respect – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:17:33 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png respect – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 In a Manner Worthy https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/in-a-manner-worthy/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:13:47 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=92170

by David Gibson

This is not about the Lord’s Supper, but instead draws on six passages on how we are to live.

  • “. . . like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (I Thessalonians 2:12).
  • “. . . we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10).
  • “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . . I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel . . .” (Philippians 1:27 NASB).
  • “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
  • “I commend to you our sister Phoebe . . . that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you . . .” (Romans 16:1-2 NASB).
  • “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are . . . . You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (III John 5-8).

Observations

Living in a manner worthy involves both the vertical dimension: “fully pleasing to Him” (Colossians 1:9-10) and the horizontal: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-3) and assisting Christians who actively serve and evangelize (Romans 16:1-2; III John 5-8).

What a tall order He has given us! But He never requires the impossible. With His strong help, walking in a manner worthy is altogether doable. Otherwise, He wouldn’t expect it of us, would He?

]]> 92170 Respect (Moyer) https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/respect-2/ Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:36:18 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=90269

by Doy Moyer

Being made in God’s image requires that we respect (esteem) one another as fellow divine image-bearers. This stands under the “golden rule,” as stated by Jesus: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The connection to loving neighbor as self should be noted in the phrase, “this is the Law and the Prophets,” for Jesus said the two greatest commandments (love God and love neighbor as self) are the foundation of all the rest: “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40).

Respect takes humility. Lack of respect shows itself in pride and self-acclamation. Yet having the mind of Christ, who emptied himself by coming in the flesh and dying on the cross, requires that we deny self and esteem others as more important. Paul wrote, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). To do good for the sake of others and at the sacrifice of self is a high calling, but it’s what our Lord did for us.

With this in mind, consider some areas in which we need to respect one another. We note up front that none of these are about defending sinful decisions. Rather, these are areas in which anyone may freely operate and have some level of expectation that others will show some respect.

Property

We understand that all things ultimately belong to God, and He gives us material things to be in our charge. We also know that God expects us to be generous with what we have and share with those in need. We are not to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in God (I Timothy 6:17-19). With that, there is still a sense in which what God provides is considered personal property, and we need to respect that. This is seen in the prohibition against stealing and coveting (Exodus 20:15, 17; Ephesians 4:28; Romans 13:9). God desires that we be good stewards, but we are not allowed to take what belongs to others (Cf. Deuteronomy 19:14).

Privacy

Respecting what belongs to others extends to more personal matters. If, for example, there is an expectation of modesty in apparel, then we should grant that the body is private and not to be openly displayed to the world. There is privacy between husbands and wives (cf. I Corinthians 7:4). Further, we should respect what others wish to disclose or keep to themselves. The sin of gossip is a violation of this privacy trust. The stories of others are not ours to decide when and where to tell if we have not been given that permission. “A whisperer separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28) because there is a breach of trust that did not respect privacy. God gives us the right to keep private things private.

Personality

Not everyone is of the same demeanor and personality. Some are more outgoing, some less so. Some are more adventurous, some not so much. Personalities are vast and varied, and we need to protect those differences. No one should try to force others into their personality or think that others are inferior because they don’t show the same personality traits as others. Among the apostles, we can see personality differences, even seen in the gospel accounts or epistles penned by them. Not everyone is a Barnabas (Acts 4:36), a Peter, or a Paul, but we each can contribute and grow using what we have in our talent pool (cf. Romans 12:6-8).

Preferences

As personalities differ, so do preferences. We cannot expect people to prefer everything exactly the same way, and we overstep the line if we try to force personal preferences on others. Working together requires that we sometimes deny what we might prefer, and sometimes we might need to give up rights for the sake of others and for peace (Romans 14). These differences should be seen within the context of God’s kingdom bringing in people from all nations and walks of life. Differences like this (not sinful) should be acknowledged and protected.

