Nothing is Too Hard for the Lord

 





Sermon Outline: "Nothing is Too Hard for the Lord"

Genesis 17-18

1. God’s Promise to Abraham and Sarah

  • Genesis 17:17-19
  • Abraham laughed at God’s promise of having a son at his old age.
  • Thomas Watson's Commentary: Abraham’s laughter reflects human weakness in understanding God’s promises, yet reveals God’s power to overcome human limitations.
  • God reaffirms the covenant, emphasizing His sovereignty.
  • Key Verse: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)

2. Human Tendency to Bargain with God

  • Genesis 17:18
  • Abraham attempts to bargain with God over Ishmael, reflecting human fragility.
  • Psalm 50:21: "You thought I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you."
  • We must rest in God's mercy, recognizing no bargains are needed—Christ has secured salvation on the cross.

3. God’s Reaffirmation of His Covenant

  • Genesis 18:1-8
  • The Lord appears in the form of three men (a veiled reference to the Trinity).
  • Abraham gives his best to God, preparing a meal.
  • Application: Offer God our best, not our leftovers.

4. Sarah’s Doubt and God’s Response

  • Genesis 18:9-12
  • Sarah laughs at the idea of bearing a child, questioning God’s ability.
  • Genesis 18:14: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
  • Cross References:
    • Matthew 19:26: "With God, all things are possible."
    • Romans 4:21: "Fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised."
  • Application: We must trust in God's promises even when they seem impossible.

5. The Call to Be Salt and Light

  • Genesis 18:13-14
  • The Lord rebukes Sarah’s doubt, reminding her (and us) that nothing is beyond His power.
  • Application: We are called to trust God's plan and be His witnesses, advancing His kingdom no matter where we are.

6. Confession and Repentance

  • Genesis 18:15
  • Sarah denies her laughter, but God knows the truth.
  • Application: We cannot hide anything from God. Repentance is essential, and we must surrender our doubts to Him.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Where in your life are you tempted to doubt God’s promises, like Sarah? How does Genesis 18:14 challenge that doubt?
  2. Have there been times when you tried to "bargain" with God, as Abraham did? How does the cross remind us that no deal needs to be struck?
  3. In what ways can you offer your best to God, just as Abraham did with his meal? What are some areas where you might be giving Him your leftovers?
  4. How can you practically be "salt and light" in your community, trusting that God will work through you to bring His kingdom?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No One Dies Early. Thoughts on Virus', Lockdowns, and Spiritual Health From A Pastor

Image
 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27 So in the last couple of days, it seems that everyone is once again blowing the alarm of 'we all might get COVID and die.'   So we have 'leadership' that is shutting everything down from schools, and businesses, to in-person worship.    Do we have a legitimate right to be afraid of what might happen?  I guess, but last year at this point when the cold and flu season was at its peak no one was demanding we lock the world down.  We took common-sense approaches to our health and if we were sick we stay home and everyone else lived their life.  Let's look at the data.   CDC estimates* that, from  October 1, 2019 , through  April 4, 2020 , there have been: 39,000,000 – 56,000,000 flu  illnesses 18,000,000 – 26,000,000 flu  medical visits 410,000 – 740,000 flu  hospitalizations 24,000 – 62,000 flu  deaths Now those are some seriously sobering numbers, right?    But here is the th
Read more

Sermon Outline: The Patience of God and the Righteousness of Noah (Genesis 6:1-9) Sunday AM Sermon Notes 8/4/2024

Image
     Sermon Outline: The Patience of God and the Righteousness of Noah (Genesis 6:1-9) Introduction Opening Remarks Introduction to the theme: God's patience and the call to righteousness. Brief overview of Genesis 6:1-9 and its context. Purpose: To understand God's long-suffering nature and our response to His patience. I. The Patience of God A. God's Long-Suffering Nature Definition of long-suffering (patience). 2 Peter 3:9: God's patience and desire for repentance. Psalm 103:8: God’s merciful and gracious character. B. Misinterpretation of God's Patience The danger of complacency in light of God's patience. 2 Peter 3:10-12: The certainty of judgment. C. God's Patience and Our Responsibility Romans 2:4-5: God's kindness is meant to lead to repentance. The urgency of repentance and living a holy life. II. The World Before the Flood A. Increasing Wickedness Genesis 6:1-4: The corruption and evil of humanity. Explanation of the "sons of God" and
Read more

Welcome to the FBC Cedar Vale BLOG!

Image
Hello.  I hope you're doing well.  I'm so glad you found us.  This is an online blog ministry from First Baptist Church in Cedar Vale, KS.   You'll find written resources from Pastor Caleb Gordon and other Christian leaders and Bible teachers.   We pray this encourages you on your Christian faith journey.  
Read more