Series: Family Matters
Through family life we discover ourselves as we make mistakes, sacrifice for others and receive nurture from our family units.
Family brings out the best and worst in each of us. As we yield to and serve others we learn to love them and ourselves in the process. Many of us could never approach this form of selflessness in any other way. There is something about a mother or a father, a son or a daughter. There is a connection there that binds us and asks more of us then we are normally willing to give. When we are true to ourselves and follow our feelings and share openly and honestly with our loved ones we remember why family is important. And we are well rewarded for our sacrifice as it enables us to better appreciate who we are. On the other hand, when we yield to our selfishness and take our family members for granted or treat them poorly we lose our sense of self-worth and begin to despise those whom we once loved (From http://valuesfamily.com/important/).
At convention last week Tony Simon preached a great message called, “Is it worth it?” The premise of the message was is it worth it to support missions, to follow the call of God to go to the mission field and to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God.
So let me do a little pole today how many here believe that Family Matters in a person’s life and value system? Is the family worth all the blood, sweat and tears?
Let’s make it more specific: ‘Is it worth it?”
Is it worth moms and dads to sacrifice for your kids?
Is it worth it to pray for your children over and over?
Is it worth it to dedicate them to the Lord for His service?
Is it worth it to change all those diapers and go through the joy of potty training?
Is it worth it - to pay a $180,000 to raise a child to adult hood? (A poll said it costs this much to raise a child).
Is it worth it to lead guide and correct your child?
Is it worth it to be a role model to your child?
Is it worth it to read Bible stories to your child?
Is it worth it to say “No” to your child?
Is it worth it to be a parent rather than a friend to your child?
Is it worth it to take them to church to learn the value system of God?
Is it worth it to protect them from the twisted influence of the media?
Is it worth it to go through the emotional highs and lows of those teen years?
Is it worth it to help them get back up when they make a mistake?
Is it worth it to help pay for their college?
Is it worth it to help them fulfill their divine calling in life?
Is it all worth it?
The answer: Yes, it’s worth it!
Sermon: Moms matter!
Thesis: Everyday across the world children experience the Spirit through the nurturing and caring from their mothers. God designed moms this way, God placed in moms across this world and across time His character traits of nurture, caring, and sacrificial love. Moms have many of the character traits that God has because He placed it into their DNA. The spiritual truth is moms matter and it’s worth the sacrifice!
Opening Video: Moms Day off by bluefishtv
Observation from sermon: Choosing the Best Part: A Mother’s Day Message by Robert Massey - sermoncentral.com:
I realize that today’s woman have no easy task. I know that more appliances and conveniences are placed within the home with the goal of making the household chores easier. Things have certainly changed from the time that I was a child. There were no micro-wave ovens, icemaker refrigerators, and many of the other modern appliances found in today’s home. However, in spite of all these changes that supposedly add to the convenience of the home, women today are probably busier than at any other point in history. Expectations for women have changed as well. Today, mom is expected to not only cook the bacon, she has to help bring it home as well. Even though she may work 40 hours plus, she is still expected to be the main housekeeper. She is often expected to keep the house, cook the meals, wash the clothes, and take care of the children. Their day is often from sunup to sundown. Another change we have seen in recent years is the “super mom”. This is the woman that attempts to have it all, a good education, a great career, and be a great mother as well. Many women are finding that this is not that easy. Regardless of time schedules, and calendar organizers, there is still only 24 hours to work within a day. I know, there are occasions that I wish for 36 hours in a day so I could get everything done as well, but there is no such thing. With all that is expected of them, many women try to cut corners in order to make for time for a busy day. The problem with this is that one aspect that often gets cut or overlooked is that of the spiritual. Many women, (and men as well) fail to make time for God. If they focus only on the material, and neglect the spiritual, they will not be fulfilled and happy. Someone once said, “It’s the woman that sets the mood for the home.” Today’s version of that is “If momma’s not happy, nobody’s gonna be happy.” Today’s women, through motherhood, have the greatest opportunity to mold the future. It was Napoleon who once said, “The fate of a child is always the work of his mother.”
