Favor Aint Fair? When Narcissism Comes to Church
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Introduction: Today we will begin a series that is designed to answers your questions on topics you may have been thinking about and would like some clarification on. Today we will look at the phrase “favor aint fair” an test it’s biblical merit.
To my knowledge, this phrase isn’t used much in church today as it once was. However I do believe that its implications are still very prevalent in the church today. The way that this has been framed up is that favor is the obscure way in which God chooses to bless an individual or a group of particular people, but mainly individuals (this was popularized with TD Jakes sermon series). It promotes the idea that God chooses who He will bless not based on their merit but solely based on His choosing. And to that I can agree.
However the implications of that tend to go beyond those boundaries. Such as “if God chose to bless me and not you, don't hate because favor aint fair”. Or you should expect for haters to come when God is blessing you because “favor aint fair” and they’re just mad.
Another problem is that it is promoted that if you didn't get the favor it is because you didn't have the faith for it. Thereby it is no longer by God’s choosing but it is also predicated on the works of man. This opens the door for all kinds of narcissistic behaviors and ways of thinking. (think about this: is God’s favor with churches in the west because we don't have to meet in caves to gather and thereby His favor isn't with churches who risk their life just to meet together?).
Let’s get to the text:
God DOES NOT SHOW PARTIALITY
God DOES NOT SHOW PARTIALITY
......in the way we think about. He has plans ans purpose for His glory.
Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Peter was an Israelite. Israel was God’s chosen people. As God’s chosen people they were to be a light to the other nations. Anyone outside of Israel was considered to be a “Gentile” (the word oftentimes just means nation). Earlier in the chapter we encounter Cornelius who was a Roman centurion and thereby a Gentile. He is described as.....
He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.
God speaks to Cornelius and tells him that Peter will be coming to him. At the same time God is preparing Peter to go to Cornelius. Peter has a vision while he is praying. In the vision there are a variety of animal and God tells Peter to kill and eat but Peter refuses because some of the animals are unclean meats that, by law, were to be forbidden to eat. God replies to Peter by saying......
Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.”
Eventually that which was “clean and unclean” both ascend to heaven. Peter does not fully grasp what this means until men come and get him and brings him to the home of Cornelius. Peter understand the cultural dynamics of this but he also understands that the call of God is greater (he repeats what God said about clean and unclean).
That vision was given to push Peter’s thinking. God has chosen Israel and they are God’s chosen people but this was not because they were better.
“The Lord had his heart set on you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors, he brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
(covenant keeping)
As Peter is speaking to the Gentile he reveals what he himself has discovered......
Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
This mystery of the Gospel is being revealed to Peter just as it was with Paul.
I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Effect of Narcissistic Behavior
Effect of Narcissistic Behavior
Sadducee and Pharisees and Jesus (HI’s today, church culture today-measuring rod for success)
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD FROM THIS
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD FROM THIS
He is not partial
He is a a covenant keeping God (those Israel failed God has keep His covenant)
“As for me, here is my covenant with you: You will become the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations.
He is a promise keeper (poured out His spirit on Gentiles)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
We have no room to boast
“As for me, here is my covenant with you: You will become the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations.
This is bigger than blessings