are examples of leaders who have faced immense criticism and rejection but have continued to lead with integrity and vision. Their journey, marked by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and a vision of fire on the water, has set them apart. They have paved the way for future generations, and it's our duty to honor them and support their mission.
### Key Takeaways
1. Guard Against Familiarity: Familiarity with divine moments can lead to a loss of reverence and expectation. We must protect the sacredness of our gatherings and remain in awe of God's presence. Familiarity can limit what God can do in our lives, so we must approach each moment with fresh eyes and an open heart. [02:01]
2. Communicate Like Jesus: Jesus communicated through silence, scripture, and signs and wonders. Silence can never be misinterpreted and often speaks louder than words. Knowing and using scripture effectively can counter any attack from the enemy. Signs and wonders demonstrate God's power and settle any disputes. [09:10]
3. The Fear of God: The church has lost the fear of God, leading to a lack of reverence and respect. We must regain this fear to guide our actions and words. The fear of God keeps us from slandering others and helps us live in a way that honors Him. [10:29]
4. The Power of Honor: Honor is a currency in the Kingdom of God. It involves valuing others above ourselves and recognizing the God-given authority in their lives. Honor releases God's power, while dishonor hinders it. We must learn to honor those around us, not just the dead heroes of faith. [15:25]
5. Support Our Leaders: Pastor Todd and Karen Smith have faced immense challenges but have continued to lead with integrity. Their journey is a testament to their faith and vision. It's our duty to honor and support them, recognizing the mantle God has placed on their lives. [24:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - Guard Against Familiarity
[03:46] - The Struggle of Two Messages
[05:30] - The Importance of Influence
[07:39] - The Power of Silence
[09:10] - Communicating with Scripture
[10:29] - The Fear of God
[11:46] - The Lost Virtue of Honor
[13:45] - David's Mighty Men and Honor
[15:25] - Honor as Kingdom Currency
[17:23] - The Example of Aaron
[18:39] - The Jealousy of Joseph's Brothers
[20:29] - The Lord Bestows Honor
[21:24] - Honor Releases God's Power
[22:19] - Honoring the Living
[24:40] - The Journey of Pastor Todd and Karen Smith
[27:45] - The Vision of Fire on the Water
[29:45] - The Mandate and Challenges
[31:19] - The Sign of the End Times
[32:51] - Honoring Pastor Todd and Karen Smith
[01:04:07] - Celebrating Our Leaders
[01:05:29] - Night of Miracles
[01:06:46] - Prayer and Altar Call
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 6:10 - "But Joshua had commanded the army, 'Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!'"
2. 1 Timothy 5:17 - "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."
3. Matthew 13:57-58 - "And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.' And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Joshua's command to the Israelites before they conquered Jericho, and why was it significant? ([07:39])
2. According to 1 Timothy 5:17, who is worthy of double honor, and why? ([15:25])
3. In Matthew 13:57-58, why was Jesus unable to perform many miracles in His hometown? ([21:24])
4. How did Jesus respond when He was provoked by the Sanhedrin, and what does this teach us about the power of silence? ([05:30])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Joshua commanded the Israelites to remain silent for six days before conquering Jericho? How does this relate to the power of silence in our communication? ([07:39])
2. What does it mean to give "double honor" to church leaders, and how does this principle apply to our current church context? ([15:25])
3. How does the lack of honor in Jesus' hometown relate to the concept of unbelief, and what implications does this have for our faith communities? ([21:24])
4. How can the church regain the fear of God and honor in today's culture, according to the sermon? ([10:29])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you became too familiar with a divine moment or a church service. How did it affect your reverence and expectation? What steps can you take to guard against familiarity in your spiritual life? ([02:01])
2. Think about your communication style. Do you find yourself communicating out of fear, anxiety, or anger? How can you incorporate silence, scripture, and signs and wonders into your communication to be more like Jesus? ([05:30])
3. In what ways have you seen a lack of the fear of God in your own life or in the church community? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper reverence for God? ([10:29])
4. Consider someone in your life who you struggle to honor. What specific actions can you take this week to show them honor, recognizing their God-given authority and value? ([15:25])
5. How can you support and honor your church leaders, especially when they face criticism and rejection? What are some tangible ways you can show your appreciation and support for their ministry? ([24:40])
6. Reflect on the story of David's mighty men risking their lives to get him water. How can you demonstrate such honor and value for others in your daily interactions? ([13:45])
7. How can you cultivate a culture of honor within your small group or church community? What specific actions can you take to encourage and uplift one another? ([21:24])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
#### Day 1: Guarding the Sacredness of Divine Moments
Description:
Familiarity with divine moments can lead to a loss of reverence and expectation. When we become too accustomed to the sacred, we risk losing the awe and wonder that these moments are meant to inspire. This can limit what God can do in our lives. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the sacredness of our gatherings and approach each moment with fresh eyes and an open heart. By doing so, we maintain an atmosphere ripe for miracles and transformation. [02:01]
Bible Passage:
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a recent church service or spiritual gathering you attended. How did you approach it? What steps can you take to ensure you approach future gatherings with a renewed sense of reverence and expectation?
#### Day 2: Communicating Like Jesus
Description:
Jesus communicated through silence, scripture, and signs and wonders. Silence is powerful and can never be misinterpreted. Jesus often chose silence, even when provoked, demonstrating its strength. Knowing and using scripture effectively can counter any attack from the enemy, as Jesus did when He countered Satan with the Word of God. Signs and wonders demonstrate God's power and settle any disputes, showing the divine authority behind the message. By adopting these methods, we can communicate more effectively and maintain our influence as Christians. [09:10]
Bible Passage:
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on your recent conversations. Are they filled with fear, anxiety, or anger? How can you incorporate silence, scripture, and signs of God's power into your communication this week?
