Favor, Don't Leave Home Without It Series

Last time: Conviction can be cultivated

Stories so far…

life group jumping in and coming back for 6pm tear-down

33-year-old mom who didn’t realize they’re doing a dream already

friend: “We came to this church because it’s real and not weird… And I didn’t grow up going to church. I think I can help others feel comfortable who aren’t used to church, too.”

Talked to someone this week in their 60’s, “I think I know what I’m supposed to do… where I’m supposed to serve… but I’m afraid.”

Many of us are afraid…

afraid of failing

afraid of commitment

afraid of missing out on something else

afraid my thing isn’t cool enough

Be where you are.

Preparing

Taking a leap

Conviction can be cultivated. And the more passion you develop… the more clarity you get that this could be a mission from God that motivates me and matters to someone else. (It doesn’t have to be the last project I do… it probably won’t be… but it’s the next.)

This week: Favor—don’t leave home without it

Every great project begins with a blessing.

You need someone’s blessing.

Don’t be mad about that. It’s life.

You are who you are… you are where you are. Don’t resent it. Work with it.

not “I’m just…”

significance of every role

Nehemiah, “I was cupbearer to the king”

God wants to take you from here to somewhere else. Be where you are. And serve the people in authority.

Millennials: Entitlement generation? Perhaps? But it’s not just Millennials. We’re all entitled.

Anyone who is alive at this time of incredible technological advancement. We have access to everything. We can create our own platforms, brands, and companies in a day.

We all have a built-in resistance to authority.

GARDEN

rebelled in our origin

tend to want to rebel still

God wants us to live under HIS authority so he puts other authorities in front of us to teach us

YOU NEED THE FAVOR OF SOMEONE.

You might get the idea of authority, but it seems limiting. “What if they tell me ‘no?’” But it’s how God designed the universe.

It’s not just now that you’ll need authority. You always will. Even if you start the next great Killer App… you will have a board of directors and investors that you’ll answer to. You will never be free of authority. It’s part of life.

Don’t hate it. Don’t resist it. Work with it.

Ex: Hilary—moving to OC

Ex: Kenton—supporting our journey

You honor God when you when you honor authority.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted Romans 13:1-2

Illust: Asked younger leader to speak to small group of Jr High kids

“God has called me to speak to large audiences.”

really?

who’s listening?

thinks they are called to do what I’m doing so I should let them

don’t realized I started speaking to high school kids in a home

college students in a dorm

singles ministry at saddleback

women’s networking events in tacoma

then 100 adults in the chapel at Irvine

then HB

…and I prepared just as much where there were 100 people in one service as I do when I’m going to speak at auditorium of 3,000.

At every stage I’m under someone’s authority, and I’ve been invited…

Yes, vision

…but I’m not entitled to anything

My influence expands as my favor increases…

pray for it

work with excellence in each season, with each opportunity

Favor comes from God and through kings

Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.

I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:11b

Whose favor do you need?

Are you praying for it?

Are you serving that leader like crazy?

even if you think they’re missing it

even if you think they’re not a good enough leader

even if they are corrupt

Artaxerxes was not a nice guy… very tough king

But Nehemiah believed…

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)

Only God can change hearts

And…

There is a role our work and effort plays

Nehemiah was a man under authority… and he crushed it for his boss.

I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad… (2:1b-2a)

No bad days

not high maintenance

not the boy who cried wolf

not the girl who cried daily

Working hard while waiting

5-6 months until Nehemiah had this conversation

Win while you wait.

Waiting is not wasted time.

serving… impressing… learning

Then, his moment of opportunity,