The Friendly Fire Room Presents

The Favor of the Lord Part Three


Series: The Blessing of the Lord
Lesson: The Favor of the Lord Part Three
September 2, 2022
Dr. Mary Craig
Mary Craig Ministries, Inc.
QUESTIONS AND DRAFT ANSWERS
September 16, 2022
Answers compiled by Wanda B. largely based on the previous Lesson by Dr. Mary Craig. Hear complete teaching at www.mcmtffr.org.


1.Believers in Jesus Christ, those born again, enter into the rest of God.
Identify three aspects of this rest according to Matthew 11:28-30 and Hebrews 4:10, 11.
Student Answer
(1) Believers in Jesus Christ enter into the rest of God
(2) He gives rest to those who labor and are heavy laden.
(3) Those who take His yoke upon them and learn from Him, find rest for their souls.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Berean

Hebrews 4:10-11
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. KJV 2. Acts 2:42-47 provides an account of the infant church. What does this passage tell you about the lives of the early believers described here? In your answer, give definition to “possessions” and “goods.”
Student Answer
From this passage we can note that these early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They devoted themselves to the fellowship, to taking communion together, and to prayer. This prayer was corporate, public, and private. As they did this, a sense of awe came over everyone. The apostles performed many signs and wonders.
All the believers were together and held things in common. They sold their possessions and goods and shared with anyone who was in need. “Possessions” stands for real property, “goods” for personal. There seems to be an effort to determine legitimate need, so not everyone who applied received. (Ellicott)
These early believers continually met daily in the temple courts to worship. They shared meals with gladness and sincerity of heart. They praised God and enjoyed the favor of al the people. So all that they were doing led to favor. Favor led to people being added to their number every day as God granted grace and favor to the infant church.

What do we learn from Acts 11:28-30 and Acts 12:25? Also refer to 2 Corinthians 8: 9-15. “Grace giving is giving gladly, generously, graciously, as one purposes in one’s
heart, as God guides.” (Dr. Mary Craig)
Student Answer
Grace giving brings favor with God. The gospel had spread and disciples in the Antioch area sent relief, each according to his own ability, to the brethren in Judea during a world famine. Barnabas and Saul [Paul] delivered the donations and returned to Antioch to continue ministering. Paul used the example of Christ who He gave His life as one righteous act freely, that others might live with Him and share His riches in glory to encourage believers in Corinth to give gladly, generously, graciously. He exhorted them to give by grace willingly from their plenty that others’ needs would be met. Paul also referred to the Jews in -Exodus. When they gathered Manna from Heaven and shared it, there was food for all.
Acts 2: 42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 A sense of awe came over everyone, and the
apostles performed many wonders and signs.
44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
46 With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 11:28-30
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.:
29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.
2 Corinthians 8:9-15
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;:
11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, "HE WHO GATHERED MUCH HAD NOTHING LEFT OVER, AND HE WHO GATHERED LITTLE HAD NO LACK."

3. According to Proverbs 19:12 and Proverbs 16:15,
What do believers experience when they have God’s favor? The face of the Lord is against those who do evil. God’s favor is as refreshing as the dew on grass or welcome rain--and believers will live! Look up Psalm 34:16; Psalm 109:13; Proverbs 10:7, 1 Peter 3:10-12.What are we exhorted to do?
Student Answer
To love life, see good days, be remembered as righteous, and to have the Lord look on us with favor and hear our prayers, we are exhorted to: Refrain our tongue from evil and deceitful speech; turn away from malicious evil and do good; seek and pursue peace; and be righteous by His grace.

Proverbs 19:12";The king’s anger is as dangerous as a lion’s. But his favor is as refreshing as the dew on grass." Another version says it like this… "The king’s anger is
like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like welcome rain."
Proverbs 16:15 "When a ruler is happy and pleased with you, it’s like refreshing rain, and you will live."
Psa 34:16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psa 109:13 Let his posterity be cut off, And in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
Pro 10:7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
1Pe 3:10-12
10 For ";HE WHO WOULD LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
11 LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." 4. Look up 1 Corinthians 1:4-9.
How do we obtain mercy and find favor from God?
The main point here is Prayer Brings Favor! Prayer changes things.
Student Answer
God wants to hear the prayers of the righteous. The early Church devoted themselves to prayer. Paul exhorts believers to pray without ceasing. Pray for His people to continually repent turning toward God’s will and away from human will.

