1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Well, hallelujah. 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:04,000 Amen. 3 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,520 Good to see you this morning. 4 00:00:06,520 --> 00:00:17,320 If you have your Bibles, open with me to Proverbs, Proverbs chapter 8 for just a moment. 5 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:21,360 Hallelujah. 6 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:27,560 Aren't you glad your name's written down in that Lamb's book of life? 7 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:28,560 Amen. 8 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:35,360 I am so, so glad. 9 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,480 Good to see you this morning. 10 00:00:37,480 --> 00:00:44,120 I'll see you a little better in just a second. 11 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:49,280 Proverbs is a not a very, we don't go there a lot. 12 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:56,600 We'll quote one or two from time to time, but very rarely do I ever take a text from 13 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:57,600 Proverbs. 14 00:00:57,600 --> 00:00:59,600 I know you have read the book of Proverbs. 15 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:00,600 Oh, good. 16 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:01,600 Read it again. 17 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:07,480 It's good for you. 18 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:15,200 Every son, every son should read the book of Proverbs. 19 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,800 Gentlemen, you need to read it if you haven't. 20 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:23,760 If you have, you need to read it again for a refresher. 21 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:27,160 Every son needs to read the book of Proverbs. 22 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,080 That's an instruction, isn't it? 23 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:31,080 Amen. 24 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:37,600 Chapter 8, looking at verse 32, we'll start. 25 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:48,000 Now, therefore, hearken unto me, O you children, for blessed are they that keep my ways. 26 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:53,160 Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not. 27 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:59,280 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of 28 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,280 my doors. 29 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:03,680 Here's where I want us to focus. 30 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:20,120 Verse 35, for whoso findeth me, findeth life and shall obtain favor of the Lord. 31 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:30,200 For whoso findeth me, findeth life and shall obtain favor of the Lord. 32 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:38,240 Last week, I preached to you on that thought, living on the good side. 33 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:46,160 We discussed those ten attributes that we needed to have in our lives for the favor 34 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:51,240 of God to be on our lives. 35 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,240 Some of that was kind of hard, wasn't it? 36 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:58,400 Some of that was kind of hard preaching, living pure, self-denial. 37 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,840 So this week, we're going to pick it up a little bit. 38 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:04,080 We're going to talk about the benefits of the good life. 39 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:05,080 Amen? 40 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:08,400 So let's ask the Lord to have his way in our heart and life this morning. 41 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:09,400 Father, we do love you. 42 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,840 We thank you for your goodness and your mercy, the abundance of your grace and love. 43 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:17,480 Lord, I thank you for your presence in the house today, for truly, truly you're here 44 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:22,160 with us this morning, oh God, because your people have entered into worship. 45 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:23,320 We have lifted our hands. 46 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:24,760 We've lifted our hearts. 47 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,920 Our voices have been raised to you. 48 00:03:27,920 --> 00:03:28,920 And so we're grateful. 49 00:03:28,920 --> 00:03:31,880 We're thankful this morning for all that you bestow upon us. 50 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:32,880 Now have your way. 51 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:36,240 The remainder this morning, Lord, be quick to praise you for it all. 52 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:40,840 Christ loved the name and the church said, amen, you can be seated. 53 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,960 Benefits of the good life. 54 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:47,000 I think there's something we should never forget. 55 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:53,640 And that one thing would be that God's plan for our lives is blessing and favor. 56 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:57,360 If you remember what Jeremiah the prophet said is the Lord would move upon him. 57 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:02,320 I know the thoughts that I have towards you, saith the Lord, right? 58 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:03,320 Said it's good. 59 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:04,320 It's not evil. 60 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:10,560 And there's a hope and an expected end that I have that I have planned for your life. 61 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:16,520 And I know from time to time, if we're if we're not careful, we can we can let our eyes 62 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:23,440 be drawn away from the fact that God's blessing in favor is his will for our life because 63 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:30,120 of what the enemy does in life and while we're trying to live life and all that he does and 64 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,200 brings against our lives. 65 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:40,040 And if it's it's hard for us sometimes not to think about what the enemy's doing. 