1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:04,280 Starting a new sermon series on for Samuel. 2 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:07,400 Today. And today's message. 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,040 Is about favour faith. And prayer. 4 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:13,480 Let's pray together as we start. We thank you, Lord, for your 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:14,400 word. We thank you. 6 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,600 That you speak to us through it. And these old. 7 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:23,720 Stories shape our lives. Thank you that you are the God. 8 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:28,720 Of then and the God of now you. Are the same yesterday, today 9 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:30,440 and forever. And we can. 10 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,160 Put our trust in you. Will you pour out your spirit? 11 00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:36,640 Upon us and guide us in the study of Your Word, and then 12 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:41,160 give us the faith and courage. To live as you teach us when? 13 00:00:41,160 --> 00:00:44,120 We go out from this place and we pray in Jesus name. 14 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:49,640 Amen. First and second Samuel 1 book 15 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:51,440 originally. Don't know why it got. 16 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:53,960 Divided, but that's that's where we're. 17 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,720 Starting out, it's one of it's about one of the most 18 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,480 consequential. Political. 19 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:01,720 Developments in all of human history. 20 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:06,320 It's about how God's people. Came to be united under one king 21 00:01:06,320 --> 00:01:07,640 named. David. 22 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,440 Making way for. Jesus the greater. 23 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:15,200 Son of David to someday come and become the King of Kings and. 24 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,520 Lord of Lords. Over all but near. 25 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:19,840 Like nearly. All great. 26 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,600 Stories, this doesn't. Start with. 27 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:26,360 A great king. This story starts. 28 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,640 Very small and it. Starts with a. 29 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,240 Just a small town girl living in a lonely world. 30 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,320 You know, that's that's where it begins with Hannah. 31 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,240 Hannah lived during the time of the judges. 32 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:46,320 It was a. 300 year period. Of chaos. 33 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:50,280 It's a It's a terrible time. It's a time of dissolution, 34 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:54,000 moral chaos, weak decentralized leadership. 35 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:57,680 Joshua had led. The people into the promised 36 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,240 land and then things. There was a little bit of 37 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,560 promise, but it just kind of degenerated. 38 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,000 Over the decades. Spiraling down. 39 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:07,160 Through the Book of Judges tells the story. 40 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:11,640 Spiraling into chaos until the Book of Judges ends with this 41 00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:15,360 refrain 4 times over and over. It says there. 42 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:19,320 Was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in 43 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:21,440 their eyes. No king in Israel. 44 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,720 Everyone did what was right in their eyes. 45 00:02:26,640 --> 00:02:30,000 So. Turning the page from. 46 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:34,480 Judges to 1st. Samuel, let's consider. 47 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:38,440 First, the favour of God, the favour. 48 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:40,640 Of God upon. This. 49 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:44,640 Young woman named Hannah we commonly regard. 50 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:48,120 Those who are. Rich and famous and powerful as 51 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:50,680 somehow recipients of God's. Favour. 52 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:52,680 And it's true. That God. 53 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:56,960 Sometimes does work through great men and women, but he 54 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,360 frequently does so in spite of them. 55 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,560 You know in. Spite of their pride. 56 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:03,720 And their opposition to him, God. 57 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,960 Also works through regular. People like Hannah. 58 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,920 People who trust. In the Lord and who? 59 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:15,720 Prayerfully wait. Upon him and in the Bible, it's 60 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:19,280 often the common folk. The little hobbits. 61 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:23,800 Who end up doing the great things, you know, they're the 62 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,520 ones also. Who receive God's favor? 63 00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:30,360 But it doesn't. Always lead to wealth or fame or 64 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:31,920 power. And Hannah is just. 65 00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:34,600 Such a person. Her name means. 66 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:39,880 Favored. One Her name means favored one, 67 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,440 but as we meet her at the beginning of her story, she 68 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:45,120 doesn't. Feel like she. 69 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:49,960 Is a recipient of God's. Favor at all she is her. 70 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:55,400 Husband's favorite Bummer that he has two wives and. 71 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,640 The other wife. Is really mean to her. 72 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,760 You get that from the beginning of the story. 