“Is Anything TOO Hard for God?” Genesis 18:1-15 God was teaching Abraham and Sarah an important lesson here: with God all things are possible. In our text, Abraham and Sarah invite three strangers to a meal. The Bible tells us that three strangers appeared before Abraham and Sarah; but in fact they were God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit in human form. They have a special message for Abraham and Sarah. In a year, you will finally have the promised child. The Bible says that Sarah laughed and said, “how can a worn-out woman like me have a baby.” This story is so rich in meaning, and I want to share with you three things that I see in this text. #1. God is bringing Abraham & Sarah to the end of their strength and ability before God’s promised was fulfilled. This is not something new, because God wants us to know that He do the impossible, we can’t. After the meal the guests of Abraham asked, “Where is your wife?” This is an interesting question, since they know the name of Abraham’s wife without any mention of it by Abraham. Later the LORD knows what Sarah’s thinking, and yet He asks, “where is she?” Why does He do this? I think the LORD asks so that Sarah, hearing her name spoken, would pay attention to what was said next in the conversation. Abraham had already heard the promise concerning Isaac. Surely, he told Sarah, but she was struggling with doubt. So, now the LORD comes so that Sarah can hear it straight from His mouth and believe. Note that the LORD begins by promising that which is humanly impossible. “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and behold, Sarah, your wife will have a son.” The Bible tells us that Sarah was listening, but she doubted. In her natural strength, she was barren, way past the time to bear to a child. That’s where the LORD wants us in our relationship with Him: to recognize our weaknesses and trust in His strength. Many people mistakenly think that the reason they struggle in the Christian life is that they are too weak! That is not always the case; the reason we struggle in our Christian Walk is that we do not recognize our weakness for what it. Paul was told by God, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9) When we see our weakness, and cast ourselves on the LORD’s strength, then we are strong. God doesn’t help those who help themselves; He helps the helpless. #2. Unbelief stems from a human perspective that leaves God out of the equation. There is a difference between Abraham’s laughter in chapter 17 and Sarah’s laughter here in chapter 18. The LORD did not rebuke Abraham for laughing, but He did rebuke Sarah. Abraham’s laughter may have stemmed from being startled or astonished at what the LORD had said to him. But apparently the LORD, who knows our heart, knew that Abraham was not doubting God’s promise. Sarah’s laughter was different; it stemmed from her unbelief. She was way past the age when a woman could bear a child. (that math doesn’t make sense) But she left out one crucial factor in her calculations: the power of an omnipotent God who can do the impossible. We’re so quick to calculate from our human perspective that it is easy to forget that God in the outcome. Perhaps you’re facing an overwhelming problem right now? Maybe it’s the salvation of a loved one thinking there is no way this person is ever going to come to faith in Jesus! Factor God into the situation and suddenly the equation changes. God has a powerful sense of humor. A great example is the following story: In the year 1870, the United Brethren denomination in Indiana was having its annual conference. At one point, the president of the college where they were meeting said, “I think we live in a very exciting age.” The presiding bishop said, “What do you see?” The college president responded, “I believe we are coming into a time of great inventions. I believe, for example that men will fly like birds.” The bishop said, “This is heresy! The Bible says that flight is reserved for the angels. We will have no such talk here.” After the conference, the bishop, whose name was Milton Wright, went home to his two small sons, Wilbur and Orville. The Bishop who said that it was heresy to envision a time when people would fly, was the father of the two boys who created the means to fly. (Flight is Reserved for the Angels – Monroe Journal, July 10, 2014) Sarah laughed when God said she was going to have a child. God then confronted her and she denied that she laughed. So God said, “But you did laugh.” Perhaps she was afraid. Perhaps she just couldn’t imagine all that God could do. Laughter is a coping tool. Life is too complex and painful. To compensate people laugh to get by. Laughter becomes a way of covering up their doubts and fears. Laughter is good but believing that God can do anything is serious business. God wants us to have a strong faith, in order for us to get though life. God wants us to believe that God cares, and that God can do the impossible. #3. Which brings me to my last point: the danger of cynicism. It’s okay to laugh as long as we don’t become cynical. The cynic is one who doubts and expresses those doubts with sarcasm. When that happens, it is offensive to God since God wants us to believe, especially believe in the impossible. God didn’t punish Sarah and Abraham for disbelieving, nor did God judge them for laughing at the news of having a son. Instead, God made believers out of them by following through with His promise. In chapter 21, we learn that Abraham became a father at the age of 100 and Sarah a mother at the age of 90. Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” In other words, God had the last laugh. Some of the greatest figures in the Bible — Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David — had to wait many years to see God’s promises. Everything that happened in the meantime was used to prepare them, inwardly as well as outwardly. Then, when their promises came to fruition, they were blessed beyond measure. God invites us to trust in His goodness today and His faithfulness tomorrow. Relinquishing control to Him is the main route to experience His love and peace. It unites our hearts with His. It creates a level of maturity and character that we will take into the future, and it enables us to enjoy His future blessings even more. Until next week when we meet at the P.E.W. Pastor Joel