66 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:46,160 And we've we fail to remember all the benefits that the Lord has given and made it and provided 67 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:47,520 for us. 68 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:52,680 And you know, last week as we talked about that self denial, self denial is not an easy 69 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:53,680 thing. 70 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:56,520 Self surrender, total surrenders. 71 00:04:56,520 --> 00:05:05,680 It's not easy to subvert our will to the will of God because our human nature is contrary 72 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:11,360 to the will of God and the word of God, and we have to bring ourselves into alignment. 73 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:14,280 And so that sometimes that's not an easy thing to do. 74 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:18,080 Has anybody had trouble with yourself getting yourself in a line? 75 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,280 Yeah, well, if you haven't, hold on. 76 00:05:20,280 --> 00:05:27,040 It's coming because the enemy is going to come against you in so many different ways. 77 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:31,960 And it's just our nature that we we let our guard down and we let our faith down and our 78 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:33,920 trust and confidence in God. 79 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:37,920 What I'm here to share with you today, if you're endeavoring to do the things that we 80 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:42,320 we talked about last week and you're doing your very best, then the blessings and the 81 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:49,040 benefits of God are going to be afforded to you because of his favor in your life. 82 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:52,200 That's what the that's what Solomon was writing. 83 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,380 And that's what he was telling and sharing. 84 00:05:54,380 --> 00:05:58,040 If we're going to keep the Lord's ways and we're going to strive after the Lord, he's 85 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:02,120 going to let blessing and favor be upon you shall obtain. 86 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:03,280 It's not a maybe. 87 00:06:03,280 --> 00:06:04,560 It's not a if. 88 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,680 It's a promise that God has for us. 89 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:11,000 The psalmist would introduce us to that thought in Psalm 103. 90 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,720 Bless the Lord, oh, my soul and all that is within me. 91 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:14,960 Bless his holy name. 92 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:20,320 Bless the Lord, oh, my soul and forget not all his benefits. 93 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:22,880 Sometimes we forget about what his benefits are. 94 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:28,840 Who forgives all our iniquities, who heals all our diseases, who redeems our lives from 95 00:06:28,840 --> 00:06:35,920 destruction, who crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercy, who satisfies our mouth 96 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:41,000 with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagles. 97 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:42,040 Hallelujah. 98 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:43,160 Those are the benefits. 99 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:44,160 Just a few. 100 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:45,160 Hear me. 101 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:50,120 The one benefit that is worth it all is that he forgives us of all of our iniquities. 102 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:56,520 If he didn't do anything else for us, if there was no other benefit other than him just saving 103 00:06:56,520 --> 00:07:01,960 and cleansing our soul and making us available to heaven. 104 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:02,960 What else is there? 105 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,120 Is that not the greatest benefit? 106 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:07,120 Truly the benefit of the believer. 107 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,200 The package is out of this world. 108 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:10,200 Hallelujah. 109 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:11,920 You've heard that pun intended. 110 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:16,320 The benefit package for the child of God is out of this world. 111 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:23,040 But while we are in this world, however, God's blessings and favor enters into this realm, 112 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:29,840 enters into where you are, and he blesses and adds grace and adds goodness to our life. 113 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:31,760 That's what the psalmist is declaring. 114 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:37,720 So when we think about favor, Webster puts it this way, it's a spirit of approval, good 115 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:39,420 will or liking. 116 00:07:39,420 --> 00:07:43,200 It's partiality, an act of kindness or generosity. 117 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:49,760 Unfair partiality, favoritism, attractiveness to be partial to, prefer unfairly to help, 118 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:55,680 assist to do a kindness or an endorsing. 119 00:07:55,680 --> 00:08:01,040 If you were glued in front of a TV at any point yesterday and said sporting events, 120 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:04,560 there was favoritism all across the board. 121 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:05,560 Amen? 122 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:11,400 Undue, unfair, depends on if you're on the winning or the losing side. 123 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,280 If you're on the winning side, then it was favor. 124 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:15,600 Amen? 125 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,560 If you're on the losing side, then it was unjust. 126 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:24,160 So when we're in this life and we're living it like, whew, Lord help us this morning, 127 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:25,280 this is hard plowing. 128 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:31,480 If you don't get much better, I promise I'll stop, we'll pray, you go eat lunch. 