Quote: “Dorothy Gale, in the Wizard of Oz said it best when she said, "There’s no place like home." A mother’s influence in the home will last beyond the current moment, day, or week. A mother’s influence lasts from generation to generation. What a powerful influence mothers have.” Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1165787
Have you ever wondered what kind of mothers people had in the Bible?
• What about Eve the first mother?
o What was she like as mom and can you imagine her grief when one son kills the other?
• What about David’s mom? What was she like?
o Did she freak out when he decided to take on Goliath?
o Did she encourage him to sing and praise the Lord as he tended the sheep?
• We learn fragments about Jesus’ mother Mary. But what was Mary like as a mom?
o Have you ever thought what motherhood cost her?
o I remember the song Mary did you know you baby boy would save your sons and daughters and the world. Did you know?
• How about the mom of Mary, Martha and Lazarus? What was she like?
o She must have don something right to have three of her kids following Jesus?
o She discovered it was worth it to raise these kids to fear and honor the Lord God Almighty.
• How about Paul’s mom? What did she say about his conversion?
o What did she think when he was transformed?
o Did she in the end say it was worth it to train my child in the teaching of the Word of God, to dedicate him to the Lord?
• What about Peter’s mom? What was she like?
o What went through her mind as Peter gave up the fishing business to go follow Jesus?
o What did she do when she heard the news of Jesus and of the disciple?
o Did she pray for her son?
We see the power of a mother’s influence over and over in the Scriptures. Especially in the OT books of the Bible and specifically 1 & 2 Samuel and then again in 1 & 2 Kings were the mother’s influence over the kings is stressed. Why? The message to me is clear --- moms matter! The Spirit of the Lord wants moms to know they matter! Moms it is worth it to sacrificially give to your children and to God on their behalf!
I read one survey years ago that said that mom’s exert more influence on their children than any other person or organization associated with their child’s upbringing. This includes media influence, school influence, societies influence and even peer pressure influence!
T.S. - Today I want us to look at a Bible mom from the Old Testament named Hannah: Let’s take note of how she influenced her son in spite of the condition of society and other factors beyond her control.
Scripture Texts:
1 Samuel 1
The Birth of Samuel
1There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD.
4Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
5But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.
6And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.
7This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
8Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple.
10In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.
11And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
12As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.
13Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk
14and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.”
15“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.
16Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
19Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
20So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”
Hannah Dedicates Samuel
21When the man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,
22Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.”
23“Do what seems best to you,” Elkanah her husband told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
24After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.
25When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli,
26and she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.
27I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.
28So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
1 Samuel 2:
1 Samuel 2:1-11(NIV)
1Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
4“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
6“The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
8He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; upon them he has set the world.
9He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails;
10those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
11Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest.
2 Samuel 2:18-21:
18But Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
19Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
20Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD.” Then they would go home.
21And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
T.S. – Our text today tells us that dedicating our children to the Lord and praying through difficult times is worth it in the end.
I. Hannah was a mom who made an eternal impact on her son and this also impacted her nation.
a. Who was this OT mom?
i. What time period did she live in?
1. She lived in the last era of the period of the Judges.
a. Notice what Judges says about this time period: Judges 21:25: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”
i. And for the record if you read Judges this was not a good thing.
ii. Judges was written by Samuel to show the condition of Israel during this 350 year time frame. He recounts in this book the condition of the moral, religious and political atmosphere of Israel.
iii. Samuel paints a horrendous picture of this nations decline and demise during this timeframe.
iv. This dark age of Israel was a result of her spiritual condition. He shows the effect of sin and the rejection of God’s Word on a nation and shows how low a nation can go.
v. In the midst of chaos, immorality, child sacrifice, brutal crimes against humanity and a collapse of any civil society Samuel is born.