Position

While we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28), we work in differing positions and are to function appropriately. Whether we are talking about the work of elders or parents, these positions come with special work that others need to respect. For example, no one would appreciate another stepping in presumptuously to act like a mother to a child who has a dedicated mother. Elders have oversight of a congregation, but would be out of bounds to assume that over other groups (I Peter 5:2). The positions we have do not make us superior to others, but they do require caretaking and accountability.

When we respect others appropriately as all are made in God’s image, we will be supporting the godly path toward peace, unity, and love, whether we are in a context of a church or a larger neighborhood community. Through respect, we become the citizens God wants us to be as we interact with others.

]]> 90269 Trembling at God’s Word (Article) https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/trembling-at-gods-word-2/ Sat, 14 Jun 2025 15:07:34 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=87776

by Doy Moyer

“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. ... Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word” (Isaiah 66:2,5).

Trembling at God’s word here stands in sharp contrast to what Isaiah says between these two statements. He speaks of there being no difference between the one who slaughters an ox and one who slaughters a man, or between one who offers a grain offering and one who offers pig’s blood. Why? Because these here represent those who are not trembling at God’s word but, instead, “These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations” (Isaiah 66:3). They were doing what was evil in God’s eyes, and they would reap what they sowed.

Sadly, those who were doing evil were, at the same time, saying, “Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy.” This appears to be more of a taunt — Let God come to your defense — similar to those who challenged Jesus while on the cross. While those who openly defy God seek to shame God’s people, the Lord says, “But it is they who shall be put to shame.”

We need to be reminded that real shame is never found in humbly submitting to God (I Peter 4:16), but rather in choosing our own ways over Him. The world may find momentary pleasure in mocking God and His people, but God will deal with that. Judgment does come!

“The sound of an uproar from the city!
A sound from the temple!
The sound of the LORD,
Rendering recompense to His enemies!” (Isaiah 66:7).

]]> 87776 Is not taking God’s name in vain just about swearing? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/is-not-taking-gods-name-in-vain-just-about-swearing/ Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:03:36 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=66333

Question:

I also would like to ask if you think this commandment refers only to oaths or if it may refer to saying the name of God without purpose, like "God willing..." without God in mind.

Thanks in advance!
God bless your work.

Answer:

This particular commandment is focused on men treating God with honor and respect. See You Shall Not Take the Name of God in Vain.

Saying "God willing" has a purpose. It acknowledges that I am not in control of the future. Whatever I do is only accomplished if the Lord is willing for me to do the task I plan.

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that'" (James 4:13-15).

"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established" (Proverbs 16:1-3).

Response:

Thank you, sir, for your attention!

]]> 66333 Reverencing the Name of God https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/reverencing-the-name-of-god/ Thu, 12 Jan 2023 22:55:52 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=57831

by David Gibson

I once overheard an older woman ask a middle-aged man as he entered the post office, “Are they closed?” “Lord, no!” he said. “They ain’t closed.”

In a Dallas hospital waiting room, several women were passing the time in conversation. One of them mentioned that a certain man they knew was 38. “God Almighty!” one of the other women exclaimed in surprise. Later one of the group said, “O God, yeah, we used to run with each other all the time.”

These remarks are all too typical these days. The use of “God,” “Lord” and variations thereof are so commonplace that hardly anyone seems to think much about it.

That’s the problem. People don’t think. They speak of God without really thinking of Him. God’s name is used not to refer to Him in a proper manner or to appeal to Him in prayer, but His name is employed to express surprise or dismay — and sometimes it is used merely as verbal filler.

How do you suppose God feels about hearing His name being used so trivially and irreverently?

Careless speech often betrays a careless heart. How can we pray, “Hallowed be thy name,” and then misuse His name the next time we feel the need to vent our emotions?

I am indebted to an article on this subject for calling my attention to the following passage: “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and esteem His name” (Malachi 3:16 NASB).

“Holy and awesome is His name” (Psalms 111:9).

]]> 57831 You’d Better Earn My Respect! https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/youd-better-earn-my-respect/ Fri, 27 May 2022 14:57:09 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=47653

by Adam Litmer

People often declare that a person must earn their respect. We like to establish criteria to be reached before respect is extended. The criteria may shift or remain static, yet the end result is the same: the ball is in their court, and they need to play it correctly to receive respect or honor from me. Many Christians have bought into this thinking. That’s a shame because it is simply not biblical.

