Young People's Group

HONORING OUR ELDERS

by Pastor Mitch
January 25, 2009

Learning To Show Respect To Our Elders

I grew up learning how to show respect to my elders. It is an important practice that my parents taught me since I was young. Every time an older person came to visit my family, my parents would insist that I greet that person. Through the years, I have learned to appreciate this inculcated practice. There is now the realization that it is only basic courtesy and good manners for a younger person to greet an older one. Whenever I meet older people, it will be my natural practice to greet them. Young people, as we go visiting during Chinese New Year time, are we geared towards showing respect to our elders? We must. This is an important practice that we must all learn.

Practicing The Lordship Of God

Honoring our elders is something that God wants us to cultivate. It is part of learning to practice the Lordship of God. When the Lord spoke to Moses in the text of Leviticus 19, many of the statutes and commandments were followed by this phrase “I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:3, 4, 12, etc.). Our God Almighty is truly Lord over all things. He is sovereign over everything that happens on this earth. When we see Him as Lord, we must seek to obey His commandments. I would like to highlight two that deal with honoring our elders. They are godly principles that are still applicable to us today.

1. Respecting Our Parents

“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father … I am the Lord your God”
Leviticus 19:3

The Lord commanded all men to respect and honor their parents. This verse brought further emphasis on the fifth commandment that the Israelites had been taught earlier. They were meant to give the proper reverence and regard that were due to parents. Let’s make the effort to honor and show respect to our parents.

2. Respecting The Older Generation

“You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.” 
Leviticus 19:32

God also told Moses that the people should give honor to the older generation. Whenever they see a gray headed person, they should rise from their chair to greet him. They should give proper respect to an old man. Furthermore, how we respect older ones will also affect our regard for the Lord. When we give honor to older ones, it will enhance our fear of the Lord. Many young people today do not know how to show honor to the older generation. Let’s seek to be different. Let’s practice the Lordship of God by respecting our elders.

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