Title: The Power of Manners
The Power of Manners
Text/ 1 Timothy 3:1-13
1. Introduction
Over the past few weeks, we have learned that the primordial energy of life that God has given to each of us is like the water of a huge reservoir - raw stone - raw wood - 鎔巖 (lava) - we need to refine and manage it to be useful in reality. can I mentioned that this vital energy must first be revealed as the power of vision, the power of the threefold cord, the power of a professional, the power of resoluteness, and the power of everyday life. Finally, today, I would like to share grace while meditating on the need to be revealed as The Power of Manner.
2. Why do we need the power of etiquette?
The French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859-1941, Jew) said, “It is a matter of living and seeing. Philosophy is next” (Primum vivere, deinde philosophari). That's right. No matter what happens, the first thing to do is to live and see. Therefore, for the past 6 weeks, we have been meditating on the inner-subjective-existential attitude of mind that each person must have in order to live and survive.
However, this alone is somewhat lacking. Vision-Samgyeopsal-Resilience-Pro-I will survive with the power of everyday life, but it means that I lack something 2% in order to live a fruitful, prosperous, plentiful, dignified, and prosperous life. What is it that fills the 2% shortage and makes them enjoy a happy life? That is the power of manners.
In the text, Apostle Paul said that not only church officers but also all the saints should obtain good witness from people outside the church as well as those within the church. The Apostle Paul said that the way to obtain a good witness from people outside the church is to always be worthy of respect (text verses 4, 8, 11). I understand that living modestly is the power of manners.
To live modestly - to live by observing etiquette is fundamentally to be conscious of others (not in a negative sense, but in a positive sense), consider others, and live in harmony is. It is said that it is polite to treat others with neat manners - dress - food - greetings - praise - recognition - work skills, etc. It is not polite to ignore the joys of others (birth-admission-promotion-marriage-success, etc.). It is also not polite to ignore other people's sorrows (failure - exit from restructuring - fail - breakup - death, etc.). Those who keep good manners are blessed.
Therefore, the Talmud says, “When all the others are seated, do not stand up, and when all the others are standing, do not sit down.”
3. What is The Power of Manners?
first. Etiquette is like a person's character - the halo that reveals the character - the shadow - the infrastructure - the atmosphere - the background music. The essence of manners is humility and consideration for others.
People are impressed when the person they meet doesn't show off - when they don't show off - when they don't show off - when they don't show what they learned - when they don't show up as an expert - when they don't make a fuss. But even though most people know that this is the case, they often give high-teams-rich-teams-learned-professionals-professionals-arrogant frowns and tough tees. In real life, it's just as difficult to keep good manners. However, it must be remembered that the reward is as great as it is difficult.
second. Courtesy is a powerful force in any human relationship. In our daily life, we often say “someone is a real gentleman (lady)” or “someone is a really cheap guy”. When saying such things, most of the standards for gentlemen-lady and sleazy guys are etiquette (talking-speaking-pretending-bedbugs-ignorance of seniors and juniors, etc.). We, the members of the congregation, should have the reputation of being a gentleman-lady. You shouldn't have a reputation for being a cheap guy.
Why? A reputation as a gentleman-lady serves as a guardian angel for the rest of a person's life, but a reputation as a scoundrel is a hindrance to everything he does. Because no one likes to work with a cheap guy. In human relations in Korean society, etiquette is exerting a powerful force even at this time (especially in the Korean church society).
third. Courtesy is a powerful force even on the battlefield. In the battlefield of antiquity, a brave enemy commander was treated with special manners, even with a shield (Judges 8:20-21 in the case of Gideon, who treated Sheba and Zalmunna with courtesy). For those of us living today, our daily life is a battleground and a battleground (marital quarrels - fights between parents and children - fights at work - fights between friends - fights in the church - other conflicts of interest in everyday life, etc.).
Most people ignore the etiquette once a fight-argument occurs. They fight and fight evil-evil- not knowing what to say-nothing to say, what to say-nothing to say, and what they are talking about. However, the Bible tells us to keep etiquette even when fighting. “When you quarrel with your neighbor, only argue and do not reveal the secrets of others, lest the hearer rebuke you, and shame will not depart from you” (Proverbs 25:9-10).
What does it mean? It is said that ladies and gentlemen do not use prohibited weapons. Even if friendship turns into feelings of hatred, don't take advantage of the weakness of the person you trusted and confided in yourself as a friend. Anyone who wins a mean victory with a forbidden weapon will forever have a reputation for "He's a cheap bastard!" and someone who loses for not using a prohibited weapon will say, "He was a gentleman-lady!" It is said that an honorable reputation will follow forever.