Title: Favor of God

Text: Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good
thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Intro:

What is favor? Definition:

* A gracious, friendly, or obliging act that is freely granted.

* Gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits or blessings.

When Jesus started His ministry, the Father gave Him the approval of blessing and favor: Matt. 3: 17 And
a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

* Special benefits or blessings.

2 Cor. 6:1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the
time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”I tell you, now is the time of
God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Let this be the year of the Lord's favor upon your: life, family, career, business and church.

1. God desires favor for His children.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing
does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
In the OT, we read of men and women who experienced the favor of God upon their lives:

a. Noah:
Gen. 6: 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

b. Napthali: Deuteronomy 33:23 About Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the
LORD and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake.”

c. Samuel: was another person who had the favor of the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:26 And the boy Samuel
continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.

d. Nehemiah
Neh.2: 4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven,

V8b...the king granted my requests. That's divine favor.

2. When God's favor is upon you, bad can turn to good.

Genesis 39:21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the
prison warden.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the
night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
most likely, Joseph had his moments of tears and sorrow. But eventually, the Lord turned his tears to joy
again.

3. When God's favor is upon you, those around you will also be blessed.

4. When God's favor is upon you, the works of your hand will be blessed.
Ps. 90: 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes,
establish the work of our hands.
5. Keys to the Favor of God:

a. Be a Good man, Live a blameless life.

Prov. 12:2: A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a crafty man.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing
does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Mordecai certainly had the favor of God upon his life. Est. 10:3b...Because he worked for the good of
his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Jesus commanded us to do good.Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil,
because God was with him.

b. Favor can be obtained through prayer.

Moses prayed in Exodus 33:13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and
continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

Nehemiah prayed for favor:

Nehemiah 5:19 Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

God can even listen to the prayer of a wicked person if he humbles himself and seek His favor. 2 Kings
13: 1-4:
Jehoahaz son of Jehu did evil in the eyes of the LORD and the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.
Jehoahaz sought the LORD’s favor, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of
Aram was oppressing Israel.

The Lord heard Jehoahaz's prayer and granted mercy and deliverance.

In NT, we read of Paul and the believers receiving God's favor through prayer.
2 Corinthians 1:11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the
gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

c. Walk in love and faithfulness.

Prov. 3: 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet
of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

d. Honor Your Parents.

Eph. 6: 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—
which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may
enjoy long life on the earth.”
When all things go well with you, this is the favor and blessing of God.
When you enjoy long life, this is the favor and blessing of God.

e. Find a wife
Prov. 18:22: He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
Conclusion:
1. God desires favor for His children.
2. When God's favor is upon you, bad can turn to good.
3. When God's favor is upon you, those around you too will be blessed.
4. When God's favor is upon you, the works of your hand will be blessed.
5. Keys to the Favor of God:
a. Be a Good man, Live a blameless life.
b. Through prayer.
c. Walk in love and faithfulness.
d. Honor Your Parents.
e. Find a wife