129 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:37,960 If this don't get to somewhere soon, I will not belabor the point, I promise you, until 130 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:40,000 I make myself happy here. 131 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:45,120 So when we understand to be favored means to be regarded or treated with favor, to be 132 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:51,960 provided with an advantage, to be provided with an advantage, you saw many advantages 133 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:57,320 provided yesterday for those on the opposing side. 134 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:04,160 It works that same way with God because the enemy is on the opposing side and he has undue 135 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:10,960 advantage because he bestows favor upon you and those favors are seen through the benefits 136 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,880 that God has for you. 137 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:18,360 So I declare to you this morning, forget not the benefits of the Lord. 138 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:23,360 Call upon your soul to be reminded that you do not forget all of the benefits and the 139 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:28,840 goodness that the Lord has bestowed upon your life and is made available because you are 140 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:37,120 walking in alignment for favor to be released upon your heart and your life. 141 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:42,880 We're more familiar than we think with the idea of favor. 142 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:49,720 You know, the Greek word for favor is kairos and this is where we get our word grace, it 143 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:54,680 is where we get our word for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the charismata, where the 144 00:09:54,680 --> 00:10:01,000 Spirit of God is unleashed upon and in our lives so that we have undue advantage over 145 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:02,000 the enemy. 146 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:03,000 Amen. 147 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:08,280 And I want you to know that the unfair advantage is on your side against the enemy. 148 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:13,440 I'm here to tell you there's nothing fair about doing warfare with the enemy. 149 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:14,440 Hallelujah. 150 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:19,200 And the benefits that the Lord brings into your life and into our lives because of our 151 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:20,720 faithfulness to his word. 152 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:25,640 He that finds my way, he that findeth me, hallelujah. 153 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:30,480 He that seeks me out, he that looks for me shall obtain a favor. 154 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:33,120 Isn't that what the prophets said? 155 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:34,800 Isn't that what Solomon wrote? 156 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:42,040 He that finds and loves my ways, he that loves the Lord and seeks him out, he shall obtain 157 00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:43,040 favor. 158 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:44,600 What are you trying to tell me, pastor? 159 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:47,120 Good news, good things are coming your way. 160 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:51,520 You're about to check into your benefit package because of the goodness of the Lord. 161 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:52,520 Hallelujah. 162 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:53,520 Why? 163 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:54,680 Because you love his ways. 164 00:10:54,680 --> 00:11:01,040 You're seeking out his way and his favor is about to be unfairly poured out into your 165 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:05,120 life because he loves you and you love him. 166 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:10,720 And because of that, that wonderful gift of the charismata when the spirit of God, when 167 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:17,480 the Holy Ghost is about to unfairly empower you, endu you, able you, that you become the 168 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:26,440 victor of every circumstance set against you. 169 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:34,480 Some of those benefits, some of those favors, blessings know this. 170 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:43,560 God's favor will and can produce supernatural increase and promotion in our lives. 171 00:11:43,560 --> 00:11:49,680 Genesis 39 and 21, but the Lord was with Joseph. 172 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:52,720 Somebody needs to hear that today. 173 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,480 But the Lord was with Joseph. 174 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:56,480 Who's Joseph? 175 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:02,120 Well, you remember, he was the youngest son at the moment. 176 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,980 He was the favored son, right? 177 00:12:04,980 --> 00:12:07,120 He was the favored son. 178 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,600 He had the coat of many colors. 179 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:14,120 He had been given dreams and visions from the Lord and he shares them with his brothers 180 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:19,880 and their jealousy drives them to take him captive would have taken his life except for 181 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:23,440 one of his brothers interceded on his behalf. 182 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:30,160 So they sold him into slavery, threw him in a pit, sold him into slavery, but God was 183 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:31,160 with him. 184 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:32,880 My Lord, somebody needs to hear that today. 185 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,800 Oh, here, I'm going to read it to us one more time. 186 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:38,080 But the Lord was with Joseph. 187 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:39,080 Amen. 188 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:40,600 He was down in a pit. 189 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,480 He was pulled out of a pit and sold into slavery. 190 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:47,240 He was put into service in a man by the name of Potiphar's house. 