The Favor of God - The Role and Power of God's Favor

This is the second message in Pastor Sharris’ series on the Favor of God. Today she explores the role and power of God’s Favor.

Key scripture for this series:
Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Examples of Favor

Nehemiah – Cup bearer (wine taster for the king) to the king very honored position. It took favor to bring him to that position in the first place.

“And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” — Nehemiah 2:5

Esther – Her faith and commitment that saved the Hebrew nation from mass genocide. She had such favor that everyone who looked on her agreed that she was the most beautiful in all the land.

So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!” — Esther 5:2-3

Daniel – He had such favor that he was promoted time and time again. Daniel didn’t want to break the law of God, and God supernaturally made a way for him to not break God’s law, and came out as a wise counselor for Babylon for many years!

Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. — Daniel 1:9

Joseph –

Even when his brothers betrayed him – God was with Joseph and prospered him.
Potipher’s house he was promoted and had favor. Potiphers wife wanted him to lay with her, he wouldn’t – the Lord was with Joseph and prospered Joseph.
He goes to prison – But the Lord was with Joseph, and prospered him, and he ruled over the prison.
Joseph then became second in command only to pharaoh – because the Lord was with Joseph and prospered him!

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. — Genesis 39:21

Favor for Believers

We are called to go into all the world, and teach all nations. We can’t do it without favor. We don’t love the world – We as Christians are called to take entire nations for Jesus! We need to be obsessed with the Kingdom of God – it was never Jesus’ intention to leave you here to sit back and wait for him to come back.

WE are suppose to be taking over the world – for Jesus. We have been empowered to make a difference in our home, businesses, community, and the nation!

Where did favor come from? God. Not like the world who tries to manipulate and negotiate favor with others. This is supernatural favor! It changes people’s hearts and it was for others.

Who did God give them favor with? The world, unbelievers, ungodly people. Pharaoh proclaimed himself as a god, Nebuchadnezzar thought he was a god too. They were not good church going people. We need to start believing God for this kind of favor! We think we can’t even get favor with our friends or family!

What was the favor for? A Kingdom purpose, it isn’t for selfish gain or agendas. The favor isn’t for you – Esther had favor to save the Hebrew people, etc. God does want us to prosper individually, but to help promote His Kingdom purpose.

You can listen to this week’s message online via the player below.