Introduction

Good morning, dear family in Christ. As we gather together on this beautiful day that the Lord has made, let's take a moment to prepare our hearts and minds for what we are about to receive. We are here to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, to allow it to wash over us, to cleanse us, to renew us, and to guide us. We are here to listen, to learn, and to lean on the everlasting arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today, we are going to turn our attention to a particular passage in the book of Genesis, chapter 18, verse 14. But before we do that, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day. We thank You for the opportunity to gather together in Your name, to worship You, to praise You, and to learn from Your Word. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive what You have for us today. May Your Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let's read together from Genesis 18:14, "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

This scripture passage brings us to a pivotal moment in the life of Abraham and Sarah. They were both advanced in years, far beyond the age of childbearing. Yet, God made a promise to them. A promise that seemed impossible. A promise that defied human understanding and natural laws. A promise that required faith.

The question posed in this verse, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" is not just a question for Abraham and Sarah. It's a question for each one of us today. It's a question that echoes through the ages, reverberating in the hearts and minds of believers everywhere. It's a question that challenges us, that confronts us, that compels us to examine our own faith and our own understanding of who God is.

Imagine, if you will, a mountain. This is not just any mountain. It's the tallest, steepest, most intimidating mountain you've ever seen. It's a mountain that represents all the challenges, all the obstacles, all the impossible situations in your life. Now, imagine trying to move that mountain on your own. It seems impossible, doesn't it? But now, imagine God standing next to that mountain. Suddenly, the mountain doesn't seem so big, does it? That's because with God, nothing is impossible.

As we journey together through this sermon, let's keep this image in mind. Let's remember that no matter how big our mountains may seem, they are never too big for God. Let's remember that with God, all things are possible. Let's remember that God is not limited by our human understanding or our natural laws. He is the God of the impossible.

So, as we stand at the foot of our mountains, let's ask ourselves, "Is anything too hard for God?" And let's listen for His answer, not just with our ears, but with our hearts. Because it's in our hearts that we will find the faith to believe in the impossible.

Believe The Impossible: Is Anything Too Hard for God?

Genesis 18:14 poses a question that reverberates through the ages, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" This question, asked by God Himself, challenges our human understanding of what is possible and what is not. It's a question that invites us to step out of our limited perspective and into the limitless power of God.

Let's start with the context. Abraham and Sarah were old, well past the age of childbearing. Yet, God had promised them a son. This seemed impossible, not just improbable. But God, in His infinite wisdom and power, asked, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Now, let's break this down.

God's Promise and Our Limitations

Firstly, we need to understand that God's promises are not bound by our human limitations. We often look at our circumstances and think, "This is impossible." But God looks at the same situation and says, "Watch what I can do."

The original Hebrew word for "hard" in this verse is "pala," which means to be marvelous, wonderful, surpassing, extraordinary. It's the same word used in Psalm 139:14 where David says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." So, when God asks, "Is anything too hard for me?" He's really asking, "Is there anything too wonderful, too marvelous, too extraordinary for me?"

The answer, of course, is no. There is nothing too extraordinary for God.

As the great theologian A.W. Tozer once said, "A low view of God is the cause of a hundred lesser evils. A high view of God is the solution to ten thousand temporal problems."

Our Faith and God's Faithfulness

Secondly, our faith in God's promises is not about our ability to believe, but about God's ability to fulfill. Abraham and Sarah laughed at the promise of a son because it seemed impossible. But God wasn't asking them to make it happen. He was asking them to believe that He could make it happen.

Our faith is not a magic formula that makes God act. It's a humble acknowledgment that God can do what we cannot. It's not about our strength, but His. It's not about our ability, but His.

God's Timing and Our Patience

Lastly, God's timing is not our timing. Abraham and Sarah had to wait 25 years for the fulfillment of God's promise. That's a long time to wait for something that seems impossible. But God's timing is perfect. He is never early, never late. He fulfills His promises at just the right time.

So, when we're waiting for God to fulfill a promise, when we're facing a situation that seems impossible, let's remember God's question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" And let's answer with faith, "No, Lord. Nothing is too hard for You."

Facing Doubt and Fear

The story of Abraham and Sarah is a story of faith, a story of trust, a story of believing in the impossible. It's a story that asks us a question, a question that echoes through the ages, a question that God Himself posed: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14, NIV)

Abraham and Sarah, they had their doubts. Sarah laughed when she heard she would have a son in her old age. It seemed impossible. But God asked, "Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

So, let's ask ourselves: Is anything too hard for God?

1. God's Promises are Bigger than Our Doubts

Sarah laughed because the promise seemed too big. She was old. Abraham was old. But God's promises are not limited by our human understanding or our physical limitations. God's promises are bigger than our doubts. When we trust in Him, He can turn our doubt into faith, our disbelief into belief.

2. God's Power is Greater than Our Fears

Sarah was afraid. She was afraid of the impossible. But God's power is greater than our fears. He is not bound by our human limitations or our understanding of what is possible. When we trust in Him, He can turn our fear into courage, our worry into peace.

Now, let's look at another scripture, a scripture from the New Testament, a scripture that echoes the same theme. In Luke 1:37, the angel Gabriel tells Mary, "For nothing will be impossible with God." Mary, like Sarah, was faced with an impossible promise. But she chose to believe. She chose to trust in God's power and His promise.