73 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,160 Yes, she's her. Husband's favorite and he gives 74 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:07,920 her a double portion at the feast. 75 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:13,360 Isn't that sweet? But Hannah is barren, and her 76 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:19,000 husband's second wife, Penina, mercilessly digs into her over 77 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,880 and over again, making fun of her, driving the shame. 78 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,720 To her heart and so while she's dearly loved by her. 79 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,840 Husband, she doesn't. Feel favored at all she. 80 00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:32,640 Is literally empty inside because. 81 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,520 Look at verse 5. Because of what? 82 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:37,880 The Lord? Has done to. 83 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:42,600 Her verse 5 the Lord had closed her. 84 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:44,240 Womb. Did you see that? 85 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:49,120 If you missed it. Look at verse. 6 because again. 86 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,920 The Lord had closed her. Womb, in case you missed it the 87 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:56,400 first time. Sometimes we feel empty and 88 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:58,120 barren. Because. 89 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:04,160 Of our own sin, and our sin has made us. 90 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:08,400 Feel that way? Whenever this happens, we can 91 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,160 trust. The Lord to show us our. 92 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,600 Errors and lead us to repentance. 93 00:05:13,840 --> 00:05:17,960 We probably won't see fruit in our lives until we have repented 94 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,160 and returned to Him. We have to confess our sins and 95 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:22,440 seek. God's forgiveness. 96 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:28,000 Sometimes we feel empty and barren and it's not because of 97 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:32,040 our sin. I know this is confusing. 98 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,240 I don't make the rules. This is just the way life is. 99 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,760 Sometimes we feel barren and empty, and it's not because of 100 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,120 our sin. It's because of God. 101 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,040 Inexplicably. It's because of God. 102 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:49,440 God was the. Reason for Hannah's impotence. 103 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:54,840 It says so. In the Bible, if you're in a 104 00:05:54,840 --> 00:06:00,680 barren season, God may be the reason for your barrenness. 105 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:05,640 Also, we all. Feel impotent in different ways 106 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:11,160 at different times. It may be God, it doesn't 107 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:18,040 necessarily mean that you are not someone receiving his favour 108 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:22,120 and Hannah's. Story is very. 109 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,320 Important for understanding this in Hannah's. 110 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,040 Case God had. Chosen. 111 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:32,040 Her to play a pivotal role. In his salvation. 112 00:06:32,280 --> 00:06:38,120 Of the world. Her barren life was a microcosm. 113 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:43,120 Of the. Whole barrenness of the land of 114 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:49,880 Canaan. Her barren life was a microcosm 115 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,600 of her. People's situation. 116 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:55,560 For 300. Years Israel had. 117 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,480 Lived in Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. 118 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:02,440 In cities they did not build, drinking from wells they did 119 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:04,240 not. Dig but God. 120 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:09,160 Gave them the promised land on their promise. 121 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:11,480 To be a. Light to the nation's instead of 122 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,480 keeping this promise. They loved created. 123 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:18,200 Things more than. Their creator they took. 124 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:23,920 For granted God, they took him for granted and they did their 125 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:28,200 best to blend in with all the cultures around them like so 126 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:32,160 much of today's American church, trying not to be recognized as 127 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,440 Christians, trying to blend in the. 128 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,680 Israelites did the. Same and instead of instead of 129 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:42,560 bearing fruit among the nations as they had been sent to do. 130 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,400 Israel was sterile. Israel was. 131 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:48,840 Barren. So after centuries of taking God 132 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:52,520 for granted, He took more drastic measures to get their 133 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:57,240 attention and redirect them in their mission to the world and 134 00:07:57,240 --> 00:07:59,360 it all. Started with a favored. 135 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:07,040 One not a king, though. This woman, a barren woman named 136 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:11,080 Hannah, and she was God's favored 1 And it was. 137 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:16,560 Through her that God would save the world. 1000 years after 138 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:20,200 Hannah, there is another. Story that is quite like hers. 139 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:25,280 The Angel Gabriel came to a teenage girl, hailing her. 140 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:29,160 Also as the favored. 