A Purpose Driven Vow

“A Purpose-Driven Vow”

I Sam. 1:9-18

Introduction

· A ‘vow’ is defined as ‘a promise, or something sworn’

· The most well known vow is the Wedding Vow. But, there are others

· Biblically speaking, when you promise to do for the Lord, or in the Lord’s name, you are obligated to pay what you promised.

o God has no bankruptcy court

o God doesn’t understand the idea of ‘default’

· Have you made a ‘Vow’ to the Lord?

· Don’t be afraid to make a vow to God. Be afraid to break a vow you made to God

· But, why make a vow?

o Because it’s the first of the year (New Year’s Resolutions)

o Because others are doing it (Peer Pressure)

o Because you think that’s the only way you can get God to do what you want

o Because that’s what God wants you to do!

A Purpose-Drive Vow…

I. Is Focused on the Ministry, 9-11

A. The Ministry is ALWAYS begins at home,

1. For the Women, Titus 2:3-5 & Eph 5:22-24

2. For the Men, Eph. 5:25-33

B. The Ministry is ALWAYS is about others

1. Because that’s the ministry of Christ,

2. Because that’s the need of the hour, Matt. 9:36-38

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

A Purpose-Drive Vow…

II. Is Focused on Prayer, 12-16

A. This kind of Prayer is only for the Lord, 12-13

You can talk about me just as much as you please

The more you talk, I’m gonna stay on my knees

I’m on my way up, and I can’t turn around

I’m on my way up, to the higher ground

The Lord has been mighty good to me

That’s why I’m grateful, so grateful to Thee

I’m Thankful! I’m mighty Thankful!

B. This kind of Prayer is felt in the flesh and in the spirit, 14-16

1. When your spirit is troubled, it will affect how others see you, 14

2. When your spirit is troubled, it will affect how you behalf, 15-16

A Purpose-Drive Vow…

III. Is Focused on Faith, 17-18

A. You will Hear & Receive the Word of the Lord, 17

1. Eli spoke the Word, but Hannah was responsible to receive it

2. Be careful what you speak; be careful what you receive.

a. Deut. 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

b. I Jn. 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

B. You will Walk & Act in the Way of the Lord, 18

1. II Cor. 5: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2. Rom. 1: 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

3. Rom. 3: 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Conclusion

· Do You need to make a Purpose-Driven vow?

o It needs to be focused on the Ministry

o It needs to be focused on Prayer

o It needs to be focused on Faith

· Do you need to make a vow to enter the Christian Ministry?

· Do you need to make a vow of purity?

· Do you need to make a vow for your marriage?

· Do you need to make a vow for your children?

· If so, make it A Purpose-Driven Vow!