In I Peter 2:17, Peter says, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." The word “timao” (honor) means, “To set a price on, value; regard, respect.” Peter tells us it is to be given to everyone.

He clearly anticipated arguments. You can almost hear some of his first readers objecting. “Surely Peter cannot mean the politicians. Some of them are corrupt. And the emperor? The man is a scoundrel! They must be excluded from Peter’s command.” Not a bit. A few verses before this Peter spoke of being subject to every human institution, specifically mentioning governors. (I Peter 2:13-14) In I Peter 2:17, after commanding honor for all, he makes a point of specifically mentioning the emperor. None of those people were required to earn the respect of the early Christians, rather the early Christians were required by God to give it.

Think carefully here. Many of us do not like the behavior or politics of some of our leaders. That’s fine and we have the right to question their decisions and actions. More than that, we have an obligation to speak out against ungodliness and faithfully stand with Christ should they seek to force us into sinful actions ourselves. We do not have the right to treat them in an ungodly manner. Protesting their failure to earn our respect is meaningless.

Perhaps we are willing to concede the point as it relates to the leaders of the land. “After all,” we might say, “It is hard enough to serve in those capacities without people dishonoring you. But what about the workplace? What about cruel and mean-spirited supervisors and the like? Surely, they don’t deserve such honor!” Peter anticipated this objection as well. "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly" (I Peter 2:18-19) The unjust, even those in a position to boss us around and give us grief, are to be respected. Why? Because God said so. For Christians that is enough.

The wisdom of the world and the wisdom from above stay in conflict. Here is yet another example. Unfortunately, this is a place where the wisdom of the world has gained much traction in the lives of Christians. Let’s hear God on this and mark it well: no one has to earn our respect. By virtue of being created in the image of God (whether they accept that or not) along with the dignity inherent within it (whether they live in a dignified way or not), we owe our fellow human beings honor and respect.

"Honor everyone … with all respect … also the unjust" (I Peter 2:17-18). It’s not easy but it is simple. Let’s show God that we respect and honor Him by doing it.

]]> 47653 Love and Respect https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/love-and-respect/ Mon, 07 Feb 2022 01:17:30 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=42859

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Ephesians 5:25-33

 

I.         There are some topics that are joined such that you cannot have one without the other.

            A.        Faith and obedience are two sides the same subject.

                        1.         You can’t really have faith without obedience - James 2:14-18

                        2.         And you can’t really have obedience without faith - Romans 4:2-5

                        3.         It seems almost contradictory. But it is an important point.

                                    a.         Faith motivates obedience and obedience demonstrates faith.

                        4.         This is why the Israelites failed. They lacked belief and they lacked obedience - Hebrews 3:18-19

                                    a.         Which one did they lack first?

                                    b.         Does it matter? Without one, the other collapses.

            B.        My wife and I have been reading a book that points out another, similar pair: love and respect, which happens to be the title of the book.

                        1.         Can you truly love someone you don’t respect?

                        2.         Can you fully respect someone you don’t love?

                        3.         Like faith and obedience, you can do one without the other, but it isn’t the same. It is a weak shadow of what it could be.

II.        Love and respect between God and man

            A.        We are commanded to love God

                        1.         The first and greatest commandment is to love God - Matthew 22:36-37

                        2.         God demonstrates His love by loving us first - I John 4:9-10

                                    a.         In other words, we receive God’s love not because we earned it and it was owed to us.