1. The. 141 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:34,080 Story of Mary and what God did in Mary was an act of 142 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:35,760 Immaculate. Fertility that would. 143 00:08:35,799 --> 00:08:41,360 Upend her life with scandal and shame, but would end up in the 144 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:45,000 long run being a part of his saving the world. 145 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:47,080 You know that. Story. 146 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:50,800 That's the. Christmas story, our chances. 147 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,560 Are that you're? Experiencing or have. 148 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:58,560 Experienced or will. Experience some season of 149 00:08:58,560 --> 00:09:01,800 barrenness. It happens to us in different 150 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:06,280 ways. It all, it happens to all of us. 151 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:08,360 From time to time. Whatever it is. 152 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:11,360 The Lord knows. Keep. 153 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:15,280 Praying. Keep asking for understanding 154 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:16,800 from him. Keep asking. 155 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,120 For his help. And remember. 156 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,560 That it. Doesn't mean that you have. 157 00:09:21,560 --> 00:09:27,120 Lost the favour of God. He's inviting you to turn into 158 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,040 him and to trust in him all the more. 159 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:36,680 Let me now draw your attention to Hannah's faith. 160 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,280 This is the. Second thing that I want to show 161 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:44,040 you from today's passage, today's Psalm that we read from 162 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:48,800 chapter 2 of First Samuel was written by Hannah and it's the 163 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:52,200 original Magnificat. It's the model for what Mary 164 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:56,320 does 1000 years later. They're very similar Psalms, 165 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:58,800 aren't they? If you read them side by side, 166 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,360 both of them follow the same pattern. 167 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,840 They begin local, they begin small, and they go. 168 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:09,960 Global they talk about what God. Has done for them and then. 169 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,800 Because of that, it gets big. They begin with God's 170 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:18,800 intervention on behalf of Hannah and Mary as individuals, and 171 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:21,280 then they go on to describe the consequences. 172 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,720 For the world because of. What God done has done in the 173 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:28,840 lives of these two women. There is just. 174 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:33,480 One big difference between Hannah's song and Mary's song 175 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:34,840 and that. Is that? 176 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:39,800 Hannah's that Mary's song. Looks back. 177 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,920 Regarding what? God has. 178 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:46,560 Done what God has done in fulfilling his promises to 179 00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:48,320 Abraham and the. People of Israel. 180 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:53,160 But Hannah's song looks. Forward to what God will do. 181 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:56,280 You can see this in verse 10 of her song, she says. 182 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,960 The Lord will judge. The ends of the earth. 183 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:03,880 And he will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his 184 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,840 anointed. Exalt the horn of his anointed. 185 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:11,200 Anointed in Hebrew is Messiah, and Hannah believes that 186 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,920 somehow, someday. Through the birth of this baby. 187 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:19,640 This miracle baby that she's asking the Lord for and the 188 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:20,440 Lord. Gives her. 189 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:25,600 A Messiah and anointed king will come to reign over. 190 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:31,080 God's people. That anointed king in in those 191 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:37,240 times was David. And someday the son of David 192 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:42,120 will come, and his name will be. Jesus, she is. 193 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:47,040 Expecting an anointed king to come when they look around 194 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:48,280 though. Who do they see? 195 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,000 Who is this? King of Glory, let me tell you 196 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,640 it is not. Eli. 197 00:11:54,560 --> 00:11:58,720 Eli is. Definitely not anyone to be 198 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,640 admired or respected. He. 199 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:04,400 Is the priest and the judge of the Hill Country in Hannah's 200 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:06,560 time? We'll learn more about him in 201 00:12:06,560 --> 00:12:07,920 the next. Several chapters. 202 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:12,080 He and his wicked sons, but already in today's lesson. 203 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:14,800 We have a. Sense of the. 204 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,960 Severity of Israel's leadership. Problem, Eli. 205 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:21,600 The religious. And political leader. 206 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,520 Of God's. People mistakes. 207 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:25,400 Good for evil. Doesn't he? 208 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:29,800 He doesn't have the sense to know when someone is praying or 209 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:33,000 when they're drunk, and this is another. 