What is God’s Favor?

Scripture: “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered...When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes…” Genesis 39:2-4

If your life includes some trouble and suffering, you are not alone. Think of Joseph’s story. (Genesis 37, 39-50) He was the favorite of his father's twelve sons. He became second-in-command to the Pharaoh of Egypt. He even saved the ancient world from famine. Surely this was a man in God's favor!

Did you notice what was left out of that story? Stay in only certain parts of Joseph's story and it is easy to see his favor with God. But who could forget his brothers’ betrayal? How he was sold into slavery. How his purity was tested in his master's house? How he was thrown into prison for something he did not do. There's no denying it. Joseph suffered. And his great suffering was a key part of God's plan.

Notice that:

1. God's plan was bigger than Joseph. How could he have predicted the way God saved Egypt and Israel?
2. Joseph's suffering was not the end of the story. Thirteen years of hardship is terrible. But Joseph himself said he forgot all about the trouble (Gen. 41:51) during the next 80 great years.
3. Joseph’s hard experiences brought him great peace and insight about God's nature. (Gen. 45:7-8, Gen. 50:20)
4. Readers of his story are reminded, "the Lord was with him." (Genesis 39:3, 23)

When I am going through hardship, I can’t read my own story and see the note, "the Lord was with him." In fact, it often feels like he is not. Was it different for Joseph? Did he feel out of God's favor when his brothers sold him into slavery? When he went to prison for something he didn't do? Whether or not he felt that way, he came to understand that his trouble did not reflect God’s displeasure with him. He said it himself - what others intended for his harm, God intended for good, to accomplish the saving of many lives. (Gen. 50:20) And not only saving those ancient lives.

His story reminds us that hard times don’t necessarily mean God is displeased with us. He has bigger plans for us to embrace! He’s still writing the story. Some comfort can only come through hardship - and for the sake of the larger story, we have to go through it and pass it on. Remember Joseph. And just think how much poorer we would be if we only knew the easy, comfortable parts of his story!

Winning Others Without A Word

Scripture: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Do you have the chance to talk about your faith? Last week, we discussed words you could use to tell others about about the Gospel. But what if they won’t listen? What if you can get in trouble starting conversations about Jesus?

In His love, God instructed us on how to be His Message, before even using words: “live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God” (1 Peter 2:12). How can this look in your life?

In Your Home

One of the best ways to have a thriving, godly household is to show the Fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Can you imagine the impact your family or household could have on your community when they see you interacting this way? Godly families are able to work together for the Lord as they “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).

In Your Church

Jesus told His followers, “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” (John 13:35). The Bible encourages us to “get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech” (I Peter 2:1). Instead, church members can “think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

In Your World

Every time you work with others, you can “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). We might not like things we have to do, but we can behave in ways that honor the Lord -- even when we disagree with someone. Remember, Jesus taught us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Living for God and redirecting praise and attention to Him brings Him glory. It also gives you a chance to be a powerful witness when people wonder what makes you so different. Remember: good works can’t earn salvation, so they aren’t enough to bring someone to faith. But they can give you an opportunity to share the “reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15).

Are You Ready to Share the Gospel?

Scripture: “For God so loved the World that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:16

What are the most important truths that will help someone have faith in Jesus? Based on John 3:16 there are 4 simple ideas that sum up the gospel:

1. Love

“For God so loved the World…” Let people know God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them! “God proved His love for us in the while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

2. Sin

Sin separates us from a loving, perfect God. We have rebelled against Him and refused to follow Him. By going our own way, we have missed the perfect plan God had for us. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)So what is the solution so ”we will not perish, but have eternal life?” (John 3:16)

3. Jesus

“He gave his only Son…” Salvation is a gift, not something you have to earn. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:23)

4. Believe

”Whoever believes in Him…” Like any gift, you must choose to accept it. AGREE that Jesus is the only Son of God and ACCEPT that he paid for YOUR sins on the cross and rose again to give you life. Invite people to pray with you to accept Jesus. “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12)

Focus on Jesus

Be careful not to be distracted by difficult questions or subjects that cause disagreement. You don’t need to know ALL the answers; you only need to know that “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me.’” (John 14:6).

Be Ready

“If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15b). Memorize these 4 simple truths and scriptures that go with them. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and power. Remember it is the Holy Spirit who helps people accept Christ; we are just pointing the way.

What Happens When You Accept Christ?

Scripture: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19

The word “gospel” means “good news.” But the message about Jesus is not just good – it’s GREAT news! Many great things happen when someone puts their faith in Christ. Today’s scripture mentions two very important ones. Let’s take a look:

Reconciled: Reunited with God

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:19a). Have you ever been in a broken relationship? It feels terrible when someone you love no longer wants to be your friend, or even considers you an enemy. This was our situation before we knew Christ. Everyone is born sinful; it is our natural state. (Ephesians 2:3) Our own sin made us God’s enemies, but in his wonderful grace, God offers us a chance to reunite with Him. Paul put it this way in Romans: “. . . our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies.” (Romans 5:10)

Justified: Not Guilty

“. . . no longer counting people’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19b). Those who don’t know Christ are not only God’s enemies, but are considered guilty, and subject to eternal separation from God in hell. But through Christ’s death on the cross, those who have placed their faith in him are now justified -- that means you’re “not guilty” anymore, and you have been made righteous.

Think about the guilt of every wrong thing you have ever thought, said, or done—from envy to gossip to murder. What an enormous load of shame and guiltiness! Now think of the sin of the entire world – and how amazing it is that Jesus willingly took ALL of your guilt and replaced it with righteousness. Think of how wonderful it is to be declared “not guilty,” and the joy your friends and loved ones will feel when they experience this freedom.

Go For It: Tell People about Jesus!

These few things are great motivation to share about Jesus with others. Don’t let fear keep you from telling people. The reward is far greater than anything bad that might happen. May God bless you as you become “God’s Ambassador” to a lost and dying world.