                                    b.         Quite the opposite, actually - Romans 5:8

                                    c.         God chose to love what was unlovable and it causes us to respond in love

            B.        But we are also commanded to respect God

                        1.         Serve God with reverence and awe - Hebrews 12:28

                        2.         The Israelites believed they loved God, but God pointed out that they had no respect for Him - Malachi 1:6

                                    a.         They didn’t honor God by giving respect for Him in worship - Malachi 1:7, 12-13

                                    b.         They didn’t honor God by giving their best to him - Malachi 1:8,14

                                    c.         They didn’t sincerely listen to God - Malachi 2:2

                                    d.         God was disgusted by them - Isaiah 1:2

                        3.         God deserves our glory - Psalms 115:1

                                    a.         Fear God and give Him glory - Revelation 14:7

                                    b.         He is worthy of our respect - Revelation 4:11

                                                (1)       But notice that God doesn’t earn our respect.

                                                (2)       Who He is and what He does deserves our respect

                                                (3)       But he isn’t doing those things to gain our respect

                                    c.         Glory and honor belong to Him - I Timothy 1:17

                        4.         Evil exists because there is no fear of God - Romans 3:18

                                    a.         The Gentiles didn’t honor God - Romans 1:21

                                    b.         Honor is not lip-service - Isaiah 29:13

                                                (1)       There was no love for God, which results in no respect

                        5.         Eli didn’t honor God - I Samuel 2:29-30

                                    a.         His sons were corrupt

                                    b.         Notice that his lack of honor caused God not to esteem him.

III.       Love and respect between parents and their children

            A.        As I was preparing this lesson, I wasn’t expecting to run into a difficulty.

                        1.         We all know that children naturally love their parents

                        2.         But there isn’t one verse stating this.

                                    a.         The closest I came was Matthew 10:37 where we are told to love God more than our parents

                                    b.         Perhaps it is so natural that it doesn’t need a command

            B.        But there are many verses commanding children to respect their parents

                        1.         Perhaps this is because this is the difficult area that must be worked on.

                        2.         Obedience when a child - Ephesians 6:1

                        3.         Honor them - Ephesians 6:2-3

                        4.         Notice that it doesn’t talk about honoring them if they are deserving.

                                    a.         Honor is there because of the position God placed them in your life

                                    b.         No matter how bad you might imagine them to be, they did manage to raise a pretty good person – you.

                        5.         The glory of sons is their father - Proverbs 17:6

            C.        Parents are to love their children

                        1.         Titus 2:4 - Women are to be taught to love their children

                        2.         A sign of a decaying society is the lack of love - Romans 1:31

            D.        Children, naturally, want respect

                        1.         Honor isn’t received because it is claimed - Proverbs 25:6

                        2.         Honor is given because of who a person is - Proverbs 26:1,8

                        3.         To receive honor, there has to be submission and humility - Proverbs 18:12; 29:23

                        4.         True honor comes because someone else recognizes you - Proverbs 27:2

IV.      Love and respect within a congregation

            A.        Submission to leaders

                        1.         Young men are to be humble and subject to their elders - I Peter 5:5

                        2.         Submission because of their position - Hebrews 13:17

            B.        Of course, the great commandment of Christ is for brethren to love each other - John 13:34

            C.        Submission to each other - Ephesians 5:21

                        1.         Putting the needs of others before yourself - Philippians 2:3-4

                        2.         Giving preference in honor - Romans 12:10

V.        Love and respect between a husband and wife

            A.        Husbands are to love their wives - Ephesians 5:25

                        1.         The word “love” comes from agape which is a devoted love. It is a love that gives even when it is not returned

                        2.         Love is given because it is the right thing to do, even if the wife is not a Christian or not being lovable at the moment

            B.        Husbands are to respect their wives - I Peter 3:7

            C.        Wives are to respect their husbands - Ephesians 5:33

                        1.         It is a command, not a suggestion.

                                    a.         It is not qualified to say, only if he deserves it or earns it

                                    b.         Respect is given because of the position that a husband is placed in by God.

