Embracing Divine Favor: Growth in Wisdom and Stature

Devotional

Day 1: Favor as Divine Assignment

Divine favor is not a reward for good behavior but a divine trust with specific assignments and responsibilities. It is a sacred gift that aligns one's life with God's purposes, calling for a response of stewardship and faithfulness. This favor is not for personal glory but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His will. [30:30]

Proverbs 3:3-4 - "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Reflection: How can you be a steward of the favor God has granted you, and what specific assignment do you feel called to in this season of your life?

Day 2: Wisdom as Divine Insight

Wisdom is the divine insight that guides us through life's complexities and challenges. It is a blend of heavenly understanding and practical experience that equips us to navigate our responsibilities and relationships with prudence. This wisdom is not merely for personal benefit but serves as a beacon of God's light in a world that often walks in darkness. [09:27]

James 3:17 - "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's wisdom, and how can you apply this wisdom to serve others around you?

Day 3: Stature as Spiritual Maturity

Growing in stature means maturing in character and deepening our understanding of God's will. It is a journey that goes beyond physical growth, encompassing the development of our spiritual and moral fiber. As we grow, we not only benefit personally but also contribute to the spiritual health and enrichment of our faith community. [18:13]

Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to grow in spiritual maturity, and how can this growth impact your community of faith?

Day 4: Favor Amidst Challenges

The story of Esther teaches us that favor can lead to significant challenges, yet it also opens the door to great victories. Favor does not shield us from trials but equips us to face them with courage and wisdom. Through reliance on God and the support of the community, one can overcome obstacles and fulfill their divine purpose. [29:50]

Esther 4:14 - "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Reflection: What challenges are you facing that may actually be opportunities for you to exercise God's favor, and how can you respond with courage and wisdom?

Day 5: Continuous Growth in God

Personal growth in our relationship with God is a continuous journey that involves shedding old mindsets and behaviors. It is a transformative process that requires humility, dependence on God, and a willingness to embrace the new things He has in store for us. This journey not only shapes us into the image of Christ but also serves as a testimony to those we encounter. [20:29]

Colossians 3:9-10 - "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
Reflection: What old mindsets or behaviors do you need to let go of to grow in your relationship with God, and what practical steps can you take to embrace the newness He offers?

Sermon Summary

In the exploration of divine favor, the concept of "Cultivating the Favor of God and Her Friends" is delved into with a focus on the biblical narrative of Luke 2:41-52. This passage recounts the story of Jesus at the age of twelve, staying behind in Jerusalem to engage with the teachers in the temple, much to his parents' astonishment. The narrative highlights Jesus' growth in wisdom and stature, and his favor with God and people.

The discussion begins with the recognition that favor is not about trying to make God like us, but rather understanding that favor is a gift that comes with responsibilities and assignments. It is emphasized that favor is accompanied by friends – wisdom and stature – which are essential for one to grow in their relationship with God and to fulfill their divine purpose.

Wisdom, or 'Sophia' in Greek, is described as a combination of human and divine insight, intelligence, understanding, judgment, and experience. It is the skill to manage affairs and responsibilities effectively, as demonstrated by biblical figures like Joseph, who found favor with Pharaoh through his wisdom. Wisdom also involves prudence in how one conducts themselves, especially around those who do not share the same beliefs.

Stature, or 'H?likia' in Greek, refers to full development and maturity, not just in physical growth but also in the fullness of character and understanding of God's will. It is about reaching a suitable age in thinking and being fitted to receive the fullness of what God has for an individual. The growth in stature is a continuous process that enriches the entire community of believers.

The narrative of Esther is used to illustrate how favor operates in a person's life. Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl living in Babylon, finds favor with the king and becomes queen. However, her favor is not without challenges, as she faces the task of saving her people from a plot to destroy them. Through wisdom and fasting, Esther navigates the situation, ultimately finding favor with the king to thwart the evil plan against her people.

The concept of favor is further expanded to include God's approval, acceptance, support, provision, and joy. It is the idea that God is pleased with an individual and that favor can restore and make amends. Favor is seen in the lives of biblical characters like Abel, Noah, David, Ruth, and Joseph, who all experienced God's favor in various ways.

The message concludes with a call to personal growth and dedication to God. It is a reminder that walking with God is a divinely ordained journey that requires humility, dependence, and a rejection of pride. The growth in wisdom and stature is a lifelong process that involves letting go of certain mindsets and behaviors to fully embrace what God has in store.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Luke 2:41-52, what was Jesus doing in the temple that astonished his parents? How did he respond to their concern? [04:28]
According to the sermon, what are the two friends that accompany favor? [06:02]
How does the sermon describe the different types of wisdom mentioned in James 3:13-18? [12:11]
What actions did Esther take to find favor with the king, and how did this favor help her in her divine assignment? [29:50]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that favor is a gift that comes with responsibilities and assignments, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:28]
How does the concept of wisdom in the sermon align with the description of wisdom in James 3:13-18? [12:11]
In what ways did Esther's favor with the king lead to significant challenges, and how did she overcome them? [31:09]
How does growing in stature, as described in the sermon, contribute to the enrichment of the entire faith community? [18:13]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt you had God's favor. What responsibilities or assignments came with that favor, and how did you handle them? [02:28]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of wisdom in managing life's responsibilities. Identify a current situation in your life where you need to apply both human and divine wisdom. How can you seek this wisdom practically? [06:02]
Growing in stature involves reaching full maturity in character and understanding of God's will. What specific steps can you take this week to grow in your spiritual and moral development? [18:13]
Esther faced significant challenges despite her favor. Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on wisdom and God's guidance to navigate this situation? [31:09]
The sermon calls for personal growth and dedication to God. What old mindsets or behaviors do you need to let go of to fully embrace what God has in store for you? [20:29]
How can you cultivate a sense of humility and dependence on God in your daily life, as emphasized in the sermon? [26:12]
The sermon mentions that favor can restore and make amends. Is there a relationship or situation in your life that needs restoration? How can you seek God's favor and wisdom to bring about healing? [22:54]

Sermon Clips

1) "Favor is God's approval, God's acceptance, God's support, God's provision, God's Divine energy, God's joy. The idea that God is pleased with me." [22:54]

2) "Wisdom knows how to handle responsibilities. It is a wisdom that knows how to deal with people, a wisdom that deals with skill management of affairs." [09:27]

3) "When you grow in your personal relationship with Christ, the entire body that you are connected to gets full." [19:42]

4) "Favor does not come for favor's sake; it comes with an assignment. So the favor that you are getting with people, it is an assignment. Pay attention." [30:30]

5) "We are responsible for growing and feeding ourselves. When we grow in our relationship with Christ, we enrich the entire body." [18:58]

6) "The responsibility of you growing in Christ is on you. You are responsible for growing and feeding yourself." [18:58]

7) "The Lord is going to favor us this year. We only need to be humble, we only need to stay dependent on God, we only need to grow in wisdom." [25:22]

8) "What are you willing to let go of to see this body become full? What are we going to empty ourselves out of?" [22:04]

9) "When you take on the responsibility to grow, you, me, her, him, we all grow. Did you know that we all grow and we get full?" [20:29]

10) "There is a wisdom to how you handle yourselves around unbelievers. You cannot act like people who don't know Christ." [10:24]

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