If you use any or all of this message--would you be willing to fire off a quick email to:pastorjerryvargo@juno.com? I would like to have an idea of how often my sermons are actually being preached to strengthen the Body of Christ. Thanks!
Walking in the Favor of the Lord
By Pastor Jerry C. Vargo - Part Two
I. Introduction.
A. This morning, we are looking at a very important subject. We are discussing what it means to have the FAVOR of the Lord—or to walk in the FAVOR of the Lord.
B. I started this series last week and because of the often neglect of this subject, I think I will recap that message for the sake of those who did not hear it and as a refresher for those who did.
C. We use this word FAVOR in a very narrow sense in our culture. "Would you do me a FAVOR?" That is, "would you do something for me even though I don’t necessarily deserve it AND because I know we are in relationship?"
D. We did a fairly exhaustive word study, that I can’t take the time to review, but in a nutshell when the Bible speaks of FAVOR, it means:
Grace
Goodwill
To bend (condescend) or stoop in kindness to
another
The divine influence on the heart and its
reflection in the life.
It comes from the Greek word, "Charis" where we get our word for Grace (Grace is undeserved-Favor can be obtained).
E. At least three things apply to finding FAVOR with God:
1. Total Unconditional Surrender
2. Absolute Purity
3. Kingdom Thinking: Having the Mind of Christ.
F. We said DREAMS and FAVOR are brothers—when God gives you a mission, He also gives you FAVOR to accomplish the task!
G. I cited Lance Wallnau as a Pastor who really has given the best definition of FAVOR. Let me give those to you, and then we will launch into the heart of today’s message…
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.
"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. OK…with all that said, let’s move on to examine more principles of FAVOR.
B. Last week we examined Noah and Joseph as examples of those with FAVOR, today, let’s look at others who had this same FAVOR:
(1) Children of Israel
A. Turn to Exodus 3:20-22. Note the following:
1. God grants FAVOR in the presence of your enemies – vs. 21
2. How the Egyptians cooperate – vs. 22
3. Remember also that their deliverance was God’s FAVOR. Why? Because they had a mission/dream to fulfill.
B. Now look at Exodus 4:1-9. Miracles are often present with FAVOR.
(2) Moses
A. Turn to Exodus 33:12-17. There are some great principles of FAVOR in these verses:
1. It is possible to be known by God and NOT have FAVOR – vs. 12
2. Moses prays IF (denoting that it’s possible NOT to know) I have found FAVOR—let me know 2 things…vs. 13
(1) Let me know Thy ways—so that I can…
(2) So that (I can know You).
3. Vs. 14-16 – How was Moses to know if he had FAVOR?
(3) The Body of Christ
A. Lest you think this is just an OT principle, turn with me to the book of Acts 2:42-47.
B. Remember, FAVOR manifests itself in others liking us and cooperating with us.
C. Notice the progression of FAVOR in this text:
1. Devotion
2. Teaching
3. Fellowship
4. Communion
5. Prayer
6. Signs and Wonders
7. Sharing
8. Corporate Worship
9. Gladness
10. Sincerity
11. Praise
D. All of this led to FAVOR!
E. FAVOR led to people being added to their number EVERY DAY.
C. One last thing that I want to cover is the danger of NOT seeking the Lord’s FAVOR.
D. Look with me at 1 Samuel 13:7-14. In the NIV…
"Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, ’Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s FAVOR.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering." "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command."
A. You see, Saul lost his authority and his kingdom BECAUSE he did not seek the Lord’s FAVOR AND because he did not pray to know the WAYS of God (like Moses).
B. There is great danger in NOT seeking the FAVOR of the Lord.
III. Conclusion.
A. I close with this:
Proverb 3:1-4
My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find FAVOR and good repute (prudence, understanding, and success) In the sight of God and man.
