May 11, 2008 Summit AM

Victorious Mothers

Introduction

A. Text – 1 Sam.1:1-28

B. Motherhood – God’s highest calling for a Christian woman

            1. Not the only role a woman can fulfill

                        a. Some called top remain single – 1 Cor.7:8,9

                        b. Sometimes married women remain childless

            2. But it has been God’s plan from the beginning that women raise children

                        a. 1 Tim.5:10

                        b. Titus 2:3-5

C. Today we as a nation honor motherhood

            1. Need for mothers to be exalted spiritually too

            2. Are many great women mentioned in scripture

                        Sarah – model of faith & obedience

                        Ruth – an example of love & sacrifice

                        Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist

                        Mary the mother of Jesus

            3. Want to discuss Hannah – Samuel’s mother

                        a. Concept of victorious mothering

                        b. What take to be spiritually victorious as a mother?

                        c. Was a difficult period for Israel – no leadership & vulnerable

                                    1) Israel needed a spiritually strong leader

                                    2) God needed a godly mother to shape that leader

                                    3) Hannah was that mother

D. Pray

 

I. Hannah Maintained A Right Relationship With Her Husband

            A. Marriage was not the best

                        1. Was polygamous – married to two women

                                    a. God was patient with this sin – never His will

                                    b. Gen.2:24 – cleave to his wife (1 man & 1 woman)        

                                    c. Law regulated the practice but did not excuse it

                        2. Polygamy always brings consequences

                                    a. Creates jealousy & insecurity

                                    b. James 3 – worldly wisdom; devilish

                        3. In this marriage we see such jealousy & hurtfulness

                                    a. Peninnah continuously provoked her about her barrenness

                                    b. So much so that she couldn’t eat the sacrifices to God

            B. However she continued to have a right relationship with her husband

                        1. Polygamous probably because Hannah was barren

                                    a. 1 Sam.1:4,5 – honored 2nd wife but gave Hannah double

                                    b. His heart belonged to Hannah

                        2. See their relationship

                                    a. Worshipped together regularly – devout & God-fearing

                                    b. Loved one another – double portion; truly cared about her

            C. Apply – Eph.5:21-24

                        1. Submissive attitude – recognizing our responsibility to one another

                                    a. As unto the Lord (spiritual obligation)

                                    b. Willingly line yourself up under

                        2. 1 Pet.3:1-6

                                    a. Live such a respectful life that unbeliever changed

                                    b. Exhibit real faith – without fear

 

II. Hannah Maintained A Right Relationship With God

            A. She has a passion for the Lord’s best

                        1. She knew she was created to bear children – God’s best

                        2. As worship – wept & fasted before the Lord

                        3. Yet not selfish – wanted the child to honor God (dedicate him to God)

                        4. Saw children as a gift from God to be given back to Him

            B. She was a woman of prayer

                        1. Saw God as the source of her answer

                                    a. Not chastising her husband because of her dilemma

                                    b. Knew God had the answer – sought Him

                        2. 1 Sam.1:10,11

                                    a. She slips into the sanctuary & pours out her heart to God

                                    b. Vs.12 suggests she continuously prayed

            C. Willingly devoted everything to God

                        1. Promises to present her son completely to the Lord

                        2. Holding nothing back for herself

            D. Lived in moral purity

                        1. Eli thought she was drunk

                        2. She maintains her integrity – not a wicked woman

            E. She is patient in her faith

                        1. Her response to Eli – she ate face no loner sad

                        2. She accepted God’s answer – trusted God meet her needs

            F. She was a woman of praise – see her prayer in chapter 2

 

III. Hannah Was Faithful To Her Responsibilities At Home

            A. Devoted herself to raising her son for the Lord

                        1. 1 Sam.1:21-23

                                    a. Not want to disrupt her routine

                                    b. She had a goal – get him ready for his service to God

                        2. Her time with her child was precious

                                    a. Not waste it traveling 2 or 3 weeks

                                    b. Better spent preparing him

                                    c. Committed herself to stay at home with her child

            B. Hannah sought nothing for herself when she devoted her son to God

                        1. Made no demands – asked no favors; wealth etc

                        2. Freely gave her son – 1 Sam.1:24-28

                        3. She never let go of her responsibility to Samuel – 2:18,19

                        4. God richly blessed her – 2:20-23