1. In 1050 B.C.; Hannah’s son, Samuel is born, he would be the last Judge of Israel (He will be followed by Saul, King of Israel and then David, he will anoint them both into their divine office).
a. Remember this happened about 3,000 years ago.
ii. Where did Hannah live?
1. In the hill country of Ephraim (vs.1), in Ramah, 5 miles N. of Jerusalem.
iii. What does her name mean, "gracious" or "favor".
iv. What was her marriage condition like?
1. She was one of two wives married to Elkanah, an Ephraimite (1Samuel 1:1, 2).
a. Please note: God’s ideal marital arrangement was monogamy (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-8).
b. Polygamy was allowed for a man if his wife was childless (Deuteronomy 21:15-17).
c. Kathryn Capoccia states, “Hannah’s name comes before Peninnah’s and polygamy could only occur legally when the first wife was barren, so the conclusion to be drawn from the facts is that Hannah and Elkanah were married first- when they did not have children he took a 2nd wife, Peninnah.”
i. He did not pray about her infertility. In Genesis Isaac and Rebekah had the same issue and he prayed about his wife’s infertility and waited for His answer from God. A lesson that Elkanah could have learned from studying the Word of God in his day.
1. Genesis 25:21: "Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant."
2. Hannah was mocked and despised by Peninnah, the other wife and she would put her down and do demeaning things to her repeatedly (1Samuel 1:6).
a. She was harassed to the point of tears by Peninnah, because she was not able to conceive children and because Peninnah had sons and daughters she reminded her over and over of her worthlessness (1 Samuel 1:4, 6, 7).
b. This other wife was ruthless in making Hannah feel worthless as a wife and this other woman used her barrenness as an opportunity to belittle her.
i. Maybe because of jealousy or just plain meanness!
ii. 1 Samuel 1:6, 7: "And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.”
1. Hannah would become so perplexed, so depressed she would not eat but just cry and weep and wail because her barrenness and because of the terroristic attack of this other woman.
a. How cruel is this?
b. She intentionally tried to destroy her and her self-worth.
2. Remember in those days it was considered to be a disgrace to be barren.
a. Luke 1:25 [Elizabeth speaking of her pregnancy] "’The Lord has done this for me,’ she said, ’In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.’"
iii. Hannah saw her barrenness as "a miserable condition" or as a curse and this caused her to wail and cry out to God for help (1Samuel 1:11).
1. Peninnah made sure that she never forgot that she was cursed by God!
2. I am sure that she was told she was unfit to do what she was designed to do!
3. 1 Samuel 1:11: "And she made a vow, saying, ’O LORD Almighty if you will only look upon your servant’s misery...’"
iv. She would not eat- she had no appetite because she was so grieved. Deep grief will cause many to go into deep depression and even latch on to hopelessness.
1. Kathryn Capoccia states, “This must have been a bitter life for Hannah to have endured; every year when the family went "up to the house of the LORD" in Shiloh, when she should have been free to worship and rejoice in GOD, she would be baited about her barrenness, loud arguments would ensue, and Hannah would end up in anguish.”
a. What a way to worship the Lord!
b. It still amazes me how cruel people can be to other people!
c. I have seen far too many people – even Christians just be plain mean and nasty to others.
v. It is important to remember that Hannah was loved by her husband.
1. He would give her a double portion of his offerings, "for he loved Hannah" (vs.50).
a. Maybe this is what irritated the other woman?
2. He would try to comfort her when she was distressed (vs.8) but he either did not understand her grief or was unable to ease her suffering.
3. Elkanah and Hannah shared a common faith and worshiped together the Lord Jehovah (1 Samuel 1:3, 7).
4. Don’t miss the point about Samuel’s dad, He allowed Hannah to keep her vow to God, which he had the power to overturn according to (Numbers 30:8).
T.S. – Hannah pressed through her grief, her persecution and her barrenness to change the course of history for a nation and for her family.
II. What did this mom do that got her life recorded in the Bible – the greatest book of all time?
a. What is Hannah known for? What influential act did she do that changed the course of a life and a nation?
i. She cried out to God in a humble manner for Him to give her a son!