210 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,040 Picture of what's? Totally wrong with Israel and in 211 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:40,360 many cases what's wrong with the Western church today mistaking. 212 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:46,040 Good for evil. Mistaking righteousness for sin 213 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:47,280 and vice. Versa. 214 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:52,360 But even though. Eli is a wicked priest. 215 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:59,080 And a wicked judge Hannah doesn't give up on God when she 216 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:02,520 and her family come to the shrine for the annual feast. 217 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:06,600 Look at verse 10. She takes a leap of faith before 218 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:08,640 the Lord. Chapter One, verse 10. 219 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:12,360 While the others are. Feasting Hannah seeks out God in 220 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:17,160 the sanctuary, praying and weeping bitter tears and in 221 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:23,120 verse 11, she. Begs Yahweh Sabiot, that is the 222 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,840 Lord of hosts, the Lord of the. Armies. 223 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:32,200 She begs him to open her womb, and she promises to give back to 224 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:36,080 him. Back to the Lord, that which. 225 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:40,040 She's asking for, namely, what she wants most of all, a son. 226 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:43,400 She promises to give him what he gives her. 227 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:48,000 Now Eli, this veteran priest who should be comforting and 228 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,320 assuring her, completely misreads the situation. 229 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:55,720 Verse 13 He sees Hannah earnestly praying in the house. 230 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:57,280 Of the Lord. Pouring out her. 231 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:59,080 Heart to God. And what does he do? 232 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:02,440 He rebukes her. Verse 14 he says, how long will 233 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:05,840 you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you. 234 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,160 I've I've made plenty of mistakes. 235 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:11,200 As a pastor. I still make mistakes. 236 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:17,560 I don't know that I've ever done anything like this and he has no 237 00:14:17,560 --> 00:14:20,320 excuse. He is nearly. 80 years. 238 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:22,680 Old at this point. He has been doing this for a 239 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:30,280 long time and he has grown so so decrepit in every. 240 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:32,560 Way he should. Have known. 241 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:36,520 Better, there's a. Similar moment in the New 242 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:40,200 Testament isn't there 10 days after Jesus ascended to the 243 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:43,400 right hand of the Father and the first Christians are gathered 244 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:47,000 for morning prayer. God pours out his holy. 245 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:50,120 Spirit on them on the first day of Pentecost and begin praising 246 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:52,160 the Lord in all these different languages. 247 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:55,240 It's a. Beautiful international worship 248 00:14:55,240 --> 00:15:01,320 service at the temple on Mount Zion, but onlookers say they 249 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:08,200 must be drunk and. Peter graciously responds. 250 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,520 Says no, it's only 9:00 in the morning. 251 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:14,000 This isn't whiskey. This is the Holy Spirit. 252 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:19,640 At work in US and he, he did this and you know, he will, he 253 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,520 will, He will. Write about this later. 254 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:24,000 In his letter. About. 255 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:29,520 How to respond to people when? They accuse you, he says. 256 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,000 Always be prepared. To give an answer to everyone 257 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:33,680 who asks you to give the reason for the. 258 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,760 Hope that you have but. Do this with gentleness and 259 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:38,920 respect. You know my first thought when 260 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,280 I'm. Accused like this would be to 261 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:49,880 fight back, but a. Gentle answer is a good answer 262 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,720 in this case and because of. Peter's. 263 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,720 Response on Pentecost. 3000 people. 264 00:15:56,200 --> 00:16:00,040 Came to know the Lord. That day, back to the story. 265 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:04,000 Of Hannah and Eli Hannah responds with gentleness when 266 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,280 she's. Accused of. 267 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:09,360 Drunkenness in the temple and she. 268 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:14,320 Says Verse. 15 No, my Lord, I'm a woman troubled in spirit. 269 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:17,560 Can you imagine? She's been accused of 270 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,360 drunkenness and she's so, so gentle, she says. 271 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,320 I've been pouring out my soul. Before the Lord, do not regard 272 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,320 your service. As a worthless woman, for all 273 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:29,920 along, I've been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. 274 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:33,600 Eli is. Too old to change. 275 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:37,520 He's too old even to. Apologize to her, but he still 276 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:40,760 does the right. Thing in response. 277 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,720 He passes the. Peace and he. 278 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:48,560 Blesses her verse. 