Finding Favor

• Boudreaux and Thibodeaux were driving down de highway, drinking dare beer, when some flashing lights from a police car appeared in de rear-view mirror. “Don’t worry!” Boudreaux said to Thibodeaux. “Jus do zackly what I do, and everything will be alrat.” “First, we’ll peel de labels off deese beer bottles and stick dem on our foreheads.” “Now, shove all de bottles under de seat and let me do all de talking!” Dey did bot of dose t’ings den dey pull off to de side of de road. De cop walks up to de side of de car and shined de light inside de car at de two drunks. He axed, “Have you been drinking?” “No sir,” answered Boudreaux. “I noticed you weaving back and forth on de road. Are you sure you haven’t been drinking?” De cop axed. “Oh no sir,” Boudreaux answered. “We haven’t had a drop tonight.” “Well den I have got to axe.” De cop said, “What’s dose t’ngs on your foreheads?” “Oh dat’s simple, officer.” Said Boudreaux. “You see we are both trying to stop drinking, and now we’re on de patch.”

Message Opening

• Pray

• Christmas coming soon

• Reading story from Luke and a verse popped out at me:

Luke 1:26–30 NKJV

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

• Repeat V30

• Keep that verse in mind

• Gabrielle picks up:

Luke 1:31–33 NKJV

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

• Great promises

• Exciting

• Not sure how it will happen, but it all sounds exciting

• But there’s one problem, Mr. Gabrielle:

Luke 1:34–38 NKJV

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

• Repeat V38

• Want to visit the topic today:

Finding Favor with God

• As I was reading this story, V30 really grabbed my attention

• Like to explore that some this morning

• Gabrielle, in response to Mary being troubled and afraid about his promise, told her not to be afraid for she had found favor with God

• What does that mean?

• No more worries?

• All the money I’ll need

• No more problems?

What is “Favor”?

• What was in front of Mary

• We know from her life that finding favor with God did not always mean roses and bliss

• Bad and tough

• Good and joyful

•

Favor with God means that you will always have sufficient resources to achieve God’s will for you

• That’s what it meant for Mary

• Not that she wouldn’t suffer

• Not that she wouldn’t hurt

• But that she could be assured that God would always be there to provide what she needed

• favor meant Mary was included in what God was doing

• favor meant that no matter how tough the going got, God would give her the strength and resources to make it through

• favor meant that she could be assured that she would always have what she needed to survive and prosper

• No worries? Not necessarily - but no reason to worry - you KNOW God is there to see you through

• Suicides - increased in 2021 and 2022

• Debt increased

How do I find favor with God?

• Why and how did Mary find favor with God?

• She was only 14 - hadn’t lived much

• Certainly couldn’t have had big funds to give

• There was no church to get involved in

• Key is in verse 38

Luke 1:38 NKJV

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

• I am your servant

• Do what you want with me - I will comply

• We try to “piece-meal” it - a bit here, a bit there

• here a little there a little when I have time or when I feel like it

• That’s not going to get you favor with God

• Here’s what He says about it:

Isaiah 66:2 NIV

2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

• here’s the thing:

God gives favor to those who surrender to His will for their life

• Not just accepting him as savior

• Not just coming to church (sometime)

• Not just calling on him to do our bidding when we’re in a fix

• You can SAY I surrender - but do you really?

• Here’s the thing with Mary: God KNEW that she would stay surrendered

• You say how?

• God cannot look at you without seeing ALL of you - your past, your present, and your future - he lives in all of them at the same time

• That's not to say that we have no choice - we have free will in all things - but it IS to say that he knows what you will do before you do it it (or refuse to do it)

•

Closing

• Are you worried today? Not sure what you are going to do with some situations in your life?

• Focus on what God wants from/for you - submit yourself to Him for Him to use you. Come into alignment with Him. I promise, He will step up for you!

• God’s promise to those who surrender:

Isaiah 32:17–19 NKJV

17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, 19 Though hail comes down on the forest, And the city is brought low in humiliation.

• Heart For The House The One Hope Belle Chasse Campus is what our Heart For The House Offering is all about. Once a year we give over and above our regular tithes and offerings to give thanks to God and to continue to make a difference in people’s lives. You can give directly towards our Heart For The House Offering now at onehopechurch.com.

• As you work on that I have a couple of announcements for you.

• Next Steps If you would like to learn more about the church, become a member of the church, or begin serving at One Hope, join us for Next Steps tonight at 5pm in this room.

• Christmas At One Hope Dec 23rd and Dec 24th - reserve your spot at onehopechurch.com

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