Series: At The House Of God [#1]
WHY AM I HERE TODAY?
1 Samuel 1:1-20
Chris (Congregational Reading):
What is our vision? It is our vision to:
1. Lead the lost to Jesus Christ!
2. Live lives in the world that lead the lost to Jesus Christ!
3. Intentionally make all church activities about the worship of Jesus Christ, growing stronger in Christ, and taking our faith beyond these walls.
IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!
Prayer: Chris
Baptism
“Pop Corn” Testimony Time: Chris
Introduction:
What a week (again)! I have seen prayer after prayer answered this week and I have seen people healed; but I have seen God do something that to me is even more miraculous than healing people’s bodies. This week when people have called me or come by, I have not heard anything about what “so and so” said or did to them. What I have heard is these beautiful words, “You won’t believe what God is doing”.
As we have been rebuilding, the wall has been rebuilt and the gates are up; but now is the time that we must really be focused on God more than ever. If we start thinking that we have done something we will let the enemy in and he will begin to tear things down again.
I believe now that God is beginning to use Bel Aire Baptist Church as a place of refuge in Hobbs. People need a place that they can come to and be able to be safe from the enemy and be restored. I believe that is God’s call on our Church right now.
In 1 Samuel 1 we find a time, (the time of the Judges) which is similar to year 2006.
It was a time when…
1. “…the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions” (1 Samuel 3:1). There was a famine of the Word of God and not many people were experiencing the power of God in their lives. Let me ask you, “When is the last time God spoke to you through a vision or dream”? Oh no, the preacher is getting charismatic again. Turn with me to Acts 2.
Acts 2:17-18
Maybe God hasn’t spoken to you through a dream or vision. When is the last time the Word has ministered to a need in your life? When is the last time a sermon or Sunday School lesson ministered to you?
It was a time when…
2. “…everyone did as he saw fit” (Judges 21:25). When people don’t know what the truth is, they will make it up as they go. We live in a time when people make their own rules.
It was a time when…
3. There was a lack of respect for the house of God, the ministers of God, and the sacrifices.
1 Samuel 2:12-17
When things are not done right at the house of God, and by the ministers, people will lose respect for it. Last Sunday was so powerful. The Spirit of God was moving in a mighty way. Why doesn’t that happen all of the time? Maybe we had such a powerful Sunday last week because we did it God’s way. Maybe we had such a powerful Sunday because we allowed God to use all of us.
Although things were not looking good in Israel, God used one woman to make a difference. One person can make a difference. One Church can make a difference in this community.
1 Samuel 1:1-9
When you came here today what did you come expecting? How did you come to the House of God today? As we see Hannah coming with her family to the House of God, let’s see how…
Hannah Came To The House Of God
Hannah came to the House of God…
1. Barren. She had no children and she desperately wanted to have a child. Maybe you have come to the house of God barren? You are here today and you are empty. The world has got you down and you have nothing left. Your tank is on E. It took everything you had just to get here today.
Hannah came to the House of God…
2. Burdened.
1 Samuel 1:10
The troubles of life were heavy upon her heart and she had to have some relief. Are you here today with a heart that is heavy with burdens.
Hannah came to the House of God…
3. Believing.
1 Samuel 1:11-16
She pleaded with God for a son and promised that she would give him to God forever. She prayed from her heart. Eli thought she was drunk because her lips were moving but no sound was coming out of her mouth. She was caught up in God. She was focused on God filling her life completely and in order for that to happen she had to pour all of her out. We must empty all of us out and let the Holy Spirit of God fill every ounce of our being.
I don’t want you to just notice how Hannah came to the House of God, but I want you to see how…
Hannah Left The House Of God
Hannah left the House of God…
1. Altered by God.
1 Samuel 1:17-18
She went in empty and stressed out, but she came out filled with a joy and peace in her heart. I pray that if you came in here today empty and stressed out that you will not leave the same way you came in.
Hannah left the House of God…
2. Abiding in God.
1 Samuel 1:19
Before they went back home, they spent time in worship. Although Hannah did not immediately receive her answered prayer, she was committed to being faithful to God. Just because you leave this place doesn’t mean that worship is over.
Hannah left the House of God…
3. Anticipating God’s fulfillment.
1 Samuel 1:20
Hannah didn’t know when God was going to give her a son, but she knew God would. So often we leave the House of God not expecting God to do what we pleaded with Him to do. We are supposed to believe that God is going to give us what we asked if it is in His will. Jesus said if we just have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains.
Conclusion:
1. Did you come here today empty? If you are here today without Christ as your personal Savior, you could be filled today with someone that will satisfy what you are really searching for. If you would like to invite Christ in your life today, raise your hand.
2. Christian, did you come here today barren and burdened? If you came in that way but you want to leave here changed and renewed so that you can continue on throughout the week, raise your hand. (Stop and pray for those.)
3. Christian, have you been pleading with God for a specific thing such as physical healing, a wayward family member, an employment situation, etc…? I want you to raise your hand. If you are asking for prayer for healing you need to come up and let us know so we can handle that Biblically. (Stop and pray for those.)
