"HANNAH - A WOMAN OF FAITH"

1 Samuel 1:1-2:10

INTRODUCTION
  1. The Old Testament contains many role models for us today...
    1. Great men like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel
    2. Great women like Sarah, Ruth, Esther
  2. A wonderful role model for women of faith today is that of Hannah...
    1. The mother of Samuel, one of the greatest prophets of Israel
    2. Whose story is told in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel

[From just a simple reading of the material in these two chapters we can glean several lessons from "Hannah - A Woman Of Faith". For example, as we read 1Sa 1:1-8, we learn that...]

  1. WOMEN OF FAITH ENDURE REAL PROBLEMS
    1. HANNAH'S PROBLEMS...
      1. Womb closed by the Lord - 1Sa 1:1-5
      2. Provoking by her rival - 1Sa 1:6-8
    2. WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM HANNAH...
      1. Women of faith are not without problems in this life
        1. The righteous often suffer (remember Job)
        2. Sarah likewise suffered ridicule from her handmaiden Hagar - Gen 16:3-5
      2. We should not let others deter our trust in the Lord
        1. Hannah could have used her misfortune and mistreatment as an excuse
        2. Yet year after year Hannah continued to worship the Lord - 1Sa 1:7

        [Women of faith have problems just like other women. What distinguishes them as women of faith is what they do when faced with their problems, as we glean from reading 1Sa 1:9-18...]

  2. WOMEN OF FAITH EXTEND VIBRANT PRAYERS
    1. HANNAH'S PRAYER...
      1. With the bitterness of soul - 1Sa 1:10
      2. With weeping in anguish - 1Sa 1:10
      3. With offers of a solemn vow - 1Sa 1:11
      4. With persistence - 1Sa 1:12
      5. With her heart - 1Sa 1:13
      6. With all her soul - 1Sa 1:15-16
      7. With faith in God's promise - 1Sa 1:18
    2. WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM HANNAH...
      1. Pray fervently - she put her soul in her prayers - Col 4:2a
      2. Pray persistently - she continued steadfastly in prayers - Co 4:2b
      3. Pray faithfully - she believed that God would answer her prayers - 1Jn 5:14-15

      [Women of faith believe in the efficacy of prayer. God takes notice of such faith (2Ch 16:9), so we should not be surprise to see as we continue reading (1Sa 1:19-20) that...]

  3. WOMEN OF FAITH EXPERIENCE GOD'S PROVISIONS
    1. HANNAH'S PROVISIONS...
      1. When the Lord remembered her - 1Sa 1:19
      2. When the Lord gave her a son, whom she named Samuel ("heard of God") - 1Sa 1:20
    2. WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM HANNAH...
      1. God may sometimes give us what we want
        1. It must be according to His will - 1Jn 5:14
        2. We must abide in His words - Jn 15:7
        3. Selfish prayers will not be answered as we wish - Jm 4:3
      2. God will always provide what we need
        1. It may not be what we want or expect
        2. But it will meet our needs, and be for our good - cf. Mt 6:33; Ro 8:28

        [In Hannah's case, she received that for which she asked. But she had made a vow, and as we read on (1Sa 1:21-28), we see that...]

  4. WOMEN OF FAITH EXCEL AT KEEPING PROMISES
    1. HANNAH'S PROMISE...
      1. She planned to keep her promise - 1Sa 1:22
      2. She carried out what she promised - 1Sa 1:24-28
      3. She worshipped the Lord - 1Sa 1:28
    2. WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM HANNAH...
      1. We should keep our vows
        1. God has no pleasure in fools who do not keep their vows - Ec 5:4-5
        2. As Christians, even our 'yes' and 'no' are as solemn vows - Mt 5:33-37; Jm 5:12
      2. We should worship the Lord
        1. Fulfillment of vows or promises should not be done begrudgingly
        2. We should with gratitude of heart do the will of the Lord - cf. Col 3:17

        [Finally, we note Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving (1Sa 2:1-10), which is reminiscent of Mary's 'Magnificat' (Lk 1:46-55). Both prayers reveal that...]

  5. WOMEN OF FAITH EXPRESS THEIR PRAISE
    1. HANNAH'S PRAISE...
      1. With great joy in her heart - 1Sa 2:1
      2. With praise for the Lord for His help - 1Sa 2:2-10
    2. WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM HANNAH...
      1. We should rejoice in blessings received
        1. For we are to rejoice always - 1Th 5:16
        2. How much more so when we have received blessings from the Lord!
      2. We should offer praise for blessings received
        1. As David offered thanks, and promised to praise God - Psa 18:49
        2. Praising God is how Christians offer spiritual sacrifices to God - He 13:15
CONCLUSION
  1. "Hannah - A Woman Of Faith" serves to remind us that all women of faith...
    1. Endure real problems
    2. Extend vibrant prayers
    3. Experience God's provisions
    4. Excel at keeping promises
    5. Express their praise
  2. Today, anyone can become a person of faith...
    1. Even though you face many problems
    2. If you are willing to come to God in prayerful obedience to the gospel of Christ
    3. Receive the gift of salvation provided through God's Son
    4. Remain true to your commitment to His authority as Lord of your life
    5. Offer your life and the fruit of your lips in praise to Him

May everyone, whether male or female, be able to say together with Hannah:

"My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord." - 1Sa 2:1
Note: The main points of this outline were adapted from a sermon by Brian Hill.