Have favor with all the people!
Main scriptures for this study: Acts 2:46-47
They continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favor with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
A.. Nowadays how do we have favor with all the people!
1. We have to know with all the people means all certain people.
Lots of others were out to destroy them!
2. Let others see your good deeds and give glory God. Matt.5:16
In reality, the Apostles did lots of good deeds, but religious leaders with many others dislike them!
3. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see
the Lord. Heb.12:14
Yes, we want to live in peace with all men and to be holy, but will all men live in peace with us?
May we say, will all men let us live in peace with them? This is why we also have item 4!
4. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Ro.12:18
As I always say, I want to live in peace with all men! But will all men let us live in peace with them?
5. On our part, we practice, Matt.7:12.
How many men in this world know what is Matt.7:12?
As you would others do to you, do the same to others!
Confucius philosophers have this--> as you would not others do to you, do not do to others!
6. Either of the above all men practice, we will all live in peace with all men!
We all know, lots of others, out to take advantage of all men, or even bully you!
B. This is how we take comfort!
1. Only God has the mean and power to make all people live in peace with all other men!
2. Each one has to give his account to God. Romans 14:12
3. We aim for perfection, listen to what says in the Bible, be of one mind, live in peace.
And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor.r13:11
4. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are
troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in
blazing fire with his powerful angels. 2 Thes.1:6-7
C. King David took comfort this way:
Ps 34:12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Ps 34:13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Ps 34:14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
Ps 34:16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Ps 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
D. . Apostle Peter took comfort from this also!
1 Pe 3:10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips
from deceitful speech.
1Pe 3:11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
E. This is how I take comfort when I am alone and weary!
1. recite this --> The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what can men do to me! Heb.13:6
2. The point is not many are qualified to recite this!
Heb.13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Heb.13:6 So we say with confidence: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
F. Conclusion: Live in peace with all men. Having favor with all the people!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always!