1. Here is an application point: So what do you do when you want something you’re not receiving in life?
a. This mom prayed and relentlessly cried out to God.
i. Hebrews 11:6: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
2. Here are some things to take note of – or how moms make a difference in their family and even in their nation:
a. Notice: She fervently prayed and wept (vs.10).
i. She prayed with all of her emotions and heart to God.
b. Notice: She poured out her heart before God (vs. 10).
i. She gave the Lord her whole heart and openly poured out her anguish and grief before Him in the Tabernacle.
ii. She held nothing back – she let the Lord know her pain and suffering and prayed for relief – for a miracle!
c. Notice: She continued praying even when others belittled her and attacked her mercilessly (vs. 12).
i. She never quit on herself or on God!
ii. She persevered and never allowed the accuser to win in her life or over her family’s lives.
d. Notice: She made a vow to God (vs. 11).
i. In other words she made a promise.
ii. Why would she make a vow like this?
1. Answer (The following sub points from http://www.biblebb.com/files/KSS/kss-hannah.htm): She may have made this vow on her own initiative, or more likely, because God touched her heart to do it so that He could have a godly man in the Tabernacle to serve Him(since the high priest Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were evil men 1 Samuel 2:12.
2. What is a vow? It’s a prayer of binding obligation towards God: a transaction between man and God in which man dedicates himself or his service or something valuable to God. There are two kinds of vows:
a. Conditional vows, "bargains"- those made on conditions of favors returned by God
b. Unconditional vows- those of dedication to accomplish set goals.
3. What was her vow? A "bargain" vow. She said if God would give her a son he would be devoted to lifelong service to Him.
4. She said if God would give her a son he would become a lifelong Nazirite.
a. Two other known Nazirites were Samson and John the Baptist.
b. A Nazirite was to devote himself to the special service of God.
c. He was to make himself available for God’s use.
d. He was to discharge the prescribed sacrificial worship.
i. Things to remember about a Nazirite which were forbidden to do: touch a dead body, drink wine, shave or cut his hair, a Nazirite vow could be followed for an entire lifetime or only for a short period of time depending on the reason for "separating himself to the LORD".
3. Are vows to God to be taken lightly ? No!
a. Vows were binding back then as they are now with God (Deut. 23:21,23; Ecc. 5:4)
i. Deut. 23:21: "If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin."
ii. Deut. 23:23: "Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth."
b. Warnings are given in Scripture about the importance of keeping vows made to God (Ecc. 5:5, 6; Proverbs 20:25).
i. This includes wedding vows by the way!
c. Vows can only be canceled if they are rashly made by a woman (Numbers 30:5, 8).
i. For Hannah to have made a vow indicates her piety, sincerity, and desire to have God’s best. It was not wrong for Hannah to have made a "bargain" vow; in fact, in the O.T. vows were common and often an indicator of spiritual fervor.
ii. Elkanah himself made vows (1Samuel 1:21) so in this she was following her husband’s example and leadership.
ii. While Hannah was praying, crying out to God she received peace from the LORD and a nudge of what she was to do (vs. 18):
1. Why peace all of a sudden? Because she had prayed, prayed, cried, prayed, heard from God and then placed her trust and her faith in the Lord’s grace.
a. 1Samuel 1:18: "She said, ’May your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast."
i. A word from the priest was what comforted her, gave her peace in the midst of her sorrow.
b. She went her way- she left the Tabernacle because she had made her petition, she received peace in her heart and believed that God would answer her prayer.
c. She got her appetite back and ate- her appetite returned because she was at peace with God and with her situation.
i. She gave her condition and life over to God!
d. Notice: Her face was no longer downcast or steeped in depression - her anguish was over and the joy of the Lord filled her spirit.
i. The Lord wants us to pray through situations in our lives and in our family’s lives because he will send the break through.
iii. She then went and worshiped the Lord, she gave Him praise and honor long before her prayer was ever answered.