3. God's Faithfulness is Stronger than Our Unbelief

Mary believed because she knew that God is faithful. She knew that God keeps His promises. And so, we too must believe. We must believe that God's faithfulness is stronger than our unbelief. When we trust in Him, He can turn our unbelief into belief, our doubt into faith.

4. God's Love is Deeper than Our Understanding

God loved Abraham and Sarah. He loved them so much that He made a promise, a promise that seemed impossible. But God's love is deeper than our understanding. His love is so deep that He can make the impossible possible. When we trust in Him, He can turn our understanding into wisdom, our knowledge into love.

5. God's Grace is More Abundant than Our Limitations

Abraham and Sarah were limited. They were old. They were beyond the age of childbearing. But God's grace is more abundant than our limitations. His grace is so abundant that He can make the impossible possible. When we trust in Him, He can turn our limitations into possibilities, our impossibilities into realities.

So, let's ask ourselves again: Is anything too hard for God? The answer is a resounding no. Nothing is too hard for God. When we believe in the impossible, when we trust in His promises, His power, His faithfulness, His love, and His grace, He can transform our doubts and fears into unwavering faith.

The Fulfillment of God's Promise

In the grand tapestry of biblical narratives, the story of Abraham and Sarah stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the limitless power of God. It's a story that prompts us to ask ourselves, "Is anything too hard for God?" This question, posed in Genesis 18:14, is not just a rhetorical device, but a challenge to our faith and our understanding of God's omnipotence.

The first point we need to consider is the miraculous conception and birth of Isaac. Sarah, well past the age of childbearing, was given a promise by God that she would bear a son. This was not a promise given lightly or without understanding of the seeming impossibility of the situation. God, in His infinite wisdom and power, knew the biological constraints of human reproduction. Yet, He chose to make this promise to Abraham and Sarah, not in spite of the impossibility, but because of it.

In the realm of human understanding, Sarah's conception was impossible. But God operates outside the confines of human understanding. He is not limited by our biological rules or physical laws. He is the creator of these laws, and He can supersede them as He sees fit. This is a crucial point to understand when we consider the question, "Is anything too hard for God?" The birth of Isaac was not just a miracle, but a demonstration of God's power over the natural world and His faithfulness to His promises.

A.W. Tozer, a renowned pastor and author, once said, "A low view of God is the cause of a hundred lesser evils. A high view of God is the solution to ten thousand temporal problems." This quote encapsulates the essence of our discussion. When we limit God to our human understanding, we are essentially placing Him in a box, constraining His power to the realm of the possible. But when we elevate our view of God, acknowledging His limitless power and sovereignty, we begin to see the impossible become possible.

The second point to consider is the timing of Isaac's birth. Scripture tells us that Isaac was born "at the very time God had promised him." This was not a coincidence or a random occurrence. It was a deliberate act by God, orchestrated to fulfill His promise exactly when He said it would happen.

God's timing is always perfect. He is never early, never late, but always right on time. This is a difficult concept for us to grasp, as we live in a world governed by time. We are constantly watching the clock, counting down the minutes, rushing to meet deadlines. But God exists outside of time. He sees the beginning and the end, and He orchestrates events according to His perfect plan.

In the case of Abraham and Sarah, God's timing was not just about the birth of a child, but about the birth of a nation. Through Isaac, God would establish a lineage that would lead to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. This was not a plan that could be rushed or delayed. It had to happen at the exact right moment in history.

So, when we ask the question, "Is anything too hard for God?" we must remember the story of Abraham and Sarah. We must remember the miraculous birth of Isaac and the perfect timing of his arrival. We must remember that God is not limited by our human understanding or constrained by our concept of time. And most importantly, we must remember that with God, nothing is impossible.

Conclusion

As we draw our sermon to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the remarkable faith journey of Abraham and Sarah. Their story, as told in Genesis 18:14, is a testament to the limitless power of God. It's a story that challenges us to believe in the impossible, to trust in God's promises, and to hold onto faith, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.

Abraham and Sarah were ordinary people, just like us. They had their doubts, their fears, and their moments of weakness. Yet, they chose to believe in the impossible. They chose to trust in a God who could turn barrenness into abundance, who could turn impossibility into reality. Their faith was rewarded with the birth of Isaac, a child of promise, a child of miracle.

This week, let's strive to be more like Jesus, who exemplified perfect faith in God. Let's strive to trust in God's promises, to believe in the impossible, and to hold onto faith, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Let's strive to be more like Jesus, who showed us that with God, nothing is too hard.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the faith journey of Abraham and Sarah. Their story inspires us to believe in the impossible and to trust in Your promises. As we face our own challenges, help us to remember that nothing is too hard for You. Strengthen our faith, fill us with courage, and guide us in Your ways. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

As we go forth from this place, let's carry the story of Abraham and Sarah in our hearts. Let's remember their faith, their trust, and their belief in the impossible. Let's strive to be more like Jesus, who showed us that with God, nothing is too hard. Let's strive to trust in God's promises, to believe in the impossible, and to hold onto faith, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He turn His face toward you and give you peace. As you go forth from this place, remember that with God, nothing is too hard. Believe in the impossible, trust in His promises, and hold onto faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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