EVERYONE NEEDS A MOM

Pray

Well as we get started this morning, I’m going to share an article that I came across this week. It explains:

The police in Oregon are looking for a man who they say stole a car with a child in the back seat only to return the four-year-old and reprimand the mom about her parenting. Local authorities said the theft took place outside a grocery store when the mom left the car running with the child in the back seat.

The mother left the car unlocked and went inside to buy a gallon of milk and some meat. The thief happened to walk by and hopped in the car. He soon realized the four-year-old was in the back seat and pulled back into the parking lot, returning the child to the mother—but not without scolding her first.

Police spokesman, Matt Henderson said, “He actually lectured the mother for leaving the child in the car and threatened to call the police on her. Obviously, we're thankful he brought the little one back.” And fortunately, the thief ordered the mom to take the child before driving off in the car.

Now I don’t know how this story played out for this criminal, but I am encouraged this morning at least we have a good few people out there.

You see, of course today is Mother’s Day. And I can tell you firsthand that I am grateful for the impact of not only my mom Theresa, and the impact that she has had on my life, but also of course to my wife Kim as she has been a beautiful example of a Godly women to our children.

You see, for moms everywhere there is a sense of commitment and loyalty to their children which is often difficult to describe in words, and although cards sum up what mom means to us, the truth is, the $5 card from Walmart fails to convey the true significance of a mom.

You see mom’s been up 3 times during the middle of the night with her crying baby, it’s not even 9 am and she’s already changed 7 diapers for the day. She’s made sure the kids’ lunch is ready for school, their bags are packed, their teeth are brushed, their hair is combed and don’t forget the money for the fieldtrip. And if that weren’t enough, she has 3 piles of laundry also known as mount laundrymore which she still needs to summit. And let’s not forget about the grocery list, the dinner, the dishes, cleaning the house, paying bills, cleaning even more stinky diapers and oh by the way… those toys that seemed so cute at Christmas that we just couldn’t walk past them without buying them for our moms kids… well, they were cute… that is when they were silent… but now after hearing the same phrase for the 900TH time, mom no longer thinks this uh oh gotta go pink flamingo is so cute afterall.

But all joking aside, I think it’s truly important to recognize moms this morning for what they do. I mean we have company Christmas parties, and perhaps bonuses from the years end performance, and yet, so often moms don’t get the recognition that they truly deserve. And so, this morning, to all the moms thank you.

Of course, being Mother’s Day, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the influence of a Godly example in our lives. As you know, 2 weeks ago, we looked at the idea that everyone need a friend, or a nick, in their lives. Last week, we looked at the idea of a godly role model, and I concluded that everyone needs a Steve. Well, this morning, we’re going to wrap up this series and see that everyone needs a mom.

Now for some of us, if we were honest, Mother’s Day is a struggle for us. For some of us this morning, our mom has gone on to be with the Lord and we no longer have the phone calls or timestogether that we once did. Or perhaps as a child, you didn’t have a good relationship with your mom and dad, and there is a sense of hurt that you still deal with.

But this morning, if I could encourage us with something, it would be regardless of if you’re here this morning as a mom, or as a dad, or even if you don’t have children of your own… to see the biblical truth behind this morning’s message as ultimately, whether you have your own biological children or not, we’ve all been called to help raise Godly children together. It’s not just me raising my kids, you’re helping too… we as a community, have a responsibility to our next generation to raise them up in the way of the Lord.

So, with this in mind, if you have your bibles this morning, turn with me to 1 Samuel 1 and as your turning there this morning, there are 2 truths that we’ll unpack about Godly parenting. 1. Godly Parents Pray. 2. Godly parents give their children to the Lord.(We could add in several more, Godly parents love..)

1. Godly Parents Pray

If you’re not already there turn with me to 1 Samuel 1:1-8 and as your turning, there I want to set the scene that we’ll encounter this morning. First, it’s important to see that the book of 1 Samuel was written when Israel was in a relatively dark place. Samuel, as you may recall would be the last Judge of Israel, he also serves as we’ll see a priest and as a prophet. But God has certainly placed Samuel in this world for a very specific purpose. With a clear destiny and mission in life.

You see, were told that despite God’s warning, that the Israelites wanted to be like all the other nations and have a king rule over them. The Lord would go on to warn the Israelites of the mistake that they were making, but ultimately the people rejected having God rule over them and instead, insisted on having a king rule them. So, in these relatively dark years of Israel’s history, we see that God has brought Samuel into the scene who would go on to serve not only as a judge, but as a prophet, as a priest and the one who would help the nation of Israel as they transitioned from the time of Judges who ruled, to kings who ruled.

1 Samuel 1:1-5 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb

6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

So, if we stop for a 2nd, I want us to unpack the scene that’s taking place. First, we notice that we’re introduced to Samuel Parents Elkanah and Hannah. Now we see that these Elkanah and Hannah are Godly people,

First, we see that Every year Elkanah and his family went to Shiloh to worship at the Tabernacle. Now we’re not told in the text if the trip to Shiloh was due to one of the three annual festivals… in the Passover… the Festival of Harvest or Festival of Shelters although it likely could have been.

But As we read, despite her Godly character, we’re quickly presented with a problem as not only can Hannah not have children… but if that weren’t enough, she’s being provoked.

The bible tells us that because Hannah had no children, that her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her… and that this went on year after year… and although Hannah was in deep anguish, although she was downhearted, we see that the story isn’t over. In fact. If we circle back around to verse 6 for a moment, we notice an interesting fact, we’re told: “6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.”

But , despite the emotional state she had at the time, despite her pain, we find interestingly enough that God had brought this about. That Hannah couldn’t have children? Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. In other words, the very fact that she couldn’t have children, wasn’t by accident. But who was it from? It was from God.

