INCREASE PART 6: "Increasing Favor"

Isaiah 9:7 KJV

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Luke 2:52 NIV

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:52 AMP

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.

THREE WAYS TO INCREASE

IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MANKIND

1. BE HUMBLE

Philippians 2:5-10 KJV

 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.

Romans 12:3 AMP

For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].

James 4:10 AMP

Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

2. WALK IN LOVE

1 John 4:7-21 NLT

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

John 14:9 – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”

God Is Love – So Love One Another

Love requires the laying down of one’s own self for another/others.

Staying “unoffendable.”

3. DO GOOD

Acts 10:38 NLT

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Galatians 6:10 NIV

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Acts 10:30 - “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”

Ephesians 5:18 AMP

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.