17 go in peace, and the God of. 279 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,880 Israel grant your. Petition as fake and as. 280 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:56,520 Worthless as that feels, it is still a good word. 281 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:58,960 It's a benediction. It's a good. 282 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:04,359 Word spoken in the name of the Lord, how should we? 283 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:07,079 Respond to hypocrisy. Demonstrated. 284 00:17:07,079 --> 00:17:09,119 By our leaders hypocrisy like this. 285 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:11,200 Whether in the government or in the church. 286 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,359 And when I was a young man, I used to roll my eyes every time 287 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:18,280 a president would say anything. Religious at all? 288 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,400 You know, like God Bless America or something. 289 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,599 I'd be just like, you know, but I've changed my mind about this. 290 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:31,160 I'll take it wherever, wherever. It comes from I have grown in my 291 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,960 faith, not in presidents, but in God. 292 00:17:36,120 --> 00:17:38,720 All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, 293 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:43,840 including myself. But by faith, I trust God. 294 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,480 To work through me. As a pastor. 295 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:50,080 Despite my failings. I trust God to work through 296 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:53,360 other leaders. Despite their failings, and to 297 00:17:53,360 --> 00:17:56,240 the degree that my. Words as a leader. 298 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,160 Have any power at all? It's not because of me, but it's 299 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:00,240 because. Of the Lord. 300 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:05,000 Who works through me? And God makes good on things 301 00:18:05,120 --> 00:18:07,400 that are even spoken half heartedly. 302 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:11,240 Things that are spoken clumsily, God makes good on them so. 303 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:14,400 I believe there's. Power in what Eli is saying 304 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:16,160 here, even though. He. 305 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:20,680 Is a wicked. Leader over Israel. 306 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:25,520 It's a benediction. Still, it's a good word still, 307 00:18:26,360 --> 00:18:29,160 despite Eli's failures as a leader and a priest. 308 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:31,800 And here's the point. God works through imperfect 309 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:36,240 people over and over again. That's a good thing, because 310 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:38,440 otherwise nothing would ever get done. 311 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:42,200 We're all imperfect. We can receive from the Lord 312 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:45,360 through the hands of anyone, even somebody. 313 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:49,960 As bad A. Scoundrel as Eli and sooner or 314 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,640 later you're going to find that the clergy and leaders, lay 315 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:53,640 leaders. Of this church. 316 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:59,680 Are imperfect and we listen to the wrong music, we support the 317 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:05,640 wrong sports teams, we vote for the wrong party, I'm sure and 318 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,840 when you come up for communion and. 319 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:10,560 You see who's? Serving. 320 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:13,680 You may want to change lines, so you may want to turn around and 321 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:16,640 flee, and I just would. Encourage you to. 322 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:20,960 Remember. That it is the Lord who does 323 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:21,960 these. Sacraments. 324 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,480 The Lord does the baptisms. The Lord gives the bread and the 325 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,280 wine. The Lord is. 326 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:30,880 The one who gives the benediction, he is the one who's 327 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:32,760 at. Work through us. 328 00:19:33,120 --> 00:19:36,120 And because of him, the ministry of imperfect pastors can still 329 00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:42,120 benefit and bless you. Finally, in closing, I want to 330 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,880 say a word. About as Jesus taught us to 331 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:46,960 always. Pray and never lose heart. 332 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:52,080 Look at verses 19 and 20. After Eli blessed Hannah, they 333 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:54,440 rose early in the morning and they worshipped before the Lord, 334 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:57,200 and then they went back to their house at Rama. 335 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:01,240 O Khanna knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her, and 336 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:03,920 in due time she conceived and bore a son. 337 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:09,480 She called his name Samuel. She called his name Samuel for 338 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:11,640 she. Said I have asked. 339 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:16,920 For him from the Lord. She called his name Samuel, for 340 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:22,240 I've asked of him from the Lord. But that's not what Samuel means 341 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:26,400 in Hebrew. In Hebrew, Samuel means the name 342 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:31,600 of God, the name of God. It doesn't mean I have asked of 343 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:33,960 him from the Lord. Why does she? 344 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:36,720 Say I've named him Samuel. For I've asked of him. 345 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:39,640 From the Lord. If you if you were to say. 346 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:42,440 That in Hebrew. You would say. 347 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:46,840 Shall from which we get the name King Saul. 348 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:52,360 King Saul was is. Israel's. 349 00:20:52,360 --> 00:20:56,760 Disastrous first king who is going to ruin the 1st 7 or? 350 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:59,400 8 chapters of. For Samuel, we'll have to deal 351 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:01,520 with him over and over again over the next few weeks. 