1. She appreciated and loved God in spite of her condition and situation. She worshipped the Lord before the miracle, after the miracle and even after giving her son back to God.
a. She worshipped the Lord at Shiloh after her petition (1Samuel 1:19).
i. This is so important – can you worship the Lord even before the answer comes your way! Even if the situation does not change immediately.
ii. Do you trust the Lord enough to place things into His hands and then praise Him for being who he is – amazing!
b. When she named her son, Samuel "name of God" she worshipped the Lord for His grace and mercy to her (1Samuel 1:20).
c. When she brought Samuel to the Tabernacle to give Him to the Lord she worshipped Him (1Samuel 2:1-10).
2. She was blessed for her commitment and praise to God. Her faith in the Lord was not misplaced but put into the hands of the one who can do miracles.
a. God granted her request for a son (1Samuel 1:19, 20).
i. Why? Because she was faithful, persistent in prayer and committed to serving the Lord no matter what!
ii. Sometimes we miss a miracle because we are not willing to be persistent in prayer and petition to God.
1. We often give up so quickly today because we don’t get our 1 minute prayers answered in 30 seconds.
b. God not only blessed her with Samuel but he gave her other children as well (1 Samuel 2:21)
i. She ended up with 3 sons and 2 daughters in the end.
1. Why? Because she prayed, she cried out to God in her grief and anguish.
2. Why? Because she did not quit.
b. Hannah sacrificially gave her son to God and this act of dedication to Lord blessed her, her children, her family and in the end her nation.
i. Remember what is said in 1 Samuel about this time frame in Israel’s history: 1 Samuel 3:1: “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”
1. But in this chapter the Lord speaks to Samuel and He hears His voice and learns to listen to the voice of the Lord and to impact his nation for the good.
a. Samuel the prophet was influenced by his mother and his mother’s influence impacted the nation of Israel and her son helped lead the nation back to God.
b. Other leaders who recognized the influence of their mothers:
i. “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” George Washington
ii. “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” - “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” Abraham Lincoln
iii. “There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness… The memory of my mother and her teachings were, after all, the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way.” Andrew Jackson
iv. “I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
c. Hannah was devoted to God and to her family – don’t think that because she gave Samuel up to the Lord she did not love him.
i. Hannah faithfully attended, raised took care of her son until he was old enough to serve God.
ii. She would not leave him while he lived with her.
1. 1 Samuel 1:22: "Hannah did not go. She said to her husband ’After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.’"
iii. Hannah cared and nursed for her son until he was weaned from her (1 Samuel 1:23).
1. 1 Samuel 1:23: "So the woman stayed at home and nursed he son until she had weaned him.
2. The word weaned means "dealt fully with" and implies training in the physical realm and in the spiritual realm.
a. Some think that Samuel went to the tabernacle to serve God when he was between 3-5 years old.
iv. It’s important for us to remember that she did give Samuel to the Lord as she had promised (1 Samuel 1:24-28).
1. Hannah brought Samuel to Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:24), in fulfillment of her vow, after he was weaned.
2. At this moment of fulfilling her promise what do you think went through her mind?
a. Capoccia states , “In Hannah’s eyes it was only right to keep her side of "bargain" and she could envision no higher calling, no better future, and no greater honor than to be permitted to serve the LORD: she brought Samuel to Shiloh with joy” (1 Samuel 2:1).
b. I am sure other emotions ran through her heart and mind. How do I know?
i. With Christa now heading to Africa the reality has set in about my prayers for my children:
1. Lord I give then to you to use for your glory and for your service. Easily said but hard when it comes time to release them to go do ministry so far away in a country I know nothing about.
2. Christa was accepted this week to “Go to the nations” she will leave in Jan to go to Burkina Faso to work with orphans and with an established missionary doing children’s ministry in this country.
