What Happened to Honor?

By Joel Siegel

What Happened To Honor?—newly revised and expanded—brings a much needed message of balance and purpose to the Body of Christ. Truth, if not cared for, can be lost. The move of God, if not treasured, can fade away. The Church must properly value the things of God if God's plan is to be fulfilled. Encouraging and inspiring yet also sobering and challenging, you'll be provoked to reflection and action, realizing that honor is not just a little thing, nor only an occasional thing. Honor is everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joel Siegel
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215066799

Joel Siegel

Faith in God’s Word, and constant reliance on the Holy Spirit have been the keys to success in the life and ministry of Rev. Joel Siegel. Raised and educated as a Jew, Joel Siegel, at age 18, had a life-transforming encounter with Christ that brought him true purpose and fulfillment.  Rev. Siegel began preaching and teaching the Word of God soon after he was saved in 1986. He entered full-time ministry in 1990, serving for three years as the music director for the gospel music group Truth. Truth’s road schedule took Joel and his wife Amy worldwide to over 300 cities a year, ministering in churches and on college campuses. From 1993 to 2000, Joel was the musical director for Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin’s RHEMA Singers & Band. In addition to assisting Rev. Hagin in his crusade meetings, Joel produced many music projects for the ministry, including his first solo release, Trust & Obey. From 2000 to 2011, Joel and Amy served as founding pastors of Good News Family Church in Orchard Park, NY. During this time, they were frequently asked to host shows for the TCT Christian Television Network. Joel regularly hosted their popular Ask The Pastor program. Rev. Siegel spends his time ministering to congregations in the U.S. and abroad, passionately endeavoring to fulfill his assignment to help lead this generation into the move of God that will usher in the return of Christ.  The Siegels make their home in Colorado. Joel oversees Faith Church Colorado in the town of Castle Rock, where Amy is lead pastor.  For music recordings, audio teaching series, books, and other resources, or to invite Rev. Joel to minister at a church or event, please visit siegelministries.org.

Book preview

SECTION 1 – THE HONOR CRISIS

01 The Big Picture, A Big Problem

This is not a book I would choose to write, but rather one I feel compelled to write because of some things I know about God, the devil, and people. I know there’s a move of the Spirit of God that is imminent and necessary but is yet in jeopardy. I know the devil is as focused and committed as ever as he seeks to halt God’s plans for the Earth. And I know that people are searching for truth, hungry for answers and results, and desirous that the will of God be done.

God desires to do great things in our midst, but too often He cannot; He’s limited by the cooperation and participation of His Body. Because His work on Earth cannot be accomplished apart from His Body, it’s essential that the Church remain awake and focused—engaged in His plan. Time is too short for distractions and wrong directions. Time is too precious to present poor substitutes for the genuine move of God. Souls are at stake! In the past, the Body of Christ has experienced great demonstrations of the Spirit of God and has been the recipient of the finest teaching the world has known. These were not just passing fads from a bygone era; God’s precious things must not be abandoned.

Throughout this book, I refer to a man named Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin. Dad Hagin (as he was fondly called) was my spiritual father, for, more than anyone, he trained me in the ways of God. Brother Hagin frequently spoke of the spiritual outpouring which must precede the Return of Christ, highlighting not only God’s desire to move, but our responsibilities to receive. Although he spoke of essential elements such as faith and God’s power, that’s not all he taught. He also emphasized the place of reverence and honor. As I traveled with him, I often heard him say, When reverence and honor are restored, there will be a restoration and a multiplication of the miraculous power of God. What a significant statement.

As Brother Hagin sought God as to why His plan for the Church seemed to have stalled—why His mighty outpouring was delayed—God pointed him to a deficiency in the area of honor. Here’s the sober truth: the great things we desire to see are not held back due to a lack of power; they’re held back due to a lack of honor. We—Christ’s own Body—are the ones preventing His plan from progressing. This must change! It’s with a sense of passion and even desperation that I add my voice to Brother Hagin’s, calling for the restoration of a culture of honor within the Church.

The move of God and the plan of God require the honor of God. The problem in our day is a lack of honor that erodes the effectiveness of the Church and limits the power of God. Perhaps an even bigger problem is that this condition exists unnoticed by many ministers and leaders.

What I’ve seen the Church literally throw in the trash in recent years scares me. Things that should have been hallowed forever have been labeled old and obsolete. People who think they’re doing the Body of Christ a great service are encouraging leaders to leave the old and embrace the new. The result is a Church that’s too often powerless, faithless, and honor-less.

I believe many consider the subject of honor of great importance. What all may not be clear on, however, is what honor looks like and how it acts. The chapters that follow will bring scriptural definition to the honor of God. Although I plainly speak of certain pitfalls, my message is not a negative one. This is a book borne of love: love for God, the things of God, and the people of God. I’m persuaded that as the Church pursues honor—a trait that mirrors the essence of God—He will move in His fullness and the Church will enjoy its greatest day.

02 When Jesus Couldn’t Be Jesus

You’re going to love Nazareth, He said as He walked alongside His disciples. "There’s this little place called Nathan’s as you head toward the overlook. They have the best kosher hot dogs; I’ll bet they make it big someday. I’ll take you guys there."

Totally, several of them agreed.

I hear your mom’s no slouch in the kitchen, though, James said.

