WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.540 Bible with you this morning, please open it up to Genesis chapter 18. Genesis chapter 18. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:24.019 We're continuing on through the story of Abraham, and there's been a lot of that journey. I'm not 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:29.780 going to sum it all up again, but essentially God has made some amazing promises to Abraham 00:00:29.780 --> 00:00:38.900 and Abraham has trusted God, but he's also had difficulty and struggle all along the way. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:46.060 Two Sundays ago, we saw how the Lord renewed the covenant or not renewed, but confirmed the 00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:52.159 covenant that he had made with Abraham and gave him the very specific promise that Abraham was 00:00:52.159 --> 00:01:01.739 probably waiting for. About this time next year, you will have a son by Sarah. Finally, a date to circle 00:01:01.739 --> 00:01:08.179 on the calendar by which God would do what he had promised to do or begin to bring all of this 00:01:08.179 --> 00:01:15.939 to pass. And it's not long after this that we come to our story for this morning, which is in Genesis 18. 00:01:15.939 --> 00:01:25.679 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to 00:01:25.679 --> 00:01:34.680 his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:41.379 he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:48.759 if I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be 00:01:48.759 --> 00:01:54.560 brought and, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something 00:01:54.560 --> 00:02:02.179 to eat so you can be refreshed and then go on your way. Now that you have come to your servant. 00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:12.000 Very well, they answered, do as you say. So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah quick. He said, 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:19.360 get three seeds of the finest flour and need it and bake some bread. Then he ran to the herd and 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:26.040 selected a choice tender calf and gave it to a servant who hurried to prepare it. He then brought 00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:32.159 some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them. While they ate, 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:40.639 he stood near them under a tree. Where is your wife, Sarah? They asked him. They're in the tent, 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:49.840 he said. Then one of them said, I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah, 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:57.039 your wife will have a son. Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 00:02:57.039 --> 00:03:05.859 Abraham and Sarah were already very old and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to 00:03:05.859 --> 00:03:12.560 herself as she thought, after I am worn out and my Lord is old, will I now have this pleasure? 00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:21.479 Then the Lord said to Abraham, why did Sarah laugh and say, will I really have a child now that I am old? 00:03:21.479 --> 00:03:30.719 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:42.239 have a son. Sarah was afraid. So she lied and said, I did not laugh. But he said, yes, you did laugh. 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:55.320 So here we have another appearance from the Lord, not long after his most recent one. And it's quite 00:03:55.320 --> 00:04:03.140 the story. It begins with Moses telling us that the Lord appeared to Abraham. And as soon as we hear 00:04:03.140 --> 00:04:10.460 that, we're kind of, we're ready to know more about this encounter with God. What was this like? 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:19.079 But the first thing that he tells us is that Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:25.340 This is different than some of the other ways that God has appeared in the past through visions, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:36.540 through just speaking to him with a, with a voice. God, the Lord Yahweh appears to Abraham in human 00:04:36.540 --> 00:04:44.180 form or in human form or in human appearance. And we get confirmation of that further down in the 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:52.120 passage. In verse 10, we find out that one of them says the very same promise that the Lord had said in 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:59.680 the previous chapter. And then in verse 13, then the Lord said to Abraham, this conversation just kind of 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:04.540 continues on. And it's, it's, it's, it's kind of partway through that we realized that one of these men 00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:13.600 is the Lord himself. If we continue to read through the story for the rest of the chapter and into the 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:23.620 beginning of 19, we discover there that the two other men were angels. And this is, this is a, a, a very 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:31.300 strange kind of thing. I mean, can you imagine what Abraham might have been thinking in all of this? 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:39.280 We're kind of left to wonder at what point did he realize that this was the Lord? Was it right at the 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:47.360 beginning? Did he recognize him right away? Or was it kind of partway through? And there's kind of back 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:52.540 and forth over this. And at the end of the day, I'm not sure we can really confidently say this is the 00:05:52.540 --> 00:06:01.160 moment where it clicked, where it dawned. But at the end of the, all of this, what an amazing thing 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:07.080 to have happen. I mean, imagine this, there you are standing at the door of your house, 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:15.200 looking out and you see three men on the driveway. And one of them is the Lord himself, 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:25.259 God himself, God himself, the one who we have, we know from before this spoke the universe into being 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:34.699 in his righteousness and justice. He flooded the whole world. He's the, he's the one who confused the 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:46.120 languages of the people, the builders at Babel. This God, Yahweh, the Lord was standing there 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:59.300 in human appearance. He came stooped down in a sense to pay a visit to Abraham face to face 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:04.680 and confirm. Yes, I am going to keep my promise to you. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:12.400 Can you imagine what Abraham must've been thinking in that moment? Like quick, we got to get the best 00:07:12.400 --> 00:07:18.080 we have of everything. Like this is, this is not just a once in a lifetime thing for some people. 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:25.800 They'd never get this opportunity to meet with the Lord like this, to have a visit like this quick. 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:32.920 Let's get the finest flour, bake, bake some bread, get the best calf that we have, kill it, make a feast 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:36.920 and set it before the guests. 00:07:43.220 --> 00:07:49.720 Well, this visit was not without purpose. The Lord came with a very specific purpose in mind 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:59.060 and very quickly the Lord turns and the angels with him. They turn the conversation to Sarah. 00:08:00.200 --> 00:08:08.500 Verse nine, where is your wife, Sarah? They asked him. Oh, they're in the tent, he said. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:18.500 Then one of them said, I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah, your wife, 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.680 will have a son. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:29.420 We get this detail. Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:34.980 You've probably seen that moment in the movies. I love that moment where someone important comes to the house 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:41.019 to meet with someone and they go into the room to privately have their conversation and then the whole rest 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:46.259 of the family goes up against the door and they're all listening. You know, this is kind of the picture 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:53.399 we get of Sarah. She's, she's out of sight. She's in the tent, but she's, she's, she's listening in to this 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:58.220 conversation. And then she hears the wildest thing. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:11.600 The Lord says about this time next year, Sarah will have a son and it rises up within her. She, she laughs. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:21.019 But notice what it says in the story. It says she laughs to herself. Like we've probably all had a moment 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:25.840 like that too, where we just at a moment found something really funny, but it maybe wasn't 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:32.220 appropriate to laugh out loud. And so we're kind of just trying to like stifle it and keep it in. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:41.500 This is, this is Sarah in this moment. The thought of having a child at 89 years old. 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:52.240 You've got to be kidding me. Like this is, she laughs to herself, literally laughs within herself silently. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:10:03.200 Nobody heard a thing. And then the craziest thing ever from Sarah's perspective happens. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:14.100 The Lord says to Abraham, why did Sarah laugh and say, and then he basically just repeats the very 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:18.019 words that she was thinking in her head silently in that moment. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:23.279 Can you imagine how Sarah must've felt in that moment? Like, Whoa, 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:27.699 she kind of comes out and I didn't laugh. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.899 Yes, you did laugh. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:38.639 It's understandable in a sense that she's afraid. It says she lied because she was afraid. I mean, 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:46.720 how, when does this happen to you that, that someone else repeats your very thoughts 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:54.960 in front of you? It's in a sense, we, we, we, we have to expect that she's going to try to cover up 00:10:54.960 --> 00:11:00.420 the reality that the Lord knew what happened in that moment in her heart. 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:10.060 It's right about here that we start to wonder, well, why did she laugh? Just what was so funny 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:18.839 about this? And in the story, we're given a few different reasons. The first comes to us. 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:33.099 Verse 11. The narrator reminds us Abraham and Sarah were already very old. Abraham was 99 years old. 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:41.399 Sarah was 89 years old. So don't just picture a woman hiding behind the tent flap. That's young. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:44.300 Picture an elderly woman. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.620 The second reason. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:52.980 And verse 11, Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 00:11:52.980 --> 00:12:04.139 The Hebrew euphemism there makes it quite clear that she got her membership to the menopause club a long time ago. 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:11.320 And for those of us men who maybe don't really think about that a lot, let me translate that for you. 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:19.659 When it comes to reproducing, Sarah was no longer producing her half of the equation that's required 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:25.779 for there to be offspring, a child conceived. 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:32.959 Biologically, physiologically, it's impossible for her. 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:39.559 That's the second reason she laughs. I mean, this doesn't happen. 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:45.379 It got me thinking, you know, what is the 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:48.699 kind of the oldest age at which you could 00:12:48.699 --> 00:12:52.619 become pregnant? And I just did a little bit of googling. 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.299 I was curious. 00:12:54.359 --> 00:12:58.979 And I was shocked. Apparently, the oldest one we have on record, 00:12:59.119 --> 00:13:03.179 aside from this one, which is not included in that for some reason, 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:06.919 is a person in 1881. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:09.379 This is like last century. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:13.959 At the age of 62, she conceived naturally. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:18.339 And that is like a once in a century kind of thing. 00:13:18.459 --> 00:13:20.479 Like this is extremely rare. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:25.039 And so here Sarah is 89 years old. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.639 It's impossible. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:31.439 This doesn't happen. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:32.980 I mean, she's barren. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.799 She hasn't had children yet. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:38.600 She's already been through the range of emotions over and over and over again. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:44.159 I imagine a woman in that place would be very quick to search out 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:48.179 and look for those stories of women who have conceived later in life. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.080 But it's not that it was unlikely for her. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.759 Like it was over. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:59.840 She had long moved on from that idea of having it happen the natural way. 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:02.259 Like, what are you talking about? 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:11.519 There's a hint of cynicism in her voice. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:12.740 Skepticism. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.379 She asks this question. 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:16.500 She says, or she thinks, 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:20.100 After I am worn out and my Lord is old, 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:22.299 will I now have this pleasure? 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.779 Like, yeah, right. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.620 It's not even possible. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:32.759 And the Lord kind of confirms that this was her attitude 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:36.259 in the way that he phrases the question. 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:39.220 Why did Sarah laugh and say, 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:42.639 Will I really have a child now that I am old? 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.720 Like, really? 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.980 Like, yes, really. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:50.659 The Lord said it and he meant it. 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:53.980 And she's questioning whether it's really true, 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:56.600 whether it's truly going to happen. 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:59.799 The Lord himself says, 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:02.600 Is anything too hard for the Lord? 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:06.259 And it's a good translation, 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:09.700 but kind of bound up in the sense of that question, 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:11.019 too hard is the idea. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.340 Is anything too wonderful, 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:15.060 too miraculous, 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.039 too marvelous, 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.000 that the Lord can't do it? 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.720 The reason the Lord asks that question 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:24.279 is because Sarah thinks it is. 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.519 This is impossible. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:30.039 This is just not going to happen. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:35.799 And yet the Lord affirms again. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.759 He says it again. 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:40.659 I will return to you at the appointed time next year 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:43.740 and Sarah will have a son. 00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:48.240 Notice the way that the Lord 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:50.860 phrases his question to Abraham. