The Results of Favor

In this study we look at 10 results you get when you have the Favor of God.

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Scriptures:

• 1 Samuel 16: 10-12
• Psalms 5:12
• Ezekiel 39:23-24
• Genesis 39:20-21
• Psalms 23:4
• Judges 6:16-17
• Exodus 14:13-14
• Exodus 33:11
• Numbers 12:8
• Exodus 32:9-12;14
• Genesis 39:2-3
• Genesis 41:37-42
• Exodus 12:35-38
• Genesis 39:23
• Genesis 37:3-4
• Numbers 6:24-26

We’ve looked at 10 things that bring you favor from God:

1.           Being Righteous

2.           Seeking Good for Others

3.           Knowing God’s Ways

4.           Being Humble

• God’s ways are better than my ways

5.           Fearing/Revering God

6.           Acting with Love and Kindness

• Brings favor from God and man

7.            Being Married

8.            Obtaining Wisdom

9.            Doing Good Deeds

• Example: Giving to the poor

10.          Being In Relation With Someone Who Has Favor

Favor doesn’t necessarily mean that God is honoring the person’s lifestyle.

• It means that He is honoring His word.

We've seen that God favored:

• Moses
• Joseph
• Mary
• The Children of Israel
• David
• Solomon

Favored people haven't seen yet:

• Daniel
• Gideon
• Jabez
• Hezekiah

Favored by man:

• Ruth
• Esther

Review of Blessed and Highly Favored

• A blessing is a thing conducive to happiness or welfare
• To “be blessed” implies being in a state of receiving continuous blessings
• Is it accurate to say “I’m blessed”?
• As a Christian we receive “spiritual blessings”
• Salvation
• The Holy Spirit within us
• The fruits of the Spirit
• We’ve been made righteous by the blood of Jesus
• So we are in a state of constantly having spiritual blessings
• This does not imply a state of always receiving natural or material blessings
• Favor implies preferential treatment from God
• Being “highly favored” implies a life status not a single instance of favor
• Mary was “highly favored”
• You can increase in favor
• Both Samuel and Jesus increased in favor
• Therefore everyone doesn’t have the same amount of favor
• Grace is a type of favor
• Grace is unmerited/unearned favor
• There is favor which you don’t earn - grace
• There is other favor that you can earn
• Through your actions, behavior, thoughts
• Our salvation and spiritual gifts came through grace
• We didn’t do anything to earn them
• We, as Christians, often feel that it’s unfair when the unrighteous people receive blessings
• Through grace, God blesses the righteous and the unrighteous
• This is “common grace”
• God blesses the good and the evil dependent on how it fits into His plans
• Anyone who receives blessings through “common grace” didn’t earn the blessing
• That’s why it’s called grace - it’s undeserved
• As Christians, we don’t have a monopoly on natural or material blessings
• Christianity only promises you an advantage in spiritual blessings
• But through favor God can make others give you preferential treatment
• When someone gives you preferential treatment, and there was no intervention from God, it is called “the favor of man”

The results of favor…

1. Preferential Treatment From God
2. Protection
3. God is with you
4. God fights your battles
5. A Personal Relationship With God
6. Influencing God
7. Others Notice Your Favor
8. Favor from Others
9. Prosperity
10. Jealousy / Envy

Preferential Treatment from God

When a person is chosen by God for the position that other men don't see him as qualified for.

1 Samuel 16: 10-12

10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these."
11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he."

• David was chosen over his older brothers
• David's father, Jesse, didn't even consider David as a candidate

God Doesn’t Favor Who Man Favors

God doesn’t necessarily favor those who are favored by the culture

Non-believers as well as Christians often have criteria of whom they think are worthy

• God doesn’t necessarily follow that same formula

The Jews favored the oldest child, but God chose:

• Jacob (over Esau)
• David who was the youngest
• Abel (over Cain)
• Accepted Abel’s offering
• Isaac (over Ishmael)

Protection

Psalms 5:12
For You; O Jehovah, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.