You see God wasn’t done with her For in her emotions, and In her frustrations, she comes to a point that she would make a vow with God. You see, in many ways, it was her deep anguish, and misery, that this would ultimately bring her to a point where she at her end… “okay, enough’s enough God…”

You see, Hannah was at end of herself… and there, God came through.

You see, Hannah made this vow with God because her circumstances brought her to this point in life where she was so moved with grief and anguish that she makes a vow to God. And says Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, but if you’ll do that, I vow to give him to you for the rest of his life.

You see friends, in these moments, Hannah’s heart was moved. She had enough, her pain, her anguish, her difficulty, the mockery of Peninnah day after day… You see, in these moments, Hannah is hurt. She’s in deep anguish… and yet, The stories not over.

No, in these moments… God remembers her.

You see, the bible tells us: 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. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away 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.”

Friends, I want us to catch something. Hannah is deeply troubled, she’s in great anguish and grief… and yet, here’s what she does… she prays.

She doesn’t do what was so common at that time, as we see with Sarai and Abram by having her servant sleep with her husband. no in these moments… She prays… She goes to God. And you know what happens.

God hears her prayers. 1 Samuel 1:27 “For this child, I have prayed, and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart.”

You see, despite her misery, despite her hurt, despite her pain… God hears her.

The bible tells us: 19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[b] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

You see friend, here’s my question for you this morning? What are you dealing with? You see, day after day, Hannah is grieving, her heart is hurt, she’s in pain… and yet, you know what she does in these moments? She prays, and God hears her prayers.

You see, I’m reminded of Psalm 37:4 which states: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Friend here’s the point. When we go to God. God hears our prayers. And answers them according to His will and what’s best for our lives. In one season, things probably didn’t make a whole lot of sense, things were probably confusing, and difficult to figure out, and yet, the next season, God has come to Hannah’s rescue. He remembers her, he’s not done with her, and he’s not giving up on her… What took place in between the 2 seasons? Hannah prayed.

Brent

Church, this morning. We need to pray. As parents we need to pray for our children, as family, we need to pray for our children and as a church we need to pray for our children, in fact just this past Thursday I came across an article headlined with the title, “as abortion takes center stage at the supreme Court, corporate America is mostly staying silent.” And while abortion talks continue, they try to keep God out of our schools and society friends we need to pray.

You see, the Lord remembered Hannah, but do we remember the Lord… in our walk’s day to day, are we going to the Lord for both the situations that we face… and the situations that meet our children? There’s a saying that says a family that prays together… stays together… friends, would we be encouraged to do this in our lives.

2. Godly parents give their children to the Lord.

21 When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.” Hannah Continues to Care and Love this boy.

23 “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his[d] word.” So, the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him 24 After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 25 When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 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.

Now you’ll recall earlier from our study that Hannah had made a vow to the Lord (or a promise that if he would simply give her a son, that this son would be dedicated to the Lord for the rest of his life.) and actually in speaking of Vows in scripture, this was a serious obligation which wasn’t to be made lightly.

In speaking about vows

DEUT 23:23 23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.

But I do want us to notice that Hannah’s husband, was under no obligation to keep the vow. Elkhanah could have canceled the vow as Regulations in the Pentateuch, allowed for a husband to nullify a vowof his wife with which he disagreement.

But although Hannah made the vow, Elkanah agreed to also give his son to the Lord. The bible tells us: 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.” And Elkanah replies… 23 “Do what seems best to you…”

You see church, what I love about these parents this morning is that they were willing to give their son to the Lord. They only had one child at this point, but he was given to God. And what’s interesting is God saw their giving… and blessed them with still other children. The bible tells us in 1 Samuel 2:18-21

20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. 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.

Here’s the point God had a purpose for Samuel’s life, and the purpose required for his parents to let go of Samuel and surrender him to God. And in doing so, God not only blessed Samuel and did amazing things through him in his life… but God also blessed Hannah and Elkhanah and gave them 5 additional children.

Here’s the question this morning are we taking what we’ve been entrusted with and giving it to God?

One of the greatest ways we can do this is just by loving our children. Give We give them Jesus through how we live. – KIM & JORDYN Thursday evening.

You see sometimes, we find ourselves like Hannah. Caught in the middle of a season of life, a season that might not even make sense. Or feel Good… but ultimately, even when life doesn’t feel God, God still is.

You see I’m reminded of Jeremiah 1:5 which says: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

And then in Luke 12:7 we’re told: 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

I’m going to call Lisa forward

At this time as we prepare to close out. And as she’s coming forward, I think it’s important for us to be reminded that God knows best. You see the truth is they your kids weren’t yours yours to begin with anyway… And everything that we have, ultimately comes from, and belongs to God. We’re just the ones entrusted to take of them. How are we doing as parents this morning?

You see, when it comes to parenting, to navigating situations week by week, day by day… God knows what’s best for us. And yet, this same principle applies in life. As we face difficulties at work, as we deal with those that are difficult to work with, or as we face challenges, friends God still knows best.

And while you’ve heard me share this verse probably 10 times now and I will continue to share, it’s important to keep everything in perspective, it’s important to remember Romans 8:28 which tells us: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

And so, here’s the point this morning as we close out.

1. God is faithful. Even when we’re not faithful to Him, the bible tells us even If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.And yet, he extends an invitation for us this morning. He calls us to be faithful to him.

2. Are we giving to the Lord? Not only in our finances, or in serving but even with our Kids are we giving to the Lord?

3. Are we praying? Both an individual basis, but also for our kids, for this next generation?

4. Are we loving our children well? You see my 10-month-old baby girl may not be able to talk quite yet… but I promise you, she sees her mommy’s love by the way that Kim interacts with her. Friends, sometimes, our biggest acts of love are not in what we say, but simply in how we treat others.

Pray