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.879 Sarah is kind of back in the tent at this moment, 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.600 still in verse 13. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:57.860 He says, 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:00.500 Why did Sarah laugh and say, 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.200 Will I really have a child now that I am old? 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:07.399 Of course, the Lord knows the answer to that question. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.700 It's a rhetorical question. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:11.039 What's the statement beneath that? 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:15.779 I think the statement is simple. 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.959 The Lord expects 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:20.559 that his people 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:22.980 will take him at his word. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.199 He said that he would do it. 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:29.099 And this is not the first time Sarah's heard it either. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:32.240 He said that he would do it. 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:34.960 And he expects that we, 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:38.159 that she would take him at his word. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.080 At the same time, 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.659 I think we, 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.259 you know, 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.420 we understand Sarah. 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.800 We understand the laughter. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.680 We understand, 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.500 like, 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.100 this is impossible. 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:54.100 Notice the Lord's claim in verse 14. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.240 This is, 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:58.240 these are my favorite words in the whole story. 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:02.700 Will I really have a child now that I am old? 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.860 Why did she say that? 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:08.279 Is anything too hard for the Lord? 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:12.400 What a thing to say. 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:18.240 Her getting pregnant at 89, 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:21.080 restarting that stuff in her body 00:17:21.080 --> 00:17:23.019 and enabling her to conceive, 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.440 that's nothing. 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:27.160 Of course I can do that. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.259 There's, 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.900 that's easy. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.240 That's not too hard for me. 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:32.880 That's not too wonderful 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:34.420 or miraculous for me. 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:37.840 But notice that it's not just that, 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.240 that he, 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.820 that the Lord claims. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.200 He says, 00:17:40.280 --> 00:17:42.040 is anything too hard 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:42.700 for the Lord? 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.159 Like anything, 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:45.460 that, 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:45.819 that's, 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.200 that's, 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:48.200 that's a whole lot more. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.079 Think about that. 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.319 Is there anything 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:55.759 that I cannot do? 00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:57.319 Says the Lord. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.980 What a thing to say. 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.639 It reminds me of my days 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:04.680 back in Bible college 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.920 and I don't know 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.220 who brought this up, 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.859 but this ridiculous question, 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:13.619 if God can do anything, 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:15.000 can he create a rock 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.099 that's so heavy 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:18.059 that he can't lift it? 00:18:19.439 --> 00:18:20.039 I don't know 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.679 if you've ever heard 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:21.500 that question. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.259 Ridiculous question, 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.159 you know, 00:18:24.199 --> 00:18:25.240 because if he can't create 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.240 a rock that's too heavy 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.979 for him to lift, 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.219 then he can't do everything. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.099 Or if he can create it, 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:30.959 but he can't lift it, 00:18:30.979 --> 00:18:32.079 then he can't do everything. 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.159 Like, 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.539 what a load of hooey. 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.939 Listen to what the Lord says. 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.939 Is anything too hard 00:18:37.939 --> 00:18:39.000 for the Lord? 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.839 Answer, 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.160 no. 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:45.240 I can do anything. 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.140 I can create a rock 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:46.839 of any size 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.019 and I can lift it too. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.680 Anything. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:53.079 This is the Lord's claim 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:55.720 to being all-powerful, 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.359 all-mighty. 00:18:58.359 --> 00:19:09.519 So the year goes by 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:13.399 and I imagine 00:19:13.399 --> 00:19:14.619 there's great expectation 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:17.279 both Abraham and Sarah. 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:20.039 The story continues 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.059 in chapter 21, 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:21.799 verse 1. 00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:24.779 Now the Lord visited Sarah 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.419 as he had said, 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:28.860 and the Lord did for Sarah 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:30.420 what he had promised. 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:32.680 Sarah became pregnant 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.180 and bore a son 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.880 to Abraham 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:36.320 in his old age 00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:38.180 at the very time 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.580 God had promised him. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.539 Abraham gave him 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.440 the name Isaac, 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.580 gave the name Isaac 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:46.060 to the son Sarah bore him. 