• God will protect you “with favor”

While Israel followed God's commands, they had God's protection from their enemies.

• Whenever they turned to other gods they lost that protection
• You can lose favor

Ezekiel 39:23-24

23“The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword. 24“According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I dealt with them, and I hid My face from them.”’”

• When the Israelites worshipped other gods, God turned His face from them

• When they were in God’s favor they conquered all of their enemies
• All of their enemies should have whipped them but God protected them
• He removed the protection when they fell out of favor

Hid My Face

Pā·nāy - panim or paneh: face, faces

• Literally to seek after the face
• To seek after the presence of
• To seek the favor of

To “have God’s face” is to have His favor

• May God's Face shine upon you
• Lift His countenance upon you

God Is With You

We saw in the story of Joseph that “God was with” Joseph when he was in jail.

Genesis 39:20-21

20So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. 21But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

• Joseph was in an unfavorable situation
• But he was favored because God was with Him

What does “God is With You” really mean?

1. God is omnipresent
1. He’s everywhere
2. As Christians, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit

Let scripture interpret scripture…

Psalms 23:4

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

           I fear no evil, for You are with me;

           Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Example: child afraid to take the trash out at night

• Not when his father is with him

You are not alone

• It means you don’t have to be afraid.

• It means...God’s got you.
• God will protect you.
• God will provide for you.

God Fights Your Battles

Judges 6:16-17

But the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."
17 So Gideon said to Him, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me.

• God was with Gideon
• Gideon defeated the Midians with an army of 300
• 300 + God can defeat 120,000

Exodus 14:13-14

13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”

• What did the Israelites have to do?
• Shut up and watch
• When you’re favored God will fight your battles for you

When God is with you, nothing is impossible

This assumes you’re walking in the path that God has directed.

• Those in the bible were almost always doing something that impacted God’s people
• Or converting people to God

A Relationship With God

When a man seeks the face of God in Prayer, and has all his request granted.

Exodus 33:11

11Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

• Moses talked to God “face to face”

3 Levels of communication with God:

1. Email
1. Sometimes you get a response
2. You’re not clear who wrote it
3. If you don’t get an answer you wonder if anyone opened it
2. Telephone
1. Two way communication
2. You hear from God
3. You now His voice
3. In person (Face to face)
1. Spiritual encounter

Numbers 12:8

With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?"

• Not with dark sayings
• Not with riddles
• Favor brings clear communication
• You don’t have to figure out what God said
• You don’t have to wonder if it was God who said it

Influencing God

When your walk with God is so close that He tells you His plans and you can influence them

In Exodus 32 [9-13] Moses changed God’s mind about destroying the people after they made the golden calf

Exodus 32:9-12;14

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are  an obstinate people. 10 Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

11 Then Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

...

” 14 So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.

• We discussed that Moses never asked for anything for himself
• He diverted his whole life to follow the call of God

We saw others who influenced God

• Abraham
• Hezekiah

Others Notice Your Favor

Other people can see the presence of the Lord on you

Genesis 39:2-3

2 The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
3 Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

• Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph
• Why was Joseph successful?
• Not because he found favor with Potiphar
• Because “the Lord was with him”

Genesis 41:37-38

37The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God [elohim]?”

• Pharaoh noticed the Presence of God in Joseph
• Joseph became head of the country because Pharaoh saw God in him

How might people respond when they notice the favor of God on you?

• They could bless you
• They could hate you

Favor from Others

Supernatural influence on other’s opinion of you

• Preferential treatment
• Others favor you for no good [natural] reason

When a man is always receiving favor from others as a result of God’s hand on his life.

• Joseph went from a prisoner to head of the country in a single day

The Egyptians Favor the Israelites

Exodus 12:35-38

35Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; 36and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
37Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. 38A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.

• They “plundered” the Egyptians
• They took it all
• The Egyptians gave them silver, gold, flocks, herds and livestock

They went from being slaves to being a wealthy nation in a single day.