1Thessalonians 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Thanksgiving
1Corinthians 1:4-9
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus:
5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. The Word of God informs our experiences.
Discuss Psalm 119:58.
Student Answer
The word "entreated"here means to "be rubbed or worn even to the point of being wounded." We have to really want God’s favor. We have to pursue it, pursue peace, seek the Lord for forgiveness when we sin and experience that Fatherly displeasure, and pursue the Lord to grant repentance. Remember, repentance is a lifestyle. In repentance we acknowledge and know the truth of God’s word in order to turn from our opposition to it.

2Timothy 2:25-26
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Psa 119:58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.

6. Look up Proverbs 8:32-36.
Who is the “me” in this passage?
Student Answer
The “me” is Wisdom personified, referring to God. God is God only Wise. Christ is the Wisdom of God, God in flesh appearing. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation.
What is the three-step process of obtaining favor in this passage?
Student Answer
(1).Listening,
(2) Watching, and
(3) Waiting.

Proverbs 8:32-36
32 “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise: and do not neglect it,
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” ESV

7. Look up Proverbs 13:13-15.
What is a third way to receive favor from the Lord?
Student Answer
The teaching of the wise when received with understanding is rewarded. Good sense wins favor. A teacher can teach, but the responsibility to learn is on the learner. We have to be more than just hearers of the Word; we must apply it and be doers of it.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

How did people react and respond to Jesus?
Student Answer
Some received Him gladly, but not everyone received Jesus or His good news.

What is the importance of knowledge according to Isaiah 5:13? Is knowledge in and of itself enough?
Student Answer
Teaching imparts knowledge. The knowledge needs to be received with understanding. Jesus reveals truth leading to understanding.

Consider what happened on the road to Emmaus. What was needed beyond knowledge to “see and perceive”?
Student Answer
Jesus taught knowledge from the scriptures about His incarnation but the disciples did not get it until He opened their eyes of their minds to understand. Jesus reveals truth. When this happens, the veil is removed and transformation begins to happen.

Proverbs 13:13-15
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. ESV

Isaiah 5:13"My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude is parched with thirst."

8. Look up Philippians 3:13-15. What does Paul say of himself regarding the importance of pressing in and pressing forward? Towards what?
Student Answer
Even Paul needed to forget the past and press ahead toward the goal or mark to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Jesus Christ.

Look up Luke 2:52. Comment on the connection between the favor of the Lord and advancing in wisdom.
Student Answer
The favor of the Lord comes with advancing in wisdom as modeled by Jesus the living Word of God.
Philippians 3:13-15
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14I press on toward the goal [mark] to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.” Berean
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men,

9. Many believers are “out of Egypt” but wander in the wilderness not recognizing their spiritual inheritance in Christ. These doubt God’s Word and are thus restless. God had a Sabbath rest when His creation work was complete, good. (Hebrews 4:4). Israel was to have a rest in Canaan, but what prevented it? (Deut. 12:9; Hebrews 4:11).
Student Answer
Believers (1) rest in Christ through salvation (Hebrews 4:3; Matthew 11:28). Jesus describes the (2) rest of submission in Matthew 11:28-30. The Children of Israel did not enter into this (3) rest to take the land because of disobedience, a disobedience that resulted from unbelief. (Hebrews 4:11)

Look at Hebrews 4:11-13. What is emphasized? There remains a rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9).What rest is this future rest? (See also Revelation 14:13.) Rest In the promised land dwelling with God.What might be some dangers when believers do not heed the warnings in the Word of God, when they do not listen and allow the Holy Spirit to bring correction?
Student Answer
They are in danger of not entering into the promised rest of God.

Look up Hebrews 3:12. What was Israel’s sin?
Student Answer
They resisted pressing on to the promised land and wanted to turn back.

What was the consequence for wanting to go one’s own way when God did not permit“returning to Egypt”?
Student Answer
Their inheritance in the promised land was forfeited. Isaiah
5:13 states: "My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude is parched with thirst."

The final of these three rests, the rest of God, is about the inheritance. We inherit as co-heirs with Christ.

