IMPACT Recap

Flowing in Favor Part 2

June 28, 2021 · 0:51:32

BlessingsObediencePurpose

Recap

Pastor Travis Hearn continued his series on God's favor, teaching that divine favor is not a random blessing but follows specific, righteous patterns in a believer's life. He opened by assuring the congregation that God never gives a vision without providing the means to achieve it. The first key ingredient is that favor follows the righteous, as illustrated in Psalm 5:12 and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Pastor Travis emphasized that true blessing comes from hungering and thirsting for righteousness above all else, as what we feed our souls determines what we become full of. He used the example of Noah, whose personal righteousness brought favor and salvation to his entire family, demonstrating that favor can overflow to those around us. The second key is that favor follows the generous. Pastor Travis contrasted the generous spirit of Mary, who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, with the selfish, greedy spirit of Judas. He taught that generosity begets generosity, as outlined in Proverbs 11:24-25 and 2 Corinthians 9:6, and is a spiritual law of sowing and reaping. He encouraged the church to develop 'generous eyes' that actively look for ways to bless others. The final key is that favor follows putting God first. Pastor Travis stressed that belief in God is not enough; He must be the priority in our time and treasures. Referencing Matthew 6:33 and the first commandment, he explained that God tests our priorities through how we spend our time (e.g., daily quiet time, Sabbath observance) and our money (e.g., tithing and firstfruits giving). He concluded with a prayer of dedication, inviting the congregation to make God first in every area of their lives to experience His overflowing favor.

Main Points

  • Favor follows the righteous: God's blessing and protection surround those who hunger for righteousness and walk faithfully with Him.
  • Favor follows the generous: A lifestyle of generosity, modeled after God's own character, activates the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping God's generous favor.
  • Favor follows putting God first: Experiencing God's preferential treatment requires making Him the supreme priority in our time, treasures, and daily decisions.

Verses Mentioned

  • Psalm 5:12 - "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as a shield." (NIV)
  • Matthew 5:3-11 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (NIV)
  • Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (NIV)
  • Genesis 6:5 - "The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." (NIV)
  • Genesis 6:8 - "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 11:24-25 - "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (NIV)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 - "But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (NIV)
  • John 12:2-6 - "Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." (NIV)
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6 - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 3:6 - "in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
  • Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
  • Exodus 20:3-4 - "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." (NIV)
  • Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 3:9-10 - "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (NIV)

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