3. Share the emotions you are dealing with – a little concern but joy, I really wanted her in Tanzania as 1st proposed because I knew many missionaries in this area.
a. I felt more secure in this area of Africa.
v. Hannah not only gave Him to the Lord she also brought an offering for him.
1. It was a bull, 3 yrs. old, or 3 bulls- a burnt offering for sin or a thank offering.
2. There was also an ephah of flour (about 2/3 of a bushel)- a cereal mixture consisting of fine flour, olive oil, and frankincense- almost always accompanying a burnt offering.
3. There was also the gift of a skin of wine.
a. This was probably a "thank offering" to God. It was common in the O.T. to bring offerings and praise after fulfilling a vow (see Lev. 7:16; Psalm 50:14,56:12, 66:13-15, 116:17,18; Isa. 19:21).
4. I started thinking about this when I talked to Christa’s Vice President about how she will need to come up with $2,500 a month to go there.
a. I thought you have my child now you want money too!
b. Kathy and I have talked about this and prayed about this and we have committed that whatever it takes on our part we will do to see her fulfill the vision God has for her.
i. Even if we have to get other jobs!
d. Hannah did not jut commit him and then leave she continued to care for Samuel.
i. She made him a "little robe" every year: i.e. a blue ephod like a priest would wear (1Samuel 2:18, 19; Exodus 28:31-34).
1. Trust me Christa will be well cared for by us – her family and we will always care for her.
ii. Hanna visited him when the family came to offer the yearly sacrifice (1Samuel 2:19).
1. I sometimes wonder if she visited more than this?
a. She lived in Ephraim were Shiloh was which would be about 4 miles away.
b. Maybe she could not?
c. But I know she prayed for him daily!
2. I know we will be going to Africa at least once a year to see Christa at work for the Lord.
e. Hannah gave her heart and her child to God.
i. She "dedicated" her only son to God (1 Samuel 1:28): "dedicated" means "made him over to" or gave him completely up to.
1. Kathy and I have had to do the same. It’s the hardest thing you can do. It was one thing to give Ashley up to the Lord for his service in Texas but now another daughter to him in Africa?
ii. Samuel was a lot in symbolism like Isaac. He was an offering completely given to God with nothing held back.
1. Genesis 22:2: "Then God said, ’Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’"
iii. Samuel was like a "firstfruits" offering.
1. Exodus 34:26: "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God."
a. It’s important for us to remember that he was the first of her children offered to God with no guarantee to Hannah that she would have other children.
b. He was the best she had to offer, her only son that she had prayed for and longed for.
i. It’s the thought found in 2 Samuel 24:24 “24But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
1. Many offer up offerings to the Lord that don’t cost them much of anything!
c. Samuel was followed by other children as the firstfruits were followed by more crops.
i. 1Samuel 2:21: "And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD."
ii. This is as the LORD said in Malachi: Malachi: 3:10 "’Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ’and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and poured out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’"
iv. She made sure to testify to LORD’s faithfulness (1 Samuel 1:27; 2:1-10).
1. She testified about her answered prayer (1 Samuel 1:27).
2. She prayed and praised the Lord so all would know of her blessing from God (1 Samuel 2:1-10).
a. for His deliverance
b. for His holiness
c. for His knowledge
d. for His power
e. for His judgment
v. She continued to worship the Lord regularly.
1. 1 Samuel 2:19: "Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice."
T.S. – So what have we learned from this mom’s sacrifice and life over 3,000 years later?
III. Application Point: What can we today 1,000’s of years later learn from this godly mom?
a. It’s not wrong to do to ask God for something in prayer many times until an answer is given, either "yes" or "no".
i. Other examples of this:
1. See the parable of the unrighteous judge (Luke 18:2-8).
2. See Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22, especially verse 43, where He apparently gets His answer with the coming of an angel to strengthen Him).
b. We should give our best to the LORD.
c. We should pray about infertility because God is sovereign over the womb.
d. God loves a cheerful giver.
i. 2 Cor. 9:7: "Each man should give what he has decided in his hear to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
e. God has a perfect timetable for the events of our lives.
i. Ecc. 3:1: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..."
f. Moms your prayers, instruction and teaching matters to your children and to your family and get this even to your nation.
g. The bottom line all of us have a divine purpose placed on our lives.
i. Moms yours maybe to rise up spiritual giants for the Kingdom of God. So never underestimate your influence and your hard work because it will pay off for your kids and for your family.
ii. Who knows were God may take your son or your daughter!
iii. Who knows you child could change the course of a nation!
