10 May 2009
Mother’s Day 2009
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fortress Chapel
Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes
Tall-afar, Iraq
BIG IDEA: Trials (troubles and problems) will cause a believer to passionately pray to God for deliverance.
REFERENCES: Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV) He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord; Proverbs 12:4 (ESV) A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; Proverbs 19:14 (ESV) A prudent wife is from the Lord; 1 Timothy 2:12-15 (ESV) – A Christian woman who marries un unsaved man may be endangering her life in childbirth; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV) Christians must not be unequally yoked together with unsaved mates; 1 Corinthians 7:39 (ESV) A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only jin the Lord;
Spirit of God. Genesis 2:24 (KJV) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh; Proverbs 31: 10-31 (ESV); Luke 18:1-8 ESV (The parable of the persistent widow); Hebrews 11:11 (ESV) By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 (A Godly Mother); 2 Corinthian 4:9 (ESV) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Proverbs 22:6 (ESV); Acts 2:23 (KJV) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them; Exodus 3:2 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him (referring to Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed; Jeremiah 23:29 (KJV) Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?; Exodus 13:21-22): … the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them … and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night; 2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, swells in you as well; Acts 3:24 (KJV) First of the Prophets; Acts 13:20 (KJV) and the last of the Judges;
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 1 Samuel 1:3-12 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: 1 Samuel 1:3-12 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: 1 Samuel 1:10-11(ESV) She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.
IV. PURPOSE: To encourage believers who are experiencing extreme troubles and problems to passionately pray to God for deliverance.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “Grace Under Fire”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
Happy Mother’s Day 2009 to all of our mothers today.
I also wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of your mothers too. In fact, I have a mother’s day card (here) that I would like for as many of you as possible to sign.
A mother, of one of the Soldiers in my unit, has been sending Care Boxes to all of us for quite some time. If you’ve ever come into services, and picked something out of a box to carry with you – it was probably from Ms. Martin and her ladies.
If you were ever asked, what type of items you find difficult to receive out here, and then later – you received the items identified. It was probably from Ms. Martin and her ladies.
If you’ve ever attended a Bible Study, Choir Rehearsal or some other event here (at Fortress Chapel) and picked something out of a box to carry with you – it was probably from Ms. Martin.
So, if you don’t mind, please take a little of your time this morning to “Help Me Say Thanks to Her” (by signing the Mother’s Day Card that will be mailed to her tomorrow after both services have had an opportunity to say thanks – Ms. Martin, a Mother, along with other helping mothers - by her side - that just keep giving.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: Now, many of you are already aware of the history regarding “Mother’s Day”.
a. But, for those of you that have forgotten, in 1908 a young lady by the name of Anna Jarvis – of Philadelphia – wanted to celebrate the memory of her late mother, …
b. So she … decided to celebrate it on her own. Six years later, in 1914, Mother’s Day had become such a “big deal” that Congress identified Mother’s Day as a holiday for our country.
c. So, today, in honor of Mother’s everywhere, we want to momentarily glance at a profile of a Godly Mother in “Grace Under Fire”.
d. Our Godly Mother is Hannah – the wife of Elkannah. The name Hannah in “Hebrew” is “GRACE” – which means “favor or favorite”.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: Ironically, Hannah was Elkannah’s favorite wife. Now, throughout the Good Book, we find another “methaphor” – Fire.
a. Fire is a symbol of God’s presence.
b. For don’t you remember, the Good Book says – in Acts 2:23 - And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
c. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
d. Now, who can ever forget the presence of God in the “burning bush in Exodus 3:2 (KJV) which says: And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him (referring to Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
e. And how can we ever forget the now famous quote of Jeremiah – the Weeping Prophet – who reminds us all that God’s Word is like fire in our soul (in Jeremiah 23:29) when he said:
f. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 3: Hence, “Grace Under Fire” is a metaphor for Hannah – in the midst of persecution – is under the “fiery” presence of God.
