A. INTRODUCTION: FAITHFUL TO HER FAMILY
1. Her original name Sarai meant princely, Sarah meant princess.
2. Was childless until 90 years of age. “Shall Sarah that is ninety years old” (Gen. 17:17).
3. Only woman whose age was mentioned. “Sarah was a hundred and twenty seven” (Gen. 28:1).
4. Even after she died. “Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent” (Gen. 24:67).
B. SEVEN STEPS TO FAITH FOR A FAMILY
1. Sarah was faithful to follow her husband to the Promised Land, then Egypt, then the desert.
a. A wife is committed first to God, second to husband.
b. Her faith is reflected in following husband.
2. Sarah attempted to carry out God’s promise for a son.
a. Cultural bond slave child. “Sarai said to Abraham, ‘Behold’” (16:2).
b. She saw it didn’t work. “Sarah dealt harshly with her” (16:6).
3. Sarah not originally included in God’s promise.
a. God promised Abraham a son, not Sarah (12:2, 15:2).
b. Not Eliezer. “You will have a son of your own” (15:4, NLT).
c. As many children as the stars (15:5).
4. Sarah at first doubted God would include her.
a. God included Sarah. “About this time next year your wife will have a son” (18:10).
b. Abraham laughed in joy. Sarah laughed in unbelief.
c. Like most, Sarah denied. “Sarah was afraid so she denied it” (19:15).
d. God’s challenge. “Is anything too hard for the Lord” (18:13).
5. Sarah had faith for a supernatural conception.
a. It was her faith. “By faith also Sarah herself receives strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age because she judged Him faithful who had promised” (Heb. 11:11).
b. Why did Sarah trust? She saw miracles in Egypt, victory over kings, miracles in Abraham’s body with Ishmael, etc.
c. The child was all about God, not the desire of Abraham and Sarah.
6. Sarah said “no and go” when necessary (Gen. 21:1-13).
a. Ishmael forced a decision at banquet for Isaac. Sarah saw “Ishmael making fun of her son Isaac” (21:9, NLT). Literally “hitting to hurt.”
b. Sarah said, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son” (21:10, NLT).
c. Family argument. “Abraham … his son” (21:11).
d. Sarah was right, not because of family, but faith (Gal. 3:16 ff).
7. Sarah died in faith.
a. Details of her death and burial. “When Sarah was 127 years old she died” (Gen. 23:1, NLT).
b. Abraham finally got the title deed to a plot in the Promised Land (Gen. 23:17-20).
C. CONCLUSION
1. Without Sarah, God wouldn’t fulfill His promise to Abraham to begin a great nation.
2. Without Sarah, Abraham couldn’t walk in faith.
3. With Sarah, Abraham and Sarah were in line of Messiah (Matthew 1:2).
4. God recognized Sarah’s faith in the “Hall of Faith” (Heb. 11).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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