352 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:04,760 Before we get. To King David, we're going to. 353 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:07,600 Hear all about what a rotten. Scoundrel. 354 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:11,680 He was also. And we'll read about. 355 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:15,720 How Saul? Became the king not because the. 356 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:18,960 People of Israel. Prayed and asked for him, which 357 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:23,440 is what Saul means asked not because they asked God for him, 358 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:26,280 but because they wanted a king like all the other nations. 359 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:29,800 They asked Samuel, therefore they didn't ask God, but they 360 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,480 asked Samuel to give them a king. 361 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:34,400 So that they could. Fit in with. 362 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:37,080 All the cultures. Around them and blend in. 363 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:42,680 So they rejected. Samuel, whose name means the 364 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:47,320 name of God. And in essence, they rejected. 365 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:54,000 The God of. Samuel Samuel had been given to 366 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,840 them as a leader because his mother asked. 367 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,560 Of the Lord? She asked Shaw. 368 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,320 And she named him Samuel, the name of God. 369 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:09,000 I don't know if this makes sense, but Hannah. 370 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,640 Is the favored. One who? 371 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:14,640 Seeks God. And waits for his provision. 372 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:17,720 She's the model. That all Israel should follow. 373 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:20,200 When they don't it. Leads to disaster. 374 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:24,600 They should do. What Hannah did and today's 375 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:28,400 story ends with Hannah keeping her promise, bringing this baby. 376 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:32,240 To Eli. After he's weaned, maybe around 377 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,760 5 years old in those days. Verse 20. 378 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:35,200 Four. She. 379 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:36,360 She. Took him to. 380 00:22:36,360 --> 00:22:39,720 Eli she. Brought provisions for a great 381 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:42,160 feast and then when she presents this baby to. 382 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:45,800 Eli, she gives a little speech that, at least for Hebrew 383 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:48,160 readers. It drives home the point of 384 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:49,400 this. Story. 385 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,880 As an opening. Story for first. 386 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:55,120 Samuel and it drives home the. Priority of prayer. 387 00:22:55,120 --> 00:22:57,080 And it puns on Hebrew. Words. 388 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:01,280 This word to ask shall. And I'll I'll point it out as. 389 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:04,200 We read through. Starting verse 26, Hannah says 390 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:07,560 I'm the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to 391 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:11,040 Yahweh. Verse 27 For this child I prayed 392 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:14,160 and you always answered my petition, my Sha Allah. 393 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:19,600 Which I asked sha all. Of him verse 28. 394 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:22,520 So I have lent his sha. All I've. 395 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:24,440 Lent him to. Yahweh for as. 396 00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:26,560 Long as he lives, he is lent sha. 397 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:30,240 All to Yahweh. Four times in a couple. 398 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:36,840 Of verses, the Hebrew word for ask, ask, ask, ask, ask. 399 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,600 She's driving home. How she got this baby? 400 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:47,120 And it was because she. Asked of the Lord, She asked of 401 00:23:47,120 --> 00:23:48,520 the Lord. Here at the beginning of this 402 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:50,520 epic. Tale of how? 403 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:55,880 King David became the king. Over all Israel, God's favor 404 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:59,280 falls. On a barren woman, she conceives 405 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:00,680 and gives. Birth to a. 406 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,920 Change Maker called Samuel the name of God. 407 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:06,840 Why? Because Hannah. 408 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,640 Wept. And petitioned and. 409 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:14,840 Asked of the Lord, shall all? She asked. 410 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,440 Asked. Asked. 411 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:19,440 For Samuel. Her prayer. 412 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:24,880 In faith changed. The world as Jesus says, we 413 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:29,880 should always pray. And never lose heart asking of 414 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:33,200 the. Lord for his will. 415 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:36,040 His good things. For us, for our city. 416 00:24:36,280 --> 00:24:37,200 And for the. World. 417 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,320 He's the one who? Provides all that we need.