Growing in the LORD

1 Samuel 2-3

Who is familiar with the story of Samuel?

>> Share briefly the Story of Samuel

His mom Hannah could not have children so she prayed for a child and promised to give him to God.

When God answered her prayer, she gave birth to Samuel and once he was old enough to walk and eat solid food, she gave him to Eli the priest.

She would visit him once a year, but that was it.

>> Transition ( We pick up the story at chapter 2 verse 21)

READ: 1 Sam 2:21 “And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.”

Can you imagine growing up without your mom and dad or any of your siblings?

Illustration of me crying when I was 5 when my mom went to the market

How did he do it?

1. Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD

> > That word “Presence” means “with; together with”

Samuel didn’t get to grow up with his mom and dad

Samuel didn’t get to grow up with his brothers and sisters

>> Heavy emphasis: But Samuel grew up WITH God

Maybe some of you feel abandon at times --- God wants you to know that He is WITH you!

READ: Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

We grow in the presence of God by reading our Bible and praying everyday

Regardless of where we are or who we are with, we always have God with us

We can find God in prayer and in reading our word

Old Sunday school song: Read your Bible, pray everyday

2. Samuel grew by serving the LORD

Samuel had to be raised by Eli and had to deal with Eli’s two sons, who were not nice guys.

Compare growing up with Eli’s sons with Cinderella growing up with her evil step-sisters.

READ: 1 Sam 2:12-17

“Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.  If the person said to him, “Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.”17 This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.”

Yet While Eli’s sons were doing evil and bullying everyone around - Scripture tell us:

READ 1 Sam 2:18 “But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod”

Eli’s sons were “young men” and Samuel was only a “boy” meaning he was much younger than them.

Eli’s sons were taking advantage of the people but Samuel was serving God by serving the people. He wore his little priestly robes and ministered to the people.

Don’t let anyone tell you you are too young to serve at church. But even if you don’t serve at church - you can serve God by serving your family by helping out with the chores.

When you do your chores, you are serving God. Because God is our Father.

READ Mat 25:40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

We serve God by serving others

What is a good indication that we are growing in the LORD?

3. Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the LORD

When looking for a job you need references

Maybe you have heard people say “it doesn’t matter what people say about you” or “I don’t care what they say about me.”

If what people are saying about you are bad things and those things are true - then that is not good and you should very well care about that

But of what people are saying about you are false then that not as important.

READ: Prov 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Your reputation and what you are known for is more important than money

Eli’s sons had the worst reputation in town and not only that, but even God had nothing good to say about them.

First let’s read what people had to say about them:

READ 1 Sam 2:22-24 “Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good.”

Now let’s read what God had to say:

READ 1 Sam 2:29 “Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’”

What kind of reputation do you have? at home? at school? with God?

Just because you are growing physically, doesn’t mean you are growing spiritually or maturing in character

Just because you are growing physically, doesn’t mean you are maturing

Samuel on the other hand was growing spiritually and maturing as well

READ 1 Sam 2:26 “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.”

YOU SEE: even though Eli’s son’s were older than Samuel, they had only grown physically, they had stopped growing spiritually and had stopped maturing in character.

BUT: Samuel continued to grow!

His reputation got better and better, God saw him more favorably as well

READ: 1 Sam 3:19 “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”

4. Samuel grew and was established by the LORD

If you want to grow like Samuel did

If you want a good reputation in life

If you want to be established in life

You have to:

Spend time with God

Serve God

Stay with God