Lawson Perdue - Charis Bible College IN
Test Review/Class Recap
Lesson 1 – Introduction
Introduction: Understanding the favor of God brings “The Blessing” in our life.
Gods’ favor brings life.
What is life? Zoë def. 1) character and nature of God. 2) quickening principle; 3) vitality
1 John 5:12 - He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Romans 8:11 - But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Since I have the life of God in me, I am capable of fulfilling God's purpose through His power and presence flowing through me.
God’s life brings favor. If God gave us life while we were sinners, then we have received much more life through His Son as saints.
Psalm 44:3 - For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, ...; But it was Your right hand,...Because You favored them.
If He favored them, how much more now thru the blood of Jesus does He favors me.
There is a blessing through His favor.
His Favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. The latter rain brings fruit!
Favor of God surrounds me! Psalm 5:12 (NIV) For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
An example of the Favor of God on Israel (2 million strong) as departing from Egypt: Psalm 105:37 - He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes.
Conclusion: God’s favor brings life. God’s life brings favor. There is blessing in the favor of God.
Lesson 2 – Favor in the Life of Esther
Introduction: There is a kingdom purpose for our life (as there was with Queen Esther. God helps us fulfill our kingdom purpose through His favor. How the favor of God affected the life of Esther, the orphan who became queen.
1) The King loves me (also Esther).
Vashti was queen until she became rebellious and refused to come to the King’s feast. King Ashasuerus sought for another queen.
King of Kings seeks for another: 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Note: King Ahasuerus reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. He sat on the throne in Shushan, one of the main capitals of the empire north of the Persian Gulf.
Esther, a Jewish orphan, becomes queen.
The Favor of God on our lives leads to promotion and blessing. Doesn’t matter where you start off in life.
Mordecai took Esther for his own. See Esther 2:7. God takes us as His own. Hebrews 2:11b (NIV) So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Mordecai was Esther’s cousin. He took care of her and advised her well.
Esther obtained favor in the sight of all that looked upon her. Esther 2:15
King Ahasuerus loved Esther and she obtained grace and favor in his sight. Esther 2:17
2) There is a kingdom purpose for my life.
Some people hate those who have the favor of God on their lives.
Haman, governor for the king, hated Mordecai. Haman was Mordecai’s enemy. Haman wrote letters and schemed to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. Haman was filled with hatred and prejudice.
Note: King Ahasuerus reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. He sat on the throne in Shushan, one of the main capitals of the empire north of the Persian Gulf.
Esther 4:11 Esther feared for her life. God’s promises of protection are established through favor.
Esther 4:14-17 Esther knew her appointed time. With favor’s comes responsibility. Since we have favor, we need to be accountable. We can rely on God’s favor!
3) Esther was (and I am) accepted in the presence of the King.
4) The King has granted my request. Esther & saints of the Most High
5) The King has reversed the curse for me.
Esther 8:5 – Esther asked the king to reverse the letters devised by Haman. Her request was granted and Haman was hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The curse was reversed and Haman reaped what he had sown.
Galatians 3:13a (NIV) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us
Conclusion: I have favor with God. I have favor with man, and I have a good understanding. The favor of God is on my life. The favor of God is on my family. The favor of God is on my business. The favor of God is on my church. The favor of God is on my ministry. I am blessed in Christ for good!
Lesson 3 - Favor in the Life of Joseph, Part I
Introduction:
Dr. Lester Sumrall “God gives favor, don’t ever forget it!”
Joseph was loved by his father. Genesis 37:1-4.
We are loved by the Father. Not good to favor one of your kids above another.
God gave Joseph a dream. Genesis 37:5-11
God has a dream for everyone. Not everyone is connected to their dream. Satan is trying to steal your dream (John 10:10) Satan uses people around you who are not dreaming their own dreams.
People who have great revelation, have great favor!
Joseph didn’t get human affirmation of his dream. We should not necessarily look for human confirmation of our dreams.
Joseph’s enemies conspired against him. Genesis 37:18-19
The favor of God on our lives leads to promotion and blessing. Genesis 39:1-6
Genesis 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. Prosperity is related to who we are on the inside. In the preceding verse, Joseph was a slave of Potiphar. I am a prosperous man because of who is inside of me.
With great favor comes great responsibility. Genesis 39:7-16
Joseph was committed to God and he was committed to his master.
Conclusion: God’s favor promoted Joseph. In His fathers’ house, in Potiphar’s house. God’s favor brought His blessing.
Lesson 4 - Favor in the Life of Joseph, Part II
God’s favor leads to his mercy. Genesis 39:17-20
You’re prosperous because of what is on the inside of you.
Faith will bring you into the favor of God. Genesis 39:21-23.
When things were bad Joseph believed God. Genesis 39:21-23.
Through faith we can make the best of a bad situation. No matter how bad it looks, keep believing God. It will get better.
Our circumstances does not determine destiny, our attitude does.