a. For don’t you remember in reference to the People of God in the Wilderness – the Bible says (in Exodus 13:21-22):
b. … the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them … and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
c. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night …
d. Therefore there are 3 Ps – Persecution, Prayer, and Promise - that we would like to briefly discuss as we take a closer look at the profile of a Godly Mother by the name of Hannah.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: The First P is Persecution. A Godly Mother will often suffer persecution.
a. Throughout time, Women of God have had to suffer persecution of some form or fashion. Hannah suffered persecution in her marriage.
b. Men everywhere need to be made aware that God never intended for Man to DIVORCE his wife.
c. Jesus, himself, said in Matthew 19:8 that it was because of the hardness of men’s hearts that God suffered men to put away their wives; but from the beginning it was not so.
d. In other words, it was never a part of God’s Perfect Will for man to divorce his wife, although God permitted it.
e. Now, although God permitted polygamy, it was never His Perfect Will for Man to have more than one wife.
f. For don’t you remember, in Genesis 2:24 (KJV), the Good Book says: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS*******
MOVE 5: Hannah was persecuted by Pen-in-nah.
a. The name Pen-in-nah means “Jewel”.
b. In order words, Pen-in-nah was a Jewel of a Trial.
c. There are some trials that hit us that we are able to quickly brush off or fight through.
d. But, then there are some troubles that seemly hang-around for years.
e. You have tried almost everything to get defeat that trial; but it’s still there. Because it’s a “Jewel of a trial”.
f. “Jewels of a Trial” are like Pen-in-nah they don’t go away without a fight. They are fiery.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 6: Paul says it best (in 2 Corinthian 4:9) when he says he was: Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
a. I believe if you allowed your imagination to work with you, for a few moments, you would even witness the fact that “every opportunity Pen-in-nah received to belittle and demean Hannah – she did.
b. Every opportunity Pen-in-nah received to remind Hannah that her man’s children came from her womb – she did.
c. It could have been in the marketplace, in the home around the kitchen table – it didn’t matter. Pen-in-nah would say or do something to remind Hannah that she didn’t quite measure-up to.
d. God’s Standard of what a wife should be able to do.
e. Still, in spite of what Hannah could not physically produce, the Bible says – Elkannah loved Hannah.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 7: This alone should encourage women, everywhere, that when a man really “loves”, he loves her before the children come along into the marriage.
a. Elkannah loved Hannah.
b. Now, my brother and sister, I’ll be honest with you - Elkannah, in his day, is portrayed as a Godly Man.
c. But, this wouldn’t be the case today.
d. If Elkannah lived in 2009, he would be living under the New Testament and the under the Biblical mandate and understanding of having “one wife”.
e. So, the First “P” that describes the profile of a Godly Mother is PERSECUTION.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 8: The Second “P” which describes the profile of a Godly Mother is PRAYER. A Godly Mother Prays. Hannah was a woman of prayer.
a. There is no wonder that Samuel became a great man of prayer.
b. Troubles and hard times will make you pray.
c. You can say you don’t believe in prayer all you want – but you let a “Jewel of a Trial” come your way.
d. I guarantee you will pray.
e. Hannah was so burdened in her heart that she couldn’t even eat.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 9: There are some troubles that come in your life that will “kill some believer’s appetite”. While in other believers, some “Jewels of a Trial” might make some “eat more”.
a. But, the Good Book says, Hannah left the feast without eating and went to the Chapel to pray.
b. Her heart was so heavy laden and burden down that the food lost its taste – she realized that she needed to pray.
c. She didn’t need gossip!
d. She didn’t need to talk-it out with someone who was only interested in themselves!
e. She needed to Pray! Godly mother’s know the importance of prayer and they know how to pray. Hannah was a praying woman.
f. Every man needs a praying wife. A woman that talks to God on his behalf.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 10: Someone once said that that “prayer” is the key; but faith unlocks the door.
