A Year of Favor (Pt.2)
Luke 2:40-52
Luke 2:40, (ESV)
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52 (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Luke 1:25, (NIV)
"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
Psalm 90:17, (NIV)
May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.
Proverbs 22:1, (ESV)
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Acts 2:47,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Favor is the blessing of God on our life that:
a. Increases our influence with God and with people
b. Results in unusual success or effectiveness
c. Affirms the things we do by His presence upon us
d. Acts as a shield of protection
Psalm 5:12, (NIV)
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Luke 4:18-19, (ESV)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me... to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:19, (MSG)
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
Luke 2:52, (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
1. Favor increases when we prioritize being in God’s house
Luke 2:49, (NLT)
"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Luke 2:46-47,
After three days they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Psalm 69:9, (NLT)
Passion for your house has consumed me.
John 2:17, (NIV)
His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."
Psalm 69:9, (MSG)
I love you more than I can say.
Psalm 122:1, (NLT)
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Psalm 122:1, (MSG)
When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy.
Psalm 27:4-6, (MSG)
I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.
Psalm 26:8, (NLT)
I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Acts 2:46-47, (NIV)
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
Hebrews 10:25, (TLB)
Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
2. Favor increases when we put God before religious tradition
Luke 2:43,
And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.
3. Favor increases when we know God’s Word
Luke 2:46-47,
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Joshua 1:8, (NLT)
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
The process of Favor in relation to the Word of God:
1st Information: you hear God’s Word
2nd Instruction: knowledge is imparted as it is explained
3rd Illumination: the light comes on
4th Revelation: understand it relative to your personal situation
5th Meditation: you are thinking about it regularly
6th Transformation: change begins to happen
7th Manifestation: demonstration of the Word and Favor
4. Favor increases when we increase in wisdom
Luke 2:40, (ESV)
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52, (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Proverbs 8:1, (NLT)
Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.
Proverbs 8:34-35, (NIV)
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
1st Pray for wisdom
James 1:5,
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.
2nd Get in a Life Group so you are around wise people
Proverbs 13:20, (NLT)
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
3rd When facing a decision, ask wise people questions
5. Favor increases when we humbly submit to authority
Luke 2:51, (ESV)
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
1 Peter 2:17-19, (NASU)
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor,
6. Favor is increased when we pray
Luke 5:16, (NIV)
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 6:12, (NIV)
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Mark 1:35-36, (NIV)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Exodus 33:12-18, (NLT)
One day Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Take these people up to the Promised Land.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, 'I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.' If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don't go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth." The Lord replied to Moses, "I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name." Moses responded, "Then show me your glorious presence."
Luke 4:18-19, (ESV)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me... to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:19, (MSG)
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