Hebrews 4:4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"
Deut. 12:9 for as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the LORD your God is giving you.
Hebrews 4:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "SO I SWORE IN MY WRATH, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Hebrews 4:11-13
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
Hebrews 3:11-12
11 SO I SWORE IN MY WRATH, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ";Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

10. Jesus is the Great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for His own.
Warren Wiersbe notes:
“(1) God finished His work and rested, so that His rest has been available since
Creation.
(2) The Jews failed to enter into their rest.
(3) Many years later (Psalm 95), God said that a rest was still available. “ (Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1989.)
What does God see?
Student Answer
(Hebrews 4:13; cf. Jeremiah 17:9) We are the sheep of His pasture and accountable to Him. But our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked above all things.

What does the Word of God cause us to do when we see what God sees?
Student Answer
To get faith strengthened we do not strive after faith, but rest on our oneness with Jesus, the
Faithful One. (Hudson Taylor)
We are invited to enter into God’s rest. God rested from the act of creation, He didn’t become weary, and he didn’t continue inactive. He is ever at work, repairing, renewing, and sustaining. God’s rest would bring us to equilibrium. As we think about this invitation to enter God's rest, we are encouraged to understand that Jesus, our great Joshua, has entered into it for us. He also has ceased from His own work of redemption, as God did from His work of creation.
The redemptive work of Christ is a finished work. Maybe, we have received the (1) rest of salvation, and even found the (2) rest of submission. In the first, we
receive the rest that Jesus gives. In the second, we find rest for our souls. When we enter into (3) God’s rest. We possess the land.

Look up Joshua 5:13-15. Who is really in command?
Student Answer
The Lord Jesus Christ.

What did Joshua do?
Student Answer
When by Jericho, Joshua saw a Man facing him with His sword drawn. He went to Him and asked “Are you for us or our adversaries? Upon hearing the Man was Commander of The Lord’s Army, Joshua fell on his face to the earth, worshiped and asked, ”What does my Lord say to His servant?” Joshua obeyed the Commander and took off the sandal from his foot because the place where he stood was holy. Joshua (1) believed, (2) submitted obediently and (3) entered the Holy Land.

The warning against an evil heart of unbelief is given from a gracious and loving Father.What is the progression that leads to death mentioned in Dr. Craig’s lesson?
Student Answer
We drift, we doubt, we disbelieve, we disobey, we die. (Trust the Word of God; Evaluate; Consider the warnings in Scripture.)
Psalm 95:7-8
7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:
8"Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,"
Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
The Commander of the Lord's Army
Joshua 5:13-15
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand.
And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"
14 So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"
15 Then the Commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.
11. Look up Hebrews 4:14-16. The believer can come boldly to what Throne? The Throne of Grace.

What reason is given in Hebrews 4:15?
Student Answer
We have a High Priest with no sin but who can sympathize with our weaknesses because He was in all points tempted as we are yet He overcame sin. He intercedes for us to receive grace and mercy in our time of need. Jesus sympathizes. After all, it is the way of the cross. It is death that leads to resurrection. Jesus bound Satan in the wilderness when He refused self- gratification (bread), when He refused self-will (throw yourself down) and self- determination of destiny, and when He refused self-seeking (worship me, Satan, and you can have all the kingdoms of the world). Jesus paid the penalty for sins of the body, sins of the soul, and sins of the spirit. He died to satisfy divine justice and rose from the dead, proving that the Father accepted Jesus’ atoning work. That work is a finished work. Jesus knows. He learned obedience in the things which He suffered. He comforts us on our way to the Cross, for he knows what lies beyond--the crown.

What does this mean when we want to give up believing in Christ and confessing faith in Him because circumstances seem overwhelming? What does this mean when we sin“royally” and lose our confidence because we have brought reproach to Christ’s name? The true believer cannot “go back.” Why is there no need to “go back”?
Student Answer
The Christian life is a grace life. The just shall live by faith. Those justified by grace live by faith in future grace. By grace we are continually being saved. We trust for this grace. We come boldly to this Throne of Grace to obtain mercy and find grace and favor. It comes to us as a gift, this grace. Our salvation was purchased by Christ's own Blood and Body offered as a sacrifice for our sin. Because of this, we can draw near with boldness. Let us draw near, receive the grace we need to face the Father, to be judged by the Word of Truth, to be conformed to the image of Christ, to become all that God has declared us to be in Christ.

So, what would one do? How do we obtain mercy and find grace and favor?
Student Answer
We bring God the Word, Jesus Christ. We come with faith in the Word and offer the Word to obtain the mercy and find the grace that we need. We receive as we give to God His Word, His Son, His promises, His working of salvation in us. The Living God is the God of All Grace.
Jesus the Great High Priest
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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