"Sarah" Tagged Sermons
Living Faith
Examples of faith scattered through the Scriptures and through our experience encourage us to continue in our own life of faith. Hebrews 11:4-40 SERMON OUTLINE “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) True Christian faith is taking God at His word and building your life on it. Four aspects of the life of Faith that are exemplified by these stories: The life of faith serves as encouragement for…
Prayer that Pleads for the Lost: Abraham
In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, but Abraham focuses on calling God to act justly. It almost seems like Abraham is bargaining with God. What is going on here and what might we learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost? Sermon OutlinE “Abraham remained standing before the Lord.…
God of the Lost Ones
SERMON OUTLINE ““The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) The Triune God and the Mission of God The Father sending the Son The Father and Son sending the Holy Spirit The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sending the Church Blank Spaces and the Bible Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar (Genesis 16-17, 21) Joseph (Genesis 37-41) Ruth (Ruth 1-4) Where…
Becoming Children
Paul calls the Galatians to a new life of freedom in God. He uses an allegory about Hagar and Sarah in order to illustrate the radical new beginning and life we have as children of grace and not children of law. (Galatians 4:7) Sermon Outline “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7) Adoption (Galatians 4:1-7) Identity of the adopted (4:1-3) Adoption made…
The Faith of Sarah
Genesis 23:1-20 recounts the death of Sarah and Abraham’s honoring of her by acquiring a special burial place and grieving. Oftentimes, Sarah is remembered for her mistreatment of Hagar & Ishmael and for laughing at God’s promise of a child. But what truly is Sarah’s legacy of faith, and how might we all learn from her about developing a stronger faith life? (Genesis 23:1-20) Sermon Outline Sarah lived 127 years. She was married for over 100 years The Lord is…
Two Children, a Family and the Interweaving Promises of God
The promise-child is born and named Isaac, which means laughter. The son of the servant woman is sent away. In the midst of these amazing and confusing relationships, God reveals Himself as faithful to both parents and both children. As we talk about orphan Sunday, we will explore themes of God’s faithfulness to children, regardless of the brokenness of parents, as well as how we step forward with God. (Genesis 21:1-21) Sermon Outline “Sarah became pregnant and bore a son…
Praying in the Midst of Promises and Problems
Abraham and Sarah extend hospitality to three divine visitors, where the promise is reaffirmed again. Sarah thinks it’s funny. At the same time, judgment is coming down on Sodom, where Lot lives, and Abraham bargains with God about these things. This will not include much reflection on the final chapter of Lot’s story, which ends with all the typical messiness of those whose lives are turned upside down by loss and grief. How do we live, like Abraham, as a…
Tangible Signs
Here we encounter a third and more specific outline of both God’s covenant promises and the demands laid upon Abram. The reality of the promise will be physically signified in the arrival of the much-anticipated child (‘seed’) of promise. The acceptance of the covenant is tangibly signified through the human activity of circumcision. In the midst of this, God gives new names to this couple: Abraham and Sarah. Woah. What’s up with this? What is God doing here and what…
Human Means for Divine Ends
When Abram and Sarai grow old (Genesis 16:1-18), they begin to think it’s time to take measures into their own hands. This move was culturally appropriate, but God had different plans for achieving his purposes. In the midst of this, God reveals Himself as “The God who sees” to the servant Hagar. What does it mean to wait on the Lord to accomplish His purposes as opposed to living out “God helps those who help themselves”? (Genesis 16:1-18) Sermon Outline…
Fumbling with Faith
we look at Abraham’s fumbling attempt to integrate his faith with everyday challenges in the world around him, particularly life as a nomad with little protection. Both in Egypt and later in the Negev, Abraham tries to protect himself and Sarah but risks blowing everything. This message will emphasize the importance of celebrating God’s grace in our lives and truth-telling even when it is difficult. (Genesis 12:10-20; 20:1-18) Sermon Outline “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot…