Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post.
Text: 1 Samuel 2:30
Title: Them That Honor Me
Introduction: To help us gain a deeper understanding of what honor means, let’s take a look at a real life story of those who did and did not honor God. And as we do, notice the contrast between those who clearly set out to honor God, and those who set out to honor themselves.
Background information: This is the story of a very dark time in Israel’s history. In fact, the last words from the book of Judges are:
Judges 21:25b
Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
It was in this period of time that a childless wife named Hannah is introduced to us. She is in earnest prayer in the tabernacle in Shiloh and is assured by the priest that her prayer for a child will be answered.
Through the course of her prayer, she promises God that if He will grant her a son, she will return the child to Him for His service. It is with this brief background that we will consider some aspects of honor this morning.
What are the differences between honoring God and honoring ourself?
I. Honoring God Involves Presenting Our Best to the Lord
II. Honoring God Means That I Must Keep Him as the One I Please
III. Honoring God Involves an Acceptance of Life’s Challenges
Conclusion: Because Samuel valued the wisdom, ways, and the very Word of God, God honored Samuel.
Samuel let none of God’s words get by Him. He “caught” them. Now, look at what God did for Samuel.
1 Samuel 3:19
And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of
his words fall to the ground.