The Committed Life

“Continuing Steadfastly…Results of Commitment”

“Favor”

Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

INTRODUCTION

The Bible revealed that the early church “continued steadfastly” in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.

Continued Steadfastly = to be earnest toward, persevere, be constantly diligent, to attend assiduously all the exercises, attend or give self…continually. They were constantly diligent…regarding doctrine, koinonia, covenant living and prayer. The results…The Fear of God, Wonders and Signs, Generosity, One Accord (unity), Gladness (joy), Praise and now…favor!

Acts 2:47, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

I. HIS FAVOR

A. Favor.

1. Defined.

a. New Testament. [favor, divine influence on the heart…favor = preference, to choose, support, to give preferentially to, kindness; help, assist, promote, to bolster, increase]

b. Old Testament. [favor, grace, charm, acceptance, kindness]

2. Design. Psalm 84:11

a. He Is.

1) A Sun. [to be brilliant, the sun, sunrise, a ray]

2) A Shield. [a shield, a protector, defense]

B. Favor Lived.

1. Receiving. (Embracing Favor)

a. Commitment. Proverbs 3:3-4

b. Humility. Proverbs 3:34

1) Humbleness.

a) Prescribed. James 4:10

b) Promises.

(1) Growth. Matthew 18:4, Matthew 23:12

(2) Grace. James 4:6

(3) Honor. Proverbs 29:23

(4) Encouragement. Psalm 10:17, Psalm 9:12

2) Humbleness…Put It On.

a) Be Clothed With…I Peter 5:5

(1) The Mind…Colossians 3:12, Acts 20:19,

(2) Humbleness of Mind. Romans 12:1-2

c. Understanding. Proverbs 13:15

1) Get Understanding. Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 7:4,

Proverbs 23:2, Isaiah 40:14, Jeremiah 3:15,

I Corinthians 14:20, Proverbs 18:2

2) Receiving Understanding.

a) Decision. Proverbs 9:6, I John 5:20

b) Revelation. Proverbs 9:10, Ephesians 1:16-23

c) Illumination. Ephesians 4:17-18

3) Results of Understanding.

a) Uprightness. Proverbs 15:21, James 3:13

b) Wisdom. Proverbs 10:13, Proverbs 15:32

c) Knowledge. Proverbs 15:14

d) Control. Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 17:27,

Proverbs 14:29

e) Full Life. Proverbs 16:22

f) Direction. Proverbs 20:5

d. Wisdom Proverbs 3:21-24, My son, let them not depart from your eyes—Keep sound wisdom [sound wisdom] and discretion; I Corinthians 1:24, Colossians 2:3, I Corinthians 2:4-7, I Corinthians 2:13, Ephesians 1:7-8, Ephesians 3:9-10, James 1:5

e. Purpose/Plans. Proverbs 3:21…Keep sound wisdom and discretion… Discretion. [purpose, plan, intent] The two most important days in your life is the day you were born and the day you find out why. (Mark Twain)

Romans 12:3

1) Your Purpose.

a) Transformation. [A radical change in form]

Matthew 17:2

b) Renovation. [Renewing = renovation…(take out

the old and put in the new)]

Mind = understanding

2) The Pleasure of The Lord. (Romans 12:2b)

a) Discerning His Will. [prove = discern]

b) Doing His Will. I cannot fully capture His

destiny…until I have begun to experience transformation.

3) The Purpose of The Lord. (Romans 12:3)

a) Thinking…the right perspective of who you are.

(1) Don’t think more highly = Vain or arrogant.

(2) Do think Soberly = Sober judgment.

b) Thinking…the right perspective of what you do.

(1) The measure of Faith. (the God-Given

metron of faith)

4) The Perception of Metron.

a) The Meaning. Metron Defined.

(1) Measure; an instrument of measuring.

(2) The determined extent, portion measured

off, measure or limit.

b) The Message.

(1) Jesus. John 3:34, Jesus was gifted without

limit…we are not. God has uniquely equipped us for specific contribution to the Kingdom. We have a Metron and it is imperative that we recognize what it is.

(2) Understanding. II Corinthians 10:13

(a) The Limits of Our Metron.

5) The Power of Metron.

a) Grace. Ephesians 4:7

b) Growth. (Ephesians 4:11-16) The Objective…We

grow Together. (v13)

(1) Until…We ALL Reach…Unity… in the Faith

& Knowledge of Him.

(2) Until…We ALL Mature. [complete, full age,

complete growth]

(3) Until…We ALL Attain…Whole Measure.

[Metron]

(4) Until…We ALL Attain…His Maturity and

Completion. [fullness = maturity & completion]

2. Realizing. (Results of Favor in Your Life)

a. Your Words. Psalm 45:2

b. Your Distinction. Proverbs 1:8-9

c. Your Living. Proverbs 3:21-24

C. With All the People…

1. Favor is Life-Changing.

CONCLUSION

A committed life results in favor!