1. To favor people or be favored by God. Definition:
a. Show acceptance.
b. To approve with actions.
c. To regard highly or to tell all the good points of the one you favor.
Synonym: To accept, approve, to encourage, to promote, to assist, demonstrated delight.
2. Working definition of God’s favor – when He finds something in you that He is looking for then it pleases God – when you do something or become something that God wants, or His nature demands.
3. Those who had God’s favor:
? Job – “You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit” (Job 10:12)
? Samuel – “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men” (1 Samuel 2:26).
? David – “David found favor with God” (Acts 7:46, NLT).
? Mary – “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God’” (Luke 1:30).
4. Those who pleased God:
? Faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
? Daily life. “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
? Good works. “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (Hebrews 13:16, NLT).
SIX WAYS TO PLEASE GOD
1. Faith pleases God. “ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, NLT).
a. Accept God as presented in Bible.
b. Do everything God wants you to do.
c. Walk with God. “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5, NLT).
2. God is pleased when the Holy Spirit is central in your life. “When your old nature controls your mind, it leads to death; but when your new nature in Christ controls your mind you have peace. But the old nature resist God and fights Him, and will not yield to God’s will and will never please God” (Romans 8:6-8, ELT).
3. You please God when you respect and fear God. “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 147:11, NKJV).
4. When Jesus indwells and guides you to do the Father’s will. “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’” (Matthew 17:5, NKJV).
5. You please God when you do His will. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16, NKJV).
6. When we worship and praise God. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16, NKJV).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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