Seeking True Honor: God's Approval Over Human Accolades

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verse 44, we find a profound question posed by Jesus: "How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" This question challenges us to examine the source of our honor and the focus of our belief. The essence of belief in Christ is hindered when we prioritize earthly recognition over divine approval. Jesus highlights that the pursuit of human accolades makes belief in Him impossible, as it diverts our attention from seeking the honor that only God can bestow.

The root of this issue is sin, which distorts our values and priorities. Sin leads us to seek validation from others rather than from God, resulting in a superficial understanding of our true condition. The Bible consistently emphasizes two themes: sin and salvation. Sin blinds us to our need for a Savior, while salvation offers us the honor of being noticed and loved by God. The folly of humanity is evident in our tendency to overestimate human opinion and underestimate the majesty of God. We often chase after transient, superficial honors, neglecting the eternal honor that comes from God.

Jesus' analysis reveals that sin makes us fools, leading us to prioritize temporal pleasures and human approval over eternal truths and divine recognition. The honors of this world are fleeting, artificial, and ultimately unsatisfying. In contrast, the honor that comes from God is eternal, substantial, and freely given through Jesus Christ. This divine honor includes being known and loved by God, being adopted into His family, and having access to His presence and guidance.

The challenge for us is to recognize the folly of seeking human honor and to turn our hearts toward God, who offers us the true honor of being His children. By acknowledging our sin and need for Him, we can receive the unsearchable riches of Christ and the eternal life He offers.

Key Takeaways:

- The Source of Honor: True belief in Christ is hindered when we seek honor from others rather than from God. The pursuit of human accolades diverts our focus from the divine approval that truly matters. We must prioritize seeking the honor that comes from God alone. [00:35]

- The Nature of Sin: Sin distorts our values, leading us to overestimate human opinion and underestimate God's majesty. This distortion makes us fools, as we prioritize temporal pleasures and human approval over eternal truths and divine recognition. [06:15]

- The Folly of Human Honor: The honors of this world are fleeting, artificial, and ultimately unsatisfying. In contrast, the honor that comes from God is eternal, substantial, and freely given through Jesus Christ. We must recognize the folly of seeking human honor and turn our hearts toward God. [22:38]

- The Gift of Divine Honor: God's honor includes being known and loved by Him, being adopted into His family, and having access to His presence and guidance. This divine honor is far superior to any earthly recognition and is available to us through faith in Christ. [37:36]

- The Eternal Perspective: We must set our sights on eternity rather than the transient pleasures of this world. The honor that comes from God is eternal and far surpasses the fleeting accolades of men. By seeking God's honor, we align ourselves with His eternal purposes. [45:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John 5:44
- [00:56] - The Importance of Seeking God's Honor
- [02:12] - The Hindrance of Worldly Honor
- [03:12] - Jesus' Dialogue with the Jews
- [04:25] - The Evidence of Jesus' Claims
- [05:14] - The Root of Unbelief: Sin
- [06:36] - Sin's Devastating Effect
- [07:46] - The Tragedy of Rejecting Christ
- [09:02] - Jesus' Analysis of Sin
- [10:04] - The Folly of Sin
- [12:07] - Misconceptions About Human Nature
- [14:38] - The Foolishness of Ignoring God
- [19:46] - The Pursuit of Human Honor
- [22:38] - The Superficiality of Earthly Honors
- [37:36] - The Gift of Divine Honor
- [45:10] - The Eternal Perspective

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 5:44

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He questions the ability to believe while seeking honor from one another instead of from God? [00:35]
2. How does the sermon describe the mentality that makes belief in Jesus impossible? [01:32]
3. What evidence does Jesus present to the Jews to support His claims, and how do they respond? [04:04]
4. According to the sermon, what are the two central themes of the Bible, and how are they related? [07:12]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pursuit of human accolades hinder true belief in Christ, according to the sermon? [01:32]
2. In what ways does sin distort our values and priorities, leading us to overestimate human opinion? [06:15]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of human honor compared to divine honor? [22:38]
4. How does the sermon describe the eternal perspective that believers should have, and why is it important? [45:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you sought validation from others rather than from God. How did it affect your faith journey? [00:35]
2. Identify an area in your life where sin might be distorting your values. What steps can you take to realign your priorities with God's will? [06:15]
3. Consider the honors or achievements you are currently pursuing. Are they more aligned with human recognition or divine approval? How can you shift your focus? [22:38]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the honor that comes from being known and loved by God? What practices can help you embrace this divine honor? [37:36]
5. Think about the transient pleasures you might be prioritizing over eternal truths. What changes can you make to focus more on God's eternal purposes? [45:10]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of the eternal life and unsearchable riches offered through Christ? What practical steps can you take to keep this perspective at the forefront of your mind? [48:10]
7. Identify one specific way you can seek God's honor this week. How will you measure your progress in this area? [50:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking Divine Honor Over Human Accolades
True belief in Christ is hindered when we seek honor from others rather than from God. The pursuit of human accolades diverts our focus from the divine approval that truly matters. We must prioritize seeking the honor that comes from God alone. [00:35]

John 12:43 (ESV): "For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking validation from others instead of God? How can you begin to shift your focus towards seeking God's approval today?


