Kingdom Surrender Part 2: Why Honor | Paztuh Mike Wuebbles

Kingdom Surrender: Why Honor

Unfortunately, dishonor has become a normal part of American culture. From a young age, we’re often taught that honor must be earned—that it’s only given when we agree with someone or approve of their actions.

But God’s Kingdom works very differently.

As Scripture says, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17, ESV)

Peter wrote this about Emperor Nero—the same ruler who persecuted Christians and later would have Peter himself crucified upside down. Yet the command remained the same: honor everyone.

In Lesson 2 of the Kingdom Surrender series, Paztuh Mike Wuebbles addresses a mindset that quietly holds many believers back. Without honor, we limit our ability to truly reflect Christ and reach others. In God’s Kingdom, honor isn’t conditional—it’s a posture. Honor everyone.

So this raises a few important questions:

• What is honor?

• Why does it matter?

• Who am I called to honor—and how?

• Do I only honor when it feels deserved?

Take a moment to reflect:

• Who or what do I dishonor?

• Am I willing to surrender to God’s way of seeing people?

• Am I ready to embrace His heart and attitude toward them?

Kingdom Surrender: The Call to Honor Regardless

Introduction

• The Process of Trusting God: Trusting God is not a motivational speech or a fleeting feeling; it is the daily process of moving forward even when you are afraid or unmotivated.

• The Posture of the Christian Walk: The Christian journey is not primarily about striving to obtain things, but about laying down our own will and surrendering to what God wants to do in our lives.

• The Necessity of Honor: To be effective in any calling—especially in leadership, discipleship, or evangelism—we must intentionally develop the godly character of honor, rather than relying solely on our spiritual gifts.

Recognizing our need to surrender is only the beginning; we must then understand what the kingdom requires of our posture toward others.

"The Christian walk is not so much as trying to obtain something... the Christian walk is laying down. It's about surrendering."

1. Defining Kingdom Honor vs. American Dishonor

• The Definition of Honor: In the Greek (Timi) and Hebrew (Kevad), honor means to hold in high respect, to greatly value, and to glorify. It is a fundamental kingdom culture that we must choose to practice.

• The Culture of Dishonor: Disgracing, disrespecting, and discrediting others has become a culturally acceptable norm in America. We easily justify dishonoring those who think, vote, or live differently from us.

• The Illusion of Agreement: We have been falsely conditioned to believe that honor is earned and that we must agree with someone in order to highly respect them. True kingdom honor is given unconditionally and is not dependent on mutual agreement.

• The Call to Transformation: Romans 12 commands us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that kingdom culture, not worldly culture, dictates how we treat others.

When we understand that honor is a kingdom mandate, we must confront the areas where we selectively apply it based on our own preferences.

2. The Danger of Partiality

• The Command to Honor Everyone: 1 Peter 2:17 instructs believers to "Honor everyone" and specifically to "Honor the emperor." Peter wrote this knowing Emperor Nero was persecuting and executing Christians, proving that biblical honor transcends personal safety and political alignment.

• The Sin of Favoritism: James 2:1 and Romans 2:11 command us to show no partiality, reflecting God's own character. We fail this standard when we selectively dishonor the poor, the wealthy, different races, or the opposite sex.

• The Roadblock to Evangelism: You will never be able to help someone you consistently dishonor. Constantly criticizing and dishonoring unbelievers directly violates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and disqualifies us from effectively reaching them.

• Honoring Marriage: Hebrews 13:4 states, "Let marriage be held in honor among all." Even those called to singleness must honor the biblical institution of marriage in order to disciple and encourage others properly.

Our selective honor doesn't just damage our witness to the world; it actively destroys the very institutions and callings God wants us to bless.

"Those who consistently dishonor unbelievers will never become effective evangelists."

3. Dishonoring the Church and Leadership

• The Attack on Order: 1 Corinthians 14:40 calls for all things to be done decently and in order. The enemy actively tempts believers—especially those called to pastoral or leadership roles—to hate order and rebel against structure.

• Cynicism Toward Leadership: 1 Timothy 5:19 warns against entertaining accusations against an elder without multiple witnesses. Yet, modern church culture has made it highly popular and entertaining to publicly criticize, mock, and consume gossip about pastors.

• The Principle of the Platform: God will not place you on the platform of someone you dishonor. If you spend your time complaining about the American church system or its leaders, you disqualify yourself from being the solution God can use to help them.

• Reaping What You Sow: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 commands us to highly respect and love our spiritual leaders. Sowing disrespect and dishonor into leadership guarantees a harvest of dishonor when you step into your own calling.

Confronting these deeply ingrained habits of disrespect requires us to boldly examine our own hearts before the Lord.

"Who you choose to dishonor says a lot about your character."

Conclusion

• The Reality of 'Regardless': Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:43-47). Loving only those who look, think, and vote like us requires no kingdom transformation; even the world does that.

• The Trap of Pride: Pride is an insidious spirit that convinces you that you are fine and do not need to change. If left unchecked, it will cost you your calling, your relationships, and everything God has planned for you.

• The Posture of Repentance: Like David in Psalm 139:23, we must invite God to actively search our hearts, test our thoughts, and expose any wicked ways. We must take spiritual authority over pride and sincerely repent for the dishonor we have harbored.

Hearing the word is not enough; the kingdom demands that we actively submit our hearts to the Holy Spirit's conviction.

Reflection & Discussion Questions

1. In what specific relationships or situations do you find it most difficult to separate your personal disagreement from your kingdom duty to show honor?

2. Reflect on James 2:1 and the concept of partiality. Are there certain groups of people (political, socioeconomic, or cultural) that you have subtly justified dishonoring in your daily life?

3. Have you allowed cynicism, social media, or entertainment-driven gossip to shape your view of church leadership? What is one practical step you can take to sow honor instead of complaint?

4. Read Psalm 139:23. Where is the spirit of pride telling you that you "do not need to change" right now, and how can you actively surrender that area to God this week?

   
   

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