Walking in the Favor of the Lord pt.2 Isaiah 1:18
20 Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken
Introduction: We need to remember that with every good seed sown-eventually favor will come! Paul said it this way, whatever a men sows that He will also reap. Favor is like a current; it’s either moving toward you or away from you. Before I talk about favor-“what is favor?” Favor is not an accident, but a deliberate design by God to reward you for acts of obedience invisible to others. Favor is when God causes someone to desire to become a problem solver in your life. Favor is an attitude of goodness toward you. Favor is the willingness, desire and participation of someone to help you advance or obtain something you want.
A. The divine purpose of favor is to enable you to achieve your assignment! Your willingness and obedience toward God in everything will bring favor, but your disobedience will make favor leave you!
B. In Luke 2:52 there is an interesting verse about Jesus. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. “The Message Bible” say’s, vs. 52). And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.
C. This seems to indicate that although Jesus was God, there isn’t any indication that He had all knowledge and wisdom from birth. It seems that even Jesus had to decide to walk in the Father’s wisdom and knowledge to obtain favor!
D. Isaiah 1: 18 Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “ Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
E. The word “reason” in verse 18 means to be able to think in a logical and rational manner. In other words, spend time with God because He loves you so much that He would be willing to save you from your dirty sins!
F. Vs 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
G. The first way to obtain favor is, to always please God!” Men usually give favor that is designed to manipulate, but God gives favor through obedience!
H. Galatians 1:10 Amplied 10).Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bondservant of Christ (the Messiah).
I. Secondly, Favor comes as someone falls in love with God and His word! Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
J. Thirdly, favor will come as you begin to pray for others! James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
K. Next, favor will come as you learn to bridle your tongue! James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
L. Fifth, Your appearance will bring favor in you’re life. First, God sees our attitudes; moreover, your employers will take note of positive or negative appearances!
M. Last but not least, your confidence, daily wittiness and genuine concern for others will bring favor! ( People can spot a fake from miles away!)
N. If you desire to walk in the favor of the Lord raise your hand! Remember this, “ One day of favor is worth a lifetime of labor!”
