Reaching for Favor: Aligning with God's Purpose

The word God placed on my heart today is “reach.” Favor doesn’t just fall on us by accident; it flows through relationship. Every meaningful relationship in our lives began because someone reached out, but before that, there was a reaching in, and before that, a reaching up. True favor is not luck or chance, but the result of God’s goodness, grace, and love working in and around us. God reached down to us first, and now calls us to reach up to Him, reach in to strengthen ourselves, and reach out to others.

Reaching is an action—it means extending beyond ourselves, stepping out of comfort, and moving toward what God has placed before us. Jesus modeled this perfectly. He didn’t wait for us to climb up to Him; He came down to us in our brokenness. He lived in constant connection and alignment with the Father, always reaching up in prayer and obedience. This alignment is the key to experiencing God’s favor. Favor is not about striving for perfection, but about aligning our hearts, words, and actions with God.

One of the most practical ways to reach up is through giving. Giving is an act of faith and trust, a declaration that everything we have belongs to God. When we give cheerfully and joyfully, we align ourselves with God’s kingdom, and He promises to pour out blessings and favor. Our giving is not just about meeting needs; it’s an act of worship and alignment that positions us to receive from God.

To move forward in God’s purpose, we must reach up, reach in, and reach out. Jesus reached forward to the cross and resurrection, fulfilling His destiny because He was always aligned with the Father. Likewise, we are called to reach forward, forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the goal. When we say, “Lord, send me,” we position ourselves for God’s favor to rest on us and for everything we touch to prosper—not because of us, but because of our alignment with Him.

Favor is not a formula; it’s a relationship. The depth of our relationship with God determines the depth of favor we experience. As we abide in Him, reach up, reach in, and reach out, His favor surrounds us like a shield, enabling us to fulfill the mission and vision He has for our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Favor Flows Through Relationship, Not Randomness God’s favor is not a matter of luck or chance, but the result of a living relationship with Him. Just as God reached down to us, we are called to reach up to Him, reach in to strengthen ourselves, and reach out to others. The measure of favor in our lives is often determined by how deeply we pursue and nurture this relationship. [00:50]
• 2. Reaching Requires Action and Alignment To reach is to extend beyond ourselves, stepping out of comfort and moving toward what God has placed before us. Jesus modeled this by living in constant connection and alignment with the Father, always seeking His will. Our alignment with God—through faith, words, and actions—positions us to receive His favor and fulfill our purpose. [25:40]
• 3. Giving as an Act of Alignment and Worship Giving is more than meeting a need; it is a declaration of trust and an act of worship that aligns us with God’s kingdom. When we give cheerfully and joyfully, we open ourselves to God’s promise to pour out blessings and favor. Our generosity is a practical way to reach up and honor God with what He has entrusted to us. [33:12]
• 4. Reaching Forward Means Embracing God’s Purpose To reach forward is to press on toward the goal God has set before us, just as Jesus reached forward to the cross and resurrection. This requires us to forget what is behind, align ourselves with God’s will, and say, “Lord, send me.” When we do, God’s favor rests on us, and everything we touch is positioned to prosper for His glory. [61:47]
• 5. Favor Is Rooted in Relationship, Not Formula Favor is not something we can manufacture through formulas or rituals; it is the overflow of a genuine relationship with God. The depth of our favor is determined by the depth of our connection and alignment with Him. As we reach up, reach in, and reach out, God’s favor surrounds us, enabling us to fulfill His mission and purpose for our lives.
  
  ** [66:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:50] - Favor Flows Through Relationship
• [01:27] - God Reached Down to Us
• [03:11] - Reaching Beyond Ourselves
• [04:24] - Favor as a Shield
• [24:51] - Jesus’ Constant Connection with the Father
• [25:40] - Alignment with God
• [26:49] - Pouring Out Favor
• [28:06] - The Importance of Alignment
• [29:37] - Humility and Favor
• [30:54] - Giving as Reaching Up
• [32:15] - God’s Promise in Giving
• [33:12] - Trusting God Over the World
• [34:15] - Overflowing Blessings
• [35:09] - Meeting Needs Through Obedience
• [36:18] - Giving as Worship
• [37:47] - Treasuring God Above All
• [59:49] - Reaching Forward to God’s Purpose
• [61:47] - Saying “Send Me”
• [64:08] - Everything You Touch Will Prosper
• [65:45] - Favor Is a Relationship
• [66:43] - Heart Alignment in Giving
• [68:02] - Reaching Up, In, and Out
• [69:07] - Invitation to Reach Forward
• [70:19] - No Condemnation in Christ
• [72:10] - The Importance of Community
• [73:11] - Responding to God’s Call
• [73:59] - Altar Call and Closing Worship

Bible Reading

Psalm 18:16 (ESV) — > He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters.

2. Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
> Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)
> Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 18:16, who is the one doing the reaching, and what is the result for the person being reached?
2. In Philippians 3:13-14, what does Paul say he does with the past, and what is his focus moving forward?
3. What does 2 Corinthians 9:7 say about the attitude we should have when we give?
4. In the sermon, what are the three directions we are called to "reach" and what does each one mean? [[00:50]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, "Favor doesn’t just fall randomly. It flows through relationship." How does this idea challenge the way people often think about God's favor? [[00:50]]
2. Why is alignment with God described as more important than striving for perfection? How does this alignment affect our experience of God’s favor? [[25:40]]
3. The pastor said that giving is an act of faith and alignment, not just meeting a need. What does it mean for giving to be an act of worship and trust? [[30:54]]
4. When Paul talks about "forgetting what is behind and straining forward," what might this look like in the life of a believer who wants to follow God’s purpose? [[59:49]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon teaches that every meaningful relationship starts with someone reaching out, but before that, there is a reaching in and a reaching up. Think about a relationship in your life that needs to grow. Which step—reaching up, in, or out—do you need to focus on first, and what is one practical thing you can do this week? [[00:50]]
2. Jesus modeled reaching by coming down to us in our brokenness. Is there someone in your life who needs you to reach out to them, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone? What would it look like to do that this week? [[03:11]]
3. The pastor said, "Favor is not about striving for perfection, but about aligning our hearts, words, and actions with God." Is there an area of your life where you feel out of alignment with God? What is one step you can take to realign? [[25:40]]
4. Giving was described as a way to reach up to God and declare trust in Him. When you give—whether time, money, or service—do you do it cheerfully? If not, what holds you back, and how can you change your attitude about giving? [[33:12]]
5. The sermon challenged us to "forget what is behind and press on toward the goal." Is there something from your past that is holding you back from reaching forward? What would it look like to let go and move ahead? [[59:49]]
6. The pastor encouraged us to say, "Lord, send me." Is there a place or situation where you sense God might be calling you to step out in faith? What would it take for you to say, "Send me," and act on it? [[01:01:47]]
7. The message said, "Favor is not a formula; it’s a relationship." How can you deepen your relationship with God this week so that you are not just following routines, but truly connecting with Him? [[01:05:45]]