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Walking in the Favor of the Lord
By Pastor Jerry C. Vargo - Part One
I. Introduction.
A. There is a word in the Bible that is most often overlooked: FAVOR.
B. We use this term in modern day vernacular: Hey, would you do me a FAVOR. That is, "would you do something for me that I don’t really deserve? I’m still asking—even though I know it is a FAVOR AND because I know we are in relationship."
C. Note: In God’s eyes, there are no FAVORITES! His Love is across the board.
D. Inconsistent with the book of James: Partiality.
James 2:1
2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.
NAS
E. Listen: It is possible to love someone, but not like him. God does not like what every man does; But He loves all because He wills the best for every man.
Psalm 7:11
"God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day."
F. This word—FAVOR—can change your life.
G. The word has multiplied meanings.
G. Old Testament: Grace, charm, acceptance, goodwill, or desire. I love this definition: To bend (condescend) or stoop in kindness to an inferior. Lastly—To be shown consideration.
H. New Testament: You are more familiar than you think. It is from the Greek word: "Charis." This is where we get our word for "Grace." It is where we get our word for "Gifts of the Holy Spirit." Charismata Gifts. Listen, even the gifts of the Holy Spirit are a sign of God’s FAVOR on us.
I. Other NT meanings: The divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life. That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness. Grace of speech. What is due to grace. The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace.
J. So, let me just say it like this: FAVOR is different from Grace, although it comes from the same root word. Grace is undeserved—The Bible is full of instruction about how we can obtain FAVOR (We will look at these in this series): FAVOR COMES UPON THOSE WHO…
Watching
Waiting
Praying
Keeping His Commands
Walking in Kindness and Truth
Good Understanding produces FAVOR
Finding a Good Wife is God’s FAVOR
Suffering
K. All of these things produce FAVOR! Remember when I said that there were three things needed to walk in your dreams? Those three things apply to finding FAVOR with God:
1. Total Unconditional Surrender
2. Absolute Purity
3. Kingdom Thinking: Having the Mind of Christ.
L. Actually, DREAMS and FAVOR are brothers! Throughout the Bible, you will not find ANYONE who had a mission from God who did not also have God’s FAVOR.
M. What does this mean? It means that God likes you—He loves you—and He wants you to be successful in the plans that He has for you. In addition, He has provided FAVOR to help you!
N. Lance Wallnau is a pastor in Rhode Island. He had some things to say about FAVOR that I could not say any better…
Literal meaning: Technical Greek Definition:
"To have the peculiar signature of God’s FAVOR or honor or cherishing value placed on you so that when he sees you there is a special value he has for you…In other words…God really likes you!"
"When He likes you, there is such an influence that comes upon you that the charisma of God himself rubs off on you which makes other people like you or cooperate with you whether they like you or not!"
" FAVOR is the special affection of God toward you that releases an influence on you, so that others are inclined to like you, or to cooperate with you."
II. Body.
A. All of this is just an introduction so that we clearly understand the nature of God’s FAVOR.
B. With the little time we have left, I want to begin to build a case (just using two examples this morning) that undoubtedly shows that God’s FAVOR rests upon those who go after God and the Dreams that He places in their hearts.
C. Who Had Favor In The Bible?
Noah
A. Genesis 6:5-8 (Verses 9-21 – show that He was a Kingdom Thinker) + Verse 22 (Total Unconditional Surrender) + Verse 23 (Absolute Purity).
Joseph
B. Genesis 39:1-12. The whole story speaks of his commitment to find FAVOR: Total Unconditional Surrender, Absolute Purity, and Kingdom Thinking.
C. If we had time, we would read on and find that His FAVOR had an interesting turn. Remember what I said earlier? Joseph actually suffered in the midst of doing what was right. (What does it profit to suffer for doing right)?
D. He goes to prison: He finds FAVOR with the Chief Jailer.
E. He was promoted to the second in charge in Egypt: He found FAVOR with the King.
F. Now, listen…after the process of brokenness—which we all go through to walk in FAVOR —Joseph does the right thing and he extends FAVOR to his brothers!
WARNING: FAVOR is a dangerous thing! It can cause you to begin to embrace everything that comes your way—GOD OR NOT!
Thank Him for your brokenness and life lessons—they prepare you to be able to handle the FAVOR of the Lord!
G. Also Note: Those who have FAVOR, bless those around them. Genesis 39:3, 5.
" FAVOR is the special affection of God toward you that releases an influence on you, so that others are inclined to like you, or to cooperate with you."
III. Conclusion.
A. I want to encourage you today: WE NEED TO GO AFTER THE FAVOR OF THE LORD:
In Church
In the Marketplace
In the Educational System
In the Government
B. We go after it with three things in mind:
1. Total Unconditional Surrender
2. Absolute Purity
3. Kingdom Thinking: Having the Mind of Christ.
C. Listen to the following verses as I close:
Psalm 5:12
"For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your FAVOR as with a shield."
NIV
Psalm 30:5
"For His anger is but for a moment, His FAVOR is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning."
NAS
Psalm 30:6-7
"Now in my prosperity I said, "I shall never be moved. "LORD, by Your FAVOR You have made my mountain stand strong;You hid Your face, and I was troubled."
NKJV
