Sermon Central
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"An Unlikely Mother"
Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 11, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Today we honor Mother’s certainly Mother’s it is after all Mother’s day….but we would be remiss if we didn’t take the time to celebrate the tenderness warmth and kindness that can be found in women. Women who love the Lord!
West Greeley Baptist Church
May 10 2002
“An unlikely mother”
Genesis 18: 10-15
Pastor Mark Hensley
10 Then the Lord [3] said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master [4] is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ’Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."
But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."
Introduction: A teacher asked a boy this question: “Suppose your mother baked a pie and there were seven of you—your parents and five children. What part of the pie would you get?” “A sixth,” replied the boy. “I’m afraid you don’t know your fractions,” said the teacher. “Remember, there are seven of you.” “Yes, teacher,” said the boy, “but you don’t know my mother. Mother would say she didn’t want any pie. “Bits and Pieces, June, 1990, p. 10
A four-year-old and a six-year-old presented their Mom with a house plant. They had used their own money and she was thrilled. The older of them said with a sad face, “There was a bouquet that we wanted to give you at the flower shop. It was real pretty, but it was too expensive. It had a ribbon on it that said, ‘Rest in Peace,’ and we thought it would be just perfect since you are always asking for a little peace so that you can rest.” Source unknown
Transition: Today we honor women who need rest! Who unselfishly give of their resources and themselves to make life more enjoyable for the rest of us. Mother’s certainly Mother’s it is after all Mother’s day….but we would be remiss if we didn’t take the time to celebrate the tenderness warmth and kindness that can be found in women. Women who love the Lord, women who have children of their own and those that do not and yet provide needed hugs and reassurance to the people that cross their life’s path! Today I am thinking of a woman who lived ages ago who lived most of her life without a child of her own. A Godly woman who discovered at 90 that God is a God of surprises and the impossible is possible for an “Unlikely Mother”.
Genesis 18: 10-15
10 Then the Lord [3] said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master [4] is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ’Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."
But he said, "Yes, you did laugh." Genesis 18: 10-15
God is a God of surprises!
God’s plan can often seem impossible
God will accomplish His plan, regardless of our reaction!
I. God is a God of surprises! 10 Then the Lord [3] said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."
The events that led up to Sarah’s impending pregnancy are found in Genesis 17: 15-17
15 God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."
17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"
What a promise! What a surprise!
I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."
