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A Legacy of Hope

A Legacy of Hope. Week of May 20, 2012. Outline of the Passage. The Rest of the Story (1 Samuel 12:23-24) Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation (1 Samuel 1:10-20) A Promise Fulfilled (1 Samuel 1:27–2:1).

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A Legacy of Hope

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  1. A Legacy of Hope Week of May 20, 2012

  2. Outline of the Passage • The Rest of the Story (1 Samuel 12:23-24) • Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation (1 Samuel 1:10-20) • A Promise Fulfilled (1 Samuel 1:27–2:1)

  3. Hannah not only prayed that she would have a child, but then worked to pass on her faith to that child. How we hope in God is very important. But even more important is how we pass on that hope to others, especially those in our family.

  4. The Rest of the Story 1 Samuel 12:23-24 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

  5. The Rest of the Story • Samuel served Israel both as their judge and prophet. • He was the last judge of Israel who taught the Will and Purpose of God. • As prophet, he reluctantly helped Israel move to a monarchy, and then was in that uneasy position of having to call the king to obedience to God’s will.

  6. These words are part of Samuel’s closing address to the people, prior to installing their king. • Even though the people insisted on having a king, Samuel will still pray for people. • Ministry is always a mixture of celebration and disappointment. No group of people, or Church has perfectly fulfilled the Lord’s will. Thus their leaders, whether kings or prophets or even Jesus Himself, felt frustrated.

  7. Continued prayer is always appropriate, regardless the level of frustration. Samuel even went so far as to say that a lack of prayer is a “sin against the Lord.” • Samuel was also committed himself to “teach the good and right way” of God’s Word.

  8. Like Samuel, I will be held accountable for the spiritual condition of other people. I am responsible to prepare, study, and present the truth of God’s Word as faithfully and clearly as I can. • Does attendance determine my effectiveness? • God expects me to be faithful in praying and preparing to lead people in the truth of God’s Word. No!

  9. Samuel taught three important truths: • Fear the Lord: Not afraid of God, but respect and honor Him as the center of our lives. • Serve (worship) Him faithfully: To worship God means to please Him, and not ourselves. God is “worth” giving the very best of who I am. • Consider what God has done: We already have a right relationship with God as a free gift of Grace. Our fear and worship is always our response for what God has already given us.

  10. The Role as Pastor and Teacher As you think of Pastor Jim’s role of Pastor and Teacher, how often do you pray for him to be faithful to God’s Word rather than the wishes of the congregation? On Sunday Rarely Occasionally Frequently Daily

  11. The Role as Pastor and Teacher How do you think Pastor Jim prepares to Preach and Teach each Sunday? Some thought for personal needs; Generically, content only; Think of specific spiritual needs; Individual Spiritual Growth; Prayerfully for Spiritual Growth;

  12. The Role as Pastor and Teacher How do you judge the success of Pastor Jim’s Preaching and Teaching? • Personal assessment; • What other people say; • Obedience to God’s Word;

  13. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation 1 Samuel 1:10-20 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And 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." 12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.

  14. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation Eli thought she was drunk 14 and 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. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." 17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes.”

  15. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 19 Early 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. 20 So 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."

  16. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation • Samuel’s story begins with desperation: his mother, Hannah, had long wanted a baby but remained childless. Because “the Lord had kept her from conceiving” (1:5). Taunted and provoked by another of her husband’s wives, Hannah was deeply hurt.

  17. The main point of the story is Hannah’s response in a desperate situation: she prayed to the Lord: • She did not give up hope, but refocused and strengthened her hope in God. • Too often in desperate situations, people run away from God, and to what? The alternative to hoping in God is no hope. Is that really a good option?

  18. Hannah promised the Lord, that if she received a child, Hannah would give him to the Lord all the days of his life. • This dedication of the child constituted a Nazirite vow. Do you know what that consisted of? • The Nazirite vow meant that a child was especially separated and dedicated to the Lord.

  19. No! • Was this bargaining with God? Rather it reflects Hannah’s desire to have a child and one committed to the Lord for life. • In prayer we do NOTneed to convince God or change His reluctance. Some of Jesus’ greatest teachings emphasized God’s willingness to help, comfort, and guide. • God wants His children to bring their needs to Him and delights in meeting our greatest needs according to His will.

  20. The priest, Eli, misinterpreted Hannah’s desperate prayer as drunkenness. • Hannah’s reply was that she was a woman with a broken heart. She was honest in her prayers, and honest about her feelings with God.

  21. I believe God appreciates candor. We can hide nothing from Him, so openly admit despair and struggles, even resentment at not getting our way. We invite God to work on us at the deepest level and to transforms us as He has promised. • Eli blessed Hannah and added his support for her petition. As a result, Hannah’s hope soared even before she conceived the child.

  22. Hope: Its Meaning and Purpose Hope is confidence in God’s grace and strength to provide for our needs. Think about a family or church member who is struggling with a heart-breaking situation. • How can you help provide hope? • How can you pray for that person? • More importantly, will you pray for that person? • Will you let that person know you are praying for them?

  23. A Promise Fulfilled 1 Samuel 1:27-28; 2:1 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So 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 Then 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.

  24. A Promise Fulfilled • After the baby was weaned, Hannah fulfilled her promise and presented Samuel to Eli. She reminded Eli that this was the boy she prayed for and was nurtured in prayer. • God’s faithfulness was demonstrated by giving the child to Hannah. Hannah demonstrated her faithfulness by giving the boy back to the Lord.

  25. Our commitments can confirm and deepen our faith, but only to the extent that we follow through on those commitments. • It is like taking a step further in faith that brings us closer to God Himself. • Even though these commitments are made to God, they actually do us much good.

  26. Hannah’s words are both tender and strong. • They are tender because we know the depth of love she had for this baby. • They are also strong in her unreserved commitment, “For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” • I believe the prayers of my father and mother set me on a spiritual trajectory that has led to my present calling. Here is my personal story.

  27. Your Daily Hope in God As a review, how would you rate your own level of hope in God on a daily basis? • I struggle with fear; • I try to hope, but it’s hard; • My hope depends on my • situation in life; • I am placing my trust in God;

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