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.980 When his son Isaac 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.840 was eight days old, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.200 Abraham circumcised him 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.259 as God commanded him. 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:53.940 Abraham was a hundred years old 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.920 when his son Isaac 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.840 was born to him. 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.320 Sarah said, 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.940 God has brought me laughter 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:02.080 and everyone who hears 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:02.700 about this 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.799 will laugh with me. 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.400 And she added, 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:06.720 who would have said 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.340 to Abraham 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:09.460 that Sarah would nurse children 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.360 yet I have born him 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:11.799 a son 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:13.420 in his old age. 00:20:15.080 --> 00:20:16.279 The year goes by, 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.039 there's some events 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.779 that Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.640 some other things, 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.360 a journey down 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:22.140 to southern Judah 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:24.920 and then the time comes. 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.720 She's pregnant. 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.280 This pregnancy 00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:29.220 is going forward 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.920 and finally 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.420 the long-awaited 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.280 son of promise 00:20:32.280 --> 00:20:32.900 has come. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:36.040 25 years plus 00:20:36.040 --> 00:20:38.480 after the initial promise 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.540 that he would be 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:40.520 the father 00:20:40.520 --> 00:20:41.780 of a great 00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:43.740 numerous offspring. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:46.140 A long time 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.759 in the making, 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.680 but what a sweet moment. 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:50.160 it must have been 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:52.400 for this elderly couple. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.620 Notice the emphasis 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.500 of the one 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.380 telling the story. 00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:57.680 Three times 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.200 he makes it crystal clear. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.100 The Lord visited Sarah 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:03.539 as he had said. 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.759 And the Lord did for Sarah 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:08.560 what he had promised. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.900 She became pregnant 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.560 and bore a son 00:21:10.560 --> 00:21:11.060 to Abraham 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:12.039 in his old age 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.940 at the very time 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:16.500 God had promised him. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:20.380 God kept 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.500 his promise 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:23.019 and he did it 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.259 exactly as he said 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.720 he would. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.799 Three times 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.640 he emphasizes it. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.619 The triple whammy. 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.359 Yes, 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.500 God did 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.440 what he said 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.160 he would do. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.319 And we see this 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.059 kind of 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.339 come full circle 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.400 when it comes 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:39.799 to this 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.599 laughter. 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.039 You remember 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.000 how this all started? 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:44.099 Abraham falling 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.819 on his face 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.699 before the Lord 00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:46.379 and laughing 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.019 at the thought 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.779 of his wife 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:49.039 becoming pregnant 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.959 and bearing a son 00:21:49.959 --> 00:21:50.819 in her old age. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.039 God goes along 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.000 with it graciously. 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.059 All right, 00:21:55.219 --> 00:21:56.339 we're going to call him 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.939 Isaac 00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.639 which means 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.339 he laughed. 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:00.779 Then the laughter 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.939 passes on to Sarah. 00:22:02.699 --> 00:22:03.299 A little different 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.000 kind of laughter. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.799 Cynical, 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.619 kind of unbelieving, 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:08.539 skeptical, 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:09.980 doubting laughter. 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:12.920 And finally 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.039 it comes full circle. 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.480 The child is born 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:17.380 and look at Sarah's words. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.720 God has brought me laughter. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.900 This is the gift of God, 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.640 this son. 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.539 And not only 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.900 do I have him 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.480 but I have 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.319 the laughter, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.240 I have joy. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.980 And even when it, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.579 you know, 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.660 the people around me 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.400 they're going to laugh 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.039 with me. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.120 I'm going to laugh 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.140 with me. 