Port Harcourt – The General Overseer of Solemn Faith International Church, Pastor Mathew Eleojoh James, has emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with wise counselors, regardless of how much favour one enjoys in life.
He made this assertion during the church’s Sunday service while preaching the fourth part of a message series titled Notable Favour, held at the church headquarters located at Road 21, Plot 14, Federal Housing Estate, Woji, Port Harcourt.
Taking his main text from Esther 2:15–17, Pastor Mathew explained that favour is a divine resource that accelerates progress and grants access to the best of both God and man.
However, he cautioned that favour must be sustained through intentional actions and lifestyle choices.
According to him, many people lose divine favour because they lack the wisdom to preserve it, often ignoring the value of godly counsel.
Pastor Mathew stated that being born again is the foundation for receiving and retaining favour.
He pointed to Abraham’s story in Genesis 12 and 13, explaining that a covenant walk with God aligns individuals for divine encounters.
He also noted that secret-keeping, as demonstrated by Esther in the palace, was part of her strategy for retaining royal favour.
He stressed that not everything needs to be disclosed, as there are divine timings for every revelation.
The pastor further emphasized the role of discipline in sustaining favour.
Using Esther 2:15 and Daniel 1:8-9, he illustrated how personal discipline and consecration positioned them for divine promotion.
He also warned against pride, citing Esther’s humility and submission as key traits that made her a candidate for favour before the king.
He urged the congregation not to bow to societal pressure or compromise their standards, noting that Esther refused to abandon her values even in the face of persecution.
Her resilience, he said, played a major role in her eventual elevation. Pastor Mathew stressed that spiritual practices such as fasting and prayer are essential tools in attracting and retaining favour.
He referred to Esther 4:3 and 4:15–16, highlighting how Esther sought divine intervention through fasting before approaching the king.
Relationship management also featured prominently in the sermon.
Pastor Mathew highlighted how Esther’s attentiveness to key relationships led to her rise in the palace.
He urged members to value connections, citing the role of Mordecai and others in Esther’s journey. According to him, destiny helpers often come disguised, and favour can be lost if relationships are mismanaged or taken for granted.
Quoting from various scriptures, Pastor Mathew declared that the presence of favour guarantees divine speed. He referred to Esther 2:9 and Luke 2:52 to demonstrate how individuals move swiftly in life when favour is at work. He stated that divine speed is impossible without favour and that favour grants access to unique opportunities and platforms prepared by God.
The pastor also highlighted the dangers of unnecessary talk, warning that too much speech can lead to unnecessary losses.
He emphasized that individuals who uphold righteousness are more likely to retain favour, while those who engage in compromise risk losing divine benefits. “If favour must be retained, righteousness must be maintained,” he declared.
In addition, he stressed that discipline is a hallmark of principled individuals.
He explained that a man of principle is always a man of discipline, noting that discipline preserves favour and keeps one from falling into traps. Esther, he said, demonstrated such discipline by following Mordecai’s instructions and maintaining her composure in the palace.
Pastor Mathew reminded the congregation that even those who are highly favoured need counselors to sustain their position.
He emphasized that wise counsel provides direction and prevents costly mistakes. According to him, divine favour without guidance can be misused or lost altogether. “No matter how favoured you are, you still need counselors,” he affirmed.
He concluded by encouraging the congregation to remain steadfast in prayer and fasting. He said that prayer is not only a means of accessing favour but also a tool for keeping it. He led the church in a heartfelt prayer, declaring, “Father, by mercy in favour, make me Your focus.” This, he explained, should be the daily cry of every believer seeking to walk in sustained divine favour.
The service ended on a high note, with worshippers expressing their gratitude for the timely message. Pastor Mathew’s teaching served as a reminder that while divine favour is a gift from God, its preservation requires responsibility, humility, and the wisdom to walk with godly counsel.