191 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:48,640 He was doing his best. 192 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,160 He was doing what was right. 193 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:57,160 He was upright before the Lord and before those he was in labor to until the tide turned. 194 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:59,240 But yet he still stood for the Lord. 195 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:00,240 Amen. 196 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,760 When Potiphar's wife set her eyes on him, he left that place running. 197 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:04,760 Hallelujah. 198 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:08,320 Because of integrity and because of who God is. 199 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,480 But the Lord was with Joseph. 200 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:15,140 So he goes from an endangered servant and slavery into a prison. 201 00:13:15,140 --> 00:13:16,760 But God didn't leave him in a prison. 202 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:20,280 I ain't got time to preach the butler story to you. 203 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:21,280 Just know this. 204 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,320 God was with Joseph and he found favor. 205 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,480 He found favor at Potiphar's house. 206 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:29,600 He found favor in the pit in the dungeon. 207 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,720 And he would find favor in Pharaoh's palace. 208 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:33,720 Hallelujah. 209 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:34,720 Why? 210 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,320 Because the Lord was with Joseph. 211 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,000 Everybody needs to know this morning. 212 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,000 It doesn't matter what's coming against you. 213 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:45,000 The Lord is with you. 214 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,920 Woo. 215 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:52,560 Well, glory. 216 00:13:52,560 --> 00:13:56,760 You don't need any other benefit than to know that. 217 00:13:56,760 --> 00:14:01,000 The Lord, if he was with Joseph, he is with you. 218 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:05,040 I'm going to try to read the rest of that verse. 219 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,440 Oh, my Lord. 220 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,960 But the Lord was with Joseph. 221 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:10,960 Showed him mercy. 222 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:14,240 And he's had a little mercy. 223 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,720 He showed me a lot, not a little. 224 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:20,160 He showed me a lot of mercy and I'm needing some today. 225 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,160 He showed him mercy. 226 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:24,520 And look what he gave him. 227 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:30,440 And he gave him favor in the side of the keeper of the prison. 228 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:32,960 Pastor, what are you trying to say? 229 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:40,040 Whatever you are right now, whatever circumstance has got you surrounded, God will bring that 230 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:42,560 unfair advantage to you. 231 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:46,960 I don't know how long he had to keep staying in that prison. 232 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,520 I don't know how much longer he had to stay there. 233 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:51,400 But what I do know is this. 234 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:52,480 God was with him. 235 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:57,320 The Lord was with Joseph and he gave him favor. 236 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:58,600 What are you saying, pastor? 237 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:03,160 I'm saying you align up to the ten points of last week and keep your eyes lifted toward 238 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:06,520 heaven because favor is coming your way. 239 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:07,520 You remain pure. 240 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:08,520 Hallelujah. 241 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:09,520 You remain obedient. 242 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:10,520 You remain surrendered. 243 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:11,520 Hallelujah. 244 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:15,560 You keep your testimony in the forefront and your praise lifted high. 245 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:16,560 Hallelujah. 246 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:22,160 You keep your faith and expectancy at the level and you can know that God will meet 247 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:23,160 you in your prison. 248 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:27,120 He'll meet you in your bondage. 249 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:32,800 He'll show and extend favor to where you are. 250 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:38,720 It's the benefit of living the good life. 251 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:39,720 Woo. 252 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,320 Wasn't so good for him. 253 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,360 He was in a pit and in a prison. 254 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:45,360 Yeah. 255 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:49,160 But he ended up in the palace. 256 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:53,560 Too many people looking in the rear view mirror. 257 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:55,920 Hello. 258 00:15:55,920 --> 00:16:00,520 It would do good for every believer in your spiritual vehicle of faith to tear that thing 259 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:02,160 off the windshield. 260 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:03,160 Why? 261 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:07,280 Because who cares what's behind you? 262 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:13,720 Well, somebody should have shouted out the door because what's behind you is under the 263 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:20,600 blood. 