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1 Samuel 1:9-14

So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

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, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.

And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

Introduction

In our text today, Hannah finds herself in a place that many of us find ourselves in every day. Someone has a perception about her, and in this case, it is a perception that is wrong, for the moment. There are many who would speculate that Hannah had a drinking problem, why else would a priest accuse her if he had not had experience with this woman and this problem in the past? Perhaps Hannah had been depressed and given to a drink occasionally because she was barren and had no children. After all, verses 5 - 7 tell us there was a problem, and Hannah was deeply distressed. Whatever, the case, Eli, the priest thinks that she is here in the temple drunk. Past experience has led him to a misconception, a judgment upon her character. He thinks he knows her!

What about you? Do people do the same to you each day? Oh, maybe you’re not a drunk, but the question still must be asked, answered and addressed. Who do people think you are?

I. The You At Church

A. The Interview - (take out a mic and begin to act as a reporter)

1. If we ask the Preacher, “Who is _________ and what is she like? What will his answer be?
2. If we ask the Youth Pastor, “Who is _______ and what is she like?
3. If we ask your friends, “Who is _____ and what is she like?
4. You see we will get many answers, but do they know you? Do they know who you are?
5. Or do they see who you want them to THINK you are? (James 1:8)

Who People Think You Are?

(P.S.) There is only one way to answer the above question, and to do that, we will have to go to school.

II. The You At School

A. Once again we will have to get out the mic, but this time we need something else. Our notes. You see, we have a perception of what you are like at church but now we must compare that to what you are like at school. Get the picture? (Begin to ask questions of what people, friends, teachers, etc think _________ is like as you did at church)

B. Stop and ask them as question. If we did this for real, would you be nervous of the answers. ( you could ask for a show of hands)

C. Better yet, If your Youth Pastor came to school and had lunch with you next week, would he or you be embarrassed by others reactions?

P.S. However, we have saved the best for last. What are you like at home? Will Dad and Mom agree with the perception that we have received from everyone else?

III. The You at home

A. Unfortunately, this is where most will get into the most trouble.

B. Our family knows us best.

Elkanah knew his wife best, he knew she was discouraged with no children, and he gave her more to try to comfort her.

(vs. 5)

C. Will your parents agree with the perceptions that we have reached at church and school, or will they be surprised at who others think you are?

P.S. There is one person who knows who you are regardless!

IV. Jesus and You

A. If we brought Jesus here today to testify on your behalf what would we get?

B. An agreement with others, or TO TELL THE TRUTH!

C. You may have people fooled, but He is not!

D. And neither are you!