Living in God's Favor

LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR A STUDY IN DANIEL OCTOBER 9, 2022 LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR Babylon Is: A People Group / A Philosophy / A World View That Looks To Exalt Man And Reject God Babylon Molds, Shapes, Retrains Us To Become Like Them: Babylonians Today We Face A Resurgent Babylonian Onslaught On Our Spiritual Freedoms & Liberty Babylon Wants To Control Everything About You – As They Did With Daniel LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR Daniel Resolved Not To Defile • In Order To Stand For God Daniel Had To Overcome The Temptations To Make Excuses And Just Go Along • Because Of His Love For God -- He Could Not Just “Go Along And Get Along” With Those Opposed To God LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR Daniel Said By His Actions: • I Am Not Going To Bend Or Bow • I Will Not Let The Kingdoms Of This World Set My Agenda • If The Crowd Is Going The Wrong Way --I Won’t Go With Them LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR • God Used Daniel because of: • #1 – His Separated Life • #2 -- His All-consuming Conviction Of Truth • Daniel Lived Faithfully -- God Could Use Him / Bless Him / Show Him Favor LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR THE FAVOR SHOWN TO DANIEL —1:9-10 • Favor Is Both A Subject And An Action • The Subject Of Favor = a noun meaning “pleasure,” “delight,” “desire,” “will,” and “favor” “goodwill” “benevolence,” or “kindness” • Favor Is An Action = It is the various aspects of “favor” applied to a person or to a group of people LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR The “favor of God” can be described as a divine kindness, or an act of true compassion on the part of God Himself toward needy and undeserving human recipients. www.christianity.com The favor of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” Favor is “demonstrated delight.” Favor is closely related to grace in the Bible. The most basic answer to “how can I get God’s favor” is “believe in the Lord Jesus.” www.gotquestions.org LIVING IN GOD’S •FAVOR Daniel Learned That He Didn’t Have To Go Looking -God’s Favor Followed Him! •The Lord Can Bring Us Into Favor With Those Who Might Normally Be Hostile Toward Us •Proverbs 16:7 (NIV) 7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR • In Scripture It Is Noted That God’s People Found Favor Either From God Or Through Others By God’s Divine Hand (Gen 33:8, 10) Jacob found favor with Esau. (Gen 39:4) Joseph found favor with Potiphar. (Ruth 2:10) Ruth found favor with Boaz (1 Sam 20:3) David found favor with Jonathan (Esth 2:17) Esther found favor with King Xerxes LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR When God Finds Favor With Someone -- He Looks At Them With Appreciation And Acceptance •i.e., Noah Found Favor In The Eyes Of The Lord (Gen. 6:8). • God Can Provide Favor Through Other People Or Groups. LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR We Now Live In The “Era” Of God’s Favor And Grace:  God’s Grace Has Been Poured Out To Us, (1 Tim. 1:14)  Paul Asserts That By His Grace (Favor) We Are Redeemed (Eph. 2:5) LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR The Favor Of God Is Wonderful – Powerful -- Life-Affecting  We Are Strengthened By It  We Are Victorious Through It  We Are Preserved By It  We Are Lifted Up By It • The Favor Of God is Something To Acknowledge & Take Victory In LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR There Was A Special Portion Of God’s Favor On Daniel •Daniel's Ways Pleased The Lord. •God’s Favor Is The Place Of His Blessing • It’s God Raising Up Others To Treat Us In Ways That Will Make Us Productive For His Kingdom Sake LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR DANIEL PROPOSES A TEST—1:11-14 • Daniel Asked For A Ten-Day Test: With Vegetables, Seeds, Grain And Water In Place Of The Kings Royal Food Daniel Committed To Remain Pure Before The Lord  To Be Pure: We Have To Work At It & Desire It  There Is Always Opposition To Purity LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR WHAT GOD DID FOR DANIEL -- HE WILL DO FOR US • Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR • Psalm 27:14 (NIV) 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR DANIEL & THE HEBREW BOYS PASS THE TEST—1:15-21  After 10 days the Hebrew teens looked much better than the others.  God provided strength for their bodies as well as for their minds.  He gave them knowledge and skill in learning and wisdom.  No One Else Was Found To Be An Equal To These Four  When You Put God First -- He Will Reward You LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR We Need To Learn To Be Steadfast Like Daniel  What We Have In Our Heritage, Faith-Walk, & Testimony Is Of Great Value- We Won’t Let Go  Our Spiritual Bloodline Is Pure And Life Giving  We Must Not Allow The World Or The Ways Of The World To Pollute Or Water It Down LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR •All We Achieve Through Christ -- Must Be Valued, Cherished, And Kept Pure Before The Lord •We Won’t Buy Into The World’s Voices & Views On This Matter • We Can And Will Live Up To Our Faith LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR It Is A Challenge For Us To Be Resolute For The Lord -- Yet In All Of This We Don't Quit! •1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. • We Can Use The Same Principles Daniel Used To Help Us Adapt To Our Culture Without Abandoning God LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR • Living For Christ Is A Much Better Alternative Than Living For Yourself Or The Things Of This World. • There Are Always Alternatives Which Allow Us To Do What Is Right -- If We Are Determined To Find A Way. LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR  Let’s Avoid Excuses  Let’s Stand The Test  Let’s Be People Under The Favor Of God •Let’s Cause Our Influence To Last by Putting Christ First! LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR What We Learn From God’s Response To Daniel’s Faithfulness 1. God Caused An Official To Show Favor & Compassion 2. He Gives Daniel A Plan To Propose 3. He Blesses The Righteous Choices And Lifestyle 4. He Gives The Necessary Abilities & Understanding Of His Plan 5. He Gives Spiritual Insight– To Understand His Dreams & Visions 6. He Enables Daniel’s Godly Service & Favor Even While In Babylon LIVING IN GOD’S FAVOR •Love God •Love What God Loves & Hate What God Hates •Be Faithful, Righteous And Blameless •Be A Giver •Stay Humble And Be Honest •Get Wisdom