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:42.140 After all those years 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:44.279 of trying 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.799 and trying 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.360 and trying 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.559 and not getting 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.440 her heart's desire 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.099 and then trying 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.640 to do it 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.980 through Ishmael 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.079 with Hagar, 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.779 at last 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.740 the son 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.779 of promise 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.819 is here 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.860 and Abraham 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.519 and Sarah 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.539 are filled 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.860 with great joy. 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.900 I love the picture 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.420 that we get 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:07.880 of God 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:09.299 in this story. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:12.559 He's the God 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.079 who knows 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.500 exactly what we're thinking. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.200 He hears 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.920 the silent thoughts 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.720 of our hearts 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.759 just as he did 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.319 for Sarah. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.579 I love the picture 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.120 that we get 00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:24.620 of his, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:27.259 just how powerful 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.900 he is. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.579 Is anything 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:30.000 too hard for me? 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.460 I can do anything. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.380 I love the picture 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:37.019 that we get 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.779 of his graciousness 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.879 graciousness 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:40.279 and mercy 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.539 towards Sarah. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.259 She laughs 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.879 in the face 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:43.759 of his promise 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.680 and then lies 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.559 to his face 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.379 and yet the Lord 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.079 is merciful 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:51.359 and gives her, 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.000 blesses her 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.399 with what he promised 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.200 anyway. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.819 This great God, 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.680 the Lord, 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.759 Yahweh, 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.500 and yet he 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.700 stoops down 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.559 and comes 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.340 to pay 00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:05.980 Abraham 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.700 a visit 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:09.580 in the most 00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.160 personal 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.660 and intimate 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.580 way possible 00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:12.620 in human form 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:14.039 right to the 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.700 dinner table 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.340 of Abraham. 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:19.919 I can't help 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:20.419 but see 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.519 in some 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:21.859 of those 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.279 things 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.139 a picture 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:24.599 of a 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:24.939 pointer 00:24:24.939 --> 00:24:26.599 to Christ. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.559 This is not 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.059 unlike 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:31.119 how God 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.639 would do it 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.019 again 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.659 thousands 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.139 of years 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.500 later. 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.299 More and more 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.379 promises made 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.519 throughout the 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.980 years, 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.959 more and more 00:24:38.959 --> 00:24:39.480 years 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.319 waiting 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.059 patiently 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.919 for what 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.459 God has 00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:42.959 promised 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.720 until that 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.180 time 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.620 when the 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.180 ultimate 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.960 son of 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.480 promise 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.900 would be 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.319 born 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.140 into our 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.600 world 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:54.660 in human 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.500 form, 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.279 the most 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.840 personal 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.400 and intimate 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.140 way possible, 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.759 this time 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.960 permanent 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.600 humanity. 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.400 Stooping 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:05.940 down to 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.640 our level, 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.740 coming to 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.360 the table 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.960 with us 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.420 to affirm 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.480 the promises 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.360 of the 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.740 new 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.459 covenant 00:25:13.459 --> 00:25:14.559 over a 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:14.879 meal 00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:16.000 with his 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.459 people. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.339 Just as 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.679 the Lord 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:20.179 is patient 00:25:20.179 --> 00:25:21.159 and bears 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.979 with Abraham 00:25:21.979 --> 00:25:22.579 and Sarah, 00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.459 so Jesus 00:25:24.459 --> 00:25:26.199 was patient 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:26.799 and bore 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.759 with the 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.399 doubt and 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.119 unbelief 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.099 of his 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.979 disciples. 