Read: Genesis 18:1-15 Text: v18
Wherefore did Sarah laugh?
I have often heard it said in
Christian testimonies…words to the effect: "If someone had've
told me 5/10/15 years ago that today I would be a Bible believing
Christian…I would have laughed." Evidently 5/10/15 years ago
that person was living far away from God and it could be said: "God was
not in all his thoughts" Worse…perhaps he had frequently
entertained thoughts/God but such were thoughts of hatred/war. Atheists
think more frequently about God than many professing Christians. But
the point is: Never in their wildest dreams…did some ever think
that they would love Jesus as their Saviour and be found happily among
people/God. And yet it is so.
In our text, we find a woman (who although/Christian) in a similar type
situation. We will tell the story as we go along…but notice, her
laugh/unbelief as she receives a message/God. Evidently…(She
thought!) it could never happen to her. 5 main thoughts:
1) SHE LAUGHED BECAUSE SHE DID NOT BELIEVE GOD'S POWER:
Context: Old Sarah (v11: 90 years: 17:17) has just been informed that she is to bear a child (v10) Most natural thing: Laugh!
A/ Although natural…fallen nature. Not man's word/God's word.
Our nature is fallen because Adam sinned/Eden and his image (nature)
has been passed along to every one born: Genesis5:3/Psalm 51:5
B/ Just as Sarah's womb was dead…so too our soul/dead: Ephesians
2:1 Incapable of bringing forth life. Unregenerate cannot: John 6:44
C/ Sarah obviously never thought: God is able to bring a dead
womb/life. No Bible record that they had been down before, although
Genesis 1:1-3 amply proves the rebuke of v14
D/ Many who doubt God's power to convert/cleanse/change the dead sinner. It is so! Isaiah 63:1/Isaiah 59:2/Hebrews 7:25
2) SHE LAUGHED BECAUSE SHE DID NOT BELIEVE GOD'S PURPOSES:
A/ There are those who believe: God could if He wanted to… but
argue fervently that He never would. Obviously Sarah thought like this.
Unless such is clearly taboo in Bible (Titus 1:2) … who are we
to dictate to God? Romans 11:34/Isaiah 55:8-9
B/ There are those who believe that God is not interested in saving really hopeless cases: Mostly Pharisees: Luke 7:37-39/15:2
C/ One case that disproves it all. Saul/Tarsus: 1 Timothy 1:15 "chief of sinners"
D/ Bible makes it clear that it is the purpose/God to save sinners:
Romans 5:6/"whosoever"/assurance: John 6:37 etc.,
E/ None can argue from God's decrees: who can/cannot be saved.
Don't be a Sarah! It is a sin to limit what God has not: Psalm 78:41
3) HER LAUGH, ALTHOUGH PRIVATE: HEARD AND CHALLENGED BY GOD:
Passage says: v12 No loud "guffaws" No beaming smiles.
A/ But God saw it. God is He who "searches/heart" (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
B/ Some folk are not so vocal in their unbelief/gospel. If you waiting
for a damning word…never hear it. BUT…God sees/heart.
C/ Ult. Unbelief is unbelief no matter where it is displayed: In the
gospel…unbelief is taken to be an insult to God: 1 John 5:10
Such may not be your intention…but it is so and is justly
punished: Mark 16:15
D/ Often God challenges folk in Day/grace about this sin/unbelief.
Good! Such a challenge is an overture/grace: Isaiah 1:18
E/ There is another Day/Challenge: Not so good! Revelation 6:15-17
4) HER LAUGH SOON TURNED TO FEAR: v15
A/ Bible does say: Hebrews 10:31 esp. so when in unbelief. God cannot
look favourably upon unbelief. Honest sceptics etc., isn't the
recognised language/heaven…sincere doubt...etc., Unbelief is
sin.
B/ God did not merely make/statement…He asked a question. Denotes: Responsibility. It was interrogative. Why?
C/ Today…God says to sinners: Why are you not saved? Why do you
love your sin? Why do you pass by my Son/Calvary? Lamentations 1:12
D/ Already said: Other Day: Revelation 6:15-17
E/ If in fear…do not try to lie to God. Add sin/sin. Can't bluff Him.
If in fear…be like men/Jerusalem: Acts 2:37 Philippian 16:29-30
Fear is a most natural thing…but God says to repenters: Fear not.
5) GOD'S WORD PREVAILED - HER LAUGH BECAME THE LAUGH/FAITH:
A/ God's word will prevail. God will save sinners: Acts 2:47/13:48
Men might still mock/scorn/deny…but sinners are being saved.
B/ Sarah soon learned that her dead womb could produce life: 21:1
God can change your dead soul: Eph 2:1 and Sarah's laugh (once of scorn) soon became a better laugh: 21:6 Reminds: 1 Peter 1:8.
Appeal.
THE END