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Does God Play Favorites? Humility & God's Favor | Rusty George | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes/Church360/Does God Play Favorites? Humility & God's Favor

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Does God Play Favorites? Humility & God's Favor

Rusty George·Church360

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Summary

In week four of the My 52 series, Pastor Rusty George explores whether God plays favorites by contrasting the world's standard of power with the biblical narrative of Jesus' birth. While earthly empires exalt wealth and influence, God chooses to shower His favor on the humble, ordinary, and overlooked—like Mary, Joseph, and the night-shift shepherds. True favor with God is not earned through status or position, but is unlocked when we humble ourselves and surrender completely to Jesus.

Key Scriptures

Tap a passage to read it in the Bible app ↗

Luke 2:1↗Matthew 2:1-3↗Leviticus 12:6-8↗Luke 2:22-24↗Luke 1:30

Keep growing this week

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.

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Part 2 · Current

Does God Play Favorites? Humility & God's Favor

Rusty George · Church360

Jan 24, 2026

↗

1 Peter 5:5-6↗

John 10:11-15↗

Themes

Humility vs. PrideGod's FavorSurrender and LordshipThe Good ShepherdKingdom Value vs. Earthly Status

Key Points

1.Earthly success and influence are not indicators of God's special favor; God's standards are completely opposite to the world's standards.
2.Powerful rulers like Caesar Augustus and Herod the Great ruled with ruthlessness and pride, declaring themselves divine kings, yet God bypassed them to announce the King of Kings.
3.Mary and Joseph were working-class peasants who could only afford the offering reserved for the poor, yet Mary found supreme favor with God.
4.The shepherds were low-status day laborers and social outcasts, yet God chose them to be the first to hear the good news of the Savior's birth.
5.Humility is the single qualification that opens the door to God's favor and blessing in a believer's life.
6.God actively opposes the proud, but He pours out grace, elevation, and spiritual favor on those who humble themselves under His hand.
7.Jesus defines humility through sacrificial love, showing Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.
8.Unanswered prayers or spiritual distance are often rooted in unexamined pride, self-reliance, or holding a grudge against God's direction.

Sermon Moments

“Caesar Augustus claimed titles like 'Prince of Peace' and 'Son of God' on coins, but God bestowed those true titles upon a humble baby born in a manger.”

“Herod the Great built colossal architectural wonders and murdered his own family out of paranoia, showing how destructive worldly pride can be.”

“Mary and Joseph brought the sacrifice of the poor—two doves—because they could not afford a lamb, unaware that they were holding the Lamb of God in their arms.”

“The night-shift shepherds were socially excluded and spiritually distant, yet they were invited first to welcome the Savior.”

“You may have a blue-collar job, but you can still have white-collar pride.”

“When asking God to take your side in a disagreement, remember He isn't interested in taking sides—He wants to take over.”

This Week

Examine your heart for areas of hidden pride, self-reliance, or stubbornness in your daily walk with God.
Humbly confess your sins to God and invite Him to take control of your marriage, career, and personal challenges.
Practice humility in your relationships this week by being quick to apologize, admit mistakes, and forgive others.
Reach out in kindness to someone in your workplace or community who is routinely overlooked or undervalued.
Commit to reading Chapter 4 of Quest 52 and meditate on how Jesus models sacrificial humility.
Surrender your finances and plans to God, recognizing Him as the ultimate provider rather than trusting in your own effort.
Take a tangible step of obedience and public faith, such as signing up for baptism or joining a connect group.

Remember This

God does not grant His favor based on earthly power or status, but actively opens the door of His favor to those who have a humble spirit and surrender to Him.

A Challenge for You

God, I surrender my life to you. I admit I'm a sinner. I'm believing in what Jesus did for me and putting my trust in him. And I'm choosing to follow him as the leader of my life and the forgiver of all my sin.

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