A Successful Mother!

 

                    

 

Introduction:

A.   We are living in a changing world; motherhood, the American flag, and apple pie are three things known for their stability in America.

 

1.   Yet, the price of apples is going up, along with

many other things!

 

2.   The flag is sometimes mistreated!

 

3.   Even Motherhood is sometimes abused!

 

B.   Although motherhood may sometimes be abused, nobody

Can do away with its importance to our families and to

our society!  Many have spoken of its importance:

 

1.   Napoleon, "The future destiny of the child is

always the work of the mother!"

 

2.   Theodore Roosevelt, "The mother is the one

supreme asset of the national life.  She

is more important, by far, than the successful

statesman, businessman, artist, or scientist."

 

3.      Abraham Lincoln after becoming president once

said, "All that I am, or can become, I owe to my

angel mother."

 

C.   In I Samuel, chap. 1, we see a beautiful portrait of a woman who honored God:  Hannah.

 

Trans.

Let's look at her this morning and see what it takes

to be a successful mother!

 

                            Prayer

                        I Samuel 1:1-28

 

I.   Hannah's state in life.

 

A.   Hannah was very sorrowful!

1.   She had been denied the crowning glory of every

Hebrew woman: the privilege of motherhood!

2.      It should be looked upon as a privilege, a

responsibility, and a gift from God.  Too many

times it is not today!

 

On the other hand, Motherhood shouldn=t be the

Only purpose for women and girls such as it was

In Hannah=s society, but it should nevertheless be

still considered important!  When it happens, it

should be seen as all of this: a privilege, a

responsibility, and a gift from God!

 

B.   Hannah prayed for a son as she probably had many times before.

 

1.   The scriptures tell us that she was deeply disturbed.

"She was deeply distressed and prayed

to the LORD, and wept bitterly." 

(I Samuel 1:10)

 

2.   And God listened to her prayer; he seemed to say,

"I have found a concerned mother, and now I shall

 have a dedicated servant."

 

3.   Hannah was important to God!

 

a.   She was a simple woman.

 

b.   Probably not very educated if at all.

 

c.   Her clothing plain.

 

d.   Yet, God heard her prayer because she was

important to God!

 

II.  Hannah was a praying mother!

 

A.   Hannah was a praying mother, and in verse 20, we see

that her prayer was answered!

 

B.   Be a praying mother.

1.   Your prayer life is the foundation of a Godly

home.

 

2.   In Hannah's prayer, she vowed to give her son

back to the LORD: she would train him in the ways

of the LORD!

3.   The greatest way we can train is by example!

 

a.   My mother is a good example:

 

1)   Prayer. I can remember seeing my mother

kneeling by her bed and praying; that

has stayed with me.

 

                   2)   She still has a devotion and prayer time before going to bed!

 

3)   She helped me believe in myself:

encourager.

 

b.   It has been said, "apples do not fall far

from the trees."

 

c.   By your example, do your children learn

 

1)   dedication or lack of it?

 

2)   prayer is important or it isn't?

 

3)   to be negative or positive?

 

4)   to be critical or complimentary?

 

5)   to be kind or rude?

 

6)   to be respectful or disrespectful?

 

7)   To be Godly or un-Godly?

 

4.   Hannah had an attitude of praise; she taught her child to love and honor God!

 

5.   Moses said about the scriptures in Deut. 6:7

 

a.   morning, noon, and night teach God's word!

 

b.   Whatever you are doing, stress God's word!

 

6.   Nothing can take the place of the home in the

spiritual training of your child.

 

 

 

7.      Suzanna Wesley is another good example of a

Spiritual leader for her children.  John and

Charles Wesley were greatly influenced by her

leadership and teaching in their home!

 

          9.   As parents of adult  children or grandparents, I

think there are still ways we can be examples for

our children. The way we do it may change, but we

can still be positive examples, encouragers, and

advisors!

 

III. Hannah was a committed mother!

 

A.   Hannah made a vow to the LORD, and she kept it!

 

B.   It must have been hard

 

1.   to give him that hug as she left him at the

temple!

 

2.   to carry out her commitment!

 

3.   but she was able to do it because she loved the

LORD most of all!

 

C.   Look at her words:

 

"Therefore I have lent him to the LORD; as long

as he lives, he is given to the LORD."

(I Samuel 1:28)

 

1.   What a beautiful picture of a mother dedicated to God!

 

2.   She gave her most prized possession to God.

 

a.   She gave her son to the LORD!

 

b.   That that takes 1st priority for us is what

we give our children to.

 

Conclusion:

A.   What are we giving our children to? 

 

1.   Mothers, I'm taking you off of the hook a little

bit because this is for all of us. 

 

2.      Are we giving our children to God by our example

or are we giving them to something else?

 

                            (pause)

 

B.   Perhaps, you had a Christian mother who prayed for

you.  Perhaps, you never have accepted Christ?

 

C.   You can still do that today!

 

 

Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if  any [person] hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in . . . ."   (Rev. 3:20)

 

D.   Christ can still answer those prayers today, but the

     door knob is on your side of the door.  Won't you let

Christ into your heart this morning, as we encounter

Christ at the table?

 

E.   If you make a commitment, please let me know so I can

help you on your faith journey!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion