Watch-Night Message: 2010 Year of Favour

EMPHASIS
2010 YEAR OF FAVOUR
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 31 December 2009

SCRIPTURE:
LUKE 4: 18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”

This word—FAVOUR—can change your life. In the Old Testament it means: Grace, charm, acceptance, goodwill, or desire. In the New Testament, “Favour” is from the Greek word “Charis” or “Grace.” It is the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life; the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. “Favour is the special affection of God toward you that releases an influence on you, so that others are inclined to like you, or to cooperate with you” (Lance Wallnau).

Favour is different from Grace, although it comes from the same root word. Grace is undeserved, unmerited. But the Bible is full of instruction about how we can obtain favour. We live in the Favour of the Lord through prayer, faith, obedience and perseverance

7 Areas the FAVOUR of God is Revealed

1.  Salvation (Psalms 106:4).
2. The abiding presence of God (Gen. 18:1-3).
3. Tangible benefit in the lives of others (Gen. 30:27).
4. The fingerprints of God in our lives (1 Sam 2:26; 3:19)
5. Personal refreshing (Proverbs 16:15; 19:12).
6. Personal protection (Psalm 5:12)
7. The works of our hands are blessed (Deut. 24:19).

10 Blessings that come with God’s FAVOUR
GOD’S FAVOUR CAN …

1. Produce supernatural promotion and increase (Gen 39:21)
2. Bring restoration of every thing the enemy has stolen (Exo. 3:21).
3. Bring honor in the midst of adversaries (Exo. 11:3).
4.  Produce increased assets (Deut. 33:23).
5. Give great and unusual victories even against impossible odds (Josh 6:20; 10: 9, 20).
6. Give recognition and promotion even when you seem to the least likely one to receive it (1 Sam. 16:22).
7. Produce prominence and preferential treatment, favor and kindness (Esther 5:8).
8. Get petitions granted, even by ungodly civil authority (Esther 5:8).
9. Change rules, regulations, even laws if necessary to your advantage (Esther 8:5).
10. Win battles you did not even have to fight because God will fight them for you (Psalm 44:3).

What is God Asking us to Do?
THE CHURCH – FAVOURED 7Cs’

CATCHING
Declaring God’s Favor. Catch-2-fish.

CONNECTING
Conserving God’s Favor. Close Back Door.

COMMUNING
Seeking God’s Favor. Prayer.

COMMITING
Acclaiming God’s Favor. Ownership

CARING
Sharing God’s Favor. Extra Mile Care

CELEBRATING
Celebrating God’s Favor. Quality Celebration Services.

COMMISSIONING
Passing-on God’s Favor. Leadership Development

GOD WILL … WE CAN!