Favor can expedite your advancement.

Prosperity

When a man  takes little effort, that lead to great achievement.

Genesis 39:23

23 The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.

• Notice that God made whatever Joseph “set his hands to do” prosper
• God prospered what Joseph chose to do
• God didn't tell him what to do
• If he chose to dig ditches God would make him a prosperous ditch digger
• If you choose to be a doctor God will make you a prosperous doctor

What does prosper mean?

Being prosperous doesn't necessarily mean gaining material riches.

• Being prosperous means that whatever you try to do will prosper.
• It means you will bear fruit
• A prosperous missionary will draw many to Christ
• But he/she may still be poor

It means whatever (good) you set your hands to will prosper.

You can’t assume that you know God’s plan

• Just stay obedient

Jealousy / Envy

Genesis 37:3-4

3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. 4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.

• Not everyone is going to promote you because they see the favor of God on you
• Some will envy you and may even plot against you.

Favor and prosperity increase the insecurities of those around you

Conclusion

To have the favor of God is to have the face of God

The primary benefit of favor is having an intimate relationship with God

• God is with you
• God communicates with you clearly
• He protects you
• He fights your battles for you
• You can even influence God

Others will notice God’s favor on you

• Some will grant you favor because of it
• Some will look upon you unfavorably

Favor makes whatever you put your hands to do become fruitful

• It’s not just about prosperity
• You may prosper in different areas of life

Your favor may be in:

• The ability to develop deep friendships easily
• The ability to solve technical problems
• Making great financial decisions
• Hearing from God
• Wisdom - the ability to get revelation from scripture

Whatever area you are receiving favor, it’s not to benefit just you

• It’s to benefit the people around you
• It’s to benefit the body of Christ

Numbers 6:24-26

24 The LORD bless you, and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'

Presenter: Michael Leadon 

Extra Verses

Protection

Restoration of Israel

Ezekiel 39:28-29

28“Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. 29“I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD.

• Even though God allowed Israel to be captured, His plan was always to restore them

Example To Others

The Gentile nations knew the Jews were favored by God

• Therefore their blessings or troubles were a message to the nations

You walk in favor when you're obedient to God’s direct commands

• This implies God is telling you what to do
• You can lose favor

God is With You

Was the presence of God with Mary?

• You will call his name “God with Us”
• Mary was highly favored by God
• God’s presence was definitely with Mary
• He was inside of her for 9 months
• Mary was blessed and highly favored

1 Samuel 16:13

13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

• What is the Spirit of the LORD?
• The Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit “came upon” David and remained upon him for the rest of his life
• The Holy Spirit didn’t dwell within Old Testament saints
• He usually “came upon” them for a limited period of time

Gideon

Judges 6:15-18

15“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

17Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”

And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.”

• The Lord was with Gideon
• Gideon wasn't used to hearing from God
• He asked for confirmation and was given it
• fleece

Favor From Others

Esther 2: 15-17

 15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

• ?? Favor of God?

Daniel 1:9-10

Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,
10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king."

God Answers Prayers

Jabez

1 Chron 4: 9-10

9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,c saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

• Favored?

The Favored Can Influence God

Jeremiah 26:18-19

18 "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus the LORD of hosts has said, "Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest."'
19 "Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor [face - paneh] of the LORD, and the LORD changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against ourselves."

• Again we see “fearing God” in combination with “requesting favor”
• We see again that favor “changed God's mind”
• Just like with Moses
• Hezekiah revered God and sought for favor
• Hezekiah sought the face of God

Face

Proverbs 16:15

    15In the light of a king’s face is life,
           And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

• Esther got the king's favor and he granted her wishes

Jealousy / Envy

1 Peter 3:13-14

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

• If you make sure you’re doing good then don’t worry about the opposition
• But even if...

References

https://soundfaith.com/sermons/121834-divine-favour-study-text:-psalms-5:12-for-you…

Prosperity With a Purpose - Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson Challenge of Favor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbfmU1O3MXo