## Faith Promise Missions

## I Samuel 1:27-28

This evening, I want to talk about what it will take for us to continue our efforts for world-wide missions. Often we are guilty of using terms that we may understand, but those to whom we are talking do not. It is important that we carefully define terms. This has been made evident in light of the president's testimony before the grand jury.

We encourage folks to use the concept of Faith Promise when giving to missions. I believe that this is a Biblical concept taught primarily in the New Testament. However, as with any Bible truth, it can also be found in the Old Testament.

Hannah serves as a good Old Testament illustration of this New Testament truth. She practiced faith promise with regard to a son. She asked God for a son, trusted Him for the son, received the son, and returned the son back to God. Her son, Samuel, was one of the greatest men of the Bible.

I. Faith Promise Is Requesting Something From God.

(2 Cor 8:3) "For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;"

A. It means that we ask particularly

(1 Sam 1:11a) "And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child…."

1. When we desire a particular answer, we must ask it in particular.

2. God rejoices over giving us the exact answers to our prayers.

3. He receives more glory through them.

4. Hannah didn't just ask for a child…she asked for boy!

5. Let's we ask God to supply a particular amount for a missions commitment.

B. It means that we ask purposefully

(1 Sam 1:11b) "… then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."

1. Hannah's purpose was to give him back to God.

2. Her desire was that she could have a son who would serve God all the days of his life.

3. What is our purpose for asking God to supply a particular amount of money?

a. There is a biblical principle concerning giving found in Luke 6:38

(Luke 6:38) "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

b. God will bless us as we give, but that should never be the motivation for giving.

(James 4:3) "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

C. It means that we ask persistently

(1 Sam 1:12) "And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth."

1. Sometimes we ask God and then forget about it.

2. Often, how persistent we are will reveal how important it is to us.

II. Faith Promise Is Relying Upon God To Answer

A. There is but One God.

1. Accept no substitutes!

2. Even if it is well-meaning.

3. Hannah's husband tried to meet her need.

4. But that would not satisfy.

B. Only God can supply what we need.

(Phil 4:19) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (2 Cor 8:8) "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love."

1. We trust God for the money.

2. We trust God for the means.

3. We trust God for the measure (specific amount)

C. It is not a matter of us figuring out how to accomplish it…there is no faith involved in that kind of thinking.

III. Faith Promise Is Receiving The Answer

(1 Sam 1:19-20) "And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. {20} Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD."

A. God answers prayer, taking care of:

1. The supply of our own needs

2. The sending forth of laborers

3. The salvation of more souls

B. When we pray, we must pray believing that God answers our prayers.

(Heb 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

1. James warned us of wavering towards God in the matter of prayer.

2. Note: James 1:6-7

C. It is 'Faith' Promise. (Heb 11:1) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

1. If we can see it, it is not of faith.

2. As God supplies that which no one else can supply our faith is increased.

IV. Faith Promise Is Returning It To God

(1 Sam 1:27-28) "For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: {28} Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."

A. We should return it with grace.

(2 Cor 8:9) "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

1. All that we have is by the grace of God.

2. He saved us, He strengthens us, and He supplies our need by His grace.

3. We need to follow His example.

B. We should return it with gladness.

(2 Cor 9:7) "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

1. Some Christians act like it is their money!

2. A stingy, selfish attitude will not please God.

3. Hannah didn't try to re-negotiate with God.

4. A grateful obedient heart led her to give her son to serve God with his life.

5. When we give to God what He supplies to us, do we do it with a willing obedient heart?

C. We should return it with generosity.

(2 Cor 9:6) "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

1. The law of sowing and reaping comes into play in this matter as well.

2. Is God a selfish, miserly God who begrudges everything He has ever done for us?

3. If we have we received so much from God, we should be willing to generously give back to Him that others might come to know Him.

Everyone who is saved -- every man, woman, boy, and girl - can participate in faith promise giving! The question is not whether we can…the question is whether we will.

I. Faith Promise Is Requesting Something From God.

II. Faith Promise Is Relying Upon God To Answer

III. Faith Promise Is Receiving The Answer

IV. Faith Promise Is Returning It To God