Conclusion:
Illustration: Pastor Reflects on His "Mama’s" Love and Prayers
Martha Simmons & Frank A. Thomas, editors, Preaching with Sacred Fire (W. W. Norton & Company, 2010), pp. 707-708 | posted 5/02/2011
E. V. (Ed) Hill, who pastored Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, tells the story of how "Mama’s" love and prayers changed his life. During the height of the Depression, Hill’s real mother, who had five children of her own, didn’t have enough food to go around, so she sent four-year-old Ed to live with a friend in a small country town called Sweet Home. Ed just called her Mama. As he was growing up in Sweet Home, Mama displayed remarkable faith which led her to have big plans for young Ed. Against nearly insurmountable obstacles, Mama helped Ed graduate from high school (the only student to graduate that year from the country school) and even insisted that he go to college.
She took Ed to the bus station, handed him the ticket and five dollars and said, "Now, go off to Prairie View College, and Mama is going to be praying for you." Hill claims that he didn’t know much about prayer, but he knew Mama did. When he arrived at the college with a dollar and ninety cents in his pocket, they told him he needed eighty dollars in cash in order to register. Here’s how Hill describes what happened next:
I got in line …, and the devil said to get out of line …, but I heard my Mama saying in my ear, "I’ll be praying for you." I stood in line on Mama’s prayer. Soon there was [another new student ahead of me], and I began to get nervous, but I stayed in line …. Just about the time [the other student] got all of her stuff and turned away, Dr. Drew touched me on the shoulder, and he said, "Are you Ed Hill?" I said, "Yes." "Are you Ed Hill from Sweet Home?" "Yes." "Have you paid yet?" "Not quite."
"We’ve been looking for you all this morning," [he said].
I said, "Well, what do [you] want with me?"
"We have a four-year scholarship that will pay your room and board, your tuition, and give you thirty dollars a month to spend."
And I heard Mama say, "I will be praying for you!"
Illustration: Group of Mothers Makes Big Impact on Gang War Zone
James Bryan Smith,The Good and Beautiful Life (InterVarsity Press, 2010), pp. 131-132 | posted 7/05/2010
In the early 1990s, gang violence erupted in Boyle Heights, a section of East Los Angeles. Eight gangs were in conflict in the parish around the Dolores Mission Catholic Church. Killings and injuries happened daily. A group of women who met for prayer read together the story of Jesus walking on water …. Then one of the mothers, electrified by the text, began to identify the parallels between the Jesus story and her own ….
That night, seventy women began … a procession from one barrio to another. They brought food, guitars, and love. As they ate chips and salsa and drank Cokes with gang members, [they began to sing traditional songs together]. The gangs were disoriented, baffled; the war zones were silent.
Each night the mothers walked. By nonviolently intruding and intervening, they "broke the rules of war." The old script of retaliation and escalating violence was challenged and changed. It is no accident that the women christened their nighttime journeys "love walks."
As the relationships between the women and the gang members grew, the kids told their stories. Anguish over lack of jobs; anger at police brutality; rage over the hopelessness of poverty. Together they developed a tortilla factory, a bakery, a child-care center, a job-training program, a class on conflict-resolution techniques, a school for further learning, a neighborhood group to monitor and report police misbehavior, and more.
And it began with the challenge "Get out of the boat" and "walk on water."
Gifts for mothers on the back table: Please pick one up if you’re a mother as a gift and thank you for being a mom who makes a difference for eternity.
Altar Call: Prayer for all
