2025.12.07_ALL_IS_CALM_2_FAVOR.docx

of the Sermon**

This sermon explores the deep meaning of God’s favor and how it brings true peace, even when life is disrupted or turned upside down. Through the stories of Hannah and Mary—two women separated by centuries but united by their experience of God’s grace—we see that favor is not just God doing something for us, but God delighting in us, seeing us, and choosing us for His purposes. Both women faced difficult, even painful circumstances, yet God’s favor brought them into a new reality marked by hope and peace. The sermon challenges us to recognize that God’s favor is not always comfortable or easy, but it is always good, and it is offered to us through Jesus—grace upon grace. We are invited to receive God’s peace, not by earning it, but by trusting in His delight to show us favor.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Favor Is Rooted in His Delight, Not Our Deserving The favor God shows is not a transactional response to our goodness or effort, but a reflection of His own heart. Like Hannah and Mary, we are seen and valued by God even in our pain, confusion, or ordinariness. His favor is an act of affection and nearness, not a reward for performance. This truth invites us to rest from striving and to receive His grace as a gift.
• 2. Peace Is Found in Trusting God’s Character, Not in Predictable Outcomes Both Hannah and Mary experienced God’s favor in ways that disrupted their lives and brought uncertainty. Yet, their peace came not from knowing how things would turn out, but from trusting the goodness of the One who called them. True peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God’s faithful character in the midst of it.
• 3. God’s Favor Often Leads Us Into the Unknown, But Never Alone The stories of Hannah and Mary remind us that God’s favor may lead us into situations we would not choose for ourselves—places of waiting, misunderstanding, or even suffering. Yet, God’s favor is not just about the assignment; it is about His presence with us. He walks with us through every upending, offering companionship and strength for the journey.
• 4. Grace Upon Grace: God’s Favor Is Always Fresh and Sufficient John’s words, “from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace,” point to the inexhaustible supply of God’s favor in Jesus. Each season of life brings new challenges, but also new expressions of God’s grace. We are not left to live on yesterday’s favor; God continually renews His grace, planting hope and peace where fear and anxiety once lived.
• 5. Receiving God’s Favor Changes How We See Ourselves and Others When we truly believe we are favored by God—not as His favorites, but as recipients of His affection and grace—it transforms our identity and our relationships. We are freed from fear and striving, and empowered to extend the same favor, love, and attention to others. Living in God’s favor means becoming agents of His peace and grace in a world longing to be seen and valued.

1. In 1 Samuel 1:9-18, what was Hannah’s emotional state before and after her encounter with Eli? What changed for her?
2. When the angel greeted Mary in Luke 1:26-38, how did she react to being called “favored one”? What questions did she ask?
3. According to John 1:16, what does it mean that we have received “grace upon grace” from Jesus?
4. In both stories of Hannah and Mary, what specific words or actions showed that God saw and valued them?

1. The sermon said God’s favor is rooted in His delight, not our deserving. How does this challenge the way people usually think about earning God’s approval?
2. Both Hannah and Mary experienced God’s favor in ways that disrupted their lives. What does this suggest about the connection between God’s favor and personal comfort or predictability?
3. The phrase “grace upon grace” was used to describe God’s favor in Jesus. What does this say about the ongoing nature of God’s grace in a believer’s life?
4. How might truly believing that God delights in us (not just tolerates us) change the way we see ourselves and others?

1. The sermon said God’s favor is not a reward for performance, but a gift of His affection. Are there areas in your life where you feel you have to “earn” God’s love or approval? What would it look like to rest from striving in those areas?
2. Hannah and Mary both faced uncertainty and even pain as a result of God’s favor. Can you think of a time when following God led you into the unknown or made life harder, not easier? How did you experience God’s presence in that season?
3. The sermon challenged us to trust God’s character, not just hope for predictable outcomes. Is there a situation right now where you need to trust God’s goodness, even though you don’t know how things will turn out?
4. “Grace upon grace” means God’s favor is always fresh and sufficient. Are you living on “yesterday’s favor,” or are you open to new expressions of God’s grace in your current season? What might it look like to receive God’s grace today?
5. When you think about being “favored” by God, do you see yourself as His favorite, or as a recipient of His affection and grace? How does this affect the way you treat others—especially those who may feel unseen or unvalued?
6. The sermon invited us to become agents of God’s peace and grace. Who in your life right now needs to experience God’s favor through your attention, kindness, or encouragement? What is one specific thing you can do for them this week?
7. The prayer prompts in the sermon included praise, confession, request, and thanks. Which of these is hardest for you to express to God, and why? How might you take a step toward honest conversation with God in that area this week?