Day 2: The Distortion of Sin
Sin distorts our values, leading us to overestimate human opinion and underestimate God's majesty. This distortion makes us fools, as we prioritize temporal pleasures and human approval over eternal truths and divine recognition. [06:15]

Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Reflection: Identify a specific area where sin has distorted your values. What steps can you take to realign your priorities with God's eternal truths?


Day 3: The Superficiality of Earthly Honors
The honors of this world are fleeting, artificial, and ultimately unsatisfying. In contrast, the honor that comes from God is eternal, substantial, and freely given through Jesus Christ. We must recognize the folly of seeking human honor and turn our hearts toward God. [22:38]

1 John 2:17 (ESV): "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Consider a recent achievement or recognition you received. How does it compare to the eternal honor that God offers?


Day 4: Embracing the Gift of Divine Honor
God's honor includes being known and loved by Him, being adopted into His family, and having access to His presence and guidance. This divine honor is far superior to any earthly recognition and is available to us through faith in Christ. [37:36]

Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Reflection: How does knowing you are adopted into God's family change your perspective on seeking approval from others?


Day 5: Aligning with God's Eternal Perspective
We must set our sights on eternity rather than the transient pleasures of this world. The honor that comes from God is eternal and far surpasses the fleeting accolades of men. By seeking God's honor, we align ourselves with His eternal purposes. [45:10]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can focus on God's eternal purposes today, rather than the temporary distractions of this world?

Quotes


In the Gospel according to Saint John, chapter 5, verse 44, we find a profound question posed by Jesus: "How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" This question challenges us to examine the source of our honor and the focus of our belief. [00:17:45]

He says there's only one thing that makes belief in him impossible, and that is that we have that kind of mentality that simply lives to give and to receive on earth one to another. That mentality, he says, makes belief in him assure and an utter impossibility. [00:92:12]

The answer is again abundantly plain and clear. It's an answer which is given everywhere in the Bible. It's what the Bible calls sin. It's what has happened to men as the result of the fall. This seeking honor one from another and not seeking honor from God is the result of sin and its devastating effect upon men. [06:02:13]

Sin in the last analysis makes men a fool. You'll find that stated very often in the Bible. The Fool has said in his heart there is no God. The fool, sin makes men a fool, an utter fool. [09:54:39]

The Bible says about men is that his trouble is that he himself is essentially wrong. It grants that he may do many things that are right, that he's capable of nobility and many right actions, yes, but the trouble is that men himself is wrong. It's the center that's wrong, not certain things under circumference. [13:04:39]

The essential trouble with men and the real tragedy of men is in his mind. It's his outlook that's wrong. It isn't merely man's actions. It's that his total view of himself and of life is altogether erroneous. [14:31:11]

The way you test the value of an honor is to discover, is it not, the source of the honor. Let me give you a better pacing, obviously illustration. You may see on any on a piece of paper a men's name with a number of degrees following. Oh, you say this is very wonderful. [20:28:24]

The honors that men and women are so keen on and which they'll spend money and time and energy in order to obtain them, where do they come from? How men, his finite character, men, why don't they stop to consider men's faulty judgment? Hasn't he always been wrong about these vital matters? [24:01:59]

Man wants to be noticed. He wants to be noticed by men, but what he doesn't seek is this: to be noticed by God. And yet that is what is true of every Christian. This is the honor that comes to every Christian. A Christian is a man who has been noticed by God. [37:21:79]

He knows you. Not only that, he set his affection upon you. He loves you. He's put your name into the plan of redemption. He sent his son from heaven to earth and to the cross on Calvary's Hill into the grave for you. You are interested in honors. [38:04:10]

To know God, our Lord says that there is eternal life. This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ of their sins. What does man live for? Oh, I'll tell you what man lives for. He wants to know the important people. [40:19:52]

You are either seeking the honor that men give or you are seeking the honor that comes alone from the Living God through Jesus Christ his son. Come to him just as you are without one clean, but that they bid me come to me all Lamb of God I come. [49:30:79]

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Transcript
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