Rev. Michael Dissanayeke, Chairman / General Superintendent
Restoring Honor
Building the ‘Kingdom Culture of Honor’
When Jesus promised to Build His Church in Matthew 16: 18-19, He also said that He has given us the ‘Keys of the Kingdom’ of Heaven. Just as keys are small objects which have the power to open great doors or start powerful vehicles, the “Kingdom culture of honor” can open great opportunities for you and your church. Jesus spoke more about the Kingdom of God (90 times) than the Church (twice), which implies that the Church should be having the Kingdom culture as it’s model.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
God in creation gave man the primary place of honor above all creation and it is said that God
“crowned him with glory and honor … made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands”. (Psalm 8:5-6)
However, sin caused man to ‘fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:2) and ever since humanity is greedy for honor, seeking it through fame and accomplishments. Since honor is reserved for few in society, many who are denied of honor suffers from poor self-esteem, brokenness and poverty. The church is given the ministry of restoring back this lost honor.
God’s plan to ‘Restore Honor’ was through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. Instead of wearing a royal crown, Jesus wore a ‘crown of thorns’ which was intended to mock Him, which represented the ‘thorns’ of curse inherited by Adam in the garden. Jesus took ‘all’ shame and dishonor inherited by humanity to restore to you the ‘crown of glory and honor’.
Therefore our culture should be different from the world’s culture of shame and guilt, instead we can restore honor and give value and Honor to our brothers and sisters above ourselves. God’s honor is not expendable; the more you give – the more you receive!
The Church must develop this Kingdom Culture of honor, because God not only restores honor individually, but also to the whole Body of which you are a part. Today the Church represents that Kingdom inclusive of diversity of people churches, cultures and languages.
If we can unite in purpose together, there is so much God can do through every member and church in our nation. We should be giving “greater honor to that part which lacks it… that the members should have the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25).
Can you imagine if all our churches and believers will rise up together in ‘One Vision’ and “One Purpose” giving honor to one another, what God can achiever through such ‘Kingdom culture of Honor”?
It will heal the wounds of shame, brokenness, and poverty in our Nation, and will restore esteem and value to release God’s blessing over our Nation.
I urge you to commit yourself to living in this ‘Kingdom culture’ and be an example to the world we live in. To see this culture looks like, I encourage you to read Romans 12:9-21 every day for a month, and see the transforming effect of this Kingdom culture in your life and church.
We also encourage you to commit yourselves to fulfilling this “One Vision” by uniting, praying and engaging in this Kingdom Culture.
Assemblies of God Sri Lanka 