Favor Cometh Pt.2 Isaiah 1:18-20NKJ
The stories told of a guy who came to church looking very sad. “What’s up?” his pastor asks. “Well, two weeks ago my uncle died and left me 75,000. Then a week ago my aunt died and left me 50,000.” His pastor asked, “Then why are you so sad?” The guy answered, “Because nobody died this week.”
This morning we’re not talking about that kind of foolish favor! Lol.
2 Thessalonians 3:10bNKJ ...If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
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. 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
These two colors speak of the guilt of those whose hands were “full of blood.” This speaks of extreme iniquity and perversity. White as snow- as wool, portray what is clean, all blood-guilt removed.
Psalm 30:5NLT For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Introduction: We need to remember that with every good seed sown-eventually favor will come! Paul said it this way, whatever a man sows that He will also reap. Favor is like a current; it’s either moving toward you or away from you.
Again, 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.
Verse 19-20...willing and obedient...refuse and rebel.
Isaiah the prophet offered his readers the same choice God gave Moses in Deut. 28, a choice of Blessings or a curse. Eat the fruit of the land or be eaten and devoured.
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!
* 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!
Galatians 1:10 Amp 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).
Being fully obedient unto God will cost. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”
* Second way to obtain favor is, to fall in love with God’s word! (Remember, it’s God’s breath.)
Psalm 1:1-6NLT Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff,scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1:1-6TM How well God must like you—you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College. 2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.
4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust— Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.
* Thirdly, Favor will come as you begin to pray for others!
Placing other’s over your needs.
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.
* Fourth, 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;
Fifth, Your appearance will bring favor in you’re life.
Matthew 6:17-18 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
God sees our attitudes; moreover, your employers, friends, and even strangers will take note of positive or negative appearances!
* Finally, last but not least, your confidence, daily wittiness and genuine concern for others will bring favor!
People can spot a fake from miles away!
Remember this, “One day of favor is worth a lifetime of labor!”
Daniel 12:3NLT Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
Benediction.
Favor Cometh Pt.2 Isaiah 1:18-20NKJ
2 Thessalonians 3:10bNKJ ...If anyone will not ______, neither shall he ________ .
“What is favor?” Favor is not an __________, but a deliberate design by God to reward you for acts of obedience invisible to others.
Verse 19-20...________and obedient...refuse and _________.
* The first way to obtain favor is, to please God!”
Second way to obtain favor is, to fall in with God’s word!
Thirdly, Favor will come as you begin to for others!
Fourth, favor will come as you learn to ________ your tongue!
Fifth, Your _____________ will bring favor in you’re life.
Finally, last but not least, your ___________, daily wittiness and genuine concern for others will bring favor!
***Remember this, “One day of ________is worth a lifetime of __________!”