264 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:28,320 God took Joseph out of a bad situation and he eventually, see that's the one we're not 265 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:30,200 good with. 266 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:35,800 We're not a good with eventually. 267 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:38,260 The Lord was with him. 268 00:16:38,260 --> 00:16:46,480 The Lord gave him favor and eventually he ended up in the palace. 269 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:49,320 Eventually. 270 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:50,640 What do we do in the meantime? 271 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,500 Boy, that could preach next week, couldn't it? 272 00:16:53,500 --> 00:16:57,040 We might just save that because I got to move on. 273 00:16:57,040 --> 00:17:01,120 Sister, can you write that down because I'll be looking for that. 274 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:13,080 What did I say I was going to preach next? 275 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:20,320 Sometimes we say that the key for Joseph was that he ran from evil. 276 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:26,600 But the fact is that God's favor was on him. 277 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:28,600 That's the fact. 278 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,880 God's hand was on Joseph. 279 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:34,000 It started with his dreams and visions. 280 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:40,440 The Lord already knew what he was going to do with Joseph and he could trust Joseph. 281 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:43,360 I'm just trying to get it where he can trust me. 282 00:17:43,360 --> 00:17:44,360 Hello? 283 00:17:44,360 --> 00:17:47,400 I'm just trying to get my life in alignment where he can just trust me. 284 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:48,400 Trust you with what? 285 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:51,360 His favor, his blessing, his anointing. 286 00:17:51,360 --> 00:17:52,360 Hallelujah. 287 00:17:52,360 --> 00:17:55,960 His goodness and his grace. 288 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:59,120 God's favor produces supernatural increased promotion. 289 00:17:59,120 --> 00:18:10,360 Secondly, God's favor brings restoration of everything that the enemy has taken. 290 00:18:10,360 --> 00:18:15,560 We need some restoration knowing. 291 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:19,380 Some of you don't even know where your joy is at. 292 00:18:19,380 --> 00:18:22,380 You're just functioning. 293 00:18:22,380 --> 00:18:25,320 You're just out of habit. 294 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:29,280 You're just getting up because it's the routine that you're trained to. 295 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,620 I use my dog's as illustration. 296 00:18:31,620 --> 00:18:32,920 You use yours for other things. 297 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,280 I use mine for illustration. 298 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:36,480 Our garage door is broken. 299 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:42,240 I've got to get a guy to come over and do that spring deal it broke into. 300 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:45,640 Instead of picking up that 12 foot door, if St. Catharine's not around, I just open the 301 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:47,120 door and we take them out. 302 00:18:47,120 --> 00:18:51,080 I take them out the back door. 303 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:56,120 The black one has finally figured out, old train, SPAS I call it, if I'm not calling 304 00:18:56,120 --> 00:18:58,120 him stupid. 305 00:18:58,120 --> 00:19:00,680 He's figured out some things. 306 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:04,800 He's figured out the route. 307 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:08,520 It only took me about twice having to smack him on the end of the nose so that he don't 308 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:14,000 run through the house. 309 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:19,600 Cathy's dog just does what she wants to. 310 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:26,160 Kindly takes after her owner. 311 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:28,240 I don't know if y'all noticed that shiner she's got. 312 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,040 I didn't do that. 313 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:34,080 We were working here in the church as you got that, but now I'm not going to guarantee 314 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:39,320 about the one I may bring back next week. 315 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:44,440 If I got one, you know this didn't go over well. 316 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:47,380 He's kindly learned there's a process. 317 00:19:47,380 --> 00:19:56,000 How to go in and how to come out and how to behave himself in between. 318 00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:01,160 Sometimes we have to learn that there's a process and restoration has a process in our 319 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:02,160 life. 320 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:03,160 There's a mode. 321 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:07,760 There's a reason I was telling you that story, but it's gone. 322 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:12,360 God's favor brings restoration. 323 00:20:12,360 --> 00:20:17,760 Every time the enemy comes in and takes something from us, you need to know that that was not 324 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:20,960 God's will nor God's design. 325 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:24,520 You and I don't have to sit idly by to surrender it. 326 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:29,880 I remember the story of David at a place called Ziglag when he and the army's out doing war. 327 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:33,480 The Philistines circle around behind them and they come in and take captive all of their 328 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:37,080 wives and their children and they carried them off. 329 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:41,080 I read that story where David is down and he's depressed. 330 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:42,080 He's crying. 331 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:47,700 He's moaning within himself of his own family, but not only his own, but all of his men. 332 00:20:47,700 --> 00:20:52,800 He was a true leader and he bore the weight of those that were lost around him. 333 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:57,920 When his men turned on him and began to ridicule him and were ready to take him out, David, 334 00:20:57,920 --> 00:20:59,060 this is your fault. 