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.339 Like, 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:33.819 where are we 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.259 going to get 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.799 all the, 00:25:34.979 --> 00:25:36.299 enough bread 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.859 to feed 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:38.039 5,000 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.659 people? 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.059 And the 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.279 same 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.720 statement 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.299 is made 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.559 through 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.960 Christ 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.440 again and 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:44.740 again. 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.099 Is 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.680 anything 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.099 too 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:46.539 hard 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:46.980 for the 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.359 Lord? 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.379 As he 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:50.720 heals 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.259 the sick, 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.440 as he 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:52.960 walks on 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.420 the water, 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:53.839 as he 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.519 multiplies 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.119 the loaves 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.440 and the 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.960 fish to 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.159 feed 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:57.079 multitudes, 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.619 as he 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.259 speaks to 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.799 the storm 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.399 and calms 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:00.519 it, 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:00.920 as he 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:02.539 causes the 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:02.980 lame to 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.339 walk, 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.980 the blind 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.639 to see 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.339 and the 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:05.740 dead 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.039 to be 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.619 raised to 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.039 life? 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.980 Are all 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.319 these 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.159 parallels 00:26:14.159 --> 00:26:15.779 just 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.319 coincidence? 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:19.019 Or does 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.559 God have a 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.559 wonderful way 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.720 of pointing 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.199 to the 00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:22.579 end 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.959 from the 00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.339 beginning? 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.679 Where do 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.059 we find 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.519 ourselves 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.159 before 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:30.279 this 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.079 God, 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.220 this 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.000 Lord, 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.639 of 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.099 Abraham? 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:38.179 I hope 00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:38.439 that we 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.720 find 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.220 ourselves 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.699 trembling 00:26:39.699 --> 00:26:40.299 in fear 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.379 as Sarah 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:41.720 did, 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.220 a good 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.559 fear, 00:26:43.939 --> 00:26:44.299 a right 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.679 fear, 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.679 at the 00:26:46.679 --> 00:26:47.139 realization 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.819 that he 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.359 knows 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.240 us 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.879 inside 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.399 and out 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:52.240 even 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.519 better 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.000 than we 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.919 thought 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.500 possible. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.699 And I 00:26:57.699 --> 00:26:58.019 hope that 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.819 those words 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:00.119 is anything 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.019 too hard 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.279 for the 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.599 Lord 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.219 strike 00:27:03.219 --> 00:27:03.699 right to 00:27:03.699 --> 00:27:03.899 the 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:04.119 core 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:04.459 of our 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:04.859 hearts. 00:27:06.399 --> 00:27:07.119 We have 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.539 a God 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:07.899 who can 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.139 do 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.899 anything, 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.519 who can 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:09.819 do 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.139 everything. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.639 As you 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:15.919 look at 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:16.119 the 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.619 difficulty 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.059 of the 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.699 situations 00:27:17.699 --> 00:27:18.240 that you're 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.679 in in 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:19.199 your life, 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.000 we have 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.319 a God 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:20.619 who is 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:20.939 all 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:21.500 powerful. 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.119 God 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:24.000 is 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.599 powerful. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.240 But he 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.579 doesn't 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.319 always do 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:26.859 things the 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.220 way that 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.900 we expect. 