The Fulfillment of Faith Promise - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

Watch Part 1 here:

Watch Part 2 here:

The Fulfillment of Faith Promise

Part I

Faith Promise Demonstrated in the Old Testament

Text: 1 Samuel 1

Intro: There are several kinds of giving mentioned in the Bible.

One is called “tithing.” This is where a person gives back to God 10 percent of their earnings.

Abraham tithed 400 years before the Law was given.

The other kind of giving is what we call “free will offerings.”

This is giving toward a specific need for a specific purpose, and this money is above and beyond the tithe.

The other type of giving found in the Scriptures is what we call Faith Promise Giving.

It is not a gimmick; it is not a tactic or idea cooked up by the church to get more money.

It is a biblical principle that is found throughout the Scriptures.

One example of Faith Promise Giving was Abraham offering up Isaac on Mount Moriah.

Hebrews 11

• 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

• 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

• 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Isaac was the result of a promise from God, and Abraham gave him back to God by faith expecting God to resurrect him from the dead.

Abraham was willing to give Isaac back to God because God had already promised him that he would be the father of a great nation.

One of the greatest examples of Faith Promise Giving is found in 1 Samuel chapter 1.

The details of this story dovetail perfectly with the New Testament teaching on Faith Promise Giving.

Let’s dissect this story and look at the Fulfillment that comes from the whole concept of Faith Promise Giving.

I am calling this message “The Fulfillment of Faith Promise” for two reasons:

     1. If you promise it, you should fulfill that promise.

     2. And when you fulfill your promise, you will experience fulfillment unlike anything else!

I. The Problem Examined

A. She was Barren – vs. 2, 5 and 6

The Bible mentions this very important fact multiple times.

• Vs. 2 – but Hannah had no children

• Vs. 5 – but the Lord had shut up her womb.

• Vs. 6 – because the Lord had shut up her womb.

• In verse 11, Hannah called her condition “an affliction.”

People always give excuses for not giving to missions. 

Their number one reason is they can't afford it.

They simply do not have anything to give.

They don't have any extra money. 

Well, that's a great place to start. 

It is called “faith” promise for a reason!! 

If you had it, you wouldn't have to promise it by faith!

B. She was Broken – vs. 7 “…therefore she wept, and did not eat.”

She was not content to be barren.

She wanted a child.

She wanted something to give to her husband as a token of her love.

She was not happy only receiving, but not returning that love.

Notice in verse 5, her husband was always giving her a worthy portion, but she had nothing to give back, and she was broken.

How important is it for you to be able to give back?

C. She was Bitter – vs. 10 “…and she was in bitterness of soul.”

She was embarrassed at the fact that others gave but she had nothing to give. 

She didn't get angry at those that gave.  She didn't get mad at those that “provoked” her.

We are supposed to provoke one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

When she realized she had nothing to give, she didn't get mad at those that were giving or at the fact that she was expected to give.

She dealt with her frustration and bitterness the correct way; she went to God in prayer about it and turned it over to him.

II. The Promise Expressed

A. It was Simple – vs. 11

It was not a complicated thing. 

Faith Promise Giving is simple.

If God gives to you, you will give to him.

She trusted God to give her something to give back.

It's just that simple!

B. It was Specific – vs. 11

She asked God for a man child.  Not just any child. 

She was specific in her request. 

Faith Promise giving is not saying "Lord, if you'll give me some money this week, I'll give it to missions." 

True faith will say "Lord, if you'll provide me with ______ this week like I felt impressed to give, then I'll give it."

C. It was Special – vs. 11

 She knew that if God gave it to her, she was to give it back to Him. 

It was set apart. It was sanctified. 

In other words, our Faith Promise missions money is not to go for pleasure and eating out and vacations when it comes in.  It should be set apart for God's work. 

When you get it, that is what it goes to!

D. It was Sincere – vs. 15 I have poured out my soul...

She did all she could do, and she meant every word of her promise. 

It was not just an empty promise to make somebody feel good. 

This was important to her. She REALLY wanted to do this. 

Faith Promise giving is based on an intense desire to do something for God and others; not just obligation.

III. The Provision Expected

A. Their Peace – vs. 17, 18 “…Go in peace…and her countenance was no more sad.”

Knowing exactly what God wants you to do and trusting Him for the outcome will bring a great peace in the fact that what you are doing is according to God's perfect will.

Making the fulfillment of the Great Commission a priority in your life will yield great peace and blessings.

Getting involved; doing your part; not sitting back and watching others do what you should be doing is pure joy!

B. Their Priority – vs. 19 and they rose up early in the morning

When you get involved in Faith Promise giving, it should be a priority. 

You don't just forget about it and go on like nothing happened. 

It will make you aware of God's Provision and you'll notice the changes that God is making in your own life and in the lives of those that are affected by your giving.

C. Their Praise – vs. 19

They worshipped God and were completely trusting in Him that He would provide.

