Your Set Time for Favor (Psalm 102)
This sermon explores the biblical concept of "set times of favor," special seasons ordained by God for accelerated blessings and breakthroughs. It encourages listeners to recognize and anticipate these divine appointments, even when current circumstances seem challenging.
This sermon explains that God has pre-ordained specific "set times" of favor for individuals, when blessings, healing, and acceleration manifest in life. It encourages faith and expectancy, recognizing these moments as opportunities for God to act powerfully.
Overview
The sermon introduces the concept of "set times for favor," drawing parallels to the ancient Israelite feasts which were special times ordained by God to bless His people. It suggests that just as there were fixed seasons for blessing in the Old Testament, God has pre-established moments to show out in individuals' lives, bringing unexpected breakthroughs, growth, and increase.
These set times are characterized by God accelerating dreams, promoting individuals, bringing divine connections, and causing healing even when it seems impossible. The message urges listeners to align with God by believing that their set time for favor is now, and to "try it again" if past efforts failed, as this new season brings God's renewed ability.
Central to the sermon is Psalm 102, where a man deeply overwhelmed by troubles declares, "the time to favor her. Yes, the set time has come." This illustrates that even in the midst of despair, one can anticipate God's intervention. The sermon emphasizes that in these set times, God "arises" to fight battles, defeat sickness, break addictions, and remove obstacles, elevating individuals from obscurity to notoriety.
The preacher challenges listeners not to talk themselves out of this truth, but to maintain an attitude of expectancy that the "alarm is going off" for their breakthrough. He encourages walking by faith, believing that God's designated moment for favor, healing, and acceleration has arrived, enabling them to accomplish more in a fraction of the time.
Key points
- God has pre-ordained "set times for favor" for individuals, much like the ancient Israelite feasts.
- These are seasons when God's favor visibly "shows out," bringing acceleration, promotion, healing, and unexpected breakthroughs.
- Amidst struggles, one should declare, "This is my set time for favor," and "try it again," recognizing a new season.
- Psalm 102 is presented as a key passage where a suffering psalmist declares that the "set time to favor Zion" has come.
- In these set times, God "arises" to fight battles, defeat enemies, break addictions, and move individuals from obscurity to notoriety.
- Expectancy and faith are crucial for recognizing and stepping into these designated moments of favor, understanding that the "alarm is going off" for breakthrough.
- Personal testimonies and anecdotes illustrate how God's favor can bring miraculous healing and rapid achievement in designated times.
In Joel Osteen's words
“The creator of the universe has already established your set times.”
“For you will arise and have mercy on Zion, for the time to favor her. Yes, the set time has come.”
“When it's your set time, all the forces of darkness cannot hold you back.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: Your Set Time for Favor
- A. Old Testament Feasts as Set Times for Blessing
- B. God's Ordained Set Times for Your Life
- 1. Examples of Unexpected Breakthroughs
- 2. Favor Surrounds Us, But Set Times Show Out
- 3. Characteristics of Set Times: Acceleration, Promotion, Divine Connections
- II. Activating Your Set Time
- A. Get in Agreement with God, Not Doubts
- B. "Try It Again": A New Season for Dreams and Efforts
- III. The Prophecy of Psalm 102
- A. A Prayer of Despair Transformed by Expectation (Psalm 102:1-11)
- B. Declaration: "The Set Time Has Come" (Psalm 102:12-13)
- C. God Arises in Your Set Time
- 1. Defeating Enemies and Breaking Addictions
- 2. Moving from Obscurity to Notoriety
- IV. Embrace Your Present Set Time
- A. Don't Talk Yourself Out of It
- B. God's Power Over All Obstacles
- C. The Enemy Trembles When God Arises
- V. Living in Expectancy
- A. Let the Seed Take Root: Expect Favor Now
- B. The "Alarm is Going Off": Change Your Position and Attitude
- C. Personal Testimonies of Set Times
- 1. Ministry Growth and Opportunities
- 2. Mother's Healing from Terminal Cancer
- 3. Business Acceleration and Healing from Long-term Illness
- 4. Aunt Mary's Miraculous Healing and Deliverance
Scripture references
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Insights
God has already designated specific moments of favor in your life.
Favor is always present, but set times are when it actively shows out.
Even in struggle, a time comes for mercy and breakthrough.
Questions & answers
What does "set time for favor" mean in this sermon?
It refers to specific, pre-ordained seasons or moments in a person's life when God's favor becomes actively visible, leading to accelerated blessings, breakthroughs, and divine interventions.
How does the sermon connect "set times" to Old Testament feasts?
The sermon uses Old Testament feasts like Passover and Pentecost as examples of God setting specific times for His people to receive blessings, drawing a parallel to how God has designated specific moments for individuals today.
What is the significance of Psalm 102 in the sermon?
Psalm 102 is presented as a central text where, even amidst deep struggle, the psalmist declares, "the time to favor her, yes, the set time has come," illustrating that a turnaround can be anticipated even in difficult circumstances.
What is the sermon's advice for those who have experienced past failures?
The sermon encourages people to "try it again," emphasizing that past failures occurred because it "wasn't the right time," but in a new "set time of favor," God is breathing new ability and strength into their efforts.
What attitude should one adopt during a "set time of favor"?
One should adopt an attitude of active expectancy, believing that the "alarm is going off" for breakthrough and favor, and consistently thanking God for His intervention rather than being lulled into routine or thinking it will "never happen."
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