Jesus: Growing in Favor with God -- Luke 2:52


  1. Jesus: in favor with God according to the WORD
    1. At age 12, Jesus was interested in spiritual matters- vv 46-47
    2. Jesus was a good listener (v 46). The Bible places emphasis upon listening:
      1. Proverbs 1:5, 7-9
      2. Proverbs 8:32
      3. Proverbs 23:22-23
    3. Jesus was not only a hearer, but a doer:
      1. John 4:34
      2. John 6:38
      3. John 9:4
      4. James 1:17-27
    4. Jesus subjected Himself to His parents as a child ought- v 52
      1. This text indicates Jesus' awareness of His purpose & mission
      2. Unlike today's youth, Jesus was probably smarter than His parents when He was 12.
    5. Jesus' good study habits carried over into adulthood: Lk 4:16-21
    6. Jesus not only knew God's Word, He knew how to apply it:
      1. Matthew 4:1-11 -- temptation by the Devil
      2. Matthew 22:23-33 -- refutation of the Sadducees


  2. Obtaining favor with God:
    1. WHY? Psalm 30:4-5
    2. HOW? 1 Timothy 4:12 -- by being an example in:
      1. WORD
        1. Colossians 3:8; 4:6
        2. James 3:2-13
        3. Exodus 20:7
      2. CONDUCT
        1. 1 Samuel 18 -- "David behaved himself wisely" 3 times
        2. Won't gain favor of world, but God's favor is more important
        3. The world will set itself up as our enemy (1 Sam 18:29):
          1. because it does not understand us
            1. 1 Corinthians 2:14
            2. 1 Peter 4:4
          2. but also because it fears us -- James 4:7
      3. LOVE
        1. 1 John 3:18 (cf 1 John 4:20-21)
        2. 1 John 5:3
      4. FAITH
        1. Jonathan -- 1 Samuel 14:6 (cf Joshua 23:8-11)
        2. David -- 1 Samuel 17:32-37
      5. PURITY
        1. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
        2. 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1


Proverbs 18:22 "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord."

Proverbs 3:1-7

Proverbs 8:32-35

Psalm 119:58 -- "I have entreated thy favour with my whole heart, be merciful to me according to Thy word." (cf Acts 7:45-56; 13:22)