Dude, not just her. The whole congregation in my synagogue can seriously throw down. Did I tell you? They’re going to have a potluck dinner for us right after I minister tomorrow.

Right on! the gang replied.

That’s what I’m talking about, Andrew chimed in excitedly.

It’s all about the food with you guys, Little Jim jabbed.

You know that’s right, Bartholomew responded.

Jesus just smiled. Ain’t nothing wrong with a good meal, He muttered to Himself. Just weeks earlier He had gone forty long days without eating. He wasn’t up for that again anytime soon. He figured His mother was already slow-roasting her famous beef stew and prepping the dough for her homemade bread; He loved that warm bread with the crunchy crust. He needed this. He was ready to see family and friends and catch them up on all that had happened the last few weeks.

As they walked, Jesus slipped His hand into His robe and felt something. As He pulled out the thin piece of cardstock, He remembered and smiled. The business card read Jairus: Servant-leader of Congregation Beth-Shalom.

He paused to let it sink in for a moment: a synagogue ruler had actually come to Him for ministry. Amazing. Until then, all the synagogue leaders had opposed His ministry. Jesus thanked the Father that His ministry was finally being received by the people He had come for. The look on those parent’s faces when they received their daughter back to life was priceless. He didn’t care what He had to endure to see more of these miracles.

He started walking faster. He knew of several people in His hometown synagogue who also needed healing and deliverance—some of them with major issues. He was excited to open the scriptures and share the good news that their time had come. It’s time for healing. It’s time for provision. It’s time for miracles, He mumbled with a familiar rhythm, unconsciously tapping into His ministry anointing. The more He preached, the faster He walked.

Hey Boss, can you dial it back a bit? Little Jim can’t keep up, Thomas joked.

I walk behind you so I don’t have to see your face, Little Jim shot back. What he lacked in stature, he made up for in wit.

Sorry, Jesus said, relaxing His pace. I get excited sometimes. We’re going to have a seriously great time of ministry. You guys are going to love Nazareth.

Yes, Rabbi. You told us, John reminded Him. We’re excited to go.

His ministry was taking off. It didn’t hurt that the most notorious demon-possessed man in the region was delivered and made it his mission to go from town to town, testifying of his newfound freedom. It didn’t hurt that Jairus’ daughter had been raised from the dead. And it sure didn’t hurt that the hemorrhaging woman was suddenly set free. His ministry was gaining serious momentum, and tomorrow’s meeting in Nazareth would be the perfect time to build upon it—to take a step higher and watch God’s power flow stronger. What better place than your hometown to have your best meeting yet?

The Whole Thing Falls to Pieces

The disciples knew better than to sit on the front row. They placed seats for themselves along the side walls of the sanctuary so they could see both Jesus and the people. They wanted to see the look on their faces when Jesus began to teach. They knew what was about to happen when Jesus arose and opened the scrolls. Isaiah 61 again, some of them thought to themselves. No problem there. He’d been preaching it everywhere and it worked just fine. The Spirit is upon me to preach. The Spirit is upon me to heal. The Spirit is upon me to set the captives free. Jesus began preaching with His usual fire. They had watched this scene unfold in many of the local synagogues and were giddy with excitement as He started His message.

The Jewish people were a lively and responsive bunch. It wasn’t unusual to hear exclamations of amazement as He ministered. Wow and Whoa were repeatedly uttered in the congregation as He taught. Then, when the miraculous took place, things got even louder and more intense. No one had experienced this kind of ministry before. What had been religious and ritualistic was now life-transforming and miraculous.

Things were no different in Nazareth. As He spoke, familiar sounds erupted throughout the room. Whoa, one person said in amazement. Outstanding, another marveled. The disciples elbowed each other, lit up with excitement. They knew what was about to happen. Miracles were about to pop like popcorn.

Wait a second. What was that? Instead of hearing, Whoa, people started saying, No! The people began talking among themselves as Jesus ministered. It can’t be, one of them said. Impossible! said another.

Just then, one of the elders stood up, interrupted the preaching, and addressed the congregation. I don’t care what He says, I won’t have it. We won’t have it here. We’ve done things a certain way our whole lives, and some failed carpenter who travels around leading others astray is not going to disrespect our time-honored traditions. We know exactly who He is. He’s a fraud.

Others agreed. They talked about how He misbehaved in the children’s ministry as a little boy. I changed your diapers here, Sonny, one older lady said. Don’t give us this rigmarole about how some lady touched your robe and was healed. I touched you dozens of times when you were little and never felt an ounce of power.

The disciples were stunned. Their eyes grew as big as saucers. What was going on? They whispered to each other, He needs to hurry and get to the miracles before He loses the crowd. Jesus motioned for the crowd to settle down so He could say something. Good. Here we go, the disciples thought. The congregation thought, Good. An apology.

And he said, Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. Luke 4:24-27

Oh snap, the disciples thought to themselves. There goes the potluck dinner.

Jesus’ family, watching Him minister for the first time, hung their heads in shame. They had hoped the miracle stories they heard were true, but now it was obvious: He was just a fake. A lot of talk and nothing to show for it. And now, instead of backing down, He makes things worse.

Because the starving widows in Israel failed to receive God’s servant Elijah, they starved. The only widow supernaturally sustained was an outsider who regarded the words of the prophet. Likewise, all the Israelite lepers died with their leprosy, even though