335 00:20:59,060 --> 00:21:03,080 The scripture says that David encouraged himself in the Lord. 336 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:04,960 He had to pick him on self up. 337 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,120 Somebody here this morning, you need to hear this. 338 00:21:07,120 --> 00:21:11,520 You're going to have to grab your own bootstraps and you got to pick your own self up and encourage 339 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:17,840 your own self in the Lord because God's benefits are for you and no one, no one can cash in 340 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:23,200 on them, but you, you have the right, you have the authority that's been given to you 341 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,440 to file the benefits that he's given for you. 342 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:32,000 So you got to pick yourself up, encourage yourself and know that restoration is able 343 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:35,720 to come your way. 344 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:40,920 He encourages himself in the Lord and then he goes to the Lord in prayer and he asks 345 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,960 the Lord, can he go get it? 346 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:47,200 The Lord says, yes, rise. 347 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:52,960 And I'm going to tell you something, David, you're not only going to get it, but you're 348 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:58,280 going to get it all back. 349 00:21:58,280 --> 00:21:59,280 Rise and go forth. 350 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:00,280 Somebody needs to hear that this morning. 351 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:04,800 You just simply got to get up, get up and start after it and God will see fit that you 352 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:05,800 get it. 353 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:11,760 He's going to restore to you the joy of your salvation, the joy and knowing his favor. 354 00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:17,760 Exodus 321 and I will give this people favor talking in the sight of the Egyptians and 355 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:23,560 it shall come to pass that when you go, you shall not go empty. 356 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:28,200 Oh Lord, hallelujah. 357 00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:33,840 The Lord says, you tell my people that I'm going to have favor in the Egyptian eyes on 358 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:35,240 behalf of them. 359 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:40,440 And when it comes time for you to go, you're not going to go empty handed. 360 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:42,400 Somebody needs to hear that this morning. 361 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:47,320 God's not just going to open the door and cause you to escape and let you get out by 362 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:52,560 the skin of your teeth, but he's going to open a door and he's going to let you go and 363 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:54,160 you're not going empty handed. 364 00:22:54,160 --> 00:22:55,160 Why? 365 00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:02,480 Because his favor and it's in his benefits released upon your life. 366 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:05,640 You shall not go empty. 367 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:15,040 It's not if, it's not maybe, but the Lord said when. 368 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:19,520 That eventually, right? 369 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:27,440 You're eventually going to get out and when you do, you're not going empty handed. 370 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:34,440 Now I want you to know that should cause some resolve to enter into somebody's life. 371 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:37,880 You may feel bound and in prison. 372 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:43,720 So was Joseph, but the Lord was with him. 373 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:46,600 The Lord was with Joseph. 374 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:50,800 The Lord gave him favor with those in the prison and some of you may be in prison on 375 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:56,240 a job site, but I promise you, if you are the Christian on your job site that you're 376 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:02,760 supposed to be, God will give you favor with those around you. 377 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:06,600 He did them. 378 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:12,880 Psalm 105 37 declares, he brought them forth also with silver and gold and there was not 379 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:19,000 one feeble person among them. 380 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:24,160 God had the Israelites ready for a road trip. 381 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,680 Amen. 382 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,360 Even they old folk wasn't feeble, they just old. 383 00:24:29,360 --> 00:24:33,120 I'm going to go on. 384 00:24:33,120 --> 00:24:38,120 John 10 10 says the thief come not but to steal, to kill and to destroy. 385 00:24:38,120 --> 00:24:43,640 Jesus said, I have come that you might have a lot and have it more abundant. 386 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:44,640 That's two. 387 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:47,120 You got time for four more. 388 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:50,720 Understand that God is able to bring bad situations and turn them into good ones. 389 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:52,200 Isn't that what Joseph said? 390 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:57,120 What you meant for evil when he looked at his brothers, what you meant for evil, God 391 00:24:57,120 --> 00:25:02,080 meant for good. 392 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:07,040 Another situation when there was prophecy against the children of Israel, there was 393 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:10,880 a curse put upon them. 394 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:19,280 The prophet declared that he will reverse the curse. 395 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:21,680 That'll preach. 396 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:24,000 Some of you need a little bit of reversing going on. 397 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:27,480 Hello, anybody need a little reversal action? 