Faith Promise giving is best demonstrated when we worship and rejoice in God's goodness; not misery and discouragement and complaining because it is just another offering.

Becoming a conduit; a vessel; a channel for a miracle is something to get excited about!!

D. Their Participation – vs. 19

The Bible says they went to their house and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife…

He didn't just trust God to give her a child, and drop her off at the house and take a 6 month business trip!

Though they were trusting God for the final outcome, they did their part.

We might have to look for ways to save money, make a little extra money, budget your groceries.

You might have to cut back on eating out or whatever.

Faith Promise is God helping those that help themselves.

Do all you can and leave the rest up to Him.

I love this part of the verse: and the Lord remembered her.

God remembered Hannah; but He also remembered her Faith Promise.

This was not the first time that Elkanah had known Hannah his wife.

But this was the first time that Elkanah had known Hannah his wife AFTER her Faith Promise.

And it had a completely different outcome.

He will see you doing your part and He will remember you. AMEN!

IV. The Petition Experienced – vs. 27 “the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.”

God honored her Faith Promise

A. The Source of the Petition - vs. 20

She named him Samuel, "because I have asked him of the Lord".

She knew when her prayer was answered that it was a direct answer and where it came from. 

She didn't make excuses not to keep her promise. 

She knew it was from God.

B. The Sending of the Petition – vs. 24

She didn't hang on.  She was not giving grudgingly. 

She gave this child to God just as soon as she could.

Just as soon as he was weaned, she gave him.

She didn’t wait until he was 18 or whatever. 

When God provides your Faith Promise, give it!

Don't mess around. Keep your promise to Him.

C. The Sustaining of the Petition – 2:19

She didn't give one thing one time and forget about it.

Her gift to God required some maintenance!

She went back every year and brought Samuel a little coat.

But every year, that coat was a little bit bigger!  Her giving grew. 

Conclusion: Failing to get in on the blessings of Faith Promise will be one of the greatest mistakes you’ll ever make!

The Fulfillment of Faith Promise

Part 2

Faith Promise Detailed in the New Testament

I. The Principle of Faith Promise

·        2 Corinthians 8:10,11 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

               A. The Advice – “I give my advice…”

               B. The Advantage – “…for this is expedient for you…”

               C. The Aspiration – “…who have begun before…to be forward a year ago.”

               D. The Action – “…now therefore perform the doing of it…”

II. The People of Faith Promise

Faith Promise is meant for everybody to get involved in.

It is amazing how Faith Promise giving crosses all barriers and touches the lives of people all over the world.

Faith Promise Missions Giving is international in nature.

EXAMPLE: The Apostle Paul, a Jewish believer from Tarsus, is writing to the Corinthian believers in Greece, using the Macedonians as an example, and asked them to give what they had promised a year earlier for the sake of some Jews in Judea.

It doesn’t just work in America.

It works all over the world.

We implemented Faith Promise Missions in our church in South Africa.

We watched the new believers grow, watched their faith grow, watched the offerings grow and our outreach grow.

III. The Partnership of Faith Promise

The missionary has a need, which is money.

We have a need, which is missionaries. 

We both have wants, and the other can fulfill that want.

It's a mutual relationship.

Then Paul references the gathering of the manna.

Exodus 16

·        16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.

·        17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

·        18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

One important aspect of Faith Promise giving is the participation of everyone.

Just as everyone in Exodus 16 were supposed to gather manna, we are all to be involved in faith promise.

IV. The Parable of Faith Promise

·        2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

                              1. You always reap WHAT you sow

                              2. You always reap AFTER you sow

                              3. You always reap MORE than you sow

NOTE: Paul referred to this fact in Philippians 4:17.

• Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Paul was reminding the church in Phillipi that their monetary gift to him as a missionary produced fruit in Thessalonica.

NOTE: God is supremely interested in fruit.

• John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

V. The Power of Faith Promise – 2 Corinthians 8

               A. They gave in spite of their Problems – vs. 2

• 2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction...”

               B. They gave in spite of their Poverty – vs. 2

• 2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”

               C. They gave in spite of their Power – vs. 3

• 2 Corinthians 8:3 “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”

VI. The Particulars of Faith Promise

2 Corinthians 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.

• 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

A. It is Personal Giving – “…every man…”

B. It is Planned Giving – “…according as he hath purposed in his heart…” (see verse 2)

C. It is Persistent Giving – “…so let him give…”

D. It is Positive Giving – “…not grudgingly, or of necessity…”

E. It is Proving Giving – “…and God is able to make all grace abound toward you…”

Make no mistake: God will make the grace of giving abound do those that give.

SEE chapter 8:6, 7

• 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

• 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

VII. The Pledge of Faith Promise – Philippians 4:10-19

A. I will give to Missions because God will Strengthen – vs. 13

B. I will give to Missions because God will See – vs. 18

C. I will give to Missions because God will Supply – vs. 19