#### Day 3: Regaining the Fear of God
Description:
The church has lost the fear of God, leading to a lack of reverence and respect. This loss manifests in slander and disrespect towards others, including leaders. Regaining the fear of God is essential for guiding our actions and words. The fear of God keeps us from slandering others and helps us live in a way that honors Him. It is a foundational element that influences our behavior and interactions, ensuring that we live in a manner that reflects our reverence for God. [10:29]
Bible Passage:
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider your actions and words over the past week. Do they reflect a fear of God? What changes can you make to ensure that your life is guided by a reverence for Him?
#### Day 4: The Power of Honor
Description:
Honor is a currency in the Kingdom of God. It involves valuing others above ourselves and recognizing the God-given authority in their lives. Honor releases God's power, while dishonor hinders it. We must learn to honor those around us, not just the dead heroes of faith. This means showing respect and valuing the contributions of others, recognizing their worth in God's eyes. By doing so, we create an environment where God's power can be fully manifested. [15:25]
Bible Passage:
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:10, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life whom you have not honored as you should. How can you show them honor today in a way that reflects their value in God's eyes?
#### Day 5: Supporting Our Leaders
Description:
Pastor Todd and Karen Smith have faced immense challenges but have continued to lead with integrity. Their journey is a testament to their faith and vision. It's our duty to honor and support them, recognizing the mantle God has placed on their lives. Supporting our leaders involves more than just verbal affirmation; it requires active participation in their mission and a commitment to uphold them in prayer and action. By doing so, we contribute to the advancement of God's Kingdom and the fulfillment of His purposes through their leadership. [24:40]
Bible Passage:
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on the leaders in your church. How can you actively support and honor them this week? What specific actions can you take to show your appreciation and uphold them in their mission?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We, as the church, we're losing influence because we communicate like the world and we don't communicate like Jesus. We communicate like the world. The world communicates like its father, the devil, the enemy. It's always out of fear, anxiety, frustration, anger, discontentment. That's how the world communicates. And I've seen that the church has adopted that way of communication. When we need to learn to communicate like Jesus did, Jesus communicated three ways. Number one, silence." [05:30](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Silence can never be misinterpreted. Every time the children of Israel, as they were coming from Egypt into the promised land and they were in the wilderness, every time they made a lap around the wilderness and were about to go into the promised land, they would let their mouths take over the situation. They would let their mouths take over the situation and start complaining about what they didn't have and start complaining about Moses and their leaders and what they were not providing and God would seemingly say, well then just take another lap around." [07:39](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The second way that Jesus communicated was scripture. Silence and scripture. The reason we don't respond with scripture is because we don't know it. We may can quote things but we don't really know what it means. Are you here? What did Jesus always respond to Satan whenever he come to him and begin to question him? He threw the book at him, threw the word at him. The world can't argue with a word. Silence, say it. Scripture, say it." [09:10](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The third thing was signs and wonders. That's the way Jesus communicated: silence, scripture, signs and wonders. A miracle always settles the issue. You don't have to argue with people when you got the power to do stuff. Just tell them, run your mouth, but just sit there, hide and watch because I'm about to do something. Are you here?" [09:10](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Honor is currency in the kingdom of God. Honor is currency in the kingdom of God. Hebrews 5:4 says, listen at this, it says, and no one takes this honor on himself but he receives it when called by God just as Aaron was. Aaron now most of you know Aaron as the first high priest. All the priests that come after Aaron were his sons. Aaron was an idiot. Aaron was a knucklehead. Aaron was the worst associate pastor ever on the face of the earth." [17:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We, as the church, we're losing influence because we communicate like the world and we don't communicate like Jesus. We communicate like the world. The world communicates like its father, the devil, the enemy. It's always out of fear, anxiety, frustration, anger, discontentment. That's how the world communicates. And I've seen that the church has adopted that way of communication. When we need to learn to communicate like Jesus did, Jesus communicated three ways. Number one, silence." [05:30](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason the children of Israel stayed in the wilderness 40 years wasn't because it was God's perfect plan, it's because they lacked honor. Every time they got into a sticky situation, things wouldn't go in like they thought, they rose up against their leader and they were going to be leaders and spoke against them. Honor was gone. They lost time in the wilderness. Are you here? The word honor translated to mean a valuing by which the price is set." [15:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Moreover, honor releases the power of God. Why dishonor greatly hinders this expression. Jesus taught in Matthew 13, 57, and 58, a prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown and his own household. And he did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. The people of Jesus' hometown did not honor him. And their lack of honor Jesus called unbelief. In other words, when you dishonor a man or a woman of God, we shut down the power. We shut down the power of God." [21:24](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have little problem honoring the dead, but we struggle honoring the living. We have no problem honoring David. He's dead. Committed all this stuff. We have no problem honoring Abraham, who was a liar. Do you know your Bible? We don't have a problem honoring these people because they're dead. But God has not put you on this earth for this time to honor dead people. Are you here? However, the Bible does not require us to honor those who have went before us. The Bible requires us to honor those who live around us." [22:19](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The problem is we're jealous of other people's coats. We have become the brothers of Joseph and don't even know it. We shout about having power. We shout about being anointed. We shout about being the ones with answers, but we're jealous of other people's coats. Joseph's brothers were jealous of his coat. His father placed honor. We honor on him and recognize that he was a man that had an anointing that would stretch through generations. And his brothers, your Bible says, had to get him out of his coat. Are you here?" [19:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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