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.400 This story 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:30.700 is not 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.180 here to 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.640 tell us 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.460 God is 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.660 all 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.119 powerful 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.940 and so 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.400 he will 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.579 do 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:34.900 whatever 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.559 you need 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:35.880 him to 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.140 do 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.240 or want 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.539 him to 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:37.819 do in 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.319 your life. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.400 This story 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:40.880 is here to 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.359 tell us 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.119 God is 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.319 all 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.880 powerful 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:44.420 and so 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:44.839 there is 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.420 nothing 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.119 that can 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.640 interfere 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.259 with him 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.220 keeping his 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.819 promises 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.779 to his 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.179 people. 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:51.819 He did 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.099 it for 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.500 Abraham 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.579 and he 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:53.919 will do 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:54.519 it for 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:54.819 you. 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.259 And so 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.679 the question 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.019 that we're 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.460 left with 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:58.799 all of 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.599 this at 00:27:59.599 --> 00:27:59.859 the end 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.139 of all 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:00.439 of this 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.319 is what 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.960 has the 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.259 Lord 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.079 promised 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.939 to us? 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.220 If it's 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.159 that certain 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:08.099 that we 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.859 will receive 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.579 what has 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.220 been promised 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:10.839 to us 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:12.159 then shouldn't 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.579 we make 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.179 it top 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.740 priority 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.539 to know 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.379 just what 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:15.859 the Lord 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.480 has promised 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.079 to us? 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.859 what has 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.500 he said? 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.919 Sometimes I 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.399 wonder if 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:22.960 as Christians 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.359 we just 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:23.720 kind of 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.039 float 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.639 through life 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.019 with just 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.379 kind of 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.619 an empty 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.299 wish or 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.859 hope that 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.539 Jesus will 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.279 save us 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.919 and nothing 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.339 more. 00:28:30.699 --> 00:28:31.119 We can 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.460 do better 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.899 than that. 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.799 We can 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.559 have confidence 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.819 because the 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.220 Lord has 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.079 made specific 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.279 promises 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.899 to us 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.439 through 00:28:39.439 --> 00:28:40.079 Jesus. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:42.899 What are 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.559 those promises? 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.159 Do you 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.599 know them? 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.480 We could 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:47.879 talk of 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.319 the promise 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:48.819 of eternal 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.179 life. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.480 We could 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:49.879 talk of 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.339 the promise 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.019 of resurrection 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.159 body. 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.460 We could 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:52.819 talk of 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.240 the promise 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.539 of his 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:53.879 return. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.199 We could 00:28:54.199 --> 00:28:54.559 talk of 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.019 the promise 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.839 of his 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:57.119 great heavenly 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:57.779 kingdom which 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.359 he will bring 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:58.939 on this 00:28:58.939 --> 00:29:00.039 earth someday 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:01.539 and the list 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.179 goes on. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.359 We could 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.799 talk about 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.759 being blameless 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.939 and spotless 00:29:05.939 --> 00:29:06.879 before the 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.779 throne of God 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.659 because of 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.119 what Christ 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:09.699 has done 00:29:09.699 --> 00:29:12.339 and on 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.839 and on 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.399 and on. 