Kingdom Principle:  The King covers his faithful servants with his favor

Key Words:   Favor vs. Frustration, Paradox, Prayer

Key Verse:

1 Thess. 1:5 because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 1:7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Exodus 33:12-23 Psalm 99 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Matthew 22:15-22

A mark of those who have authority in the Kingdom of God is that His favor rests on them. This favor can take many forms, but it is often observed by others as, “things seem to always fall into place for them; they have a joy about life that others don’t, or simply as their life is easy.”  While the reality of life for those in the Kingdom is that their life is not their own. In fact their life belongs to the King, and they have recognized that the favor of the King far outweighs any reward they can earn or outcome they can produce.  As we highlighted last week, the Kingdom of God is the place where God rules and reigns, and in His rule and reign there is often challenge, change and crisis. Therefore the very favor of God and the authority of those in His Kingdom will have lives filled with challenge, change and crisis. However it is the mark of his favor that is remembered and recognized not the circumstance.

It is the paradox of the Kingdom that:  the favor of God makes it look like everything is perfect in your life, and the rule and reign of God continues bring challenging circumstances that yield dependence on God.  It is from this reality that Paul states:  be imitators of us and the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.  The Favor of the King comes from within, placed there by the Holy Spirit, giving His favor in such a way that you can go without.

Do you believe that you are set apart in this world, as a Servant of the King of Kings? What would it look like for others to notice this favor you have in life? Would you be embarrassed by a mark of favor? There are principles and patterns in your life that either reveal this favor or restrict it from flowing.  Favor is not an exchange for Worship & Service, rather Favor is a distinction, a sort of mantle that you wear as you are worshipping and serving. Favor is not something that you possess. Rather it is possesses you at every moment you move in the Kingdom. The most intriguing aspect of the Favor of God is that it is more noticeable to those outside the Kingdom than those inside….  Therefore: if you want to know if you have the favor of the King, go and be in relationship with people who do not know the power of God and the rule and reign of the Kingdom.

To Consider:  Where in your life would you like to experience the favor of the King? (Pause and answer that question now…_ The follow-up  questions is  – why have you chosen that aspect of your life? The King will pour out His favor not for your benefit, for those in the Kingdom have received all they need, rather His favor is for you to display the power of God to those around you.  So… To whom in your life would you like the favor of God to be revealed?  Now begin to pray for that person that God might open their eyes to His Glory.