398 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:32,600 I'm ready to see the enemy reverse and take course away from me. 399 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:37,360 The favor of God brings honor in the midst of it adversaries. 400 00:25:37,360 --> 00:25:40,680 Exodus 11 and three and the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of Egyptians. 401 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:45,320 Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt in the side of Pharaoh's 402 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:50,160 servants and in the sight of the people. 403 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:54,480 He can lift you up in the face of your adversaries. 404 00:25:54,480 --> 00:26:02,640 God's favor will give great and unusual victories even against impossible odds. 405 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:08,120 These are the benefits of living the good life. 406 00:26:08,120 --> 00:26:10,240 Joshua six and 20. 407 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:16,640 So the people shouted with the priest, you'll recognize this story of being at Jericho. 408 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:22,520 The people shouted when the priest blew with the trumpets and it came to pass. 409 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:29,840 Then the people heard the sound of the trumpet and the people shouted with a great shout 410 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:36,020 that the wall fell down flat so that the people went up into the city. 411 00:26:36,020 --> 00:26:45,440 Every man straight before him and they took the city against impossible odds. 412 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:49,100 The walls came down. 413 00:26:49,100 --> 00:26:53,800 It happened after it came to pass. 414 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:59,000 Eventually the trumpets are in the front. 415 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:04,120 The people are in back and they're going in a circle. 416 00:27:04,120 --> 00:27:10,200 I don't know how long it took those at the end of the line to hear the trumpet blast. 417 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,840 It took a little while. 418 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:20,560 It took a little time and when it came to pass, when the trumpets were heard, the people 419 00:27:20,560 --> 00:27:24,240 shouted a great shout. 420 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:30,080 Again, what are we doing in the meantime? 421 00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:37,000 Chapter 10 verse nine, Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, impossible odds, and he 422 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:43,880 went up from Gilgal all night and the Lord disconfited them before Israel and slew them 423 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:46,720 with a great slaughter at Gibeon. 424 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:55,000 He chased them along the way that goeth up to Bithoran and smote them in Azacka and Micachaea. 425 00:27:55,000 --> 00:28:00,220 Hail stones fell from the sky. 426 00:28:00,220 --> 00:28:02,840 There was a forced march. 427 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,280 They marched all night. 428 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:16,040 Twenty some odd miles from Gilgal to Gibeon and when they got there, they surprised the 429 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:18,400 enemy. 430 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:23,440 But the greatest surprise was God fought for them. 431 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:31,080 What are you saying pastor? 432 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:36,180 I'm saying you just show up. 433 00:28:36,180 --> 00:28:39,840 You just show up. 434 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:45,340 You just get in pursuit and you just show up. 435 00:28:45,340 --> 00:28:49,040 Part of the reason we don't get in pursuit is we think we may actually have to fight 436 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:51,000 the battle when we get there. 437 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:53,360 Worry about that when you get there. 438 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:55,000 Just get there. 439 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:56,560 Just show up. 440 00:28:56,560 --> 00:29:03,520 So many times we leave the benefits and we forfeit the benefits because we simply stop 441 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:06,360 showing up. 442 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,160 Well it's a long march from Gilgal to Gibeon. 443 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:12,000 So do you want it or not? 444 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:16,720 Well I got to get on from here. 445 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:24,200 Understand that God can turn every bad situation into a victory in many unusual ways. 446 00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:35,400 God does not afford us to even begin to cover that vast example of God's faithfulness and 447 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:36,400 favor. 448 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:42,280 God's favor can give recognition and promotion even when you seem to be the least likely 449 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:48,120 one to receive it. 450 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:59,560 Verse 16-22 and Saul sent to Jesse saying, Let David I pray thee stand before me for 451 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:12,040 he hath found favor in my side. 452 00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:15,880 Saul sent for David. 453 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:19,320 Samuel sent for David. 454 00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:24,240 God sent for David. 455 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:27,000 Saul disobeyed him. 456 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:28,440 Backslidden king. 457 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:32,640 David has found favor in my side. 458 00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:39,240 Later he tried to take his life but every time he needed him to play on that harp, David 459 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:43,800 was there to play on that harp. 460 00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:51,480 Because every time he sat under the anointed music, the enemy was driven away from Saul's 461 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:52,480 mind. 462 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:53,480 Peace would come. 463 00:30:53,480 --> 00:30:54,480 Stand. 