<strong>TITLE: HOW AM I SERVING OTHERS: AM I SERVING OTHERS THROUGH SACRIFICE?  </strong>

<strong>TEXT: I SAMUEL 2:18-21; 3:1-21</strong><strong>  </strong>

<strong>INTRODUCTION</strong>
<ol>
	<li>Samuel’s life was a life of sacrifice <u> </u>
<ol>
	<li>His mother, Hannah, sacrificed her son to the LORD</li>
	<li>His mother, Hannah, sacrificed her son to the house of the LORD</li>
</ol>
</li>
	<li>Samuel served sacrificially <u> </u></li>
	<li>The benefit and blessing of a child sacrificed to the LORD <u> </u>
<ol>
	<li>Benefit =</li>
	<li>Blessing =</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<strong>SAMUEL MINISTERED TO THE LORD</strong>
<ol>
	<li>Samuel ministered to the LORD <u> </u></li>
	<li>Samuel did not know the LORD</li>
	<li>The word of the LORD was not yet revealed to him</li>
	<li>How could Samuel minister to the LORD without knowing the LORD? <u> </u></li>
	<li>The blessings of ministering to the LORD without knowing the LORD <u> </u></li>
	<li>The burdens of ministering to the LORD without knowing the LORD <u> </u></li>
</ol>
<strong>MINISTERING TO THE LORD IS NOT ALWAYS EASY</strong>
<ol>
	<li>Samuel’s relationship with Eli <u> </u></li>
	<li>Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what the LORD said <u> </u></li>
	<li>Samuel shares God’s judgment against Eli <u> </u></li>
	<li>Eli’s response, “He is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him” <u> </u></li>
	<li>Although it is not easy, it is doable <u> </u></li>
	<li>My ministry belongs to God</li>
	<li>My responsibility: Be Faithful and Obedient</li>
	<li>God’s Responsibility: Deal with the Details</li>
</ol>
<strong>MINISTERING TO THE LORD HAS REWARDS</strong>
<ol>
	<li>Samuel grew <u> </u></li>
	<li>The LORD was with Samuel <u> </u></li>
	<li>Samuel was successful in his ministry <u> </u></li>
	<li>Everyone knew that Samuel was the LORD’s prophet <u> </u></li>
</ol>