Genesis 40:14-15, 20-23 – Joseph made the best of a bad situation.
Through faith we can make the best of a bad situation. No matter how bad it looks, keep believing God. It will get better.
Keep doing the right thing, no matter how it looks. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Genesis 41:14-16 Joseph believed in the goodness of God.
Develop a plan. Genesis 41:33-42
God gave Joseph dreams, vision and a plan. A plan is a practical way to accomplish God’s purpose.
Joseph had four coats.
1) one given by his father – a coat of human affection;
2) one given by Potiphar – a coat of human ability;
3) one given by jailer – a coat of positioning (interpretation of dreams);
4) one given by Pharoah – a coat of destiny/positioning?
Jeremiah 29:11 God has a good plan for everyone. God is a respecter of faith. Hebrews 11:6
Conclusion: Grace, Faith, Attitude. Perseverance. Planning. Revelation. These things promoted favor in the life of Joseph.
Lesson 5 - Favor in the Life of Joseph, Part III
Introduction: Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding gives favor: but the way of the transgressor [unfaithful] is hard.
God gave Joseph favor (grace) in the eyes of Pharoah.
Dr. Lester Sumrall “God gives favor, don’t ever forget it!”
Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding gives favor: but the way of the transgressor [unfaithful] is hard.
Joseph knew what to do in the time of plenty. Joseph didn’t forget about the future in times of abundance.
The famine did not catch Joseph by surprise.
Joseph found grace (favor) in the eyes of Pharoah. Even after being in prison, he was promoted to prime minister in Egypt. God’s favor
God wants us to know how to deal with famine so we can stay alive, be satisfied and laugh. Psalm 33:19, Psalm 37:19
Greatest opportunity in famine. With favor of God on Joseph, Pharoah’s kingdom expanded while others were shrinking.
Even after being in prison, Joseph was promoted to prime minister in Egypt. Within one hour, God erased 13 years of suffering for Joseph. God’s favor on Joseph brought increase to Joseph’s famil, Pharoah and to Potipher; increase in money, livestock, grain, land and people.
Love brings favor.
Genesis 42:25-28 Joseph did not revel in his brothers’ sin.
Genesis 45:4-8 Joseph did not blame his brothers. Joseph understood God’s purpose. Joseph was not bitter.
Favor brings increase.
God’s favor on Joseph brought increase to Joseph’s famil, Pharoah and to Potipher; increase in money, livestock, grain, land and people.
Conclusion: Flourish through the favor of God. Flourish in the feast. Flourish in the famine. Bring blessing to you and the next generation. Genesis 50:24.
Lesson 6 – Favor in the Life of Daniel, Part I
Introduction: God brought Daniel into extreme favor. Daniel was promoted under 4 kings and 3 kingdoms.
Characteristics that brought God’s favor in Daniel’s life:
1) Purpose – Daniel 1:9 – Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat.
2) Wisdom – Daniel 1:17, 20 In all matters of wisdom and understanding the king found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
3) Prayer – Daniel 2:10
4) Revelation – Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
5) Loyalty – Daniel 2:49 Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Daniel was loyal to his friends.
6) Excellence – Daniel 5:12 – Forasmuch as an excellent spirit…were found in Daniel
7) Faithfulness – Daniel 6:4 They could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he [Daniel] was faithful….
8) Diligence – Daniel 6:6 – They God whom you serve continually…He will deliver you.
9) Confidence – Daniel 6:22 – God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths…innocence was found in me… Daniel 6:23
Conclusion: The above characteristics that lead to the favor of God in Daniels life under 4 kings and 3 kingdoms: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Cyrus.
Lesson 7 - Favor in the Life of Daniel, Part II
Introduction: Some characteristics that bring favor: Purpose, Wisdom, Prayer, Revelation, Loyalty, Excellence, Faithfulness, Diligence, Confidence.
Other characteristics that bring God’s favor:
1) Daniel surrounded himself with great people. People of no compromise. He and his friends stood firm even in the face of the fiery furnace. Also, they did not defile themselves with the king’s meat.
2) Daniel did the right thing. Made good choices.
3) Daniel relied on the Holy Spirit – made him 10 time wiser.
4) Daniel kept a great attitude! Daniel 6:3 – an excellent spirit was in him.
Conclusion: Favor principles that worked in the life of Daniel will work in our life.
Lesson 8 - Vision in the Life of Abraham
Introduction: Vision begins with what God says.
God is the initiator of vision. Genesis 13:14
Obedience is a key to vision,
Only after Abraham obediently separate from Lot (his family) did God give him greater vision. Genesis 12:1
Do not expect more direction until you follow the last instruction.
Isaiah 1:19 – If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good of the land.
Vision is a key to our future. Genesis 13:14-15
Vision determines influence. Genesis 13:16
Inspection precedes possession. Genesis 13:17
Association affects your vision. Proverbs 13:20
God establishes vision. Genesis 13:18
Build an altar. Altar represents man’s approach to God; God’s intervention in our life.