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.039 Do you 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.559 know those 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.019 promises? 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.460 We could 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:15.920 talk about 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.539 specific 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.339 situations 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:17.720 in our 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.200 lives for 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.700 which God 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.119 has given 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.799 us promises 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.480 in here 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.700 for each 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.039 and every 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.440 one of 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.599 those kinds 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.519 of situations. 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:25.759 Times when 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.319 we're anxious, 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:26.940 times when 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.000 we're fearful, 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:30.180 times when 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.799 we're sick, 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:32.940 where we're 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.379 going through 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:34.460 great difficulty 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.119 and struggle, 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:35.839 trials, 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.079 relationships 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.759 aren't going 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.240 the way that 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.700 we hoped 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.079 that they 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.359 would. 00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:42.319 there's a 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.859 promise for 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:44.039 everything that 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.240 we need to 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.419 live a godly 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:46.679 life. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.219 This was our 00:29:47.219 --> 00:29:47.699 verse for 00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.479 VBS this 00:29:48.479 --> 00:29:48.799 summer. 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.719 2 Peter 1 00:29:52.719 --> 00:29:53.679 verse 3 00:29:53.679 --> 00:29:56.939 His divine 00:29:56.939 --> 00:29:59.259 power has 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.759 given us 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.899 everything we 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:02.519 need for a 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.939 godly life or 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:04.579 for life and 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.019 godliness. 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.879 How? 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.520 Through our 00:30:07.520 --> 00:30:08.220 knowledge of 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.300 him who 00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:10.000 called us by 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.440 his own 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.500 glory and 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.000 goodness. 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:13.120 Through these, 00:30:13.260 --> 00:30:13.580 through his 00:30:13.580 --> 00:30:14.180 glory and 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.100 goodness, he 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:16.020 has given us 00:30:16.020 --> 00:30:16.740 his very 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.840 great and 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.480 precious 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:20.900 promises. 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:23.920 So that 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.360 through them 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:24.700 you may 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.580 participate in 00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:26.060 the divine 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:27.560 nature and 00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:28.120 escape the 00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:28.740 corruption in 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.200 the world 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.520 caused by 00:30:30.520 --> 00:30:31.460 evil desires. 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.160 Do you 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.980 know the 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.660 promises that 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.000 have been 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.460 given to 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.720 you? 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.800 And do 00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:40.180 you know 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:40.779 that there 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.500 is absolutely 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.300 nothing in 00:30:42.300 --> 00:30:42.740 heaven and 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:44.360 on earth that 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.080 can stop the 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:45.519 Lord from 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.880 keeping them 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.700 to you? 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.380 What an 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.560 amazing God 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.279 we have. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.640 Let's pray. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.279 Lord Jesus, 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.100 we stand in 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:04.640 awe of you. 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:08.200 we stand in 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.560 awe of all 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.140 you are, 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.500 of all you 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.060 have done, 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:14.140 of your 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:14.840 great love, 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.300 of your 00:31:15.300 --> 00:31:15.860 grace, 00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:18.160 which you 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.700 have freely 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.360 offered to 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:19.700 us. 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.779 Thank you. 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.040 Teach us to 00:31:25.040 --> 00:31:25.860 walk by faith, 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.500 to take you 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.100 seriously, 00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:28.820 to take you 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:29.120 at your 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.420 word, 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.000 just as 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:31.060 Abraham and 00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:31.779 Sarah learned. 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:31.879 Lord, 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:35.099 we ask this 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.740 in Christ's 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:35.980 name. 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.859 Amen.