Walking in the Favor of God (Proverbs 3:5-6)
This sermon explores the foundational principles of experiencing God's favor in daily life, drawing practical lessons from the ancient story of Noah. It invites listeners to consider how simple acts of listening, trusting, and obeying can transform their walk with God.
God's favor and a life well-lived hinge on three simple principles: listening to Him, trusting His word, and obeying His commands, even when understanding is incomplete, as demonstrated by Noah.
Overview
The sermon, "Walking in the Favor of God," explores how Noah found God's favor through listening and trusting Him. It highlights that faith, essential for salvation, is equally vital for daily Christian living, requiring an active engagement with God's guidance. The sermon defines God's favor as His acceptance, approval, support, provision, divine energy, and joy.
Drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6, the preacher emphasizes the command to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart" and "Do not lean on your own understanding." This trust extends to prayer, where believers are encouraged to pray with expectation, believing God will answer rather than merely mumbling words. The first responsibility is to listen, then to trust.
Using Genesis 6, the sermon illustrates Noah's example in a deeply wicked society. Noah was righteous and blameless, described as someone who "walked with God." When God commanded him to build the ark, Noah faced a challenge to his faith and a head-on collision with public ridicule, yet he proceeded without needing full explanations.
The sermon posits that God takes responsibility for providing the means when He gives a command, urging believers not to wait for all the answers. The core message simplifies godly living into three actions: listen to God, trust what He says (especially in His Word), and obey Him. This "A, B, C; 1, 2, 3" formula is presented as God's solution for navigating a corrupt world.
Key points
- Noah found favor in God's eyes because he listened to God and trusted Him.
- Faith is absolutely essential for salvation and for living the Christian life, requiring both listening and trusting God.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs believers to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart" and "Do not lean on your own understanding," acknowledging God in all ways.
- True prayer involves a sense of expectation that God will answer, rather than just uttering words.
- Noah's obedience to build the ark, despite its appearance of impossibility and the ridicule of society, provided an opportunity to speak about God.
- If God tells a believer to do something, He assumes responsibility for providing whatever is necessary for His will to be accomplished.
- The simple, foundational formula for living a godly and favored life is to listen to God, trust Him, and obey Him.
In Charles Stanley's words
“If you don't trust God, you're wasting your time because faith is absolutely essential.”
“What would be more powerful to be said of you than you walked with God?”
“You listen to Him, you trust Him, and you obey Him.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: Noah Found Favor by Listening and Trusting God
- A. The importance of listening to God
- B. The importance of trusting God
- C. God's favor defined: acceptance, approval, support, provision, energy, joy
- II. Biblical Foundation for Trust (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- A. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart."
- B. "Do not lean on your own understanding."
- C. "In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
- D. Sense of expectation in prayer is essential for trust.
- III. Noah as an Example of Listening, Trusting, and Obeying (Genesis 6)
- A. The wickedness of Noah's society
- B. God's view of Noah: righteous, blameless, walked with God
- C. God's command to build the ark
- 1. The challenge of the "first step" without full explanation
- 2. The three key words: Listen, Trust, Obey
- D. Collision with society: ridicule and questions
- 1. Opportunity to tell others about God
- 2. God assumes responsibility for providing resources
- IV. The Simple, Profound Formula for Life
- A. Listen to Him (primarily through His Word)
- B. Trust Him (what His Word says)
- C. Obey Him (what His Word says)
- D. This formula applies to all areas of life, from childhood to salvation
- V. Conclusion: Living Life at Its Best
- A. God loves you and has a plan
- B. Choose to listen, trust, and obey Him for a blessed life
Scripture references
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Insights
Listening to God reveals His path, even in confusing times.
Genuine trust in God includes a quiet expectation for His answer.
Obedience often begins with a simple first step, not full clarity.
Questions & answers
What is the 'favor of God' as defined in this sermon?
The sermon defines the favor of God as His acceptance, approval, support, provision, divine energy, and joy in our lives.
How does the sermon connect prayer with trust?
The sermon argues that if one prays without a sense of expectation and trust that God will answer, it's a "wasting of time," akin to "mumbling words." Trust is essential for meaningful prayer.
What three core principles does the sermon emphasize for living a godly life?
The sermon repeatedly highlights three principles: listening to God, trusting Him, and obeying Him, describing them as God's simple solution for living in a corrupt world.
How did Noah demonstrate these principles, according to the sermon?
Noah listened to God's command to build the ark, trusted Him despite not understanding the "how," and then obeyed, even when it seemed ridiculous to his society.
What does the sermon say about seeking explanations from God before obeying?
The sermon states that God often doesn't explain everything and that we shouldn't delay obedience by waiting for all the answers. Our role is to trust and obey, leaving consequences to Him.
What responsibility does God take if He tells you to do something and you don't have the resources?
The sermon teaches that if God tells you to do something, He "assumes responsibility for making amends, whatever is necessary" for you to do His will.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.