                                    c.         Women are the glory of man - I Corinthians 11:7-9

                        2.         A wife can win over a sinful husband by submission, chaste, and respectful behavior - I Peter 3:1-2

                                    a.         This implies that respect is to be given even when the husband doesn’t deserve it

            D.        A wife is to love her husband - Titus 2:4

                        1.         This is not devoted (agape) love but companion (phileo) love

VI.      Love and respect are not synonyms, but they are intertwined ideas.

            A.        One requires the other for the best results.

]]> 42859 Reverence https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/reverence/ Sun, 06 Feb 2022 17:40:46 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=42866

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 89:1-16

 

I.         Hebrews 12:28-29 - Offer service to God with reverence and godly fear

            A.        Reverence means

                        1.         “A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.”

                        2.         The word literally means “with downcast eyes” or bashfulness.

            B.        Psalms 2:11 - Serve God with fear, rejoice with trembling

            C.        Psalms 89:5-15 - Hold God in reverence.

            D.        I Peter 1:17 - Conduct our time here in fear.

            E.        How do we accomplish this? What does it mean to hold God in reverence?

II.        We can learn from the respect we give to those over us

            A.        Ephesians 6:5-6 - Servants are to give obedience to their masters

                        1.         A servant who drags his feet at every command doesn’t give his master respect.

                        2.         What would you think of an employee who grumbled over each request, even though he eventually accomplishes the matter?

                        3.         How long would someone remain employed when each task given becomes a mental wrestling match?

                        4.         Consider that we work for God

            B.        Leviticus 19:32 - The aged are to be respected

                        1.         Age is a crown of glory - Proverbs 16:31

                        2.         We are to respect the wisdom gained from years of experience

                                    a.         We can benefit from their advice if we just listen

                        3.         God has lived for eternity. He is the source of all wisdom.

            C.        Hebrews 13:17 - We follow after those who lead in the church because their guidance benefits us

                        1.         I Peter 5:5 - It shows humility

                        2.         God watches over us to our benefit - I Peter 5:6-7

            D.        Ephesians 6:2 - Honor your father and mother

                        1.         Hebrews 12:9 - Give respect to fathers who discipline us.

                        2.         Notice that a parent doesn’t earn the respect of his children. Here the respect is due because of the position

                                    a.         But there is also respect because of the lessons learned, even if some are hard

                        3.         Does a child show respect to his parents if he talks back or disregards what his father tells him to do?

                                    a.         No, it is a sign of disrespect.

                                    b.         There is no acknowledgment of the parent’s position

                        4.         Isaiah 45:10 - Woe to those who say, “I didn’t ask to be born!”

                        5.         Then consider that we are the work of God’s hand. We are here because He put us here - Isaiah 45:8-9

III.       Do we acknowledge the position God holds in are life?

            A.        Malachi 1:6-14

                        1.         They dishonored God by finding his table contemptible

                        2.         They gave less than their best to God

                        3.         They look down on the offerings

                        4.         They declare God’s worship to be boring

                        5.         Were the Israelites viewing God as above them or beneath them?

            B.        Do you not see the same today?

                        1.         People are not satisfied with God’s commands

                        2.         They want to liven up the worship. The people want to be entertained. The old forms of worship are too boring.

                        3.         Service to God in worship is viewed as a chore instead of a time to give respect

            C.        We need to give God obedience - Luke 6:46

                        1.         Not just an obedience in form, but also in mind. It is a willingness to do whatever the Lord asks

                        2.         Yet too many approach God’s commands with “Do I have to?”

                        3.         Others decide to edit God’s commands. “I’m sure God won’t mind if I do this instead.”

IV.      Our service to God should be in reverence and awe

            A.        We must respect God for who He is

            B.        We must fear God for what He could do to us.

            C.        Do you revere God?

]]> 42866 Remember Lot’s Wife (Walker) https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/remember-lots-wife/ Tue, 12 Oct 2021 16:26:00 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=38446
Download Audio

by Ralph Walker

Was Lot's wife's death an unfair result of a simple reflexive action?

Preaching the Bloody Bible
]]> 38446 Nadab, Abihu, and Strange Fire https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/nadab-abihu-and-strange-fire/ Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:34:06 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=38474
Download Audio

by Ralph Walker

Did God execute these two men over a simple exchange of fire? Fire is fire, isn't it?

Preaching the Bloody Bible
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