Who God Favors

 

Acts 13 (NKJV)

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; 

Envy is evil.  

It is the nature of the devil.  

It is the absence of love. 

This is why Cain killed his brother (Genesis 4:8).

and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 

When they spoke against Paul, they were speaking against God Himself; therefore, it was blasphemy.

  

They could have been happy.  Because it wasn't them up front, they blasphemed.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, 

“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; 

but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, 

behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

48 Now when the Gentiles (none Jews) heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. 

And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

The people who were not Jews in this city recognized the teaching of Paul as coming from God.

When we honor whom God had sent, we are glorifying God.  God  manifests Himself through human vessels. We must learn how to recognize Him.

We must learn to recognize God sometimes in despite of the human package.  

Ephesians 4:30  (NKJV)

30 and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...

We must not grieve the Holy Spirit; however, He is not easily offended.  He knows if your motive is disrespect.  He knows your motives. 

The Spirit of God and the things of God are given to those who value them.  

God will even send things to your children and grandchildren.  Even if He knows that they won't respond.  

46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, 

“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you (Jews) first;

The Holy Spirit will manifest Himself where He is wanted. 

but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, 

When people reject God's Word, they judge themselves.  This is true in salvation and in future revelation. 

Genesis 4:4-5 (NKJV)

4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 

5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Cain thought that he was mad at Abel; therefore, He killed Him.  However, it was God who He was mad at. 

7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

God is saying that His acceptance of you is up to you. If you bring to God your best like Abel, Cain, I will accept it.

    

8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Instead of getting rid of his envy and anger, Cain killed Abel. All Abel did was love God more than Cain did. 

Every time we see a blessing in someone else's life.  How we respond to it qualifies us for the same blessing or judges us of being unworthy of it.

If you don't rejoice in God's goodness, you disqualify yourself from God's blessings. 

   

Keith Moore, New Life Church

https://flcmedia.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/productvideo/0330-YieldYourself-03-DontResistTheSpirit-HD.mp4