Nigerian Christian Family Fellowship Muscat Oman            
Topic: Favour with God
Text: 1Sam2²⁶

Introduction

Favour with God is a dire need for success in every aspect of life, It implies being in a position to receive God’s special enablement and goodwill in all circumstances. It means turning our difficult and impossible situations to opportunities and blessings for His glory.......    And we have favour with God

 

A.   Divine favour. What does it mean?

Definition: unmerited, chosen, preferred, goodwill. Abraham, Israel: The classic cases. Gen12^1-3, Gen25:1-4, Ex15, Josh 24:13, Ps 44^1-3, Rom 9: 9-23, Is 65^17-25’. why does God favour one above the other? Ex 33:19b, Rom9^15-17

The good news today is that Gods favour has been extended to the Church. We are Gods covenant children. His favourites. Rom 9^23-24,   1Pet 2:5-10, Eph 2:1-9, 2 Chr 16:9

 

B.   What is our basis as believers to enjoy favour with God today?

2 Pet 1:1-4, Heb3:1, Heb 4:14-16, Heb12: 22-24, 2Cor5²¹, Heb 8:6, Jesus is the basis. The mediator of a new covenant established upon better promises.

C.  In what ways as Christians are we to enjoy Gods favour? (In our every day lives)

Blessings Gen12² , Is41:8-20,  2Pet1²⁴, Promotion Gen 39:21, Gen 41:38-44, Preservation of life Job 10:12, John 10:10. Achieve impossibilities and turn around your desolation Is49:8

Open doors...He will go before you., Is 45:1-4, Ex12³⁶

Mercy, help and support Ps 30:6-12, Is 41: 10-17, Answer to prayers Is 65:24, Ps 91:15, Ps33:3

Provision in difficult situations 1 Kings 17:1-17, Fulfilment of his promises: Gen21:1-3,  Protection Ps91:7. Deliverance from trial, temptation. Dan 1⁹, Dan 3^25-29, of Israel from Babylon Jer 42:12

Chosen Est 2:15-17, Est 5², Est 7³, Luke1^28-35, 1Sam16:13,22, .Ex3:15-21, Ex 11³, Deut 30^9. All round blessings Deut 28 and fruitfulness Deut 28 ^4,11

What is Gods timing for expression of his favour, Ps102^13,  Ps30:5-12,  Ecc 3:11

D.  Any personal testimonies?

E.   How do we appropriate and maintain divine favour? (Walking in divine favour)

Confessing it. Talking right. 1 Pet 3:10, Rom 10⁹, Ps35:12, Pr15⁴, James3:5-6, Knowledge Hos4:6.  Faith, Trust and confidence. Gen 15:6’, Is26:3. Living right Pr14⁹, Pr12², Pr11^:27

Come out of your self, self-will, self-righteousness. Rom9^31-33 , Yield to him Rom 10:1-4

Understanding Pr13:15,  Wisdom Pr8 ^{35-36 ,} Obedience Gen 26:5’ Pr3:1-4

Fear of God Ps128, Ecl 8:12

 

P.   What are the reasons or hindrances for not fully entering into God’s favour?

Are we really enjoying it as we ought? Is 3:8, Jer 16:13, , Mk7:6, Mat15⁸, Disobedience, forsaking God, Not harkening to him, Backsliding (in heart) Pr14:14

 

Conclusion

God has a favourites club and we have signed-up. As members he has promised us tremendous benefits and privileges. Purely an expression of his favour (love, mercy etc)

Let us walk worthy of this calling and continue to enjoy the things he has richly blessed us with.