Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Have you read the book or seen the movie - Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?

Alexander starts the day by waking up with gum in his hair — things go down hill from there.

Have you ever had a day like that?

Everything you touch falls apart.

Everything you say comes out wrong.

Those are days you wish you could skip over or try again.

We all have them once in a while

Sometimes we have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad seasons in life — full of disappointment, emotional pain, stress, confusion — your heart is troubled — you are in distress or sorrow.

It’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Maybe it’s an unfulfilled dream, the loss of a loved one, a broken or difficult relationship, the weariness of physical illness, the constant strain of keeping up with the bills, with no end in sight.

Narrative:

The story of Hannah is a compelling example of someone experiencing this kind of season.

The events recorded in take place during the time of the Judges in Isreal.

They had no king yet.

One reason for Hannah’s troubled life arose because of the existence of polygamy.

It wasn’t God’s plan— nevertheless, it was practiced.

It was the source of much sorrow, distress and sin.

Think about Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon — how did polygamy work out for them?

We should be very grateful that this abomination has been done away with in Christianity and in most cultures.

Can you imagine living that kind of life?

A wise man’s advice to a Sultan — First learn to live with two tigresses,and then expect to live happily with two wives - (quote from a Charles Spurgeon message)

If you were the wife…the distress would be over the top.

It must have been miserable trying to navigate that situation — jealously, hatred, unfair treatment, comparison, etc.

Hannah was probably the first wife of Elkanah.

He also had a wife by the name of Peninnah.

Peninnah had children while Hannah had none.

Hannah was probably the first wife of Elkanah.

He also had a wife by the name of Peninnah.

Peninnah had children while Hannah had none.

Every year, Elkanah took his family on a journey to Shiloh to worship the Lord and offer sacrifices.

On the day of the sacrifices Elkanah would give a portion of the meat to Peninnah and her children, along with Hannah.

It is interesting to note that Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion — “because he loved her.”

He probably had compassion because Peninnah tried to provoke Hannah regularly: “I have children…you don’t.”

She was most likely jealous and this was her way of getting back at Hannah.

It is interesting to note that Elkanah gave Hannah an extra, or double portion — “because he loved her.”

He probably had compassion because Peninnah tried to provoke Hannah regularly: “I have children…you don’t.”

She was mostly likely jealous and this was her immature way of getting back at Hannah.

In our story, we find Elkanah and his family at Shiloh to worship the Lord — the tradition included a feast after the time of worship and sacrifice.

Hannah refused to eat…she was troubled in spirit…her heart was heavy.

And why not?

She had no children and this was extremely important to Jewish women.

Hannah stood in the temple weeping because of the distress in her heart and the unfulfilled desire for a child.

She had probably been praying year after year…and was very desperate by this point.

When the Lord used Eli to encourage Hannah,God used that moment to lift her burden and to let her know her prayer would be answered

Big Idea: If your heart is troubled, call on the Lord: He will bless you with priceless treasure in due season

Transition: We don’t enjoy times when we are troubled in spirit and unsure of what the future holds…but it is a scriptural principle that during our trials God is with us and will show us things we could only learn in that way — priceless treasures — landmarks in our lives.

Priceless treasure has a deep connection with a troubled heart

It’s not normal to desire a troubled heart.

If we have a choice, let us always be light-hearted, happy, and holy.

However…there are some treasures we can only experience through times of distress.

A few things about Hannah that we should like to see in our lives.

She had a troubled heart, but...

A few things about Hannah that we should like to see in our lives.

She had a troubled heart, but...

Some people are not interested in honoring God anyway - they look for selfish satisfaction and to get their way always.

A few things about Hannah that we should like to see in our lives

Hannah was a godly woman

Her prayers were sincere

Her prayers were sincere

She was a devout worshipper of Jehovah

She feared the Lord, was a graceful woman — and yet, her heart was deeply troubled

The Bible says the Lord chastens those that He loves — not “He gives them everything they want because He loves them”

Point of balance — the Bible teaches that the wicked suffer many sorrows.

Point of balance — just because someone suffers many trials and struggles doesn’t make them a child of God — the Bible teaches that the wicked suffer many sorrows.

Hannah was a lovable woman

Hannah was a lovable woman

Elkanah loved her deeply — this is obvious from the story

He didn’t care at all if she had children or not

He loved her just for being her — he loved her heart and soul

I think she was easy to love

Hannah was a gentle woman

In their minds, everyone else’s troubles are nothing compared to their own

If you are troubled in spirit…going through difficult seasons, pray that the Lord would enable you to have the grace and faith of a Hannah.

Pray that you won’t fall into that selfish trap and become a pain in the neck to everyone around you.

Just because we are in a season of distress doesn’t mean that should be the theme of everything we say and do…

Just because we are in a season of distress doesn’t mean that should be the theme of everything we say and do…

We still have a life to live — one that honors God, blesses others, sets the example for our children - these things are very important

Hannah was a gentle woman

When Peninnah tried to provoke her…she didn’t take the bait — she slipped away to the sanctuary to weep in God’s presence

When Eli said — “have you been drinking?”

She didn’t answer in harsh tones — she simply poured out her heart to him

Hannah was a thoughtful woman

Hannah was a thoughtful woman

Her distress drove her to contemplation of her situation, but ultimately into much prayer and communion with the Lord

Her words and prayers demonstrate that she was a thoughtful woman

Hannah’s distress brought blessings to her

Hannah’s distress brought blessings to her

She learned to pray

Priceless treasure has a deep connection with a troubled heart

She poured out her heart to the Lord — it is obvious from the story that she had been praying long and hard — seeking the Lord above all else

She made her appeal to the Lord — not her best friend, not even her husband, —

She learned self-denial

Our struggles will become more insurmountable and cause more anger and bitterness, the longer we delay bringing them to the Lord

C.H. Spurgeon: When the heart is merry we may sing psalms, but concerning the afflicted it is written, “Let him pray.”

We need to learn the art of prevailing in prayer — waiting - watching — weeping, etc.

She learned self-denial

The action she took to weep, petition, and pray regularly before the Lord showed her willingness to deny herself in order to reach the Lord and see her prayers answered

The very thing she prayed so diligently for — a son — she vowed to give back to the Lord to serve all the days of his life

She learned faith