a. As you may have noticed, our Contemporary Worship Services have a mantra which states that “When we pray, God moves; and if we’ve prayed, God has already moved”.
b. If we took a survey - in here - this morning, I think we would collectively agree that prayer is important to our Christian growth.
c. As you may have noticed, our Contemporary Worship Services have a mantra which states that “When we pray, God moves; and if we’ve prayed, God has already moved”.
d. It wasn’t too long after we first arrived, here, at COS Sykes, I recall someone asking my chaplain assistant (SSG Larry S. Johnson) if he could open the chapel up every morning at 0600, so they could pray. Because of the congregation wanted to pray at a certain time of the morning.
e. Likewise, leaders everywhere are trying to find systems and practices to encourage and to promote prayer amongst their church members.
f. As a result, many of our military and civilian ministries alike are full of various forms of prayer ministries:
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 11: There are ministries that have things set-up in such a manner that one can “call in” and receive prayer from one of the ministries’ “prayer warriors”.
a. Other ministries have systems in place where one can personally attend “noon day” prayer to help in leading the attendees in prayer.
b. While still other ministries are set-up where congregants and church members are given a certain time to pray for 15 minutes;
c. … and with this format there is a rotating roster which serves as the inspiration to ensure members “pray”.
d. But, often times member forget the time they were scheduled to be present to PRAY. In some cases situations and circumstances causes believes to miss their “prayer time”.
e. But, do you know what I found out that really educate the Body of Christ on the importance of prayer? Trials. For you see when you’re going through some trials you don’t forget to pray. When your bills are behind and you can’t muster up enough funds to pay your bills – you don’t forget to pray.
f. When your children, in school, are giving you the challenges of your life – and you’ve had to leave your job on numerous occasions, you don’t forget to “pray”.
g. When you’re experiencing troubles in areas of your life that you’re never experienced trouble before – no one has to tell you to pray. Because, you’re constantly praying and begging God for a miracle. The Second P is PRAYER. Godly Mothers PRAY.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 12: The Third and final “P” is Promise.
a. The Good Book tells us that God answered Hannah’s Prayers and sent a son.
b. She named her son Samuel, which in Hebrew means – Asked of God. Jewish women weaned their children at about the age of three; at that time Hannah took Samuel to Eli and fulfilled her vow to the Lord.
c. But, notice, for 3 years this Godly Mother spent time with her child – training him up the manner in which he should go.
d. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 KJV - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
e. Baby Samuel witness first hand – his mother Praying and Talking to God. He witnessed her holding him and kissing his feet.
f. He felt her blowing into his navel as he chuckled.
g. Because Hannah spent time with her child. She didn’t depend on daycare or others to teach her child the “Biblical Basics of Life” – she did.
h. And when he reached the ripe Age of Three – Hannah dedicated Samuel to God as she had promised.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 13: For don’t you remember, the Good Book says -
a. Godly mothers dedicate their babies to God. Because they know that God is able to do what they can’t do – for God is omni-present.
b. Children dedicated to God make a tremendous impact on the lives of others in the future.
c. For who can ever forget the Words of Paul to his under-study and young pastor – Ti-mo-theus (in 2 Timothy 1:5 ESV) when he said:
d. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, swells in you as well.
e. Likewise, my brothers and sisters, had a Godly Mother.
f. There’s no wonder why he became such a great prayer warrior. The Good Book tells us that he was the First of the Prophets (Acts 3:24) and the last of the Judges (Acts 13:20).
g. What an awesome Mother. I submit to you today that if we had more Mothers like Hannah, we would have more children like Samuel.
h. So, the third and final “P” is PROMISED. Hannah dedicated her baby to God as she had promised. Because she considered God faithful. She knew God would protect her child.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION:
Likewise, in Hebrews 11:11, the Good Book says - in regard to another Mother who was also barren - By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age,
since she considered him faithful who had promised.
Godly Mothers are women of integrity. They fear God and they do as promised.
For the Good Book says in Proverbs 31:10-16:
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night …
