May 13, 2007 – Happy Mother’s Day!!
Sun Oak Baptist Church

Introduction

        Christians can, by God’s grace, live a life that pleases God and be in the process of learning how to be a person of faith.

        How can we learn to be a man or woman of faith? 3 lessons from a “mother-yet-to-be.”

I. Lesson #1: we can be faithful to God even if the people around us aren’t. See Judges 21:25.

        A. Background of Israel during time of the Book of Judges: no king         and everyone did what they saw fit.

        B. Could say Israel a “post-Jewish nation” much like we refer to the         U.S. today as a “post-Christian” nation.

II. #2: faithfulness to God does not guarantee a life without trials. See 1:1-8.

        A. Trial #1: Hannah was part of a divided family. Read 1:1-2.

                1. Elkanah had two (2) wives – not God’s plan for marriage.

                2. Even though Elkanah had some problems he loved God and                 he loved Hannah. See 1:3-4.

        B. #2: Hannah couldn’t have children. Read 1:5-6.

                1. Culture of Hannah’s day.

                2. 2 times: “The Lord had closed her womb.” See also 1st                 Peter; Job 2:10; and Ecc. 7:14.

        C. #3: every single day of her life Hannah lived with Penninah. Read         1:6-7.

        D. Hannah’s name means “grace.” 1st Peter: our God is the God of         all grace.

III. #3: a woman of faith is a woman of prayer. See 1:9-18.

        Instead of driving us away from God, trials should drive us to God. Prayer lessons:

        A. #1: often the most effective prayer is prayer that flows out of a         broken and surrendered heart. Read 10.

        B. #2: when we pray understand and trust in the sovereign power of         God: “the Lord of Hosts.”

        C. #3: the frequency of Hannah’s prayer. Read 1:12.

        D. The result of Hannah’s prayers. Read 1:12-20.

Conclusion