8 Ways to Obtain Favor Pt.3 Text: 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: What is favor? Favor isn’t an accident, but a deliberate design by God to reward you fro acts of obedience! Do you remember what Samuel said to Saul in I Samuel 15:22 22 So Samuel said:” Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. Favor comes as we obey those who are over us in the Lord! Favor is when God causes someone to desire to become a problem solver in your life. Favor is an attitude of goodness towards you. Favor is the willingness, desire and participation of someone to help you advance or obtain something you want.
I. A wise heart will always look for opportunities to sow favor! Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.
A. We have talked about desiring wisdom, becoming diligent, having an understanding heart, using correct words as you talk to others, Humility, a skill or anointing, repentance and associations!
B. The first way favor will come is: #1. When you solve problems for others! Daniel 2:12-13,16 For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. 16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.
C. #2. Favor comes as God reminds someone of something good you have done! In Esther 6 the king was reminded that Mordecai had not been rewarded for revealing the plot to assassinate the king.Psalm 5:12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
D. #3. Obedience to God guarantees favor! Malachi 3:9-11 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.11 “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts;
E. #4. Uncommon achievement attracts uncommon favor! People desire to be on the winning team! Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
F. #5. A good attitude often influences favor! Example: The two thieves on the cross!
G. #6. Favor will come if you are willing to solve problems faster than others! Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
H. #7. Favor emerges when you solve problems cheerfully! Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones
I. Last, favor comes when others see the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit operating in your life! Remember Joseph and how God promoted him!
J. Confession: Repeat this after me. “The favor of God is upon me, and I shall walk in favor always!”
