The Favor of God - Understanding a Servant's Heart

The favor of God brings light to even the darkest night.

This is the fifth message in Pastor Sharris’ series on the Favor of God. Today she explores the importance of having a servant’s heart and how having a heart of a servant factors into the favor of God in our lives.

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

The Role of Wisdom

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. — Proverbs 4:7

Immaturity hinders or kills favor. As you mature spiritually you will have more and more favor. Doing the right thing, maturing. It opens the door for favor!

Favor with God – Seek it, then favor with man will come, and you will be able to handle it.

Stay away from spiritual pirates- going to your ministry and saying how much are they paying you, because you’re awesome! Oh I would pay you 10,000 more than what you’re getting here!

We don’t have to steal other churches talented people. They are here in the church body that you are in!

Increasing in Favor with God

How do you increase in Wisdom, Stature and favor with God and man?

Ask for wisdom James 1:5. 1 Chronicles 1:10 Solomon ask for wisdom.
Be a student of the Word of God 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Just by reading and submitting to the Word. The word makes you wise!
Look at the culture we live in – they are lacking common sense and a scriptural understanding!
Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33 It matters who you hang around with. If you hang out with fools, you will become foolish. Evil people will corrupt your good manners. Reach out to everyone, but hang out with Godly people who know God!
Do the right thing – Live a righteous life.

Not a popular thing
Not a comfortable thing.
Not always profitable – It could hurt and cost you at first.
Character is important!

A Servant’s Heart

Understand a servant’s heart – serving and preferring others

Proverbs 15:33; honor=favor; before honor (favor) is humility.
Proverbs 18:12; before destruction the heart of a man is haughty. Pride goes before destruction.
Proverbs 22:4; By humility and the fear of the Lord comes wealth riches and a long life
Proverbs 27:18 He that serves his master shall be honored! The man that prefers another. The world is in direct opposition to this.
Let another man praise you and not your own lips!

Pride = Self-centered. Pride hinders the power of God in my life.

Humility = God centered and others minded.