464 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:58,640 I'm going to run through these others. 465 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:02,880 God's favor will open doors that seem impossible. 466 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:07,160 Esther chapter 5 verse 8 and 8 verse 5. 467 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:14,180 I have found favor in the side of the king. 468 00:31:14,180 --> 00:31:18,760 If it pleased the king and if I have found favor in his side and the things seemed right 469 00:31:18,760 --> 00:31:24,600 before the king and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised 470 00:31:24,600 --> 00:31:35,240 by Haman which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's province. 471 00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:40,160 And we know the rest of that story. 472 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:45,480 God's favor can win battles you don't even know and don't even have to fight because 473 00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:46,480 he fights for you. 474 00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:49,120 Psalm 44 1 through 3. 475 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:55,680 We have heard with our ears, oh God our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their 476 00:31:55,680 --> 00:32:00,080 day in the times of old. 477 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:04,900 How you did drive out the heathen with your hand. 478 00:32:04,900 --> 00:32:11,320 How you did afflict the people and cast them out. 479 00:32:11,320 --> 00:32:18,320 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword. 480 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:25,960 Neither did their own arms save them but your right hand and your arm and the light of your 481 00:32:25,960 --> 00:32:41,120 countenance because hear this, thou hast had a favor upon them. 482 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:47,080 He's got his favor on you. 483 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:53,160 There's victory that you've not even attained to because you've stopped showing up. 484 00:32:53,160 --> 00:32:56,440 Show up. 485 00:32:56,440 --> 00:32:58,440 We get caught up in the details. 486 00:32:58,440 --> 00:33:00,160 Well how? 487 00:33:00,160 --> 00:33:02,320 It doesn't matter how. 488 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:05,440 Just get there. 489 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:07,880 Just be there. 490 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:10,320 Just be obedient. 491 00:33:10,320 --> 00:33:14,000 Be faithful. 492 00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:17,480 Let him bestow his benefits upon you. 493 00:33:17,480 --> 00:33:21,120 Well I'm bound pastor. 494 00:33:21,120 --> 00:33:35,640 Well so was Joseph, so was Paul, so was Silas, so was Peter and on and on and on it goes. 495 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:39,360 He never promised that there wouldn't be trouble. 496 00:33:39,360 --> 00:33:45,840 Wouldn't promise there wouldn't be hardships. 497 00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:56,960 He never promised that it would be easy, he just promised he would be faithful. 498 00:33:56,960 --> 00:34:04,360 The benefits of the good life is that God is in the details and you don't have to figure 499 00:34:04,360 --> 00:34:08,320 them out. 500 00:34:08,320 --> 00:34:11,040 We just have to show up. 501 00:34:11,040 --> 00:34:14,700 We just have to get from Gilgal to Gibeon. 502 00:34:14,700 --> 00:34:20,000 We just have to encourage ourselves from the Lord and arise and go forward because the 503 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:24,080 promise is you shall recover it all. 504 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:30,720 I'm just stating what the book says. 505 00:34:30,720 --> 00:34:36,740 But I know one thing if you never get in pursuit you're not going to get anything. 506 00:34:36,740 --> 00:34:42,680 If we don't ever get into action, if we don't ever start the pursuit, if we never encourage 507 00:34:42,680 --> 00:34:55,800 ourselves in the Lord and then inquire of him we'll never know what the benefit is. 508 00:34:55,800 --> 00:35:03,360 If you don't go to HR, your human resource department with whatever it is you have as 509 00:35:03,360 --> 00:35:09,480 far as a complaint to see what the handbook's got to say you won't know if you've got that 510 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:16,640 benefit or not. 511 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:21,720 Because most of us, are you ready I'm about to drop one on you, most of us don't read 512 00:35:21,720 --> 00:35:33,720 the handbook to know what the benefits are. 513 00:35:33,720 --> 00:35:41,000 Get on the Gerald all the time, son you got more benefits available. 514 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:45,280 You need to know exactly what is made available. 515 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:52,160 You're not working the system, you're not trying to cheat anyone but know the benefits 516 00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:58,720 that are available. 517 00:35:58,720 --> 00:36:06,240 How many need to exercise one of your benefits? 518 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:10,880 Here's one for you, come into me all you that labor and heavy laden, that's a benefit and 519 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:14,080 I'll give you rest. 520 00:36:14,080 --> 00:36:16,480 Anybody need rest come on. 521 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:21,480 If any among you are sick let them call on the elders of the church, they'll anoint you 522 00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:25,480 with oil and the prayer of faith. 523 00:36:25,480 --> 00:36:37,640 That's a benefit, by his stripes you are healed, that's a benefit. 524 00:36:37,640 --> 00:36:39,440 Anybody need anything from the Lord this morning? 525 00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:46,240 If you do come on I want to pray for us before we go. 526 00:36:46,240 --> 00:36:51,720 Anything at all. 527 00:36:51,720 --> 00:36:57,320 Here's a benefit for you, if any man sin he has as an advocate with the Father Christ 528 00:36:57,320 --> 00:36:59,760 Jesus the righteous. 529 00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:05,360 And if we're faithful and just to confess our sins, he's faithful and just to cleanse 530 00:37:05,360 --> 00:37:06,360 us of our sins. 531 00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:13,960 Listen, and it didn't stop right there, the benefit is written in the handbook and he 532 00:37:13,960 --> 00:37:18,000 will cleanse them of all unrighteousness. 533 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:19,000 That's the benefit. 534 00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:22,720 Father I love you this morning, stretch your hands this way folks.